Wilson on Article IX: Of Original or Birth-sin

• Among all the creatures that God made in the beginning- of the world most excellent and wonderful in their kind, there was none, as the Scripture beareth witness, to be compared almost in any point unto man ; who as well in body as in soul exceeded all other, no less than the sun, in brightness and light, exceedeth every small and little star in the firmament. He was made ac- cording to the image and similitude of God; he was endued with all kind of heavenly gifts ; he had no spot of uncleanness in him ; he was sound and perfect in all parts, both outwardly and inwardly ; his reason was uncorrupt, his understanding was pure and good, his will was obedient and godly ; he was made altogether like unto God in righteousness, in holiness, in wis- dom, in truth ; to be short, in all kind of perfection.

But as the common nature of all men is in time of prosperity and wealth to forget not only themselves, but also God ; even so did this first man Adam : who having but one commandment at God’s hand, namely, that he should not eat of the fruit of know- ledge of good and ill, did notwithstanding most unmindfully, or rather most wilfully, break it ; in forgetting the strait charge of his Maker, and giving ear to the crafty suggestion of that wicked serpent the devil.

Whereby it came to pass, that as before he was blessed, so now he was accursed ; as before he was loved, so now he was abhorred ; as before he was most beautiful and precious, so now he was most vile and wretched in the sight of his Lord and Maker : instead of the image of God, he was now become the image of the devil ; instead of the citizen of heaven, he was become the bond-slave of hell ; having in himself no one part of his former purity and cleanness, but being altogether spotted and defiled ; insomuch that now he seemed to be nothing else but a lump of sin, and therefore by the just judgment of God was condemned to everlasting death.

This so great and miserable a plague, if it had only rested on Adam, who first offended, it had been so much the easier, and might the better have been borne. But it fell not only on him, but also on his posterity and children for ever ; so that the whole brood of Adam’s flesh should sustain the self-same fall and punishment, which their forefather by his offence most justly had deserved. St. Paul, in the fifth chapter to the Romans, saith, ” By the offence of only Adam, the fault came

» By one man sin entered into have sinned. — Death reigned even

the world, and death by sin; and over them that had not sinned after

so death passed upon all men, the similitude of Adam’s transgres-

for that (margin, in whom) all siou.’ — By one man’s olFencc death

4o

of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk,) but “it is the fault and corruption of the nature of

upon all men to condemnation, and by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.” By which words we are taught, that as in Adam all men universally sinned, so in Adam all men universally received the reward of sin ; that is to say, became mortal and subject unto death, having in themselves nothing but everlasting damnation both of body and soul. M They became,” as David saith, ” corrupt and abominable ; they went all out of the way ; there was none that did good ; no, not one.”

O what a miserable and woeful state was this, that the sin of one man should destroy and condemu all men — that nothing in all the world might be looked for but only pangs of death and pains of hell ! Horn. xxiv. 1.

That heavenly image according to which he was first created, being defaced, in place of wisdom, strength, holiness, truth, and righteousness, the jewels wherewith God had adorned him, there succeeded the most horrible plagues, blindness, weakness, vain-lying, and unrighteousness, in which evils and miseries he also wrapped and overwhelmed his issue and all his posterity. No well, p. 39.

Adam was the first parent of mankind : therefore God endued him with those ornaments, to have them or lose them, for him and his, that is for all mankind. So soon as he therefore was spoiled of them, his whole nature was left naked, in penury, and destitute of all good things. So soon as he was defiled with that spot of sin, out of the root and stock corrupted there sprung forth corrupted branches, that conveyed also their corruption into the other twigs springing out of them. — Thence came the horrible blindness of our minds and perverseness of our hearts. Thence came that crookedness and corruptness of all our affec- tions and desires. Thence came that seed-plot, as it were, a sink of all sins, with the faults whereof mankind is affected and tormented. Of which evil, learned Christians that have sought the proper and true name have called it original sin. NowelL p. 40.

b Thus we have heard how evil we be of ourselves, how of ourselves, and by ourselves, we have no goodness, help, or sal- vation, but contrariwise sin, damnation, and death everlasting. Horn. ii. 2.

reigned by one.— By the offence of all under sin ; as it is written, one man judgment came upon all There is none righteous, no, not men to condemnation. — By one one: there is none that under- man’s disobedience many were made standeth, there is none that seeketh sinners. Rom. v. 12, 14, 17—19. In after God. They are all gone out of Adam all die. 1 Cor. xv. 22. the way, they are together become

b We have before proved, both unprofitable; there is none that Jews and Gentiles, that they are doeth good, no, not one, &c. &c.

every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, c whereby man is very far

St. Paul in many places painteth us out in our colours, calling us ” the children of the wrath of God,” when we be born: saying also, that we ” cannot think a good thought of our- selves.” Horn. ii. 1.

All men of their evilness, and natural proneness, be so uni- versally given to sin, that, as the Scripture saith, God repented that ever he made man. Horn. ii. 1.

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin; and that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, commit- ting many actual transgressions, kc. Liturgy.

” That which is born of the flesh,” saith Christ, ” is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John iii. G.) As who should say, Man of his own nature is fleshly and carnal, corrupt and naught, sinful and disobedient to God, without any spark of goodness in him, without any virtuous or godly motion, only given to evil thoughts and wicked deeds. Horn, xxviii. 1.

In ourselves therefore may we not glory, which of ourselves, are nothing but sinful. Horn. ii. 2.

Our pride shall be thereby abated ; perceiving nought to come of ourselves but sin and vice, Horn. xxix. ii.

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Rom. iii. 9—12, 19. As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. Prov. xxvii. 19. There is no man that sinneth not. 1 Kings viii. 46. The whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 John v. 19. The natural man re- ceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. ii. 14. Pro- fessing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Rom. i. 22. From within out of the heart of men pro- ceed evil thoughts, adulteries, for- nications, murders, &c. Mark vii. 21 . Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Job xiv. 4. Behold, I was shapen in wicked- ness, and in sin did my mother con- ceive me. Ps. Ii. 5. In my flesh

dwelleth no good thing. Rom. vii. 18. The wicked is estranged from the womb : they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Ps. lviii. 3. Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin : and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James i. 14, 15. We ourselves also were some- time foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Tit. iii. 3. Put off concerning the former con- versation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. Eph. iv. 22. Except a man Ke born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John iii. 3. Mor tify your members which are upon the earthrCol iii. 5. How can he be clean that is born of a woman ’ Job xxv. 4.

c God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many in-

gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, dso that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit ; eand there-

d For carnal reason, being alway an enemy to God, and not perceiving the things of God’s Spirit, doth abhor such precepts, &c. Horn. xxii. 1.

e Being by nature born in sin and the children of wrath. Bap. Service.

By nature we are all subject to damnation, in which state if God do leave us, we have no cause to complain of him. Nowell, p. 14.

ventions. Eccl. vi. 29. All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way. Isa. liii. 6. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Rom. iii. 23. God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagina- tion of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Gen. vi. 5, 6. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are alto- gether become filthy ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Ps. xiv. 2, 3. Rom. iii. 10, &c. The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Gen. viii. 21. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who can know it? Jer. xvii. 9. Having the. understanding darkened, being alie- nated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, be- cause of the blindness of their heart. Ephes. iv. 18. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise, l’or the wis- dom of this world is foolishness with God. 1 Cor. iii. 18, 19. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no understanding. Jer. iv. 22. Among whom we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind j and were by nature the chil-

dren of wrath even as others. Eph. v. 3. The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these : adul- tery, fornication, &c. &c. Gal. v. J P — 21. When we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. — Sin taking occasion by the com- mandment, wrought in me all man- ner of concupiscence. Rom. vii. 5, 8. When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteous- ness. Rom. vi. 20.

d The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other : so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Gal. v. 17. Sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. Sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good, that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Rom. vii. 8, 13. Do ye think that the scrip- ture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. James iv. 5, 6. Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. 1 Pet. ii. 2. Make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rom. xiii. 14. Every man is tempted, wheu he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James i. 15. The old man is corrupt ac- cording to the deceitful lusts. Eph. iv. 22.

e If ye live after the flesh ye shall die : but if ye through the

fore in every person born into this world, it de- serveth God’s wrath and damnation. f And this

We were all miserable persons, sinful persons, damnable per- sons, justly driven out of Paradise, justly excluded from heaven, justly condemned to hell-fire: and yet, see a wonderful token of God’s love, he gave us his only-begotten Son — us, I say, that / were his extreme and deadly enemies. Horn. xxv. 2.

Before the coming of Christ into the world, all men univer- sally were nothing else but a wicked and crooked generation — rotten and corrupt trees — stony ground full of brambles and briers — lost sheep — prodigal sons — naughty and unprofitable servants — unrighteous stewards — workers of iniquity — the brood of adders — blind guides — sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death : to be short, nothing else but children of perdition, and inheritors of hell-fire. To this doth St. Paul bear witness in divers places of his Epistles, and Christ also himself in sun- dry places of his Gospel. But after he was once come down from heaven, and had taken our frail nature upon him, he made all them that would receive him truly, and believe his word, good trees, and good ground — fruitful and pleasant branches — children of light — citizens of heaven — sheep of his fold — mem- bers of his body — heirs of his kingdom — his true friends and brethren — sweet and lively bread — the elect and chosen people of God. Horn. xxiv. 1.

f And there is no health in us. Confession.

We do daily and hourly, by our wickedness and stubborn dis- obedience, horribly fall away from God. Horn, xxxii. 1.

We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep ; we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts ; we have offended against thy holy laws ; we have left undone those things which we ought to have done ; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. Con- session.

Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. Confession.

We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wicked- ness, which we from time to time most grievously have com- mitted by thought, word, and deed. Com. Service.

Spirit do mortify the deeds of the Rom. viii. 6. He that soweth to

body, ye shall live. Rom. viii. 13. his flesh, shall of the flesh reap

That every mouth may be stopped, corruption. Gal. vi. 8. If ye be-

and all the world may become lieve not that I am he, ye shall die

guilty before God. Rom. iii. 19. in your sins. John viii. 24. By the offence of one, judgment f For I know that in me, that is

came upon all men to condemnation, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing :

Rom. v. 18. The wages of sin is for to will is present with me; but

death. Rom. vi.20. To be carnally- how to perform that which is good

minded is death ; but to be spi- I find not. For I delight in the

ritually minded is life and peace. law of God after the inward man.

infection of nature doth remain, yea. in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek, *phronema sarkos. which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh, is not subject to the law of God. h And although

We are letted by the natural corruption of our own flesh, and the wicked affections of the same. Horn, xxxii. 1. See also Article XV. e,f.

O Lord, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us ; that whereas through our sins and wickedness we are sore let and hiudered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us, through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord ; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen. Coll. for the fourth Sunday in Advent.

h But what-booteth it now to bewail r Sin is come, and so come that it cannot be avoided. ” There is no man living, no, not

But I see another law in my mem- bers -warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into capti- vity to the law of sin, which is in my members. Rom. vi. 18, 22, 23. The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom. viii. 7, 8. I find a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. I see another law in my members war- ring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my mem- bers. Rom. viii. 21, 23. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom. vii. 25. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Pet. iv. 2. There is not a just man upon earth, who doeth good and sinneth not. Eccles. vii. 20. For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. Prov. xxiv. 16. Who can say, I have made my e art clean, I am pure from my

sin. Prov. xx. 9. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our- selves, and the truth is not mus. If we say that we have not sinued, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John i. 8, 10. We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isa. lxiv. 6. In many things we offend all. James iii. 2.

STo be carnally minded (Q^ottftu, rri; ffetoxo;) is death ; but to be spiri- tually minded is life and peace. Be- cause the carnal mind [fkhnjt* rr,; ffaozis) is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. viii. 6, 7. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord ; this shall not be unto thee. But he turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me : for thou savourest not («« fettu;) the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matt, xvi. 22, 23.

h Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and be- lieveth on him that sent me, hath H

there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, lyet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.

the justest man on the earth, but he falleth seven times a day,‘1 as Solomon saith. (Prov. xxiv. 16.) And our Saviour Christ, although he hath delivered us from sin, yet not so that we shall be free from committing sin; but so that it shall not be imputed to our condemnation. Horn. xxv. 2.

everlasting life, and shall not come with het already in his heart, into condemnation ; but is passed Matt. v. 28. The thought of fool- from death unto life. John v. 24. ishness is sin. Prov. xxiv. 9. The He that believeth on him is not Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, condemned. John iii. 18. He that that they are vanity. Ps. xciv. 11. believeth and is baptized shall be 1 hate vain thoughts. Ps. cxix. 113. saved. Mark xv. 16. Being jus- Let the wicked forsake his way, tified by faith, we have peace with and the unrighteous man his God, through our Lord Jesus thoughts. Isa. liv. 7. O Jerusalem, Christ. Rom. v. 1. There is there- wash thyself from wickedness, that fore now no condemnation to them thou mayest be saved. How long which are in Christ Jesus, who shall thy vain thoughts lodge walk not after the flesh, but after within thee! Jer. iv. 14. The the Spirit. Rom. viii. 1. Christ wicked boasteth of his heart’s de- hath redeemed us from the curse sire, and blcsseth the covetous, of the law, being made a curse whom God abhorreth. Ps. x. 3. for us. Gal. iii. 21. The backslider in heart shall be

• I had not known sin but by filled with his own ways, and a the law : for I had not known lust good man shall be satisfied from except the law had said, Thou himself. Prov. xiv. 14. Bringing shalt not covet. Rom. vii. 7. Who- into captivity every thought to the soever looketh on a woman to lust obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. x. 5. after her hath committed adultery

Notes

• Q. Dost thou say that unadvised and sudden desires, and short thoughts that come upon the very godly, are sins, although they strive against such, rather than yield to them ? A. Surely it is plain that all corrupt thoughts, although our consent be not added to them, do proceed of our corrupt nature. And it is no doubt that sudden desires that tempt the hearts of men, although they prevail not so far as to win a stedfast assent of mind and allowance, are in this commandment (the seventh) condemned by God as sins. Nowell, p. 26.