A14216:83
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.
But that this is not the meaning of Augustine,1 which these men would have, they do easily perceive, who weigh both the whole course of this place, & the phrase of speech which is usual unto Austen. For Austen going about to show, that the Manichees were destitute of all proof of their doctrine; first he opposeth one, who as yet believeth not the gospel, and denieth that such a one is able any way to be convicted by the Manichaeans: for he were to be convicted either by arguments drawn out of the doctrine it self, of which the Manichaeans have none; or by the consent of the catholic Church, from which themselves were departed: for example sake, he proposeth himself, who should not have had ⟨p. 18⟩believed the Gospel, except the authority of the catholic Church had moved him thereunto. Austen therefore speaketh this not of himself, as he was then, when he writ these things against the Manichaeans, but of himself, before he was yet converted, or not sufficiently confirmed. And that he speaketh not of the present, but of the time past, the words that follow do manifestly declare: whom then I believed, when they said: Believe the Gospel: why should I not believe them when they say: Believe not a Manichean? For hence it appeareth, that when he saith he was moved especially by the authority of the Church, he meaneth it of that time, at which he obeyed the Churches voice, that is, departed from the Manichaeans unto the true Church. But after that once he was converted, and had perceived the truth of doctrine; that his faith was not now any more builded on the authority of the Church, but on a far other foundation, himself is a most sufficient witness for us, whereas in the selfsame book,2 cap. 14. he saith on this wise: Thou hast purposed nothing else but to commend that thy self believest, and to laugh at that which I believe. And when as I of the other side shall commend that which myself believe, & laugh at that which thou believest: what dost thou think we must determine, or do, but even to shake hands with them, who bid us to know certain things, and afterward will us to believe things that are uncertain:
But that this is not the meaning of Austine,1