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

Besides by these Commands, as we are to know our duty, so thereby also we are provoked to be deeply humbled under our great inability, seeing our selves treasuring up wrath every day, and preparing more torments for our selves, unless the grace of God doth deliver us; Yea by these commands God doth work grace, they are practical and operative means, whereby he doth communicate life unto us.

Besides by these Commands, as we are to know our duty, so thereby also we are provoked to be deeply humbled under our great inability, seeing our selves treasuring up wrath every day, and preparing more torments for our selves, unlesse the grace of God doth deliver us; Yea by these commands God doth work grace, they are practical and operative means, whereby he doth communicate life unto us.

And lastly, Therefore God doth use Commands, Because this way is suitable to man, who is a rational Agent; For although the work of grace is more than merely swasive, it is efficacious and really changing the heart, so that the Spirit of God doth far more in converting of a sinner, then the Devil doth in tempting to sin; yet God dealeth suitably to the nature of a man; We are not like stocks and stones, to whom it is ridiculous to preach, there being not in them a passive capacity of receiving the work of grace; Hence it is that the Word is preached, Miracles are wrought, powerful Arguments are used to draw off the heart; So that grace doth work Ethicophysically (as some express it,) Commands then and Threatenings are used, because grace is wrought in us after a rational manner, in an attempered manner to our constitution; The understanding being first wrought upon, that so the will and affections may more readily give up themselves.

And lastly, Therefore God doth use Commands, Because this way is suitable to man, who is a rational Agent; For although the work of grace is more than meerly swasive, it is efficacious and really changing the heart, so that the Spirit of God doth farre more in converting of a sinner, then the Devil doth in tempting to sinne; yet God dealeth suitably to the nature of a man; We are not like stocks and stones, to whom it is ridiculous to preach, there being not in them a passive capacity of receiving the worke of grace; Hence it is that the Word is preached, Miracles are wrought, powerfull Arguments are used to draw off the heart; So that grace doth worke Ethicophysically (as some expresse it,) Commands then and Threatnings are used, because grace is wrought in us after a rational manner, in an attempered manner to our constitution; The understanding being first wrought upon, that so the will and affections may more readily give up themselves.