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

The third step or degree to the completing of sin, is expressed vers. 15, When lust hath conceived, [Greek or Hebrew]: This is applied to women conceiving, Luke 1. 24. Luke 1. 31. and by this is meant that consent and embracement, which the soul giveth to sin. For as it was with Joseph, though his mistress did so violently solicit him, yet he not consenting fled away from her: So it falleth out sometimes with the godly, that though original sin in the immediate motions thereof, may tempt, may delight and secretly please; yet grace being strong may refuse to consent, and then these Babylons brats are immediately killed before they grow up. Thus many sins to the godly prove abortive; original sin hath a miscarrying womb, for by grace they are enabled to resist those temptations, and so sin is killed as soon as ever it hath any life. Not but that these motions to sin, though not consented unto, are truly and properly sins; but being withstood by grace, they are not imputed. And thus far we admit that saying of Bernard, Non nocet sensus, ubi deest consensus. These motions and stirrings of lust within us, if resisted and refused, shall not be able to condemn us, but in all natural men for the most part, lust doth conceive; no sooner doth it entice, but presently there is consent given to it; No sooner doth it knock at the door, but presently it is opened to receive this lust in; and now when this consent is given, then as to the eyes of God, the iniquity is fully committed; then a man is a murderer and an adulterer before God, as appeareth Mat. 5. 28. Yet the Apostle addeth,

The third step or degree to the compleating of sinne, is expressed vers. 15, When lust hath conceived, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: This is applied to women conceiving, Luke 1. 24. Luke 1. 31. and by this is meant that consent and imbracement, which the soul giveth to sinne. For as it was with Joseph, though his mistress did so violently sollicit him, yet he not consenting fled away from her: So it falleth out sometimes with the godly, that though original sinne in the immediate motions thereof, may tempt, may delight and secretly please; yet grace being strong may refuse to consent, and then these Babylons brats are immediately killed before they grow up. Thus many sinnes to the godly prove abortive; original sinne hath a miscarrying womb, for by grace they are inabled to resist those temptations, and so sinne is killed as soon as ever it hath any life. Not but that these motions to sinne, though not consented unto, are truly and properly sins; but being withstood by grace, they are not imputed. And thus farre we admit that saying of Bernard, Non nocet sensus, ubi deest consensus. These motions and stirrings of lust within us, if resisted and refused, shall not be able to condemn us, but in all natural men for the most part, lust doth conceive; no sooner doth it entice, but presently there is consent given to it; No sooner doth it knock at the door, but presently it is opened to receive this lust in; and now when this consent is given, then as to the eyes of God, the iniquity is fully committed; then a man is a murderer and an adulterer before God, as appeareth