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

the sense whereof is, That notwithstanding Eve did through original sin bring a sad curse upon child-bearing, yet to those women that are godly, the curse is taken off; yea and doth become a sanctified means of their salvation; not of it self to every one (for then no child-bearing woman could be damned) but if they do walk in those ways God hath commanded. Therefore it followeth, If they abide, &c. which denoteth the necessity of abiding and continuing in all holy duties. Some indeed refer this to the children, If the children continue in what is good. And if it be said, When a godly mother doth her duty, she may have notwithstanding wicked and ungodly children, and shall that prejudice her salvation? To this they answer, That for the most part the wickedness of children is laid upon the parents neglect; but if it be not, then God will accept of the mother faithfully discharging her duty, though the children do wickedly miscarry; but it is far more probable to refer it to the woman. And though the number be changed into the plural, If they abide, yet that is ordinary in Scripture, especially when the word is a collective, as in the 5th Chapter of this Epistle vers. 4. where [Greek or Hebrew] in the singular number, and [Greek or Hebrew] in the plural relateth to it. The qualification then that is necessary to all women, that would find the curse in child-bearing taken away, and original guilt accompanying that sorrow removed, is to abound in all saving graces, and to continue therein; and then that woman who is a wife and a mother of many children, let her not torment her self about the state of her children, and the condition they are born in, but quiet her soul with this Text of Scripture.

the sense whereof is, That notwithstanding Eve did through original sinne bring a sad curse upon child-bearing, yet to those women that are godly, the curse is taken off; yea and doth become a sanctified meanes of their salvation; not of it self to every one (for then no child-bearing woman could be damned) but if they do walk in those wayes God hath commanded. Therefore it followeth, If they abide, &c. which denoteth the necessity of abiding and continuing in all holy duties. Some indeed referre this to the children, If the children continue in what is good. And if it be said, When a godly mother doth her duty, she may have notwithstanding wicked and ungodly children, and shall that prejudice her salvation? To this they answer, That for the most part the wickedness of children is laid upon the parents neglect; but if it be not, then God will accept of the mother faithfully discharging her duty, though the children do wickedly miscarry; but it is farre more probable to referre it to the woman. And though the number be changed into the plural, If they abide, yet that is ordinary in Scripture, especially when the word is a collective, as in the 5th Chapter of this Epistle vers. 4. where in the singular number, and in the plural relateth to it. The qualification then that is necessary to all women, that would find the curse in child-bearing taken away, and original guilt accompanying that sorrow removed, is to abound in all saving graces, and to continue therein; and then that woman who is a wife and a mother of many children, let her not torment her self about the state of her children, and the condition they are born in, but quiet her soul with this Text of Scripture.