[The Whole Body of Christian Religion, by Hieron Zanchius; Translated out of Latin by D. Ralph Winterton]

Girolamo Zanchi (Hieronymus Zanchius), that eminent Italian divine and confessor of the Reformed faith, was born in Alzano Lombardo in 1516, of noble descent, but soon orphaned and raised in the Augustinian order. Early trained in Aristotle and the sacred tongues, he was drawn to the Reformation under the ministry of Peter Martyr Vermigli, whose lectures on Romans especially wrought upon his soul. Zanchi diligently studied the writings of Calvin, Melanchthon, Bucer, and Luther, yet chiefly revered Calvin as the prince of exegetes. When persecution scattered the Italian Reformers, Zanchi fled to Strasbourg, where he became professor of Old Testament, noted for his rigorous, legal method and profound learning. His Calvinistic doctrine of predestination and irenic spirit in the Eucharistic controversies soon drew him into conflict with the Lutheran establishment, resulting in the Strasbourg Consensus. Yet, finding the compromise unsatisfactory and conscience bound, he departed, serving as pastor to Italian exiles in Chiavenna. In 1568, Zanchi was called to Heidelberg to succeed Ursinus as professor of theology. There he produced numerous scholastic works—most notably his Confession of the Christian Religion and De Natura Legis—defending Reformed doctrine with uncommon acumen. When the Palatinate turned Lutheran, he, with other faithful brethren, repaired to Neustadt, continuing his labors till his death in 1590. Zanchi’s scholarship, piety, and steadfastness rendered him a chief ornament of the Reformed churches—a “burning and shining light,” whose legacy endures in his writings and the testimony of those who heard and read him.

Table of Contents:

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The First Chapter: Concerning the Holy Scriptures, which are the Foundation of all Christian Religion

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The First Doctrine: That concerning God, and matters pertaining to Religion, we are to believe God only, simply and absolutely.

As concerning God, and divine matters pertaining to the kingdom of Christ and our salvation, we believe that none can teach us better and more certainly than God himself, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

DOCT. II: That God speaketh unto us in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles.

Although God, by the things which are made, hath so made known unto all men in the world his eternal power and Godhead, that as many as have known him, and yet not glorified him as God, are without excuse: Yet we know, that he hath in a more peculiar manner, that is by his Prophets and Apostles, who spake and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, revealed himself and his will more clearly and fully unto his Church; and therefore, that the writings of the Prophets and Apostles are the very word of God.

DOCT. III: That the writings of the Prophets and Apostles only are Canonical Books.

We do not doubt but those are the writings of the Prophets and Apostles, which the Church of God is therefore wont to call by the name of Canonical books, because knowing assuredly that they were given by inspiration of God, she hath always acknowledged them for the canon and rule whereby all controversies about religion are to be examined. The other books, although they be contained in the volume of the Bible, yet she therefore calleth Apocrypha, because she hath no certain knowledge that they are from the Holy Ghost as the others are.

DOCT. IV: What Books are Canonical, and what Apocrypha.

We, together with the whole Church before and since the coming of Christ, do without all manner of doubting acknowledge and embrace these books of the Old Testament for the undoubted word of God, viz.:

• Genesis.
• Exodus.
• Leviticus.
• Numbers.
• Deuteronomy.
• Joshua.
• Judges.
• Ruth.
• 1 Samuel.
• 2 Samuel.
• 1 Kings.
• 2 Kings.
• 1 Chronicles.
• 2 Chronicles.
• Ezra.
• Nehemiah.
• Esther.
• Job.
• Psalms.
• Proverbs.
• Ecclesiastes.
• Solomon’s Song.
• Isaiah.
• Jeremiah.
• Lamentations.
• Ezekiel.
• Daniel.
• Hosea.
• Joel.
• Amos.
• Obadiah.
• Jonah.
• Micah.
• Nahum.
• Habakkuk.
• Zephaniah.
• Haggai.
• Zechariah.
• Malachi.

But these books following we count not Canonical:

• 1 Esdras.
• 2 Esdras.
• Tobit.
• Judith.
• The Rest of Esther.
• Wisdom.
• Ecclesiasticus.
• Baruch with the Epistle of Jeremiah.
• The Song of the Three Children.
• The Story of Susanna.
• The Idol Bel and the Dragon.
• The Prayer of Manasseh.
• 1 Maccabees.
• 2 Maccabees.

In the New Testament we except none: For although in former times there hath been some question concerning some of them; yet afterwards in process of time they have been acknowledged for Apostolical as well as the rest.

Of the first sort are these that follow:

• The Gospel according to St. Matthew.
• The Gospel according to St. Mark.
• The Gospel according to St. Luke.
• The Gospel according to St. John.
• The Acts of the Apostles.
• The Epistles of St. Paul.
• The 1 Epistle of St. Peter.
• The 1 Epistle of St. John.

Of the second sort are these:

• The Epistle to the Hebrews.
• The Epistle of St. James.
• The 2 Epistle of St. Peter.
• The 2 and 3 Epistles of St. John.
• The Epistle of St. Jude.
• The Revelation.

For although those of which there hath never been question made, may seem in some sort to be of greater authority than those of which there hath been question made: Yet notwithstanding we believe one as well as the other, as being both the undoubted word of God. As concerning the books commonly called Apocrypha, contained in the volume of the Bible, we give them the next place after the Canonical Scripture.