A Golden Chain

And here we must not omit to speak of the quantity or greatness of original sin, for the opening whereof we must consider three points. The first, that original sin is not divers, but one and the same in kind in every man, as the general and common nature of man is one and the same in all men. The second, that this sin is not in some men more, in some men less, but in every man equally, as all men do equally from Adam participate the nature of man, and are equally the children of wrath. Some, it may be, will say, that this can not be true, because some men are of better natures then others are: some of disposition cruel and severe, some again gentle and mild: some very licentious and disordered, some very civill. Answ. The differences that be in men ⟨p. 257⟩wanting the fear of God, arise not of this that they have more or less original corruption, but of the restraint and limitation of mans corruption. For in some God bridleth sin more then in others, & in them is found civility: & again in some less, and in such the rebellion of nature breaks forth unto all misdemeanour. And indeed if God should not keep the untoward dispositions of men within compass, otherwhiles more, otherwhiles less, as it shall seem good unto his Majesty; impiety, cruelty, injustice, and all manner of sins would break out into such a measure that there should be no quiet living for men in the world, and no place for Gods Church. And thus it is manifest that although all men be not equal in the practise of wickedness, yet that is no hindrance but they may be equal in the corruption of nature it self. The third point is, that Original sin is so huge and large every way, that it may truly be termed the root or seed not of some few sins, but of all sins whatsoever, even of the very sin against the holy Ghost. We must not imagine it to be an inclination or proneness to one or two faults, but a proneness to all and every sin that is practised in the world; and that in all persons young and old, high and low, male and female. It is a most horrible villainy for a man to kill his father, or his mother, or his child: yet some there be that do so: at the hearing whereof we use to wonder, and to testify our dislike by saying, that the doers thereof were wicked and devilish persons, and it is truly said.

And here we must not omit to speake of the quantitie or greatnesse of originall sinne, for the opening wherof we must consider three points. The first, that originall sinne is not diuers, but one and the same in kind in euery man, as the generall and common nature of man is one and the same in all men. The second, that this sinne is not in some men more, in some men lesse, but in euery man equally, as all men doe equally from Adam participate the nature of mā, and are equally the children of wrath. Some, it may be, will say, that this can not be true, because some men are of better natures then others are: some of disposition cruell and seuere, some againe gentle and milde: some very licentious and disordered, some very ciuill. Answ. The differences that be in men