The substance of Christian religion soundly set forth in two bookes, by definitions and partitions, framed according to the rules of a naturall method, by Amandus Polanus professor of diuinitie. The first booke concerneth faith. The second concerneth good workes. The principall pointes whereof are contained in a short table hereunto annexed. Translated out of Latin into English by E.W.

Thus much concerning originall sinne: now concerning Actuall sinne.

* 1.1Actuall sinne, is that sinne, which we our selues commit.

[ 1] And first, that is either inward, or outward.

Inward sinne, is euery euill thought, and doubting concerning God and his will, in∣credulitie and the rest.

Outward sinne, is euery word, deed, or ge∣sture contrary to the law and will of God.

Outward sinne, is either hid or manifest.

An hid sinne, is that which no man is pri∣uie of, besides he which did commit it.

A manifest sinne, is that sinne, which other

men also are priuie vnto, and are offended, & made worse thereby. Therefore it is specially called an offence.

* 1.2An offence is a speech or deed whereby an other is made worse.

An offence, is either giuen, or taken.

An offence giuen, is an vngodly doctrine, or euill example of maners, which doth hurt others, either because they doe imitate the same, or because by it men are discouraged from the Gospell.

An offence taken, is when either by some right doctrine, or necessary deed, hypocrites are offended, and conceiue hatred of the Go∣spell, and godly men. And that is also called a Pharisaicall offence.

[ 2] Againe sinne is either raigning, or not rai∣gning: which some men call deadly or veniall.

A sinne raigning, is that sinne, which the sinner doth not resist by the grace of the ho∣ly spirit, regenerating him to eternall life, and therefore it maketh him subiect to eternall death, except he repent, and obtaine pardon by Christ.

A sinne not raigning, is that sinne which the sinner resisteth by the grace of the holy spirit, regenerating him to eternall life, and therefore he is not subiect to eternall death, because he repenteth him, and doth obtaine pardon by Christ.

Euery sinne in it owne nature, is deadly, that is to say, it deserueth eternall death, but

it is made veniall, that is to say, it doth de∣serue pardon and forgiuenesse, so that it doth not bring to the regenerate death eternall, by grace through Christ.

[ 3] Moreouer, euery sin is either against con∣science, or not against conscience.

Sinne against conscience, is a sinne when a man knowing the will of God, doth contrary to it of set purpose.

Sin which is not against conscience, is that sin, which is cōmitted of him, that knoweth not the will of God, or else the sin is acknow∣ledged, and lamented of the sinner, to be a sin, yet it cānot perfectly in this life be auoy∣ded: as for example, originall sin, and many other sinnes of ignorance and infirmity.

[ 4] Furthermore, sinne is either pardonable or vnpardonable.

Pardonable sin, is that sinne which is for∣giuen to him that repenteth, and to him that asketh remission through Christ.

Such are all sinnes, except the sin against the holy Ghost.

Vnpardonable sinne, is that sinne which is not forgiuen, neither in this world, nor in the world to come. Mat. 12.31. Mar. 3.28. Luk. 12.10. Heb. 6.4.5.6. 1. Iohn. 5.16.

Of this sort, is the sinne against the holy Ghost.

The sinne against the holy Ghost, is that sin, where Gods truth is resisted, or denyed of set purpose, after that the minde is con∣firmed,

and taught in the truth, by the te∣stimony of the holy spirite, whosoeuer com∣mit this sinne are punished by God with blindnesse, so that they can neuer repent, and therefore cannot obtaine forgiuenesse.

[ 5] Moreouer sinne is either affected, or vn∣aduised.

An affected sinne, is that sin which is com∣mitted of meere malice or stubburnnesse.

An aduised sinne, is that sinne which is cō∣mitted of rashnesse or infirmity.

[ 6] Lastly, euery sin is by it selfe, or by accidēt.

Sinnes by them selues, are all sins which are forbidden by the law of God.

Sinnes by accident, are the actions of the vnregenerate, which indeed are commanded by God, but yet they displease God, because of the defectes and vices concurring in the wicked: or else indifferent actions which are done with offence.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of actuall sin.
• * 1.2

  Of an offence.