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.

3 WHAT IS THE PRIESTHOODE OF CHRISTIANS.

CHRIST maketh vs partakers of his Priesthood, not onely, because hee sanctifieth himselfe for vs. Iohn 17.19.

& imputeth, & giueth his sacrifice vnto vs, that for it we may be receiued of him, & God the Father into fauour, and maie be endo∣wed with the holie Ghost and eternall life, euen as if in our selues that Sacrifice were accomplished: and satisfaction made for our sinnes: but furthermore, because hee maketh vs also Priestes vnto GOD. Which hee dooth after a double manner. 1. When by the efficacie of his spirit he worketh in vs those things, which we maie offer vnto god for a Sacrifice. 2. When by his me∣rite and intercession vnto his father, hee causeth our Sacrifi∣ces, albeit vnperfect & stained with our sins, to be notwithstanding pleasing and acceptable vnto him.

Wherefore the Priesthoode of Christians is to inuo∣cate on GOD knowen aright, to offer vnto GOD all our life certaine Sacrifices, namelie Eucharisticall, euen Sacrifices of thankesgiuing, sanctified by the Sacrifice of CHRISTT. These Sacrifices of praise, or thankes∣giuing are, 1. That wee offer vp our selues wholie vnto GOD to obeie him, that is, that wee mortifie the oulde man in vs, and beginne newe obedience, both inwarde and out∣warde, according to all the commaundementes of the Lawe. 2. Euerie one to doe the duties of his owne vocation. 3. To instruct others. 4. To praie for themselues and others. 5. To giue almes to others. 6. To vndergoe and suffer cheerefullie, manfullie, and constantlie the crosse, that is, calamities, perse∣quution, contempt, banishmentes, and euen death it selfe, for the confession of the truth, and the glorie of god. In summe: The Priesthoode and Sacrifices of Christians are, the worshippe of God, commaunded in his Lawe, or all good workes, doone of those who are reconciled to God, to this end, as thereby to obey God, and doe him honor.

Wherefore the Priestes of the newe Testament are all Christians, both teachers and hearers, as they beginne newe obedience in the knowledge, and faith of the sonne of GOD. Roman. 6.13. Giue your members as instruments of righteousnesse vnto god. Againe, 12.1. I beseech you, that yee giue vp your bodies a liuing Sacrifice, holie, acceptable vnto god, which is your reasonable seruing of GOD. Againe, 15.16. Grace is giuen me of god, that I shoulde bee the Minister of Iesus christ towardes the Gentiles, ministering the gospell of god, that the offering vp of the Gentiles might bee acceptable. Luke. 22.32.

When thou art conuerted strengthen thy bretheren. Phil. 2.17. Though I bee offered vp vpon the Sacrifice and seruice of your faith, I am glad. 2. Timot. 4.6. I am nowe readie to bee offe∣red Coloss. 1.24. Now reioice I in my sufferinges for you, and ful∣fil the rest of the afflictions of christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the church.

Nowe our Sacrifices differ, as well as the Sacrifices of the olde Priestes from Christes Sacrifice. First, Christ of∣fered vp together a Sacrifice both of thankes-giuing and pro∣pitiatorie: Wee offer vppe onelie Sacrifices of thankes-giuing. The oulde Priestes also offered vp Sacrifices of thankes∣giuing: because these belong to the whole Church, e∣uen from the beginning to the ende of the woorlde. But those Sacrifices which they offered besides, were onelie typicall. But no Sacrifices of the newe Testa∣ment are typicall, but either eucharisticall and of thank∣fulnesse, as are ours; or propitiatotie, as if the obedi∣ence of CHRIST onelie, perfourmed for vs in suffe∣ring our punishment. For hee offered not a typicall or figuratiue, but the reall or figured and signified Sacrifice; as beeing not a typicall, but the signified Priest. Secondlie, The Sacrifices of Christ are both perfect: ours vnperfect and defiled with many sinnes. Thirdly, The Sacrifice of christ pleaseth God for it selfe, and for the worthinesse that is proper in it selfe, and meriteth remission of sinnes and eternall life of God for vs: because it is the death of the very sonne of GOD. Our Sacrifices merite nothing of GOD, and please him, not for themselues, but for Christs Sacrifice, wherewith they are sanctified.

Notes

• Christians are pric••••es.
• •• ••y the imputa∣tion of Christs merit.
• 2 By offering the sacrifice of thankes giuing.
• Our sacrifices different from Christs sacrifice.