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.

1 How the Law is possible.

THAT this Question maie the better be vnderstoode, we are to distinguish the nature of mā, as it was first entire & vncorrupt, and afterwardes fallen, and againe restored. Vnto nature entire and vncorrupt the whole Lawe, as touching al parts and degrees thereof, is possible, as vnto Angels. Vnto the regene∣rate who haue nature restored againe, the Lawe is possi∣ble. 1. As concerning outward order and discipline. 2. By the bene∣fite of iustification and regeneration, both which benefites wee obtaine by faith. 3. As touching the beginning of inwarde and outward obedience in this life, 1. Ioh. 5.3. Likewise as concerning the imputation of Christes iustice, in whom is our victorie. Hee that without the beginning of obedience, that is, without regeneration, glorieth that hee knoweth and worshippeth God, is a lier. But the Law is vnpossible to the regenerate, in re∣spect of God, that is, as touching the perfect inward and outwarde obedience of the Law. For they fulfil not the Lawe perfectly, because they doe many things contrary to the Lawe. And those things also, which they doe according to the Law, are vnper∣fect. For in the regenerate are many sinnes yet remaining, as original sinne, many actual sinnes, ignoraunces, omissions, infir∣mities: which their sins thēselues notwithstāding acknow∣ledge and bewaile. Therefore regenerate sinners differ much from vnregenerate sinners. And this difference is threefolde. 1. The purpose in God himselfe of sauing the regenerat. 2. The cer∣taine final repentaunce of the regenerat. 3. Euen in the very sinnes of the regenerate there remaineth some beginning of true faith & conuersion. The wicked and vnregenerate, in whom is nature fal∣len, but not restored, haue neither whole obedience, nor the begin∣ning of obedience.