A14216:2456
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
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.
1. WHAT CONVERSION IS.
FIRST we are to speak some-what of the […] of Conversion. Conversion is either a general […], like as is ••• •ation; or it is ••ken more specially. It signifie•• the same in Latin, that [Greek or Hebrew] doth in Greek, and T•s•hum in Hebrew. Moreover the Greek [Greek or Hebrew] is very well also interpreted in Latin by* Resipiscentia, there being the same reason of both names. For as the Latin Resipiscentia is derived from resipisco, which signifieth to wax wise after we have done a thing: So the Greek [Greek or Hebrew] cometh from [Greek or Hebrew], which is also to wax wise after an error or fault committed, to recall or retract our judgement and opinion, and to alter an evil purpose. Some render [Greek or Hebrew] by the Latin Paenitentia, that is, repentance or penitency: And this Paenitentia is said to be derived either from Paenites, which signifieth to be grieved and to repent, or from Paena, which signifieth pain and punishment: because the grief which is in repentance, is as it were a punishment. But the name of paenitentia or repentance, is more obscure than the name of conuersio, or conversion. For repentance doth not comprehend both that from which we reclaim our selves, and that whereunto we are changed. But conversion comprehendeth the whole; because it addeth that mutation and change, on which ensueth a beginning of new life. Now repentance signifieth only the grief which is conceived after the fact or sin. Moreover the name of repentance is of a larger compass, than the name of conversion. For conversion is spoken only of the godly, who alone are converted unto God: and in like manner is the Greek [Greek or Hebrew], and the Latin Resipiscentia spoken of the godly only: because