A14216:459
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 second degree is in man fallen into sin, 1and being unregenerate. In this state the will verily doth work freely: but yet is carried to evil only, and can do nought else but sin, except it be regenerated by the holy ghost. Or shorter; It is the fitness & proneness in man after his fall, being unregenerate, to choose only evil. The reason is, because men by the first Parents fall, are destitute of the true knowledge of god, and of all inclination to obey him. Therefore no actions of the unregenerate, be they never so notable, can please god, seeing they are not referred to this end, that god may be honoured by their obedience. This blindness and corruption of mans nature doth the scripture lively depaint out in very many places. Al the thoughts of man are evil. 2We are not able of our selves to think any good thing. We were by nature the sons of wrath. Can the black Moore change his skin? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. An evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Wherefore the will & ability to do good work•, is no more in the unregenerats power than their creation.
The second degree is in man fallen into sinne, 1and being vnregenerate. In this state the will verily doth worke freely: but yet is carried to euill onely, and can doe nought else but sinne, except it bee regenerated by the holy ghost. Or shorter; It is the fitnes & pronenesse in man after his fall, beeing vnregenerate, to choose onely euill. The reason is, because men by the first Parentes fall, are destitute of the true knowledge of god, and of all inclination to obey him. Therefore no actions of the vnregenerate, be they neuer so notable, can please god, seeing they are not referred to this end, that god may bee honored by their obedience. This blindnes and corruption of mans nature doth the scripture liuely depaint out in very many places. Al the thoughts of man are euil. 2We are not able of our selues to think any good thing. We vvere by nature the sons of vvrath. Can the black Moore change his skin? Then may ye also doe good, that are accustomed to doe euil. An euil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Wherfore the wil & ability to do good work, is no more in the vnregenerats power than their creation.