The divine life in three treatises

Answ. It may be called Natural indeed, because it is first, and born with us: And in that respect we confess that sin and not Holiness is Natural to us. But Holiness is called Natural to us, in a higher respect, because it was the Primitive Natural constitution of man, and was before sin, and is the perfection or health of nature, and the right employment and improvement of it, and tends to its happiness. An hereditary leprosy may be called▪ Natural, as it is first, and before health in that person: But health and soundness is Natural, as being the well-being of Nature, when the Leprosy is unnatural, as being but its disease, and tending to its destruction.

Answ. It may be called Natural indeed, because it is first, and born with us: And in that respect we confess that sin and not Holiness is Natural to us. But Holiness is called Natural to us, in a higher respect, because it was the Primitive Natural constitution of man, and was before sin, and is the perfection or health of nature, and the right employment and improvement of it, and tends to its happiness. An hereditary leprosie may be called▪ Natural, as it is first, and before health in that person: But health and soundness is Natural, as being the well-being of Nature, when the Leprosie is unnatural, as being but its desease, and tending to its destruction.

Obj. But Nature in its first constitution was not Holy, but Innocent only, and it was by a superadded gift of Grace that it became Holy as some Schoolmen think; and as others think, Adam had no Holiness till his restoration.

Answ. These are Popish improved fancies, and contrary to Nature and the Word of God. 1. They are nowhere written, nor have no evidence in Nature, and therefore are the groundless dreams of men.