A14216:784
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.
1 WHAT A COVENANT IS.
1 WHAT A COVENAVNT IS.
A Covenant in general signifieth a mutual promise or agreement between the parties who are joined in that Covenant, ⟨p. 254⟩whereby is made a bond or obligation for the performance of certain things on both parts, solemn ceremonies and tokens being added thereto, to testify and confirm that promise and agreement. For the making therefore, declaring, & confirming of a Covenant serve mutual promises and outward signs and tokens of the Covenant. A Testament is called the last will of a Testator, whereby he at his death disposeth of his things, what he would have done concerning them: this is ratified by the death of the Testator.
A Couenaunt in generall signifieth a mutuall promise or agreement betweene the parties who are ioined in that Couenaunt, ⟨p. 254⟩whereby is made a bond or obligation for the performance of certaine thinges on both parts, solemne ceremonies and tokens beeing added thereto, to testifie and confirme that promise and agreement. For the making therefore, declaring, & confirming of a Couenaunt serue mutual promises and outward signes and tokens of the Couenaunt. A Testament is called the last will of a Testator, whereby he at his death disposeth of his thinges, what he woulde haue done concerning them: this is ratified by the death of the Testator.
In special, the Covenant between God and men is a mutual promise and agreement, made by our Mediator, confirmed by oaths and solemn tokens (which we call Sacraments) whereby God bindeth himself to remit their sins unto them that believe, and to give them everlasting life, for & by his son, our Mediator: & men bind themselves to receive this so great a benefit with faith, and to yield true obedience unto God; which is, to live according to his will, that so they may declare their thankfulness unto god. The sum is: This Covenant is gods bond to yield us his grace and favour: and of the other side our bond, to receive this grace by faith; and to yield new obedience.