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

For who would argue it injustice in God to reject such who did not believe in Christ, but sought for Justification by the Law? If the Apostle did prove only two such Decrees about the ways to salvation and damnation, here was no such mystery transcending humane expectation. This is certain, the Remonstrants commend their way of common Election, making the determinate event to be by man himself, in a most plausible and colourable manner, as being most agreeable to humane reason and equity. There is no man would dispute against God in this, whereas the other exposition strongly pursued by Austin, and for the dreadfulness of it to flesh and blood, which is ready to call God to an account for his administrations was greatly disliked by many and a scandal to them; Even as at this day, it still meeteth with the same unkind entertainment from Lutherans, Socinians and Arminians, who make an Universal Conditional Election, whereby (they say) God would have all to be saved, even the Calvinists themselves, as they are pleased to instance by derision. Well if this part of Scripture will not convince, I know not what light will, and they must needs be prepossessed, who can let their judgements assent to such a remote and forced explication; Not to add that the Decree which they make about Gods rejection of such who seek for Justification by works is false; for did not many Jews following the righteousness of the Law, at last believe in Christ; Was not Paul once zealous for the works of the Law? Yet afterwards an affectionate admirer of the righteousness by faith. ⟨p. 291⟩But we leave these bold Interpreters who do assume more to themselves in turning the sense of these words this way and that way, then do allow God in the disposing of mankind, as if the Text were like the Potters clay, that they might make a sense of honour and a sense of dishonour.

For who would argue it injustice in God to reject such who did not believe in Christ, but sought for Justification by the Law? If the Apostle did prove only two such Decrees about the wayes to salvation and damnation, here was no such mystery transcending humane expectation. This is certain, the Remonstrants commend their way of common Election, making the determinate event to be by man himself, in a most plausible and colourable manner, as being most agreeable to humane reason and equity. There is no man would dispute against God in this, whereas the other exposition strongly pursued by Austin, and for the dreadfulness of it to flesh and bloud, which is ready to call God to an account for his administrations was greatly disliked by many and a scandal to them; Even as at this day, it still meeteth with the same unkind entertainment from Lutherans, Socinians and Arminians, who make an Universal Conditional Election, whereby (they say) God would have all to be saved, even the Calvinists themselves, as they are pleased to instance by derision. Well if this part of Scripture will not convince, I know not what light will, and they must needs be prepossessed, who can let their judgements assent to such a remote and forced explication; Not to adde that the Decree which they make about Gods rejection of such who seek for Justification by works is false; for did not many Jews following the righteousness of the Law, at last believe in Christ; Was not Paul once zealous for the works of the Law? Yet afterwards an affectionate admirer of the righteousness by faith.