A14216:260
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 third Division of Sin.
The third Diuision of Sinne.
1There is sin against the conscience, and sin not against the conscience. Sin against the conscience is committed of those who wittingly and willingly sin. So David wittingly and willingly committed adultery and murder. Sin not against the conscience is that, which we either not witting, or not willing commit, or which is committed of those who know the will of God, acknowledge and bewail their sin, but are not able to avoid it: as are Original sins, sins of omission, ignorance, infirmity, even in the regenerate and Saints. They omit many good things, which they would not omit; or commit evil things, which they would not commit, being suddenly overtaken and overcome by infirmities: & therefore are most grievously angry with themselves for their sins committed, so that they are not more grieved at any thing, than for that they offend God daily by their ⟨p. 87⟩sin; and therefore desire and groan after nothing more than the grace of the holy spirit, whereby to resist sin. Such sins are not imputed to the regenerate, neither do they cast off grace, the holy spirit, and faith. Such a sin of ignorance Saint Paul saith his blasphemy was, which he committed, before he was converted, against God, as also his persecuting and violence against the Church, & therefore God had mercy of him, 1. Tim. 1.13. Another kind of those sins not against the conscience, to wit infirmity, the same Apostle describeth, Rom. 7.19. I do not that good which I would, the evil which I would not that do I. Yet not I do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Hither also is to be referred the sin of Peter, who wittingly denied Christ, but not willingly, for he had not the power to do otherwise. It was not reigning sin: because he acknowledgeth and bewaileth it, and holdeth fast his faith,