A14216:246
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.
3 Objection. He that is borne of God sinneth not. Therefore the regenerate sin not. Answer. 1. He sinneth not to death. 1For the elect do not wholly forsake God, albeit they sin against their conscience: but they retain still some beginnings of true godliness, by which as by sparkles they are stirred again to repentance, as David, Peter, Manasseh. 2. He sinneth not, as he is regenerated: but he sinneth as long as he abideth in this life, sin not reigning in him, and yet some times reigning too: as he is not regenerated by the spirit of God,2 but is as yet carnal. For regeneration, or the renewing of us to the image of God is not perfected in an instant, but is begun ⟨p. 80⟩only in this life, and in the life to come is at length finished.3 For so doth John himself pronounce of himself, and all the Saints in this life. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is therefore the meaning of John, that the regenerate indeed do sin: but yet not so, that they make much of their sin, or do so at any time yield and assent to evil desires, that they cast away all love of godliness, and repent not. For always in the regenerate there remaineth some remnant of a regenerate nature, which causeth either a strife against sin, or else true repentance: that is, it suffereth them not to sin to death or everlasting destruction, or wholly to forsake God. And this consolation so long they enjoy, as they know themselves to be regenerated, that is, as they keep faith, and a good conscience.
3 Obiection. He that is borne of God sinneth not. Therefore the regenerat sin not. Aunswere. 1. He sinneth not to death. 1For the elect doe not wholy forsake God, albeit they sinne against their consciēce: but they retain stil some beginnings of true godlines, by which as by sparcles they are stirred againe to repentance, as Dauid, Peter, Manasses. 2. He sinneth not, as hee is regenerated: but hee sinneth as long as hee abideth in this life, sinne not raigning in him, and yet some times raigning too: as he is not regenerated by the spirit of God,