A14216:86
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.
so also may it be, that they which are not as yet converted, or are but weaklings, may be moved especially by the Churches testimony, as which runneth more into their eyes, to give credence unto the Scripture: who yet nevertheless after they are once illuminated with a more plentiful light of faith, do find by experience, that they are confirmed by a far superior and more certain testimony, that the Scripture is the word of God, and do know by the force and evidence of it, that they must keep their faith, were all the Angels and men persuaders to the contrary: as it is said by the Apostle: Though we or an ⟨p. 20⟩Angel from heaven preach unto you otherwise than that which we have preached unto you, 1let him be accursed. By these things therefore it may be understood, that the voice and consent of the catholic Church may and ought amongest other testimonies to serve for our confirmation: and yet the authority of the holy Scripture not to hang upon it: but that out of the Scripture it self rather we must learn, by what arguments we may be brought to know that it was delivered from God. Because that God himself doth witness it: and also such is the force and quality of that heavenly doctrine, that although all men should gainsay it, yet it would not be any otherwise more manifestly & certainly known to be the voice of God, then by it self.
so also may it bee, that they which are not as yet conuerted, or are but weaklings, may be moued especiallie by the Churches testimonie, as which runneth more into their eies, to giue credence vnto the Scripture: who yet neuerthelesse after they are once illuminated with a more plentifull light of faith, do find by experience, that they are confirmed by a far superior and more certain testimonie, that the Scripture is the woord of God, and do know by the force and euidence of it, that they must keepe their faith, were all the Angels and men perswaders to the contrary: as it is said by the Apostle: Though we or an ⟨p. 20⟩Angel from heauen preach vnto you otherwise thē that which we haue preached vnto you, 1let him bee accursed. By these thinges therefore it may bee vnderstood, that the voice and consent of the catholicke Church may and ought amongest other testimonies to serue for our confirmation: and yet the autoritie of the holy Scripture not to hang vpon it: but that out of the Scripture it selfe rather wee must learn, by what argumentes wee may bee brought to know that it was deliuered from God. Because that God himselfe doth witnes it: and also such is the force and quality of that heauenly doctrine, that although all men should gainsay it, yet it would not be any otherwise more manifestly & certainly knowen to bee the voice of God, then by it selfe.