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

They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof, and Rom. 8. 2. The law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ, hath made me free from the law of sin and death: So that they conclude it injurious and contumelious to Paul, reproachful to the grace of the Gospel, and a palpable encouragement to sin and wickedness, to interpret the 7th of the Rom. of a ⟨p. 482⟩regenerate person: But because this is a truth of so special concernement, we shall take these things in a more particular consideration; for it would be found an heavy sin lying upon most orthodox Teachers in the Reformed Church, if they have constantly preached such a Doctrine, as is injurious to Gods grace, and an incentive to sin, as also slothfulness and negligence in holy duties: for the present this Text will bear us out sufficiently, that where ever the Spirit of God is in persons while in the way to heaven, they have a contrary principle of the flesh within them, whereby they are more humbled in themselves, and do the more earnestly make their applications to the throne of grace; and that all have such a conflict within them, may appear by these following Reasons: yea we may with Luther say, so far is it that any do attain to such a measure of grace, as to be without this combat, that the more holy and spiritual any are, the more sensible they are of it; for they have more illumination, and so discover the exactness and spiritual latitude of the law, more then formerly they did, and also their hearts are more tender, whereby they grow more sensible even of the least weight of any sinful motion, though never so transient. It is true the godly do grow in grace, they get more mastery and power over the lustings of sin within, yet withal they grow in light and discovery about holiness, they see it a more exact and perfect thing then they thought of, they find the Law of God to be more comprehensive then they were aware of; and therefore they are ready to cry out, as Ignatius when ready to suffer, Nunc incipio esse Christians: Oh me never godly, but beginning to be godly; I believe, but how great is my unbelief! This Paul declareth, Phil. 3. 12. Not as if I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after, &c. Thus Paul is far from owning such commendations which happily others may put upon him.