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

The first of these two to be mentioned is, The loss of that aptitude and readiness it should have to follow the deliberation and prudent advise of the understanding. For this is the privative Institution and nature of the soul in its operations; The understanding when the end is pitched upon doth consult and deliberate in a prudential way about the means which may conduce to that end, and when prudence doth direct about those things which are to be done, then the will is to embrace and elect that medium rather then any other, which reason doth thus wisely suggest; Thus it ought to be, now the will being wholly corrupt doth not choose according to the dictates of prudence, but the suggestions of sense, and the carnal affections within us; So that naturally a man chooseth an object, not because reason or prudence saith, This is good, this is according to Gods will, but because sense or affection saith, this is pleasant and delightful. This sad perverting of the order of the will in its operations, if rightly considered, would throw us upon the ground, and make us with great amazement and astonishment cry out of our selves; For what can be more absurd and grievous then the will, which is so essentially subordinated in its choosing to the guidance of the understanding, should now be so debased, that like Samson without eyes, it is made to grind in every mill, that any carnal affection shall command; we may see the good method and rule the will should walk by in ⟨p. 285⟩its choice, by that which Moses said, Deut. 30. 15. 19. See, I have set before thee this day life and death, good and evil. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and eath, cursing and blessing; therefore choose life. Observe what should direct us in choosing, viz. That which the servants of God deliver from the Word, and so that which the mind of a man enlightened from thence doth declare to us, and for defect herein it is that we choose evil and death, for how often doth the Minister of the Gospel yea thy own conscience it may be within thee, obtest and adjure thy will, as herein the Text Moses did the people of Israel. I call heaven and earth to witness, saith conscience, that I have showed thee the good thou wert to do, I have terrified and threatened thee with hell, and that vengeance of God which will follow thee upon the commission of such sins: