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

IN the second place, While we speak of the weakness of the Memory about good things, we must take notice of a two-fold weakness, a Natural weakness, and a sinful weakness; a Natural weakness is that which ariseth from the constitution of the body, and unfit temperature of the brain, for though the actions of the understanding be immaterial, to know and to remember, yet they require the body as the Organ and the Instrument; So that as the most artificial Musician cannot discover his skill upon an Instrument whose strings are out of order, so neither can the understanding of a man put forth its noble actions, when the body is out of order; Hence we read that some diseases, or other events have deprived men of their memory, so that they have forgot their own name. By this we see, That the soul doth act dependently upon the body, being the form informing of a man, and giving his being and operations to him. Now it's useful to know this distinction; for many good people, especially when grown in year, do much complain that their memory is gone; They cannot carry away ⟨p. 251⟩so much of a Sermon, or from good Books, as once they did, and this doth much grieve them, they look upon themselves as drones, and not Bees, that carry home honey from every flower, but this may support them, that this is a natural affect in the memory, not a sinful one; For as Aristotle observeth (Lib. de Memoriâ & Reminiscentiâ.) neither in children, or in old men, is there such a capacity for memory, in children, because of the too much moisture; And therefore it is (saith he) as if a man should imprint a Seal in the water, which because of its fluid nature would receive no impression, nor in old men is there such a capacity of memory, because of their dryness and siccity, as if a man should imprint a seal upon a dry piece of wood, it would not receive any form or character. If then in thy old age, thy memory faileth, know this is a natural imbecility, as sickness and pain is not a sin. Others again they abuse this distinction, for when they are urged to holy duties, called upon to remember what hath been preached, then they excuse themselves with their bad memory, God help them they have an ill memory; but if thou hast a memory for other things, jests and merry tales, or businesses of profit, and no memory for holy things;