A14216:2536
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.
The second use is, the acknowledgement and accusing of sin in the regenerate and unregenerate. Rom. 3.20. By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin. Rom. 7.7. J knew nothing but by the Law; for neither had I known lust, except the Law had said, Thou shalt not lust. This use of the Law belongeth unto all men: because all have so much knowledge of the Law as is sufficient to breed in them a prick and remorse of conscience. But there is a double effect hereof. For in the unregenerate the knowledge of sin, & of the judgement of God against sin, engendereth an hatred of god, & an increase of sin. For so much the more doth nature not yet regenerated desire to commit and excuse sin, and murmureth against gods judgement; how much the more the law urgeth and presseth the prohibition and condemnation of sin. Rom. 4.15. The Law causeth wrath. Rom. 7. Sin took an occasion by the commandment, and wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. Moreover if those unregenerate be also reprobate, then worketh it at length in them despair and blasphemy. Therefore, 2. Cor. 3. it is called the ministry of death. But in the elect the knowledge of sin is a preparing of them unto conversion. For it worketh in them a desire of Gods favour, and of deliverance from sin, & enforceth them, despairing of their own righteousness, to seek for righteousness and life in Christ their Mediator. And after they are once converted, it continually instructeth them with due contrition, truly to humble themselves in the sight of God, and maketh them to profit and go forward daily in true conversion unto God, and in the dread & fear of God. Now although many wicked men being blinded with security, do not acknowledge their sin for a time: yet the Law accuseth all, and the terrors and torments of conscience do at length oppress them. Unto the regenerate also, although they neither are subject to damnation, neither live without the acknowledgement and bewailing of their sin, yet necessary is the preaching & meditation ⟨p. 855⟩of the Law, that thereby they more and more knowing the remnants of sin, which are in them, may continue and go forward in true repentance and amendment of life. Moreover concerning both these uses, namely, the maintenance of Discipline, and acknowledgement of sin, it is said, that the Law is a Schoolmaster unto Christ.