A14216:75
The Sum of Christian Religion
The sum of Christian religion: delivered by Zacharias Ursinus in his lectures upon the Catechism authorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolved the questions of whatsoever points of moment, which have been or are controversed in divinity. Translated into English by Henry Parry, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supply of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of divinity, and with correction of sundry faults & imperfections, which are [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latin.The summe of Christian religion: deliuered by Zacharias Vrsinus in his lectures vpon the Catechism autorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolued the questions of whatsoeuer points of moment, which haue beene or are controuersed in diuinitie. Translated into English by Henrie Parrie, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supplie of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of diuinitie, and with correction of sundrie faults & imperfections, which ar [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latine.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1587Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1587
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1Last of all, the scripture it self in many places is against this opinion, & doth challenge a far higher authority unto it self, than which hangeth upon mens words. For so saith Christ himself, John. 5. I receive not the record of man: signifying thereby, that his doctrine stood not, no not on John Baptists testimony, although yet he did allege it, but as of less account, that he might omit nothing, by which men might be moved to believe. Therefore he addeth, But I say these things that you may believe, I have a greater witness then the witness of John. And if Christ now being humbled said these things of himself, then surely shall they be no less true of him being in glory, and sitting in his throne: And 1. Corinth. 2. Paul saith: My word and my preaching stood not in the enticing speech of mans wisdom, but in plain evidence of the spirit, and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. If so be then our faith must not rest no not upon reasons wisely framed by men, much less shall it depend on the bare word of men. Eph. 2. the Church herself is said to be builded upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles. If then the confidence and confession of the Church stayeth on the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, as on the foundation: the certainty of the Scripture cannot hang on the Churches witness. For so should not the Church be upheld by the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles, but by her own. And 1. John. 5. it is ⟨p. 15⟩said; If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. If it be greater, then the authority of it hangeth not on the record of man: But we are to give more credence unto God witnessing the Prophets and Apostles writings to be indeed his voice, then unto the Church affirming the same.
1Last of all, the scripture it selfe in many places is against this opinion, & doth chalenge a far higher authoritie vnto it selfe, thē which hangeth vpon mens woords. For so sayth Christ himselfe,