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

These things premised, Let us consider, Wherein original sin hath infected the minds of all men, so that in respect thereof that is to be renewed. And

THese things premised, Let us consider, Wherein original sinne hath infected the minds of all men, so that in respect thereof that is to be renewed. And

First, Horrible ignorance of God, and the things of salvation doth cover the soul of every man by nature, even as darkness was upon the face of the deep. Thus Rom. 3. you heard the Apostle pronounceth generally, There is Rome that understandeth, or seeketh after God, No, not one. Hence also Ephes. 5. 8. unconverted persons are said to be darkness in the very abstract, and that both because of their original and acquired blindness of mind upon them; What could the ⟨p. 211⟩wisest and most learned of the world do in respect of any knowledge of Christ, if this were not revealed? for this cause it is called the Ministry, and the Gospel is constantly compared to light, and all the world is said, To sit in darkness till this doth arise; so that our minds are by nature wholly ignorant about our selves, about God and Christ, which made our Saviour say to Peter, upon his confession, That flesh and blend had not revealed this to him: whereas then in the state of integrity our minds were as gloriously filled with all perfections, and abilities, as the firmament with stars, there was sapience, in respect of God, science, in respect of all natural things to be known, and prudence, in respect of all things to be done; now our eye is put out, and like Sampson, the Philistines can do what they please with us, for this respect it is, that every creature is better then man, they have a natural instinct, whereby they know what is proper for them, Opera natura sunt opera artis, or intelligeniae; They have as much knowledge sensitive (I mean) as they were made with at first, even the least creatures and most despicable; yea God is, maximus in minimus, most wonder full in the least things, which made Austin prefer Fly before the Sun, and that he did more admire, Opera Formicarum, then Onera Camelorum, the wise works of the Ant, before the heavy burdens of Camels: Thus all creatures have a suitable knowledge for their end in their way, only man is in horrible darkness, and is absolutely ignorant about God or his own happiness. Therefore those opinions of some, who attribute a possibility of salvation to Heathens, by the natural knowledge they have, do in effect make void Christ and the Gospel.