A14216:309
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.
This evil flowed from our first Parents unto all their posterity, so that sin hath not else whence his beginning, than from our selves and our corrupt judgement, and wicked will, and the suggestion of Saran. For an evil root, and that first corruption bringeth forth of it a rotten branch, agreeable to the nature thereof, which Satan now also setteth forward and laboureth it as it were plants, by his guiles and lies: but in vain doth he labour; except we yield our selves to be fashioned and dressed by him.
This euill flowed from our first Parents vnto all their posteritie, so that sinne hath not else whence his beginning, than from our selues and our corrupt iudgement, and wicked will, and the suggestion of Saran. For an euill roote, and that first corruption bringeth forth of it a rotten braunch, agreeable to the nature thereof, which Satan now also setteth forwarde and laboreth it as it were plantes, by his guiles and lies: but in vaine doth he labour; except we yeeld our selues to bee fashioned and dressed by him.
That is called original sin, which proceedeth from the first original, that is,1 was derived from the first parent into all by propagation or generation. For this sin we bring with us in our nature out of our mothers womb into this life. I was borne in iniquity, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. And of the Devil Christ speaketh thus: He hath been a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth: because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie then speaketh he of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
That is called originall sinne, which proceedeth from the first originall, that is,1 was deriued from the first parent into all by propagation or generation. For this sinne wee bring with vs in our nature out of our mothers wombe into this life. I was borne in iniquitie, and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me. And of the Deuill Christ speaketh thus: Hee hath beene a murtherer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth: because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie then speaketh he of his owne: for he is a lier, and the father thereof.