A14216:396
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.
4 Why God permitted the first sin.
4 Why God permitted the first sinne.
GOD permitted it, that is, gave not his grace of resistance to our first parents, as to the blessed Angels; 1. because (as the Apostle saith, 1Rom. 9.) he would show his justice, anger and power in punishing eternally the sins of the wicked: but his mercy & love towards mankind in saving his Chosen, not imputing sin unto them for his Sons sake. And Rom. 11 32. Gal. 3.22. God hath concluded all under sin, that he might have mercy on all,2 that every mouth may be stopped. 2 That it might stand for an example of the weakness & infirmity of all creatures, even the most excellent, if they enjoy not the special blessing of their creator, and be preserved in that rightness wherein they were created. 3This doctrine concerning the creation of man is necessary for the Church, for many causes and uses which it hath. We must know that man was created of God without sin, least God be imagined the author or cause of sin. Whereas mans body was fashioned of clay: let us think of our frailty, that we be not lifted up with pride. Seeing that the workmanship of God is so admirable in the framing of mans body, and seeing it was created for the ministry of Gods worship, & for god to dwell in, and for everlasting life: let us neither abuse it to dishonesty, neither willingly destroy it, nether make it a fly of devils, but keeping it chaste & clean, endeavour that it be a temple and instrument of the holy ghost to worship god. Seeing that god would have mankind to consist of two sexes, each is to have his due place and honour, neither is the weaker to be contemned, or oppressed by tyranny, or lust, or to be