A64611:65
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.
5 By what testimonies the certainty of Christian Religion, or Church-doctrine is confirmed.
GOD in the very creation of the world put this bridle in the mouth of all reasonable creatures, that no man, without extreme and manifest impudency, such ⟨p. 5⟩as was the Devil in Paradise, durst say, that any thing, if it were once apparently known to have been spoken, or commanded by God, might be called into question, or that any man might refuse to obey it. Here-hence are those things so often inculcated in the Prophets. Hearken, O heavens, and hearken, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. Thus saith the Lord. The word of the Lord came to Isaiah, Jeremiah, &c. Sith therefore it appeareth, that the books of the Old and New Testament are the words of God, there is no place left of doubting, whether that be the true Religion and Doctrine which is contained in them: but whether these books were written by divine instinct, and by what proofs and testimonies we are certain of so great a matter, this is a question not to be let pass of us.1 For except this above all other things remain steadfast and immovable, that whatsoever we read in the books of the Prophets and Apostles, doth as truly declare the will of God unto us, as if we did hear God openly speaking to us from heaven; it cannot choose, but that the very foundation and whole certainty of Christian Religion must be weakened. Wherefore, it is a consideration worthy those who are desirous of the glory of God, and do seek for sure comfort, to enquire whence it may appear unto us, 2that the holy Scripture is the Word of God. To this question now long since answer hath been made by the Papists, that forsooth it is not otherwise certain, then because the Church doth confirm it by her testimony. But we, as we neither reject nor contemn the testimony of the true Church; so we doubt not, but their opinion is pestilent and detestable, who do often say, that the holy Scriptures have not their authority else-where, then from the word of the Church.