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

Fifthly, The flesh hindereth absolute completeness of grace, by soiling, debasing, and infecting our holy duties; It is as some mud cast into a pure stream, it is as some poison mingled with wine; and for this it is, that the most holy have prayed, God would not enter into judgement with them, because in his sight no flesh could be justified, Psal. 143. 2. For this, the Scripture compareth even our righteous actions to a menstruous cloth, Isa. 30. 22. This is the frog that is drawn up with the pure water out of the well; though our godly duties ⟨p. 496⟩are not sins, yet they are sinful, they are damnable in themselves, and therefore need the mercy of God to forgive the imperfections adhering to them.

Fifthly, The flesh hindereth absolute compleatness of grace, by soiling, debasing, and infecting our holy duties; It is as some mud cast into a pure stream, it is as some poison mingled with wine; and for this it is, that the most holy have prayed, God would not enter into judgement with them, because in his sight no flesh could be justified, Psal. 143. 2. For this, the Scripture compareth even our righteous actions to a menstruous cloath, Isa. 30. 22. This is the frog that is drawen up with the pure water out of the well; though our godly duties ⟨p. 496⟩are not sinnes, yet they are sinful, they are damnable in themselves, and therefore need the mercy of God to forgive the imperfections adhering to them.

Lastly, The flesh is an hindrance in the way of grace, by dividing and distracting of the heart. In the stare of integrity when there was no such intestine war, then the whole strength of the soul emptied it self one way; but now though grace hath for the main settled our hearts upon God, yet the flesh interposeth, that propoundeth other objects, and thus because the pool runneth into divers streams, it is not so full and plentiful, so that it is impossible there should be any perfection, where there is any distraction or division; and therefore we may justly expostulate with all those, who plead they are without sin, Whether they never have so much, as one wandering thought in any holy duty they go about. If they should say they have not, it is our duty to flee from such persons as are puffed up with such self-love, and self-confidence, that they know not, or feel not what they are, or do: Such are like those distracted persons, that conceit themselves Kings and Emperors, when at the same time they are miserable and indigent. Now by these several actings of the flesh within us, the godly man may perceive what little cause he hath to trust in himself: thou canst not be secure, while in this mortal body; the wound original sin hath given thee is not wholly cured; sometime or other this close secret enemy may rob thee of thy Pearls and Jewels, if thou art not diligent in praying and watching over thy self.