A14216:890
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.
1 WHAT A SYMBOL IS.
1 WHAT A SYMBOLE IS.
This word Symbol, is derived from a greek word, which signifieth either a common collation of diverse men to the making of a banquet, or, a sign, token, and mark, whereby a man is discerned from others: Such as is the military sign, whereby fellows are deciphered from enemies. The Symbol, so termed in the Church, is a brief and summary form of christian doctrine: or a brief sum, or confession of the points of Christian religion, or Evangelical doctrine. Now it is called by the name of Symbol, because it is as a token, or profession, whereby the Church with her members is discerned from all her enemies, and from all other sects. Some say, that this brief sum of Evangelical doctrine was called a Symbol, for that this ⟨p. 288⟩doctrine was collated as it were, and imparted by the Apostles, and every one of them did bestow some part thereof: but that cannot be proved. But if you will derive it thence, this reason also nothing absurd may be rendered thereof: for that the Articles of faith are the squire and rule, whereunto the faith and doctrine of all Orthodox or right believing Christians ought to agree and be conferred.
THis woorde Symbole, is deriued from a greeke woorde, which signifieth either a common collation of diuerse men to the making of a banquet, or, a signe, token, and marcke, whereby a man is discerned frō others: Such as is the militarie signe, whereby fellowes are desciphered from enimies. The Symbole, so termed in the Church, is a breefe and summarie forme of christian doctrine: or a briefe summe, or confession of the points of Christian religion, or Euangelical doctrine. Nowe it is called by the name of Symbole, because it is as a token, or profession, whereby the Church with her members is discerned from all her enimies, and from al other sects. Some say, that this briefe summe of Euangelical doctrine was called a Symbole, for that this