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.

1 WHAT A SYMBOLE IS.

THis woorde Symbole, is deriued from a greeke woorde, which signifieth either a common collation of diuerse men to the making of a banquet, or, a signe, token, and marcke, where∣by a man is discerned frō others: Such as is the militarie signe, whereby fellowes are desciphered from enimies. The Symbole, so termed in the Church, is a breefe and summa∣rie forme of christian doctrine: or a briefe summe, or confession of the points of Christian religion, or Euangelical doctrine. Nowe it is called by the name of Symbole, because it is as a token, or profession, whereby the Church with her members is discerned from all her enimies, and from al other sects. Some say, that this briefe summe of Euangelical doctrine was called a Symbole, for that this

doctrine was collated as it were, and imparted by the Apostles, and euery one of them did bestow some part thereof: but that cannot be proued. But if you wil deriue it thence, this reason also nothing absurde may be rendered thereof: for that the Ar∣ticles of faith are the squire and rule, whereunto the faith and doctrine of al Orthodox or right beleeuing Christians ought to a∣gree and be conferred.

This Symbole is called Apostolique, 1. Because it conteineth the summe of the Apostolique doctrine, which the Catechumens were enforced to hold and professe. 2. Because the Apostles deliuered that summe of doctrine to their Scholers and Disciples: which the Church afterwardes held as receiued from them. This selfesame Symbole is called also Catholick, because there is but one faith of al Christians. Question. Were there not new Symboles made, as Athanasius Symbole, the Symbole of Nice, of Ephesus, of Chalcedon. Aunswere. These are not other from this Apo∣stolique Symbole: but certaine words are added as an ex∣plication of this, by reason of heretiques, by whom because of the shortnes thereof, this was depraued. There is no change either of the matter or of the Doctrine, but onely of the forme of declaring it, as easily appeareth by compa∣ring them together.