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

First, As this Doctrine about original sin is wholly by revelation, so we are to judge of the heinousness of it according to Scripture-principles. It is true, (as hath been said formerly) the Heathens did complain of the effects of this original sin, but they did not know the cause; so that as by the Word we come to know that from our descendency from Adam we do contract this original pollution, thus also by the Word we are to pass sentence about the greatness of the sin: If the Scripture saith, We are by nature the children of wrath; If God in destroying of the world, doth not simply look to actual sins, but as they flow from such a polluted principle; If by this we are in bondage to Satan, and are under his power, though there were no actual sins committed by us, then let us not matter the speculations of Philosophers, nor the Political sentences of Civil Magistrates, for by these nothing is accounted culpable, but what is voluntary by our own personal will: Hence Austin explained that assertion of his, when dealing against the Manichees, Usque adeò peccatum est voluntarium, &c. Voluntariness is so necessary to the being of a sin that it cannot be any sin; if this be wanting in this (saith he) all Laws, all Nations, all Governors, &c. do agree: The Pelagians commended this of Austin, and improved it against him; but in his explication of himself, he calleth it Politica sententia; This is true according to the political Laws of Governors, and withal agreeth to actual sins: But the truth about original sin merely by revelation, we need not then regard, what Aristotle and other Philosophers say in this matter, who as they knew nothing of the creation of Adam, so neither of his fall; and this caution is necessary to every one that would not be deceived in this point.

First, As this Doctrine about original sinne is wholly by revelation, so we are to judge of the hainousness of it according to Scripture-principles. It is true, (as hath been said formerly) the Heathens did complain of the effects of this original sinne, but they did not know the cause; so that as by the Word we come to know that from our descendency from Adam we do contract this original pollution, thus also by the Word we are to passe sentence about the greatness of the sinne: If the Scripture saith, We are by nature the children of wrath; If God in destroying of the world, doth not simply look to actual sins, but as they flow from such a polluted principle; If by this we are in bondage to Satan, and are under his power, though there were no actual sinnes committed by us, then let us not matter the speculations of Philosophers, nor the Political sentences of Civil Magistrates, for by these nothing is accounted culpable, but what is voluntary by our own personal will: Hence Austin explained that assertion of his, when dealing against the Manichees, Vsque adeò peccatum est voluntarium, &c. Voluntariness is so necessary to the being of a sinne that it cannot be any sinne; if this be wanting in this (saith he) all Laws, all Nations, all Governours, &c. do agree: The Pelagians commended this of Austin, and improved it against him; but in his explication of himself, he calleth it Politica sententia; This is true according to the political Laws of Governours, and withall agreeth to actual sins: But the truth about original sinne meerly by revelation, we need not then regard, what Aristotle and other Philosophers say in this matter, who as they knew nothing of the creation of Adam, so neither of his fall; and this caution is necessary to every one that would not be deceived in this point.