The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

But notwithstanding all this, he was not comparable to the child Jesus, as may be made to appear in many and great respects; yea in those two things that are said of John in the same words wherein they are said of Jesus, viz. that he grew and waxed strong in spirit, there is a wonderful difference betwixt John and Jesus,

But notwithstanding all this, he was not comparable to the child Jesus, as may be made to appear in many and great respects; yea in those two things that are said of John in the same words wherein they are said of Jesus, viz. that he grew and waxed strong in spirit, there is a wonderfull difference betwixt John and Jesus,

1. John was a Son of fallen man, under the stain of Original Sin, though he was very early sanctified, even in the womb, three months before he was born: yet by nature he was defiled and stained with Original Sin, by reason of the just imputation of the guilt of Adams sin unto him: for thus sin is propagated from Father to child, all the posterity of Adam being in his loins. The Embryo in the womb is not a Man, till it be quickened with an immortal Soul: though it hath principles of natural growth, yet till it be united and quickened with an immortal Soul, it is not Man kind, and the Law taketh no hold on it. And that the body is thus prepared in the womb, before the immortal Soul is creatingly infused into it, and united; doth appear, (as I conceive) in that law of God, Exod. 21.22, 23. If a man strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow, he shall be surely punished according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the Judges determine: but if mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. See here, that a woman may be so hurt, as to lose her Conception but it is not murder, if her Conception was not quickened with an immortal Soul. But if it were quickened, it is murder, and life must go for life. So soon therefore as the conception is quickened with an immortal Soul, it is a man, a Son of Adam, and now the Law taketh hold on him, vindictive justice doth judge him guilty of Adams sin, because he was in Adams loins. Thus is sin propagated, and punishment inflicted, he is punished with Original sin by the justice of the law.