Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either…

Adams sin being not imputed to us, we never forfeited it; such a mere negative want, is no sin. What though there be a pravity and propensity to all manner of sin in us? It is no sin in unfallen creatures, it is no sin to be made or created, it is no sin to be born or brought forth; it is no sin, if there be no cause or foundation of it in us; and there can be no cause or foundation of it in us, if we no way participate of Adams sin; it may be called misery, but it is no ⟨p. 216⟩sin: Hence that saying of St. Austin, Nulla foret hominis culpa, si talis a Deo creatus esset, qualis nunc nascitur; There would be no fault in man, if he were created such by God, as he is now born; the pure primordials of nature cannot be culpable. That man, who is merely what his Creator made him, is as he ought to be. The result of all is this: Adams sin not being imputed to us, there can be no such thing as original sin; though this Doctrine hath been maintained in the Church in all ages; yet there is no such thing, neither is Adams sin imputatively ours; nor yet is the natural pravity in us any sin. If therefore we will acknowledge original sin, we must acknowledge that Adams sin is ours by a just Imputation. Thus much touching the first original thing in sin: Adams sin is imputatively ours.

Adams sin being not imputed to us, we never forfeited it; such a meer negative want, is no sin. What though there be a pravity and propensity to all manner of sin in us? It is no sin in unfallen creatures, it is no sin to be made or created, it is no sin to be born or brought forth; it is no sin, if there be no cause or foundation of it in us; and there can be no cause or foundation of it in us, if we no way participate of Adams sin; it may be called misery, but it is no ⟨p. 216⟩sin: Hence that saying of St. Austin, Nulla foret hominis culpa, si talis a Deo creatus esset, qualis nunc nascitur; There would be no fault in man, if he were created such by God, as he is now born; the pure primordials of nature cannot be culpable. That man, who is meerly what his Creator made him, is as he ought to be. The result of all is this: Adams sin not being imputed to us, there can be no such thing as original sin; though this Doctrine hath been maintained in the Church in all ages; yet there is no such thing, neither is Adams sin imputatively ours; nor yet is the natural pravity in us any sin. If therefore we will acknowledg original sin, we must acknowledg that Adams sin is ours by a just Imputation. Thus much touching the first original thing in sin: Adams sin is imputatively ours.