A14216:87
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.
1But least any man may think, that by any arguments, which even reason by a natural light judgeth to be sound, without the singular grace of the spirit this may be wrought in the minds of the wicked, as either to obey the truth, or to leave off to reproach it: first he must remember that the arguments or testimonies are of two sorts, which show the certainty of Christian religion, and maintain the authority of the Scripture. For there is but one only testimony, which is appropriated unto them alone who are regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, and unto them alone is it known, the force of which testimony is so great, that it doth not only abundantly testify and seal in our minds the truth of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, but it also forcibly inclineth and moveth our hearts to the embracing and following of it. Other testimonies whatsoever may be brought, they are understood indeed both of the godly and the wicked, and do compel their consciences to confess, that this religion rather than others is pleasing unto God, & that it came from him: but unless that one other come also, which is known of the godly alone, these testimonies will never bring to pas that men shall embrace the truth, although it be known unto them. The arguments therefore which show the truth & certainty of the scripture are these.
1But least any man may thinke, that by any argumentes, which euē reason by a naturall light iudgeth to bee sound, without the singular grace of the spirite this may bee wrought in the mindes of the wicked, as either to obey the truth, or to leaue off to reproch it: first hee must remember that the arguments or testimonies are of two sortes, which shew the certainty of Christian religion, and maintaine the autority of the Scripture. For there is but one onely testimonie, which is appropriated vnto them alone who are regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, and vnto them alone is it knowen, the force of which testimonie is so great, that it doth not onely abundantlie testify and seale in our mindes the truth of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, but it also forcibly inclineth and moueth our hartes to the embracing and following of it. Other testimonies whatsoeuer may bee brought, they are vnderstood indeed both of the godly and the wicked, and do compell their consciences to confes, that this religion rather than others is pleasing vnto God, & that it came from him: but vnlesse that one other come also, which is knowē of the godly alone, these testimonies wil neuer bring to pas that mē shal embrace the truth, although it be knowen vnto them. The arguments therfore which shew the truth & certainty of the scripture are these.