A64611:119
The sum of Christian religion, delivered by Zacharias Ursinus first, by way of catechism,…The summe of Christian religion, delivered by Zacharias Ursinus first, by way of catechism,…
The sum of Christian religion, delivered by Zacharias Ursinus first, by way of catechism, and then afterwards more enlarged by a sound and judicious exposition, and application of the same : wherein also are debated and resolved the questions of whatsoever points of moment have been, or are controversed in divinity / first Englished by D. Henry Parry, and now again conferred with the best and last Latin edition of D. David Pareus, sometimes Professor of Divinity in Heidelberg ; whereunto is added a large and full alphabetical table of such matters as are therein contained ; together with all the Scriptures that are occasionally handled, by way either of controversy, exposition, or reconciliation, neither of which was done before, but now is performed for the readers delight and benefit ; to this work of Ursinus are now at last annexed the Theological miscellanies of D. David Pareus in which the orthodoxall tenets are briefly and solidly confirmed, and the contrary errors of the Papists, Ubiquitaries, Antitrinitaries, Eutychians, Socinians, and Arminians fully refuted ; and now translated into English out of the original Latin copy by A.R.The summe of Christian religion, delivered by Zacharias Ursinus first, by way of catechism, and then afterwards more enlarged by a sound and judicious exposition, and application of the same : wherein also are debated and resolved the questions of whatsoever points of moment have been, or are controversed in divinitie / first Englished by D. Henry Parry, and now again conferred with the best and last Latine edition of D. David Pareus, sometimes Professour of Divinity in Heidelberge ; whereunto is added a large and full alphabeticall table of such matters as are therein contained ; together with all the Scriptures that are occasionally handled, by way either of controversie, exposition, or reconciliation, neither of which was done before, but now is performed for the readers delight and benefit ; to this work of Ursinus are now at last annexed the Theologicall miscellanies of D. David Pareus in which the orthodoxall tenets are briefly and solidly confirmed, and the contrary errours of the Papists, Ubiquitaries, Antitrinitaries, Eutychians, Socinians, and Arminians fully refuted ; and now translated into English out of the originall Latine copie by A.R.
London: printed by James Young, 1645
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.
These men find fault also with the obscurity of the holy Scripture,1 which they prove both by examples of hard places of Scripture, and also out of Peter, where it is said, That there are some things hard to be understood in the Epistles of Paul. And therefore, sith that things darkly spoken, without they be expounded, cannot suffice to perfect and wholesome doctrine, they urge, that the interpretation of the Church also is necessary to be received with the Scripture. But here above all things, they injure the ⟨p. 19⟩holy Ghost, ascribing darkness and obscurity unto him,2 who of purpose endeavoured to apply himself in simplicity of speech to the capacity of the common people, and the rudest. For those things which appertain to the ground of doctrine, which is necessary to be known of all, as are the articles of our Belief, and the ten Commandments; they are so plainly recited, so often repeated, so plentifully expounded in the Scriptures, that they are open and easy to any, but to him who will not learn: even as the 119. Psalm teacheth, where the word of the Lord is called a lantern to our feet, and a light to our paths. Again, the entrance into thy word showeth light, and giveth understanding to the simple. The word of the Prophet is called a light shining in a dark place. To which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your heart. 3And Solomon affirmeth, that he writeth to give the simple sharpness of wit; and to the child, 4knowledge and discretion. Again, that wisdom crieth without, and uttereth her voice in the streets. Paul also saith, that Christ sent him to preach the Gospel, 5not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. The ground therefore and sum of doctrine is not obscure, except it be unto the reprobates, who contemn the truth, or stubbornly reject it: as the Apostle saith, If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that ae lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded their minds, that is, of the Infidels, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should not shine unto them. All the day long have I stretched forth my hands to a disobedient and gain-saying people. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to understand and to do good.