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

Thus you see this Text hath sufficiently informed us of this Truth, That there is in all men by nature a vehement proneness and inclination to sin; To which we have also added many other Demonstrations of this Truth, not so much that it is doubtful, and needeth to be proved; (For the Adversaries do confess it,) as that thereby we might the more deeply humble our selves under the consideration of it. If then there be such constant muddy streams, we are to enquire what is the fountain of them; And although this Text and many others of the like nature, do evidently proclaim it to be that corrupt and unclean heart of a man within, that he hath hereditarily and by natural propagation, yet because the Adversaries to original sin will by no means assent to this; let us consider what are the causes they assign, and herein we shall find they do not so much speak falsehood, as blasphemy against God. But before we ⟨p. 451⟩come to the particular causes specified by them, let us in the general consider, How many ways this propensity in mankind may be imagined to proceed, for some gave one head or spring to it; Others, another; so that there is not more dispute in Philosophy about the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the sea, or about the rise and spring of Nilus that famous river in Egypt, then there is about the original of this impetuousness in man to sin: The effect is acknowledged by all, but the dispute is about the cause thereof.

THus you see this Text hath sufficiently informed us of this Truth, That there is in all men by nature a vehement proneness and inclination to sinne; To which we have also added many other Demonstrations of this Truth, not so much that it is doubtfull, and needeth to be proved; (For the Adversaries do confess it,) as that thereby we might the more deeply humble our selves under the consideration of it. If then there be such constant muddy streames, we are to enquire what is the fountain of them; And although this Text and many others of the like nature, do evidently proclaim it to be that corrupt and unclean heart of a man within, that he hath hereditarily and by natural propagation, yet because the Adversaries to original sinne will by no meanes assent to this; let us consider what are the causes they assign, and herein we shall find they do not so much speak falshood, as blasphemy against God. But before we ⟨p. 451⟩come to the particular causes specified by them, let us in the general consider, How many wayes this propensity in mankind may be imagined to proceed, for some gave one head or spring to it; Others, another; so that there is not more dispute in Philosophy about the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the sea, or about the rise and spring of Nilus that famous river in Egypt, then there is about the original of this impetuousness in man to sinne: The effect is acknowledged by all, but the dispute is about the cause thereof.