A14216:192
The Sum of Christian Religion
The sum of Christian religion: delivered by Zacharias Ursinus in his lectures upon the Catechism authorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolved the questions of whatsoever points of moment, which have been or are controversed in divinity. Translated into English by Henry Parry, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supply of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of divinity, and with correction of sundry faults & imperfections, which are [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latin.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.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1587Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1587
Part 1 › THE COMMON PLACE OF SIN. › Section 1Part 1 › THE COMMON PLACE OF SINNE. › Section 1
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.
That sin is not only in the world, but in us also,1 we know, 1. Out of the Law of God, that is, by comparing our selves and the Law together, in considering what the Law ⟨p. 64⟩requireth, and what we have performed. The Law requireth whole and perfect obedience, both inward & outward. But this we find not in our selves. Object. That which teacheth us to seek for righteousness elsewhere then in our selves, & doth show us to be guilty of sin, by that we have knowledge of our sin: But the Gospel willeth unto to despair of ourselves, 2& to seek for righteousness elsewhere. Therefore by the Gospel we have knowledge of our sin. Answer. I grant that we have after some sort knowledge of our sin by the Gospel, but not principally. For this is the principal use of the Law. But the Gospel presupposeth that which the Law hath proved, that is, that we are sinners, before it sendeth us to Christ. So also sciences, which are in order directly one under another, take their principles o• chief grounds from the sciences next above them, and proceed according to them, not proving them, but taking them as granted. Again, the Gospel doth only in general accuse us of sin: but doth not in special declare what and which be our sins. But this is the principal and proper function of the Law: therefore do we not put the Law as excluding the Gospel,3 as if by the Law alone we had knowledge of our sin: but chiefly and properly. 2. We know that we have sin in us, by the Law of nature, or by that judgement of conscience, which is in all men. 3. By the testimonies of the holy Scripture, as Psalm 14 and 53. Isaiah 59.4. By the punishments and miseries which follow sin. 5. By the sermons which treat of repentance.
That sinne is not onely in the world, but in vs also,1