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

SECT. II.

WE will proceed to a second, and that is from Zech. 12. 1. The Lord which stretcheth forth the Heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Here we see the Lords power described by a three-fold effect, the making of the Heavens, the laying of the earths foundation, and making the spirit of man; Now it is plain, that the two former were by Gods immediate Creation, therefore the later must be: So that the Context doth evidently show, That Gods making of the soul of a man within him, is no less wonderful then the making Heaven and earth. This Text was also of old agitated by Austin in this controversy, and to answer it, he runneth to his old refuge of forming a thing immediately, and by natural propagation: God is not to be excluded (saith he) from having a special hand in giving being to the soul, yet it doth not follow, that therefore it must be by creation out of nothing. To this purpose they bring that of Job, Chap. 10. 10, 11. where Job attributeth the making and forming of his body to God, Hast thou not poured me out like milk, &c? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh. So Psal. 139. 13, 14, 15. where David acknowledgeth the wonderful wisdom and power of God, in making his body, Then hast curiously wrought me; As the curious needle-woman doth some choice piece; now we cannot from hence prove, that therefore the body is of God by immediate Creation.

WE will proceed to a second, and that is from Zech. 12. 1. The Lord which stretcheth forth the Heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Here we see the Lords power described by a three-fold effect, the making of the Heavens, the laying of the earths foundation, and making the spirit of man; Now it is plain, that the two former were by Gods immediate Creation, therefore the later must be: So that the Context doth evidently shew, That Gods making of the soul of a man within him, is no lesse wonderfull then the making Heaven and earth. This Text was also of old agitated by Austin in this controversie, and to answer it, he runneth to his old refuge of forming a thing immediately, and by natural propagation: God is not to be excluded (saith he) from having a special hand in giving being to the soul, yet it doth not follow, that therefore it must be by creation out of nothing. To this purpose they bring that of Job, Chap. 10. 10, 11. where Job attributeth the making and forming of his body to God, Hast thou not poured me out like milk, &c? Thou hast cloathed me with skin and flesh. So