A14216:80
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.
To conclude, neither is that which they assume, always true, That the authority of the ancienter witness is greater than of th• younger. For such may be the condition & quality of the younger witness, that he may deserve greater credit then the ancienter. Christ being man, bare witness of himself: Moses also and the Prophets had long time before borne witness of him: neither yet is the authority therefore greater, no not of all the other witnesses, then of Christ alone: In like sort the Church witnesseth that the holy Scripture, which we have, is the word of God: The Scripture it self also doth witness of it self the same, but with that kind of witness, that is more certain and sure than all the oaths of Angels and men.
To conclude, neither is that which they assume, alwaies true, That the autority of the ancienter witnes is greater thā of th• yōger. For such may be the conditiō & quality of the yonger witnes, that he may deserue greater credit then the ancienter. Christ being man, bare witnes of himselfe: Moses also and the Prophets had long time before borne witnes of him: neither yet is the autoritie therefore greater, no not of all the other witnesses, then of Christ alone: In like sort the Church witnesseth that the holy Scripture, which wee haue, is the woord of God: The Scripture it selfe also doth witnes of it selfe the same, but with that kinde of witnes, that is more certaine and sure than all the othes of Angels and men.
There is alleged also to this purpose a place. 1.1 to Timot. Objection. 4 3. Where the Church is called the pillar and ground of the truth. But since the Scripture doth teach otherwhere, and that not once, that the foundation of the Church is Christ and his word: it is manifest enough that the Church is the pillar of the truth, not a fundamental or upholding pillar, but a ministerial, that is, a keeper and spreader of it abroad, and as it were a mansion place or sure seat, which might carry the truth left with her, and committed unto her, in the open face of all mankind: