A14216:387
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.
OF THE FIRST SIN.
OF THE FIRST SINNE.
Next unto the place of the image of god, is adjoined the place of the first sin. For seeing man was created to the image of God, that is, perfectly wise, perfectly righteous, & perfectly blessed, the question hath been not without cause in all times, whence this present estate of man cometh, wherein he, except he be born again by the holy ghost, cannot do other than sin, and be obnoxious to calamities of all sorts, and at length to death it self. To this question answer cannot be made but out of the doctrine of the Church only: which is, that all this confusion and misery floweth from the first sin of our first Parents. We must see therefore what that sin is: concerning which, four things especially come to be considered.
Next vnto the place of the image of god, is adioyned the place of the first sinne. For seeing man was created to the imade of God, that is, perfectly wise, perfectly righteous, & perfectly blessed, the questiō hath been not without cause in all times, whence this present estate of man commeth, wherein he, except he be born again by the holy ghost, cannot do other than sin, and be obnoxious to calamities of all sortes, and at length to death it selfe. To this question answere cannot be made but out of the doctrine of the Church onely: which is, that all this confusion and miserie floweth from the first sinne of our first Parents. We must see therefore what that sinne is: concerning which, fower thinges especially come to bee considered.