The Sum of Christian Religion, Dedication
Doctrinall APHORISMES of the reformed Churches, containing the chiefe, (and at this day controverted) Articles of Chriſtian Religion:
As they were propoſed by D. Parie, Preſident in the famous Colledge of Wiſdome in Heidelberg, and chiefe Counſellor of the Eccleſiaſticall Aſſembly, for his degree of Doctor in Divinitie, An. Dom. 1593. June 12. at 7. of the clock.
TO The noble and reverend Preſident and Aſsiſtants of the holy Aſſembly, his honoured Colleagues, DAVID PARIE wiſheth health.
THat ſaying of Solomon is both true and godly, The heart of man diſpoſeth its owne way, but the Lord directeth his paths. Of which, by mine own example, I have experience: for, although hitherto I have neither wanted faire occaſions many times, nor my friends exhortations, nor other things which now draw me from mine opinion; yet, I entertained that firm reſolution ſtill, never to doe that which now I undertake to doe: From which not onelyonly did the conſcience of mine owne infirmity with-hold mee, but alſo the unhappy condition of Divinity at this day; For they, who profeſſe themſelves Divines, are either moſt bitter enemies to Divinity, and cruell perſecutours of the truth: ſo that, among theſe, the nimbler one is in railing, the greater Divine they account him; Or, if they will be truly that which they are reported to be, they preſently feele thoſe mens madneſſe, and find their teeth are faſtned in them, to the great griefe and ſcandall of the Church, to which end it ſeemes they were made; and ſo I conceived.
But behold, the Lord directing theſe things another way: for, what before deterred mee, now hindereth mee not; what before could not induce mee, doth now ſtrongly carry me forward. The knowledge of mine infirmity indeed remaines, but then I conſider, that there are differences of gifts; and, that every man propheſieth according to the meaſure of grace and faith given to him from God. Divinity hath got a bad name, as if it were a deceitfull and ſlanderous doctrine, but this is given to it by bad men; for that holy doctrine is often abuſed by Satans artifice, and wicked mens malice. Beſides, I know, that our Lord hath been, and is yet at this day the ſigne of contradiction.
By Gods appointment and the Magiſtrates, I have now ſome yeares born that office in this famous Colledge, which, by its owne right, and the examples of predeceſſours, hath made me at laſt alter my reſolution. Before mee, this place hath been honoured, to the Churches good, and to their owne praiſe, by Olevianus, Urſinus, Sohnius, Kimedoncius, whom I name, becauſe I honour them; for they were eminent men, and ſome of them were my teachers or maſters, and ſome my reverend colleagues. What? ſhall I be the firſt, that muſt impaire the dignity of ſo noble a function? Shall I overthrow ſo commendable, and ſo excellent an order in our Schoole? Shall I leave to ſucceſſours a precedent ſo diſhonourable and injurious to our College? Beſides that now the Act is at hand, wherein ſeventeen very learned men in Phyſick, and in the Lawes, are to receive their enſignes of honour; the many exhortations of my friends, and your moſt grave and ſerious reaſons (honoured Colleagues) by which not onelyonly have you approved my reſolution, but alſo have ſo ſtrongly confirmed mee in it, and perſwaded mee, that I am drawne to this taske by divine inſtinct. I beſeech our moſt mercifull God ſo to direct my pathes in his waies, that they may never goe aſtray; and that hee would be pleaſed to make theſe my endeavours profitable and wholeſome, to this Schoole firſt, and then to the whole Church of God.
I am reſolved to ſet downe out of Gods word, not a full, but a briefe repetition of our Churches doctrine, concerning certaine heads which are at this day chiefly controverted, that I might afford to young Students ſufficient matter of diſputation; and that likewiſe the ſumme of our orthodox doctrine might be, as it were in a briefe Epitome, obvious to the enemies and calumniators of our Churches.
Theſe my endeavours I conſecrate to you, honoured Sirs, both becauſe you are the moſt vigilant preſervers of ſound doctrine in theſe Churches, and becauſe you are moſt courteous favourers of my ſtudies. The Lord Jeſus keep you in ſafety for his Churches good. Amen.
At Heidelberge, in the Colledge of Wiſdome, June 1. Anno Domini 1593.