A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

SECT. I.

A Clear and full knowledge of original sin can be obtained only by Scripture light; Although (as you heard) some Heathens have had a confused apprehension about it. My work at this time shall be, to show, That even Reason, where once enlightened by the Scripture, may be very powerful to convince us of this natural pollution. So that when Scripture, Reason and Experience shall come in to confirm this Truth, we may then say, there needeth no further disquisition in this point. And

A Clear and full knowledge of original sinne can be obtained onely by Scripture light; Although (as you heard) some Heathens have had a confused apprehension about it. My work at this time shall be, to shew, That even Reason, where once enlightned by the Scripture, may be very powerfull to convince us of this natural pollution. So that when Scripture, Reason and Experience shall come in to confirm this Truth, we may then say, there needeth no further disquisition in this point. And

First, This may abundantly convince us, That the hearts of men are naturally evil, Because of the overflowing of all wickedness in all ages over the whole world; How could such weeds, such briers and thorns grow up every where, were not the soil bad? It's true, in some ages some kind of sins have abounded more than others, and so in some places. But there was never any generation, wherein impiety did not cover the earth, as the waters do the Sea: Insomuch that if we should with zeal undertake to reprove them according to their desert, Non tam irascendum quàm insaniendum est, as Seneca of the vices of his time. Erasmus in his Epistle to Othusius complaineth, That since Christ's time, there was not a more wicked age then that he lived in; Christ (saith he) crieth, I have overcome the world, but the world seemeth, as if it would say shortly: I have overcome Christ, because of the wickedness abounding, and that among those who profess themselves the salt and light of the world. Now how were it possible, that the whole world should thus lie in wickedness,