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

But as you see it was with David, when he had numbered his people, presently his heart smote him, such power it will also have over thee: This accusation is called smiting, because of the strong impression it maketh upon the soul; Conscience is also called a Book, and the Scripture may intend this as part, Revel. 20. 12. where at the Day of Judgement it is said, Books shall be opened, and the dead were to be judged according to what is written in those books; One of these books that must be opened, and by which men shall be judged is conscience, that is the debt-book, the Dooms-day-book; There is no sin committed, but there it is set down and registered, and one day it will be found there, though now for the present thou takest no notice of it: As conscience is a book, so as Bernard said (De Inferiori domo) All books are to reform this book, all other books that are written, yea the Bible it self, they are to amend this book of conscience. This book thou art to read every day, yea conscience is not only a book, but it's the Writer, the Recorder also; Conscience is the souls Secretary or Register, and faithfully sets down every sin, Item, This day such oaths, such lies; Item, Such a ⟨p. 231⟩drunken fit; Item, Such omission of duties; Thus conscience should do its work; But oh how negligent and sordid is conscience herein! What foul acts may be committed, and yet not the least sting or gripe of conscience? We have a remarkable instance of this in Joseph's brethren, when they had so cruelly and bloodily dealt with their brother, throwing him in a pit, and as to humane considerations' fully destroyed him, yet faith the Text, They sate down to eat and drink; What presently after such an unnatural sin, to find no Scorpions in their breasts, as it were, but to sit down and eat? Genes. 37. 25. as if no evil had been perpetrated; What an adamant or rock were these mens consciences turned into? And is not this the state of many men, and that after the commission of such sins, which even nature may condemn for.

But as you see it was with David, when he had numbred his people, presently his heart smote him, such power it will also have over thee: This accusation is called smiting, because of the strong impression it maketh upon the soul; Conscience is also called a Book, and the Scripture may intend this as part,