The Institution of Christian Religion

Therefore good men travailed in this point, and above all other Augustine to show that we are corrupted not by foreign wickedness, but that we bring with us from the womb of our Mother a viciousness planted in out begetting, which to deny was most great shamelessness. But the rashness of the Pelagians and Celestians will not seem marvellous to him, which by the writings of that holy man shall perceive, how shameless beasts they were in all other things. Surely it is not doubtfully spoken that David confesseth that he was begotten in iniquities, and by his Mother conceived in Sin.¹ He doeth not there accuse the sins of his Father or Mother, but the better to set forth the goodness of God toward him, he beginneth the confession of his own wickedness at his very begetting. Forasmuch it is evident that that was not peculiar to David alone, it followeth that the common estate of all mankind is noted under his example. All we therefore that descend of unclean seed, are borne infected with the contagion of Sin, yea before that we see the light of this life, we be in the sight of God filthy and spotted. For who could give clean of the uncleanness?² not one: as it is in the book of Job.

Therfore good men trauailed in this pointe, and aboue al other Augustine to shewe that we are corrupted not by forein wickednesse, but that we bryng with vs from ye wombe of our Mother a viciousnesse planted in out begetting, whiche to denie was moste greate shamelesnesse. But the rashenesse of the Pelagians and Celestians will not seeme marueylous to hym, whiche by the writinges of that holy manne shall perceyue, howe shamelesse beastes they were in all other thynges. Surely it is not doubtfully spoken that Dauid confesseth that he was begotten in iniquities, and by hys Mother conceyued in Sinne.¹ He doeth not there accuse the sinnes of his Father or Mother, but the better to sette forth the goodnesse of God towarde hym, he begynneth the confession of hys owne wickednesse at hys verie begettyng. For asmuche it is euident that that was not peculiar to Dauid alone, it followeth that the common estate of all mankynde is noted vnder hys example. All we therefore that descende of vncleane sede, are borne infected wyth the contagion of Sinne, yea before that we see the lighte of thys lyfe, we bee in the sight of God filthie and spotted. For who could geue cleane of the vncleanesse?