A64611:1336
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.
Hell in Scripture is taken three ways: For it signifieth, §11. The Grave. 1Then ye shall bring my grey-head with sorrow unto hell. Thou wile not leave my soul in hell: neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption. §22. The place of the damned: as in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The Glutton being in hell in torments, 2lift up his eyes, and saw Abraham a far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. If I lye down in hell, thou art there. §33. The pains of hell, that is, the terrors and torments of the soul and conscience. The pains of hell gate hold upon me. 3The Lord bringeth down to hell, and raiseth up: that is, into exceeding pains and torments, out of which afterwards he again delivereth.4 In this third sense it is taken in this Article: For it cannot be understood in the first sense, of the Grave. 1. Because it is said before, He was buried. If any say,5 that this latter Article is an exposition of the former, he saith nothing: For as often as two speeches expressing the same thing are joined together, so that the one is an exposition of the other, it is meet that the latter be more clear and open than the former, which here is clean contrary. For. To descend into hell, is more obscure than to be buried. 2. It is not likely in this so brief and succinct a Confession, that the same things should be twice spoken in other words. Neither can this place be understood of the place of the damned; 6as is proved by this division: §11. If Christ did locally descend into Hell, he descended either as touching his God-head, or as touching his soul, or as touching his body. Not as touching his God-head: (For this is every-where) Nor as touching his body: (For that rested in the grave three days, as was prefigured by Jonah, the type of Christ,7 neither rose it from any other place, but from the grave.) Nor us touching his soul, 1. Because Scripture no where expresseth and mentioneth it. §22. Because Christ, dying on the Cross, 8said of his soul: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: And to the Thief, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise: Therefore the soul of Christ after his death, was in the hand of his Father, in Paradise, not in Hell.
HEll in Scripture is taken three waies: For it signifieth, §11. The Grave. 1Then yee shall bring my gray-head with sorrow unto hell. Thou wile not leave my soule in hell: neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption. §22. The place of the damned: as in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The Glutton being in hell in torments, 2lift up his eyes, and saw Abraham a farre off, and Lazarus in his bosome. If I lye downe in hell, thou art there. §33. The paines of hell, that is, the terrours and torments of the soule and conscience. The paines of hell gate hold upon mee. 3The Lord bringeth downe to hell, and raiseth up: that is, into exceeding paines and torments, out of which afterwards he againe delivereth.4 In this third sense it is taken in this Article: For it cannot be understood in the first sense, of the Grave. 1. Because it is said before, Hee was buried. If any say,5 that this latter Article is an exposition of the former, he saith nothing: For as often as two speeches expressing the same thing are joyned together, so that the one is an exposition of the other, it is meet that the latter be more cleere and open than the former, which here is cleane contrary. For. To descend into hell, is more obscure than to be buried. 2. It is not likely in this so brief and succinct a Confession, that the same things should be twice spoken in other words. Neither can this place be understood of the place of the damned; 6as is proved by this division: §11. If Christ did locally descend into Hell, he descended either as touching his God-head, or as touching his soule, or as touching his body. Not as touching his God-head: (For this is every-where) Nor as touching his body: (For that rested in the grave three dayes, as was prefigured by Jonas, the type of Christ,7 neither rose it from any other place, but from the grave.) Nor us touching his soule, 1. Because Scripture no where expresseth and mentioneth it.
And that cavil little steadeth the Adversaries of this doctrine, that he might be ⟨p. 304⟩also in the hand of his Father, that is, in his Fathers protection, even in Hell: according to that, 1If I lye down in Hell thou art there; that is, there also will God have care of me, and there also will he keep me, that I perish not; for one place interpreteth another: And he had said before unto the Thief, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, 2that is, in the place and state of the blessed, where both of us shall be free from these pains; that is, he speaketh of felicity and liberty, which is not in hell: for his meaning is, both of us, who now suffer, shall this day be in Paradise, a place of everlasting salvation or happiness, where, being delivered from all torments we shall enjoy most pleasant quiet and repose. But Paradise is neither hell, nor in hell, which is the place of torment. Whereupon also it is clear, that Christ spake this to the Thief, not of his God-head, but of that which suffered, which was his soul: For the God-head was not with the Thief, neither did Christ suffer, or was elivered as touching his God-head, but as touching his soul. §22. If Christ did locally descend into hell.3 he descended either to suffer, or to deliver the Fathers thence, as the Papists affirm. But he descended not to suffer; because now all things were finished on the Cross: as Christ himself also hanging on the Cross said, It is finished. He descended not to deliver the Fathers: 11. Because he did this before in suffering for them on the earth.2 2. He did the same by his power, and efficacy of his God-head, from the very beginning of the world, not by the descension of his soul or body into hell. The Fathers were not in Limbo; Therefore they could not be delivered thence: as it is said. The souls of the just are in the hand of God. Between you and us there is a great gulf set. so that they which would go from hence to you cannot; neither can they come from thence to us. And in the same place, Lazarus dying, is said to be carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom, not into Limbus Patrum.
Some think that Christ indeed descended not into hell either to suffer,3 or to deliver the Fathers thence, but to show there the Devil and death his victory, and to strike a terror into them. But that Christ descended for this cause, is no where found extant in Scripture. They object unto us first that place of Peter: By the which he also went and preached unto the Spirits that are in prison, which were in time passed disobedient. Answ. Peters meaning in this place is not as these men conjecture, but is on this wise: He saith, Christ went; that is, being sent from the beginning, of the Father, unto the Church: By his Spirit; that is, by his God-head: To the Spirits that are now in prison; that is, in hell: He preached in time passed, When as yet they lived, and were disobedient; namely, before the Flood: For then he preached to the disobedient▪ when they were disobedient: But they were disobedient in the time of Noah: Therefore Christ preached by Noah, and by the Fathers, inviting the disobedient to repentance. Farther, if Peter here spake of the descension into hell, yet this was not their opinion who pretend the broaching of it, but the Papists, who affirm and teach, that Christ preached in hell unto the Fathers, and delivered them.2 They bring another place of Peter: The Gospel was also preached unto the dead. Answ. That is, unto those which are now dead, or were then dead when Peter wrote this, and who then lived, when the Gospel was preached unto them. They wrest and misconstrue also a place of Paul:3 Christ descended into the lowest parts of the earth. Answ. Into the lowest parts of the earth, that is, into the earth, which is the lowest part of the world: For one part of the earth is not opposed unto another, but the earth is opposed unto heaven, and the humiliation of Christ is thereby signified. This interpretation is proved by the scope and drift of the Apostle, who maketh in that place an opposition of Christs great glory, and his great humiliation. So on the other side, Christ ascended into the highest paris of heaven; that is, into heaven into the highest part of the world. These places therefore make nothing for the descension of Christ into hell: and were it so, that these places, alleged to establish this opinion, were to be understood of a local descension of Christ into hell;
yet would they not make for them, but rather for the Papists, who teach, that Christ preached unto the Fathers in hell, and thence delivered them. Now if these testimonies help not the Papists, much less will they help them: For, it is certain, that it cannot be thence proved, that Christ descended into hell, to strike a terror ⟨p. 305⟩into death and the Devil. This opinion indeed is not impious or ungodly, and is approved by many of the Fathers; so that we are not to contend maliciously with any therein: yet I leave it, because it is not grounded on any firm reasons, neither can be gained by witness of Scripture; and contrary reasons are at hand easy to be had: For, 1. After his death, when he had said, It is finished; the soul of Christ rested in the hands of his Father, into which he had commended it. And, 2. If he descended to triumph, this Article should be the beginning of his glorification: but it is not likely, that Christ took the beginning of his glorification in hell: For it is apparent by the opposition of the Article following, that Christs descension was the lowest degree of his humiliation. And yet I confess withal, that Christ struck a greater terror into the Devils, but that was by his death, whereby he disarmed and vanquished the Devil, Sin and death: and without doubt, the Devil perceived himself conquered by the death of Christ.
yet would they not make for them, but rather for the Papists, who teach, that Christ preached unto the Fathers in hell, and thence delivered them. Now if these testimonies help not the Papists, much lesse will they help them: For, it is certaine, that it cannot be thence proved, that Christ descended into hell, to strike a terrour ⟨p. 305⟩into death and the Divell. This opinion indeed is not impious or ungodly, and is approved by many of the Fathers; so that we are not to contend maliciously with any therein: yet I leave it, because it is not grounded on any firme reasons, neither can be gained by witnesse of Scripture; and contrary reasons are at hand easie to be had: For, 1. After his death, when he had said, It is finished; the soule of Christ rested in the hands of his Father, into which he had commended it. And, 2. If hee descended to triumph, this Article should be the beginning of his glorification: but it is not likely, that Christ took the beginning of his glorification in hell: For it is apparent by the opposition of the Article following, that Christs descension was the lowest degree of his humiliation. And yet I confesse withall, that Christ strook a greater terrour into the Divels, but that was by his death, whereby hee disarmed and vanquished the Divell, Sin and death: and without doubt, the Divell perceived himselfe conquered by the death of Christ.
1What meaneth then this Christs descension into hell? It signifieth, 1. Those extreme torments, straights and griefs which Christ suffered in his soul, namely, the wrath of God against sinners, and that such as the damned feel, partly in this life, and partly in the life to come. 2. The exceeding and extreme ignominy and reproach which Christ suffered. That Christ suffered these things, is proved by the testimony of David before alleged. The griefs of hell caught me: 2which is said of Christ in the person of David. There are other the like sayings whereby the same is proved: The Lord would break him, and make him subject to infirmities. 3My soul is very heavy, even unto the death. The same do those his vexations also show in the Garden, when he sweat blood: because, The Lord hath laid upon him the iniquities of us all: 4Therefore he crieth out; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The same is also proved by these reasons: 1. Christ was to redeem not only our bodies, but also our souls: Therefore he ought to suffer not only in body, but in soul also. 2. Christ was to deliver us from the pains and torments of hell: Therefore he of force must suffer them: which being so, he either suffered them before his death, or after death. The Papists themselves confess, that he suffered not after death: Therefore it must needs be, that he suffered them before death. But these pains he suffered not in the body, for the sufferings of the body were only external: Therefore he suffered those griefs in his soul. 3. It is very convenient, that the extremest and most grievous part of Christs Passion (which was these dolours of mind) should not be passed over without mention in the Creed: But if the Article of Descension into hell concern them not, they should be left unmentioned; sith that the former Articles treat only of the external sufferings of the body, which Christ suffered without him. There is no doubt therefore, but that by this Article the ghostly passions, or sufferings of his soul are signified. This is the true meaning of the Descension into hell; and we are to maintain and defend against the Papists, that which is certain; namely, that Christ so descended, as hath been proved in this discourse: Howbeit, if any man be able to maintain with sure grounds and proofs that Christ descended in any other sense, it is well: I cannot. Object.
1.1 The Articles of faith are to be understood properly, and without any trope or figure. Answ. True, except an Article, being taken according to the proper signification, be disagreeing from other places of Scripture. But this Article of Christs descension into hell, being taken properly, is much repugnant to that saying of Christ, It is finished: For if Christ fulfilled and finished all the parts of our Redemption on the Cross, there was no cause why he should descend into hell, that is, into the place of the damned. Object. 2. The terrors and torments of the soul in Christ went before his burial. But the descension into hell followeth his burial: Therefore the descension into hell concerneth not those torments. Ans. The Minor of this Syllogism is faulty, in alleging that for a cause which is no cause: For in the Creed, the descension into hell followeth the burial, not that it was performed after the burial, but because it is an illustration of that which went before touching the Passion, Death and Burial, lest any thing should be detracted from them: as if it were said, He suffered not only in body, he died not only a bodily death, he was not only buried; but also suffered in ⟨p. 306⟩soul the extremest vexations, and hellish dolours, such as all the reprobate shall suffer for ever. The chiefest therefore and weightiest part of Christs passion followeth in good order: For the Creed proceedeth from the griefs of the body to the vexation and anguish of the mind; and from the visible Passion to the invisible, as it were from a less to a greater matter and circumstance.
1.1 The Articles of faith are to be understood properly, and without any trope or figure. Answ. True, except an Article, being taken according to the proper signification, be disagreeing from other places of Scripture. But this Article of Christs descension into hell, being taken properly, is much repugnant to that saying of Christ, It is finished: For if Christ fulfilled and finished all the parts of our Redemption on the Crosse, there was no cause why he should descend into hell, that is, into the place of the damned. Object. 2. The terrours and torments of the soule in Christ went before his buriall. But the descension into hell followeth his buriall: Therefore the descension into hell concerneth not those torments. Ans. The Minor of this Syllogisme is faulty, in alledging that for a cause which is no cause: For in the Creed, the descension into hell followeth the buriall, not that it was performed after the buriall, but because it is an illustration of that which went before touching the Passion, Death and Buriall, lest any thing should be detracted from them: as if it were said, He suffered not only in body, hee died not onely a bodily death, hee was not onely buried; but also suffered in
Christ descended into hell: 1. That we might not descend thither, but rather that he might free us from the eternal pains and torments thereof. 2. That he might transport and carry us triumphantly with him into heaven. 1Wherefore, to believe in Christ, which descended into hell, is to believe, that Christ sustained for me in his soul infernal and hellish pains and torments, and that exceeding ignominy, which is due unto the wicked in hell: that thereby I might not descend into hell, and that I might never be forced to suffer them; all which otherwise I should suffer in hell eternally: but that of the contrary rather I might ascend with Christ into heaven, and there enjoy with him exceeding happiness and glory for ever and ever. This is the use and profit of this Article of Christs descension into hell.
CHrist descended into hell: 1. That we might not descend thither, but rather that hee might free us from the eternall paines and torments thereof. 2. That he might transport and carry us triumphantly with him into heaven. 1Wherefore, to beleeve in Christ, which descended into hell, is to beleeve, that Christ sustained for mee in his soule infernall and hellish paines and torments, and that exceeding ignominy, which is due unto the wicked in hell: that thereby I might not descend into hell, and that I might never be forced to suffer them; all which otherwise I should suffer in hell eternally: but that of the contrary rather I might ascend with Christ into heaven, and there injoy with him exceeding happinesse and glory for ever and ever. This is the use and profit of this Article of Christs descension into hell.
Answ. First, by his Resurrection he vanquished death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had gotten us by his death.a Again, we are now also stirred up by his power to a new life.b Lastly, the Resurrection of our head Christ, is a pledge unto us of our glorious resurrection.c
Answ. First, by his Resurrection he vanquished death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousnesse which hee had gotten us by his death.a Again, wee are now also stirred up by his power to a new life.b Lastly, the Resurrection of our head Christ, is a pledge unto us of our glorious resurrection.c
Thus far have we continued the Treatise of Christs humiliation: It remaineth that we proceed unto his glorification, for which he rose the third day from the dead: For the humiliation of the Mediator was not to endure for ever; but it was enough that he suffered once and died: notwithstanding the efficacy and power thereof, in preserving and maintaining the blessings issuing and flowing thence with full stream, endureth for ever. Now in Christs Resurrection two things are especially to be considered; the history, 1and the fruit thereof. In the history we are to observe, §12Who it was that rose from the dead; 3to wit, Christ, both God and man, in that body in which he died: For this the Word never put off. §24The manner of his rising: which was, that he, who was verily dead, revived from death, recalling his soul to his body, and gloriously came forth of his Sepulchre on the third day, according to the Scriptures; and that both by his Fathers, and his own force and power, I say, not the power of his flesh, but of his God-head: For he was raised of the Father by himself; because the Father worketh by the Son. §35The testimonies of his true resurrection. He showed himself openly to many women and Disciples; the Angels bare witness thereunto,6 &c. The fruits of Christs resurrection are expressed in these questions following.
THus farre have we continued the Treatise of Christs humiliation: It remaineth that wee proceed unto his glorification, for which hee rose the third day from the dead: For the humiliation of the Mediatour was not to endure for ever; but it was enough that he suffered once and died: notwithstanding the efficacy and power thereof, in preserving and maintaining the blessings issuing and flowing thence with full stream, endureth for ever. Now in Christs Resurrection two things are especially to be considered; the history,
The chief questions of Christs Resurrection are, 1. Whether Christ rose again. 2. How he rose. 3. For what cause he rose. 4. What are the fruits of his resurrection.
The chief questions of Christs Resurrection are, 1. Whether Christ rose againe. 2. How he rose. 3. For what cause he rose. 4. What are the fruits of his resurrection.
Infidels believe, that Christ died, but believe not that he rose from death. Nevertheless, that Christ rose again, is proved by the restimonies of Angels, Women, Evangelists, Apostles, and other Saints, who after his resurrection saw him, felt him, and talked with him. And we were to believe the Apostles in respect of the authority which they had from heaven, although they had not seen him.
INsidels beleeve, that Christ died, but beleeve not that he rose from death. Neverthelesse, that Christ rose again, is proved by the restimonies of Angels, Women, Evangelists, Apostles, and other Saints, who after his resurrection saw him, felt him, and talked with him. And we were to beleeve the Apostles in respect of the authority which they had from heaven, although they had not seen him.
And that cavill little steadeth the Adversaries of this doctrine, that hee might be ⟨p. 304⟩also in the hand of his Fathe•, that is, in his Fathers protection, even in Hell: according to that, 1If I lye downe in Hell thou art there; that is, there also will God have care of me, and there also will he keep me, that I perish not; for one place interpreteth another: And he had said before unto the Thief, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, 2that is, in the place and state of the blessed, where both of us shall be free from these paines; that is, he speaketh of felicity and liberty, which is not in hell: for his meaning is, both of us, who now suffer, shall this day be in Paradise, a place of everlasting salvation or happinesse, where, being delivered from all torments we shall injoy most pleasant quiet and repose. But Paradise is neither hell, nor in hell, which is the place of torment. Whereupon also it is cleere, that Christ spake this to the Thiefe, not of his God-head, but of that which suffered, which was his soule: For the God-head was not with the Thiefe, neither did Christ suffer, or was elivered as touching his God-head, but as touching his soule. §22. If Christ did locally descend into hell.3 he descended either to suffer, or to deliver the Fathers thence, as the Papists affirme. But he descended not to suffer; because now all things were finished on the Crosse: as Christ himselfe also hanging on the Crosse said, It is finished. Hee descended not to deliver the Fathers: 11. Because hee did this before in suffering for them on the earth.2 2. He did the same by his power, and efficacy of his God-head, from the very beginning of the world, not by the descension of his soule or body into hell. The Fathers were not in Limbo; Therefore they could not be delivered thence: as it is said. The soules of the just are in the hand of God. Between you and us there is a great gulfe set. so that they which would goe from hence to you cannot; neither can they come from thence to us. And in the same place, Lazarus dying, is said to be carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome, not into Limbus Patrum.
Some thinke that Christ indeed descended not into hell either to suffer,3 or to deliver the Fathers thence, but to shew there the Divell and death his victory, and to strike a terrour into them. But that Christ descended for this cause, is no where found extant in Scripture. They object unto us first that place of Peter: By the which he also went and preached unto the Spirits that are in prison, which were in time passed disobedient. Answ. Peters meaning in this place is not as these men conjecture, but is on this wise: Hee saith, Christ went; that is, being sent from the beginning, of the Father, unto the Church: By his Spirit; that is, by his God-head: To the Spirits that are now in prison; that is, in hell: He preached in time passed, When as yet they lived, and were disobedient; namely, before the Floud: For then hee preached to the disobedient▪ when they were disobedient: But they were disobedient in the time of Noah: Therefore Christ preached by Noah, and by the Fathers, inviting the disobedient to repentance. Farther, if Peter here spake of the descension into hell, yet this was not their opinion who pretend the broaching of it, but the Papists, who affirme and teach, that Christ preached in hell unto the Fathers, and delivered them.2 They bring another place of Peter: The Gospell was also preached unto the dead. Answ. That is, unto those which are now dead, or were then dead when Peter wrote this, and who then lived, when the Gospell was preached unto them. They wrest and misconstrue also a place of Paul:3 Christ descended into the lowest parts of the earth. Answ. Into the lowest parts of the earth, that is, into the earth, which is the lowest part of the world: For one part of the earth is not opposed unto another, but the earth is opposed unto heaven, and the humiliation of Christ is thereby signified. This interpretation is proved by the scope and drift of the Apostle, who maketh in that place an opposition of Christs great glory, and his great humiliation. So on the other side, Christ ascended into the highest paris of heaven; that is, into heaven▪ into the highest part of the world. These places therefore make nothing for the descension of Christ into hell: and were it so, that these places, alledged to establish this opinion, were to be understood of a locall descension of Christ into hell;
1What meaneth then this Christs descension into hell? It signifieth, 1. Those extreme torments, straights and griefes which Christ suffered in his soule, namely, the wrath of God against sinners, and that such as the damned feele, partly in this life, and partly in the life to come. 2. The exceeding and extreme ignominy and reproach which Christ suffered. That Christ suffered these things, is proved by the testimony of David before alledged. The griefes of hell caught mee: 2which is said of Christ in the person of David. There are other the like sayings whereby the same is proved: The Lord would breake him, and make him subject to infirmities. 3My soule is very heavie, even unto the death. The same doe those his vexations also shew in the Garden, when he sweat bloud: because, The Lord hath laid upon him the iniquities of us all: 4Therefore he crieth out; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee? The same is also proved by these reasons: 1. Christ was to redeeme not only our bodies, but also our soules: Therefore he ought to suffer not only in body, but in soule also. 2. Christ was to deliver us from the paines and torments of hell: Therefore hee of force must suffer them: which being so, he either suffered them before his death, or after death. The Papists themselves confesse, that hee suffered not after death: Therefore it must needs be, that he suffered them before death. But these paines he suffered not in the body, for the sufferings of the body were only externall: Therefore he suffered those griefs in his soule. 3. It is very convenient, that the extremest and most grievous part of Christs Passion (which was these dolours of minde) should not be passed over without mention in the Creed: But if the Article of Descension into hell concerne them not, they should be left unmentioned; sith that the former Articles treat only of the externall sufferings of the body, which Christ suffered without him. There is no doubt therefore, but that by this Article the ghostly passions, or sufferings of his soule are signified. This is the true meaning of the Descension into hell; and wee are to maintaine and defend against the Papists, that which is certain; namely, that Christ so descended, as hath been proved in this discourse: Howbeit, if any man be able to maintain with sure grounds and proofs that Christ descended in any other sense, it is well: I cannot. Object.
