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

First, upon the Knowledge of original sin we evidently see, our impossibility to keep the Law of God. That when the Law requireth a love of God, with all our heart, mind and strength; and also doth prohibit all kind of lust, and sinful concupiscence, even in the very first motions and stirrings of it. The Law (I say) requiring such universal perfection, and we being wholly dead in sin, upon the comparing of the Law, with our condition, we cannot but conclude, ⟨p. 11⟩That we fail in all things, That the Law is spiritual, but we are carnal; And if he be cursed that doth not continue in all things the Law requireth, how accursed must he be that is not able to perform any one thing? All those opinions that diminish original sin, do also plead for a possibility of keeping Gods Commandments: Now this self-flattery is inbred in all. Do not most of our common people think they keep the Commandments of God? Do they believe that the curses of the Law do belong to them every hour? Oh if such convictions were upon them, how greatly would it humble them, and make them debased before God, but they trust in this, they readily and confidently say with that young man. All these have I kept from my youth up, Mat. 9 20. Oh then inform thy self more about this natural defilement and loathsomeness that is upon thee, and then thou wilt find the Law to accuse and condemn thee in all things.

First, upon the Knowledg of originall sinne we evidently see, our impossibility to keep the Law of God. That when the Law requireth a love of God, with all our heart, mind and strength; and also doth prohibit all kind of lust, and sinfull concupiscence, even in the very first motions and stirrings of it. The Law (I say) requiring such universal perfection, and we being wholly dead in sinne, upon the comparing of the Law, with our condition, we cannot but conclude, ⟨p. 11⟩That we fail in all things, That the Law is spiritual, but we are carnal; And if he be cursed that doth not continue in all things the Law requireth, how accursed must he be that is not able to perform any one thing? All those opinions that diminish original sinne, do also plead for a possibility of keeping Gods Commandments: Now this self-flattery is imbred in all. Do not most of our common people think they keep the Commandments of God? Do they believe that the curses of the Law do belong to them every hour? Oh if such convictions were upon them, how greatly would it humble them, and make them debased before God, but they trust in this, they readily and confidently say with that young man. All these have I kept from my youth up,