We acknowledge therefore, that 1there is in all men Original sin. We confess that all other sins, which come of it, be both in name and in very ⟨p. 18⟩deed sins, by what name so ever they be called, either mortal sin, or 2venial, or that sin which is named the sin against the holy Ghost, which shall never be forgiven: We confess also that all sins be not equal, but some 3more heinous, then other some, (although they spring out of one fountain of corruption and incredulity,) that according to the Lord his saying, it should 4be easier for them of the land of Zodom in the day of judgement, then for that city which despiseth the glad tidings of the Gospel. We condemn therefore also those, which have taught contrary doctrine to this: Especially Pelagius & all Pelagians, with the Jovianistes, who as the Stoics do, make all sins alike. We think in all points touching this matter as S. Augustine doth, who gathered out of the Scripture, and defended by them, this doctrine. Furthermore we condemn Florinus, and Blastus, against whom Ireneus wrote: also we condemn those, that make God the author of sin, for it is 5plainly written, thou art not the God, ⟨image 61⟩which wouldest iniquity, thou hatest 6all them that work mischief, & wilt destroy all those, that speak lies. Again, Joh. 8. When the Devil speaketh a lie, then speaketh he of his own, for he is a liar and the Father of lies, but in our selves also there is vice enough, so that there is no need that God should pour into us a new kind of wickedness, or more iniquity. Wherefore, when God is said in the Scripture, 7to harden, to make blind, to give over in a reprobate sense, it is to be understood, that God so doth by righteous judgement, as a judge, and just 8revenger. To conclude, as oft as God in the Scripture is said to do, or seemeth to do any evil, it is not meant, that man doth no evil of himself, but it is signified, that God suffereth evil to be done, and letteth or hindereth it not, by his just judgement, although he might have stayed it, if he would, or else we may answer, that God turneth the sin of man, to a good use, as he did the sins of Josephs brethren: or else we may say that God ruleth and ⟨p. 19⟩bridleth sin, least it burst forth and range further, then it is meet. S.
We acknowledge therefore, that 1there is in al men Original sinne. We confesse that all other sinnes, whiche come of it, be both in name and in very ⟨p. 18⟩déede sinnes, by what name so euer they be called, either mortall sinne, or 2veniall, or that sinne whiche is named the sinne against ye holy Ghost, whiche shal neuer be forgeuen: We cōfesse also that al sinnes be not equal, but some 3more heynous, then other some, (although they spring out of one foūtaine of corruptiō and incredulitie,) that accordyng to ye Lord his saying, it should 4be easier for them of the lāde of Zodom in the day of iudgement, then for that citie which despiseth the glad tidinges of the Gospell. We condemne therfore also those, which haue taught contrary doctrine to this: Especially Pelagius & all Pelagians, with the Iouianistes, who as the Stoyckes doo, make all sinnes alike. We thinke in all poinctes touchinge this matter as S. Augustine doth, who gathered out of the Scripture, and defended by them, this doctrine. Furthermore we condemne Florinus, and Blastus, againste whome Ireneus wrote: also we condemne those, that make God the author of sinne, for it is 5plainely writen, thou art not the God, ⟨image 61⟩whiche wouldest iniquitie, thou hatest 6all them that woorke mischiefe, & wilt destroy all those, that speake lies. Againe, Ioh. 8. When the Diuell speaketh a lie, thē speaketh he of his owne, for he is a lier and the Father of lies, but in our selues also there is vice inough, so that there is no néede yt God should powre into vs a newe kinde of wickednesse, or more iniquitie. Wherfore, when God is sayde in the Scripture, 7to harden, to make blinde, to geue ouer in a reprobrate sence, it is to be vnderstode, that God so doth by rightuous iudgement, as a iudge, and iuste 8
- 1Original sin.Originall sinne.
- 2Actual sin. Mar. 3.Actuall sinne. Mar. 3.
- 31. Jo. 5.1. Io. 5.
- 4Mat. 10. 11.
- 5God is not the author of Sin.God is not the author of Sinne.
- 6Psalm. 5.
- 7Objection.Obiection.
- 8Solut.
