A14216:938
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.
But against these things seemeth that to be, which Paul saith to the Rom. 1.19. That that which may be known of GOD is manifest also in men estranged from christian Religion: for that GOD hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him, 1that is, his eternal power and Godhead, are seen by the creation of the world being considered in his works; to the intent that they should be without excuse. And Act. 17. That GOD in former ages did not leave himself without witness: and that out of the whole nature of things, but chiefly by the mind of man, and the difference of things honest and dishonest, and by the punishments the of wicked, it may in some measure be gathered, not only that there is a GOD, but also what he is: and therefore many things are found to have been spoken truly by the heathen and others concerning the unity and nature of GOD. But to these objections we answer: that there are indeed some true things, concerning GOD manifested otherwise also than by the word delivered to the Church: but by them notwithstanding, who is the true GOD, cannot be showed; and that for two causes. For first, those things by themselves ⟨p. 303⟩are not sufficient: For, to the knowing of the true God, it is requisite that we know and profess, not some things only, but all things which he openeth of himself, and would have known. Moreover, these self same true testimonies of God also, which remain in mens minds and in nature, all they by reason of a natural blindness in them and pravity do many ways corrupt, who in weighing of them follow not the light and interpretation thereof drawn from the word of God delivered to the Church, when as even of these things which might be known by the help of nature, many things they do not know, many they feign of their own, which have nothing agreeing with the nature and will of God: and those things which they do retain, & in show of words profess, they far otherwise understand than they are proposed of God, and declared in his word, and in the Church understood: and so beholding and sounding in their mouth true sentences and sayings concerning God, conceive nevertheless and foster false opinions of him in their mind. This answer S. Paul himself expresseth