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

In the words therefore we may take notice of the matter confessed and acknowledged with the introductory particle, to make it more considerable. It is not an ordinary or slighty thing, he is to speak of, and therefore he begins with that note Behold; This Ecce may be called the Asterisk of the holy Ghost, or the Bibles nota benè; It is commonly used either for Attention or Admiration, or Caution; and it may have this three fold use here.

For Attention, the matter being of so great concernment, so little minded or believed by most men; for David doth not speak here, as if it were his particular case alone, as if none were born in iniquity, but him; yea, rather it followeth, if David, though so eminent and godly, so blessed by God, was yet born in sin, then no doubt, but all others are likewise.

For Attention, the matter being of so great concernment, so little minded or believed by most men; for David doth not speak here, as if it were his particular case alone, as if none were born in iniquity, but him; yea, rather it followeth, if David, though so eminent and godly, so blessed by God, was yet born in sinne, then no doubt, but all others are likewise.

Again, It may be a note of Admiration, because of the mysterious depth of this original defilement: It is unsearchable, and the more he considers of it, the more amazed and astonished he is; even as David at another time, Psal 19. crieth out, Who can understand his errors? when he hath set himself with his whole might, to fathom all the evil that is in him, yet he cannot do it: Hence Jeremiah, Chap. 17. speaking of this deceitful and desperate heart of man, because of the native pollution of it, saith, Who can know it? And then answers, It's God alone that searcheth it, God knoweth the depth of all that evil, which no man can reach unto.