THAT the Doctrine of Original Sin, is one of the fundamental Truths of our Christian Profession, hath been always owned in the Church of God. And an especial part it is of that peculiar possession of truth, which they enjoy, whose Religion towards God is built upon, and resolved into Divine Revelation. As the world by its Wisdom never knew God aright, so the Wise Men of it were always utterly ignorant of this inbred evil in themselves and others. With us the Doctrine and Conviction of it, lie in the very foundation of all wherein we have to do with God, in reference unto our pleasing of him here, or obtaining the enjoyment of him hereafter. It is also known what influence it hath into the great truths concerning the Person of Christ, his mediation, the fruits and effects of it, with all the benefits that we are made partakers of thereby. Without ⟨image 4⟩a supposition of it, not any of them can be truly known, or savingly believed. For this cause hath it been largely treated of by many holy and Learned Men, both of old and of latter days. Some have laboured in the discovery of its nature, some of its guilt and demerit; by whom also the truth concerning it hath been vindicated from the opposition made unto it, in the past and present Ages. By most these things have been considered in their full extent and latitude, with respect unto all men by nature, with the estate and condition of them who are wholly under the power and guilt of it. How thereby men are disenabled and incapacitated in themselves to answer the obedience required either in the Law, or the Gospel, so as to free themselves from the Curse of the one or to make themselves partakers of the blessing of the other, hath been by many also fully evinced. Moreover, that there are Remainders of it abiding in Believers after their Regeneration and Conversion to God, as the Scripture abundantly testifies; so it hath been fully taught and confirmed; as also how the guilt of it is pardoned unto them, and by what means the power of it is weakened in them. All these things I say have been largely treated on, to the great benefit and edification of the Church. In what ⟨image 4⟩we have now in design, we therefore take them all for granted, and endeavour only farther to carry on the discovery of it in its actings and oppositions to the Law and Grace of God in Believers.
THAT the Doctrine of Original Sin, is one of the fundamental Truths of our Christian Profession, hath been alwayes owned in the Church of God. And an especial part it is of that peculiar possession of truth, which they enjoy, whose Religion towards God is built upon, and resolved into Divine Revelation. As the world by its Wisdom never knew God aright, so the Wise Men of it were always utterly ignorant of this inbred evil in themselves and others. With us the Doctrine and Conviction of it, lie in the very foundation of all wherein we have to do with God, in reference unto our pleasing of him here, or obtaining the enjoyment of him hereafter. It is also known what influence it hath into the great truths concerning the Person of Christ, his mediation, the fruits and effects of it, with all the benefits that we are made partakers of thereby. Without ⟨image 4⟩a supposition of it, not any of them can be truly known, or savingly believed. For this cause hath it been largely treated of by many holy and Learned Men, both of old and of latter dayes. Some have laboured in the discovery of its nature, some of its guilt and demerit; by whom also the truth concerning it hath been vindicated from the opposition made unto it, in the past and present Ages. By most these things have been considered in their full extent and latitude, with respect unto all men by nature, with the estate and condition of them who are wholly under the power and guilt of it. How thereby men are disenabled and incapacitated in themselves to answer the obedience required either in the Law, or the Gospel, so as to free themselves from the Curse of the one or to make themselves partakers of the blessing of the other, hath been by many also fully evinced. Moreover, that there are Remainders of it abiding in Believers after their Regeneration and Conversion to God, as the Scripture abundantly testifies; so it hath been fully taught and confirmed; as also how the guilt of it is pardoned unto them, and by what means the power of it is weakened in them. All these things I say have been largely treated on, to the great benefit and edification of the Church. In what ⟨image 4⟩we have now in design, we therfore take them all for granted, and endeavour only farther to carry on the discovery of it in its actings and oppositions to the Law and Grace of God in Believers.
