A14216:93
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 therefore is it said of the miracles of Antichrist, 2. Thessal 2. That his coming shall be by the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders, and in all deceivableness of unrighteousness, among them that perish. &c. Now if any be so bold as to call in question,1 whether or no the miracles which are reported in the Scriptures were done so indeed, he is out of all question of over great impudency. For he may after the same manner give the lie to all both sacred and profane histories. But let us first understand, that as other parts of the holy story, so especially the miracles are recited, as things not wrought in a corner, but done in the public face of the Church and mankind. In vain should the Prophets and Apostles have had endeavoured to get credit unto their doctrine by miracles, which men had never seen. Furthermore, the doctrine which they brought, was strange unto the judgement of reason, and contrary to the affections of men: and therefore their miracles, except they had bin most manifest, would never have found credit. Also it clearly appeareth, both in the miracles themselves, and in the doctrine which is confirmed by them, that they who writ them, sought not their own glory or other commodities of this life, but only the glory of God, & mens salvation. To these arguments agreeth not only the Testimony of the Church, but the confession also of the very enemies of Christ, who surely, if by any means they could, would have denied and suppressed even those things that were true and known, much less would they have confirmed by their Testimony ought that had been forged or obscure.
And therefore is it said of the miracles of Antichrist, 2. Thessal 2. That his comming shal bee by the working of Sathan, with al power and signes, and lying wonders, and in al deceiueablenes of vnrighteousnes, among them that perish. &c. Now if any be so bold as to cal in question,1 whether or no the miracles which are reported in the Scriptures were done so indeed, he is out of al question of ouer great impudency. For he may after the same maner giue the lie to al both sacred and profane histories. But let vs first vnderstand, that as other parts of the holy story, so especially the miracles are recited, as things not wrought in a corner, but done in the publik face of the Church and mankind. In vaine should the Prophets and Apostles haue had endeuored to get credit vnto their doctrine by miracles, which men had neuer seen. Furthermore, the doctrine which they brought, was strange vnto the iudegement of reason, and contrarie to the affections of men: and therefore their miracles, except they had bin most manifest, woulde neuer haue found credite. Also it clearly appeareth, both in the miracles themselues, and in the doctrine which is confirmed by them, that they who writte them, sought not their owne glory or other commodities of this life, but only the glory of God, & mens saluation. To these arguments agreeth not only the Testimonie of the Church, but the confession also of the verie enemies of Christ, who surely, if by any meanes they could, woulde haue denied and suppressed euen those thinges that were true and knowen, much lesse would they haue confirmed by their Testimony ought that had beene forged or obscure.