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

The General is, That they may be sanctified wholly or throughout [Greek or Hebrew], the Thessalonians were supposed to be sanctified already, but yet the Apostle doth here pray for their further sanctification, which doth evidence, That the Doctrine of perfection in this life, is a proud and presumptuous error; If they had, attained to the highest pitch of sanctification already, why should they still grow in it? Thus the Apostle doth often press Gospel-duties upon such as attain to them already, but because they have not perfection, therefore they are to be urged forward: Thus the Apostle writing to those that were reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 20. saith, We pray you be reconciled to God; So to the Ephes. 4. 23, 24. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, &c. He speaketh as if the work were now to begin, as if they had not as yet been partakers of this new-creature; Not but that they were so, only there was much behind still to be perfected, much leaven was to be purged out, they were still imperfect, and therefore are to forget what is behind, pressing forward to the mark.

The General is, That they may be sanctified wholly or throughout 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the Thessalonians were supposed to be sanctified already, but yet the Apostle doth here pray for their further sanctification, which doth evidence, That the Doctrine of perfection in this life, is a proud and presumptuous errour; If they had, attained to the highest pitch of sanctification already, why should they still grow in it? Thus the Apostle doth often press Gospel-duties upon such as attain to them already, but because they have not perfection, therefore they are to be urged forward: Thus the Apostle writing to those that were reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 20. saith, We pray you be reconciled to God; So to the Ephes. 4. 23, 24. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, &c. He speaketh as if the work were now to begin, as if they had not as yet been partakers of this new-creature; Not but that they were so, onely there was much behind still to be perfected, much leaven was to be purged out, they were still imperfect, and therefore are to forget what is behind, pressing forward to the mark.