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

In the third place, I find that urged for an universal cleansing of all mankind, and that none is in a state of wrath now by nature; Because in that vision which Peter had, Act. 10. 28 he saith, God had showed him, that he should not call any man common, or unclear. But this doth not any way contradict this Doctrine o• spiritual uncleanness, which Job saith is upon all men; but uncleanness is there understood of that Jewish sanctity, which was vouchsafed to the nation of the Jews; whereby that people alone were entitled to Church-privileges (and all Heathens abiding strangers from this Covenant of grace, were as dogs not children; they were accounted as unclean, unto whom the word of grace was not to be preached) called therefore Gal. 2. 15. Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, until Christ came, and broke down this partition wall: So that the meaning is, We are not now to include the Gospel within the Jews, but every nation is as clean in this respect, as they are: Insomuch that we are not to forbear preaching unto any people under the heavens; otherwise if we regard this spiritual filthiness, we are to call every man unclean, as being the child of Gods wrath. Hence Austin of old did urge that phrase, He that believeth not, the wrath of God abideth on him. Joh. 3. 36. he doth not say, it cometh upon him, it will fall upon him, but it abideth on him, implying, that it was there before, even in respect of his natural pollution, though he had never committed those actual sins of unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel of Christ.

In the third place, I find that urged for an universal cleansing of all mankind, and that none is in a state of wrath now by nature; Because in that vision which Peter had, Act. 10. 28 he saith, God had shewed him, that he should not call any man common, or unclear. But this doth not any way contradict this Doctrine o• spiritual uncleanness, which Job saith is upon all men; but uncleannes is there understood of that Jewish sanctity, which was vouchsafed to the nation of the Jews; whereby that people alone were intituled to Church-priviledges (and all Heathens abiding strangers from this Covenant of grace, were as dogs not children; they were accounted as unclean, unto whom the word of grace was not to be preached) called therefore