A14216:850
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
Part 2 › OF FAITH. › Section 5: 5 What are the causes of Faith.
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.
The instrumental cause of faith in general is the whole word of God, the Law and the Gospel, written, spoken, read, heard,1 meditated: likewise many works & miracles of God in the world. But the chief and proper instrument of justifying faith is the preaching of the Gospel, & the use of the sacraments. For these doth the holy ghost use as instruments (yet not necessary but arbitrary & at his own good pleasure) both to stir up faith in us, and to nourish, strengthen & increase the same. Rom. 10.17. Faith cometh by hearing. Rom. 1.16. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. 1. Cor. 4.15. I have begotten you through the gospel. Mar. 16.16. He that shall believe and be Baptized, shall be saved. Act. 22.16. Wash away thy sins. 1. Cor. 10.16. The bread which we break, is the communion of the body of Christ. Wherefore ordinarily justifying faith is never engendered in those who are of years to receive it, without the preaching of the gospel. The cause of that faith which worketh miracles, is not simply the word of God, but there must necessarily come thereto an especial and immediate revelation from God.
The instrumentall cause of faith in generall is the whole worde of God, the Lawe and the Gospell, written, spoken, readde, heard,1 meditated: likewise many works & miracles of God in the world. But the chiefe and proper instrument of iustifieng faith is the preaching of the Gospell, & the vse of the sacraments. For these doth the holy ghost vse as instruments (yet not necessarie but arbitrarie & at his own good pleasure) both to stir vp faith in vs, and to nourish, strengthen & increase the same. Rom. 10.17