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

Secondly, This reason cannot be acquitted from blasphemy (in some sense) against God, for the cause of overflowing impiety in the Old Testament times, is reduced hereby to God himself. May not all the profane ones in that age of the world take up this mans Argument to defend themselves? O Lord it is from thee we are thus universally wicked! Had the joys of heaven been promised to us in well-doing: had the torments of hell been manifested unto us; we had then been awakened; so that we are now wicked, because we wanted such efficacious means to prevent our impiety, that afterwards were vouchsafed to the world; so that the Israelites might have replied to the Prophet Hosea, Chap. 13. 9. that he spake falsely: their destruction is not of themselves, but of God, who did not give them sufficient encouragements. Had the Asserters of original sin affirmed any such thing, that might so heinously have redounded to the dishonour of Gods justice, his mercy and goodness, what tragical exclamations would have been raised up immediately? But thus it falleth out always, that those who out of a preposterous fear sometimes to hold such things, that ⟨p. 453⟩have but an apparent tendency to dishonour God, do fall into such abominable positions, that do really reproach God, and his ways, as may more be showed in this point.

Secondly, This reason cannot be acquitted from blasphemy (in some sense) against God, for the cause of overflowing impiety in the Old Testament times, is reduced hereby to God himself. May not all the prophane ones in that age of the world take up this mans Argument to defend themselves? O Lord it is from thee we are thus universally wicked! Had the joyes of heaven been promised to us in wel-doing: had the torments of hell been manifested unto us; we had then been awakened; so that we are now wicked, because we wanted such efficacious meanes to prevent our impiety, that afterwards were vouchsafed to the world; so that the Israelites might have replyed to the Prophet Hosea, Chap. 13. 9. that he spake falsly: their destruction is not of themselves, but of God, who did not give them sufficient incouragements. Had the Asserters of original sinne affirmed any such thing, that might so hainously have redounded to the dishonour of Gods justice, his mercy and goodness, what tragical exclamations would have been raised up immediately? But thus it falleth out alwayes, that those who out of a preposterous fear sometimes to hold such things, that ⟨p. 453⟩