A14216:81
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.
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:2 even as the holy Apostle Paul was called an elect vessel to bear the name of God before the gentiles and kings: neither yet did Paul get credit unto the Gospel, but the Gospel unto Paul. So likewise are the Apostles termed pillars, Galat. 2. not that the Church rested on their persons, but that they were the chief teachers of the gospel, and as it were the chieftains and masters of doctrine. For a man is not bound to believe those that teach, on their bare word, but for the proofs which they bring of their doctrine.
There is alleadged also to this purpose a place. 1.1 to Timot. Obiection. 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 inough that the Church is the pillar of the truth, not a foundamentall or vpholding piller, but a ministeriall, that is, a keeper and spreader of it abroad, and as it were a mansion place or sure seat, which might carrie the truth left with her, and committed vnto her, in the open face of all mankinde:2 euen as the holy Apostle Paul was called an elect vessell to beare the name of God before the gentiles and kinges: neither yet did Paul get credit vnto the Gospell, but the Gospell vnto Paul. So likewise are the Apostles termed pillars, Galat. 2. not that the Church rested on their persons, but that they were the chiefe teachers of the gospell, and as it were the chieftaines and maisters of doctrine. For a man is not bound to beleeue those that teach, on their bare woord, but for the proofes which they bring of their doctrine.