Here is the continuation of my translation of the original German text of Martin Chemnitz’s Enchiridion (1593). The current English translation of Chemnitz’s Enchiridion in Chemnitz’s Works is based chiefly upon a Latin translation that was composed during Chemnitz’s lifetime. Here is my translation of the previous section:
Square brackets and footnotes are my own notes and additions. Chemnitz does not supply verse numbers in the original German text.
Concerning Actual Sins
108. What are actual sins?1
Actual sins are all the evil fruits which spring forth from the corrupted root of inherited sin (internally, in thoughts, will, and affections; externally in gestures, words, and words) which are contrary to God’s command.
109. How many kinds of actual sins are there?
Some sins are internal, others are external; some sins are overt, others are secret; some consist in what we do, others in what we omit; some are committed with thoughts, some with a wicked will, some with affections, some with words, some with gestures, some with works; some give cause unto sins,2 some make themselves partakers of the sins of others; some sins are committed directly and without means against God, others are committed against the neighbor, and with some a man sins against himself. These divisions (Distributiones) serve to the end that we may know to a certain measure how many and how manifold sins we have; and nevertheless, it remains true, “Who can mark how often he errs?” (Psalm 19[:12]).3
110. Is it enough that this doctrine concerning sin be presented in a general manner?
No, rather it is a guide as to how the people are to be instructed under each commandment in the Catechism, so that they may recognize what kind of inherited sin dwells in them, and from it what kind of manifold actual sins spring forth in them against each commandment. And here the pastors ought to be examined whether and how they can show such [manifold sins] with respect to each commandment; and instruction ought to be given to them as to how they may be treated in the most simple manner with respect to each commandment so that people may learn not only to say in general, “We are poor sinners, we have many sins,” but that they may learn to recognize such [manifold sins] distinctly with respect to each commandment in some measure.4
In German: Wirckliche Sünde.
That is, some sins provoke other people to commit sin.
Cf. AC XI.2.
That is, Chemnitz wants people to be able to examine themselves (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:28).