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

Thirdly, We are greatly to bewail and humble our selves under this birth-pollution, Because it's the fountain and root of all the actual evil we do commit. This is enough, if there were no external temptations to plunge us into all impiety. I shall not here dispute it rigidly, Whether every sin committed, because of that original defilement within us, of that we are to speak hereafter. It is enough, that the Scripture doth attribute all actual evil to this, as the cause, Jam. 1. 17. Every one is tempted and drawn aside by the lust which is within him; and out of the evil heart, as an evil treasure, our Saviour saith, Mat. 12. 35. proceed all evil thoughts, words and actions. Thus also Genes. 6. The imaginations of the thoughts of a mans heart are evil, and that continually, but of this more in its time; only take notice of this consideration in this place, as a full and clear ground, why thou shouldst with all thy might all the days thou livest, abhor thy self, and loath thy self: It's from this original sin David's adultery and murder did flow: And thus there is no actual iniquity, which lieth as a load upon ⟨p. 72⟩thee, but it did flow from this bitter fountain at first: Wilt thou therefore condemn the fruit of a Tree, and not much rather the root? Wilt thou abhor the stream, and not much rather the fountain? Oh remember that here lieth the strength and power of sin, and therefore the strength of thy sorrow ought to bend that way likewise.

Thirdly, We are greatly to bewail and humble our selves under this birthpollution, Because it's the fountain and root of all the actual evil we do commit. This is enough, if there were no external temptations to plunge us into all impiety. I shall not here dispute it rigidly, Whether every sinne committed, because of that original defilement within us, of that we are to speak hereafter. It is enough, that the Scripture doth attribute all actual evil to this, as the cause, Jam. 1. 17. Every one is tempted and drawn aside by the lust which is within him; and out of the evil heart, as an evil treasure, our Saviour saith,