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

WE are to treat on Gods righteous proceedings, as to the matter of original sin, and that we may be the better directed herein, Let us lay down these Propositions:

VVE are to treat on Gods righteous proceedings, as to the matter of original sinne, and that we may be the better directed herein, Let us lay down these Propositions:

First, He that would not dangerously err about this fundamental truth, must take heed of yielding himself up to humane and philosophical arguments. A man that would rightly know the magnitude of the Sun, must not judge by his sense, but by an artificial instrument, for the principles of art will correct sense; So he that will fully understand the wisdom and righteousness of God in involving all mankind in Adam's sin must not judge by humane reasons, but Scripture demonstrations, for the principles of faith, will rectify those of reason; So that if you ask, What is the bitter root of all that bitter fruit (I mean corrupt doctrinal opinions about original sin?) We may readily answer, The inordinate attending to humane reasonings; As the Pelagians of old did first urge Reason, and then Authority of Scripture, whereas that Emblem of Nazianzene is always to be remembered, Theologia nostra est Pythagorica, our Divinity is Pythagorical, [Greek or Hebrew], Thus saith the Lord, is in stead of all scientifical demonstrations. The Pelagians and their followers are much alike in the point of original sin, as the Arians and Socinians in the matter of the Deity of Christ; As the Socinians call the Deity of Christ, Somnium Athanasii Athanasius his dream, so do these original sin, Augustine's figment; As they say, The Fathers before Athanasius his time, and the Council of Nice spake more temperately about the Trinity, so do these also of the Ancients before Austin's time concerning original sin. And as there are one or two philosophical ⟨p. 426⟩principles, which plunged them into those damnable heresies about the Trinity, and Christ's Deity (viz.) That, Qua sunt eadem uni tertio sunt eadem inter se, and, Una subsistentia non potest terminare duas naturas, one subsistency cannot terminate two natures; So that Rule, Omne peccatum est voluntarium, Every sin must be voluntary is the very foundation, upon which all errors about original sin are superstructed. If then we would be guided into the truth, let us become humble Disciples of Christ, hearkening to what the Word saith of our condition by nature, and there be established, though reason like Job's wife tempt thee to charge God foolishly: It is true, we may by reason defend the justice of God in these proceedings, but it must be reason built upon faith, not faith upon reason;