A14216:270
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.
Secondly, out of the testimony alleged we gather that the sin against the holy Ghost, is not every Reigning-sin, 1whether committed against our conscience, or against the known ⟨p. 90⟩truth: but a sin against the whole first table of the Law, and not one only part of it, but a defection from all religion, or godliness: and such a denying, or oppugning, or contumelious handling of the true doctrine of God and his will, as proceedeth not of weakness or terror, or fear, or torment, but of a purposed and stubborn maliciousness. For the obedience of the first table is, after a man hath once tasted of the word of God, reverently to obey and subscribe unto it. Neither depart they from a part of doctrine, but from all religion, who so fall, that they crucify again to themselves the son of God, and tread him under foot, & count the blood of the testament as a profane thing, and despite the spirit of grace. Neither do the Jews sin of weakness, in ascribing the works of Christ to the devil, or heretical men, after they are once convicted of their errors by certain and manifest testimonies of the word of God: neither they, who under the name and show of Christ remain still dogs & swine returning at length to their vomit & wallowing in the mire, from which for a while in outward profession and hypocrisy they abstained. And hereby may be esteemed and judged in some sort the grievousness of this sin, whereas it cometh nearest to the sin of the devils, who knowing the truth, yet stood not in it, but do despite it with hatred and horrible fury, and endeavour utterly to oppress it.
Secondly, out of the testimony alleadged we gather that the sinne against the holy Ghost, is not euery Raigning-sinne, 1whether committed against our conscience, or against the knowen ⟨p. 90⟩truth: but a sinne against the whole first table of the Law, and not one onely part of it, but a defection from al religion, or godlinesse: and such a denying, or oppugning, or contumelious handling of the true doctrine of God and his will, as proceedeth not of weaknes or terrour, or fear, or torment, but of a purposed and stubburn maliciousnes. For the obedience of the first table is, after a man hath once tasted of the word of God, reuerentlie to obey and subscribe vnto it. Neither depart they from a part of doctrine, but from all religion, who so fall, that they crucifie againe to themselues the sonne of God, and treade him vnder foote, & count the bloode of the testament as a profane thing, and despite the spirit of grace. Neither doe the Iewes sin of weaknes, in ascribing the works of Christ to the diuel, or hereticall men, after they are once conuicted of their errours by certaine and manifest testimonies of the woord of God: neither they, who vnder the name and shew of Christ remaine stil dogs & swine returning at length to their vomit & wallowing in the mire, from which for a while in outward profession and hypocrisie they abstained. And hereby may be esteemed and iudged in some sort the grieuousnes of this sin, whereas it commeth nearest to the sin of the diuels, who knowing the truth, yet stood not in it, but doe despite it with hatred and horrible fury, and endeuour vtterly to oppresse it.