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

WE are discovering the particulars, Wherein the memory of man is so greatly polluted; we have instanced in the Object of it, which is God, and the things immediately relating to God; These things we constantly forget, though God gave us a memory chiefly for these things. In the next place, there are Objects in the inferior region (as it were) which the Scripture commendeth to our memory, and about that also we shall find our minds never exercised therein. That I may not be infinite, I shall select some few of those Inferior Objects. And

WE are discovering the particulars, Wherein the memory of man is so greatly polluted; we have instanced in the Object of it, which is God, and the things immediately relating to God; These things we constantly forget, though God gave us a memory chiefly for these things. In the next place, there are Objects in the inferiour region (as it were) which the Scripture commendeth to our memory, and about that also we shall finde our minds never exercised therein. That I may not be infinite, I shall select some few of those Inferiour Objects. And

First,¹ It is a duty often urged in Scripture, To exercise cur memory about our sins past, to bring them to mind, and accordingly to humble our selves and repent. But is not every mans memory naturally polluted herein? How many sins are there committed many years ago? How many youth sins which thou never hast a bitter remembrance of? It is not wormwood and gall to thee to think of thy former vanities: Thus the memory well exercised is the introduction to repentance. A man can never repent that doth not first remember; Can he humble himself for that which he hath forgotten? Ezek. 16. 61, 63 God there makes a gracious Covenant and promise of pardon and forgiveness to the Israelites; and then he showeth, that this fire of his love shall melt and thaw their hearts, though like iron, they shall be ashamed and confounded, but how is all this done? by remembering. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, so that it is impossible to set upon the work of repentance and conversion to God, unless first thy memory be excited up, unless thou look upon thy former life, and remember this have I done, and thus I have lived, such sins and follies come into my mind, yea in true repentance thy sins will always be in thy memory, when eating, or drinking, or walking, thou wilt be thinking, Oh the wretch that I have been! Oh the beast and fool that I was in such and such impieties! Thus Joh and David remembered the sins of their youth,