A14216:94
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.
15 The prophecies which were fulfilled in their due time do yield their testimony unto this doctrine: in like manner the foretellings of things to come, and the correspondence of events, which could not be foretold but by God revealing them. And albeit the heathens also, and others boast of their prophecies, and oracles: yet great and manifold ⟨p. 23⟩is the difference between them & the sacred Prophecies, which showeth evidently enough, that these were uttered by divine instinct; but those to have been Legerdemains of the Devil going about by a feigned imitation to darken the trueth and glory of God. For they squared from the truth and justice of God before time revealed: they countenanced wickedness and idolatry: they were poured out by Prophets who were stirred with a furious and devilish pang: they were dark, or doubtful: and whereas they were uncertain, oftentimes by a false hope they allured those who listened unto them into hurt and destruction: at leastwise they were uttered of such things, whose events the Devil through his subtlety may after a sort conjecture by tokens going before, or else because he did know that by the permission and commandment of God he should bring them to pass. Wherefore neither do they confirm and make good the Religions of those men amongst whom they flourished; neither do they diminish the authority of the holy Scripture, in whose oracles we may see all things contrary unto that which hath bin now spoken of these.
15 The prophecies which were fulfilled in their due time doe yeelde their testimony vnto this doctrine: in like manner the foretellings of thinges to come, and the correspondence of euentes, which could not bee foretold but by God reuealing them. And albeit the heathens also, and others boast of their prophecies, and oracles: yet great and manifold ⟨p. 23⟩is the difference betweene them & the sacred Prophecies, which sheweth euidentlie enough, that these were vttered by diuine instinct; but those to haue beene Leigerdemains of the Diuell going about by a fained imitation to darcken the trueth and glorie of God. For they squared from the truth and iustice of God before time reuealed: they countenanced wickednesse and idolatry: they were poured out by Prophets who were stirred with a furious and diuelish pang: they were darke, or doubtful: and wheras they were vncertaine, oftentimes by a false hope they allured those who listened vnto them into hurt and destruction: at leastwise they were vttered of such things, whose euents the Diuel through his subtiltie maie after a sort coniecture by tokens going before, or else because he did know that by the permission and commaundement of God hee should bring them to passe. Wherefore neither do they confirme and make good the Religions of those men amongst whom they florished; neither doe they diminish the authoritie of the holy Scripture, in whose oracles we maie see al things contrary vnto that which hath bin now spoken of these.