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

This contrariety in their nature is declared by the effect thereof, They lust one against another: He doth not say, they work one against another, though that be true; but the Apostle would direct us to the head and spring of all outward evil or good, and that is the desire within.

In the next place, the Apostle amplifieth this contrary motion between the flesh and the Spirit from the nature of them; They are [Greek or Hebrew], immediately set one against another, even as darkness and light, as fire and water. Now although it be a Rule, That contraries do expel each other; yet it is also another Rule, That contraries while they are in pugnâ, in fighting with one another, they may be together, as also in remiss degrees: And thus it is with the godly, the flesh and the Spirit are always in conflict; These are the twins in the womb, that by their opposition make the godly mourn, and long for Heaven, where the flesh shall be wholly overcome.

In the next place, the Apostle amplifieth this contrary motion between the flesh and the Spirit from the nature of them; They are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, immediately set one against another, even as darkness and light, as fire and water. Now although it be a Rule, That contraries do expell each other; yet it is also another Rule, That contraries while they are in pugnâ, in fighting with one another, they may be together, as also in remisse degrees: And thus it is with the godly, the flesh and the Spirit are alwayes in conflict; These are the twins in the womb, that by their opposition make the godly mourn, and long for Heaven, where the flesh shall be wholly overcome.

Lastly, Here is the consequent and issue of this Combat, So that the things ye would not, those ye do; which words are subject to many interpretations: Some say, they are only to be interpreted as the end to which these contrary principles do incline, not that they do denote the event. By the flesh we are carried out to this end, not to do the good things we would do; yet this event doth not always at least follow, because Gods Spirit worketh in us both to will and to do; This exposition they are the more confirmed in, because in the Greek it is not [Greek or Hebrew], which would denote the event, but [Greek or Hebrew]: This seemeth to have no great strength, for [Greek or Hebrew] is taken eventually sometimes. But then if so,