A14216:84
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.
and let us follow them, who bid us first to believe that, which as yet we are not able to perceive, that being more enabled by faith it self, we may discern to understand that which we do believe, not men now, but God himself inwardly strengthening and enlightening our mind. Wherefore they do manifest injury unto Austen, who draw that which himself confesseth of himself, when he was not yet converted, or was but weak, unto that time, when he affirmeth far otherwise not of himself only, but of all the godly.
and let vs follow them, who bid vs first to beleeue that, which as yet we are not able to perceaue, that being more enhabled by faith it self, we may discerne to vnderstand that which we do beleeue, not men now, but God himselfe inwardly strengthning and illightning our mind. Wherefore they do manifest iniury vnto Austen, who draw that which himselfe confesseth of himselfe, when hee was not yet conuerted, or was but weake, vnto that time, when he affirmeth far otherwise not of himselfe onely, but of al the godly.
For so reverent a regard ought we to have of the word of God, and such also is the force and efficacy of the holy spirit in confirming the harts of believers, that we believe God, yea without any creatures Testimony: even as Elijah forsook not god,1 no not when he thought that himself only was left alive of the true worshippers of God. If therefore either Austen, or whosoever else being not as yet converted unto religion, nor as yet having experience of the certainty of it, in ⟨p. 19⟩his hart,2 was moved rather by humane than divine Testimonies to embrace it: it cannot thereof be gathered that the certainty of the holy scripture dependeth on no other Testimonies, or that by no other we are assured of it: because that, that some are moved especially by humane voices to reverence it, cometh not thereof to pass, for that the Scripture is not maintained by any other authority: but it chanceth through the fault and weakness of them, who sticking upon humane records, do not feel as yet, or understand divine. An image and example of these degrees of faith is in the story of the Samaritan woman,