Vindication of Romans 5, Section 2

Vindication of Romans 5 · Section 2

p. 14For the Scripture.

Rom. 5. 12.

Wherefore as by one Man Sin entred into the World, and Death by Sin, and so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have sinned.

foreign, Wherefore, therefore, for this cause] I begin with the search and examination of the letter, for it is the Grammatical sifting, that must render the plain Construction, and then the Rhetorical glossing may come in to adorn with a certain circumlocution; and therefore a broad Paraphrase if it be not unsuitable, yet it is untimely, when it shall presume in place, before a narrower Exposition have done its part. For this canse, so I am bold to render it, because I find it mostly so rendred in this Epistle to the Romans, p. 15chap. 1. 26. and 13. 6. and 15. 9. which very inference serves to shew plainly the principal reason or cause why it pleased God to permit the Entrance and Passage of Original Sin, viz. For this cause, even for the reconciliation and attonements sake immediately before spoken of, vers: 10. and 11. Therefore God suffered this sin to enter into the world, The Enmity, or hainous aversion, the wrath or dreadfull desert of Original Sin can never be more truly and fully considered and measured than in and by Christs death and satisfaction, which who so contends to lessen either for Fault or Guilt, such endeavours to extenuate the vertue and merits of Christs reconciling and attoning. Gods great end in the Fall was to manifest and magnifie the infinite perfection of his own Son; who then would not labour earnestly, that Wisdom might principally, be justified in the point? Doth not God herein commend his love towards us, vers. 8. How then can we imagin there should be the least prejudice upon the Divine Attributes in such an Ordination or Permission, upon such a motive or intention? p. 16But was this inferential motive heedlesly escaped or not rather purposely pretermitted to usurp a more uncontrouled licence in the wanton daliances of words, that I may not call them petulancies of prophanation? It is no reputation to a Phisician to say he hath cured us of an Evil which we never had, and shall we accuse the Father of mercies to have wounded us for no other reason, but that his Son may have the honour to have cured us? I understand not that; he that makes a necessity that he may find a remedy, is like, &c. The sufficiency and excellency of our Saviour (in this case) is a thing that both he and we all are bound to understand and seriously beleeve, and not only that, but Gods ordination and dispensation to such an end, as the manifestation of his honour and glory: But why such playing with a thing so sacred? As here's nothing to provoke his spleen to indignation, from an horrible decree of absolute necessitating and damning; so neither can I see any thing that should move it to laughter or levity; the Apostle himself defines what affection it is that should hence be raised, We joy in God through our Lord Iesus p. 17Christ, ver. 11. and well we may, since the sufferance or entrance of Sin is here referred to the gracious purpose of Reconciling, attoning, and saving. Is this the way of vindicating the glory of the Divine Attributes, to make no more but a light jest at Christs honour in this kind? still I say Wisdom is justified of all her Children, Luk. 7. 34, 39. this he himself spake when men imputed to him a carnal Dispensation with our actual Sins; and so much may we say when any man will deprive him of that honour is due unto him from his spiritual dispensation in our Originals. Neither let him say to us, That the honour of our blessed Saviour does no way depend upon our imaginations, and weak Propositions, we will say so too, and peradventure might say so more justly against him; only we let him know right inferences are no imaginations, neither are strong deductions weak propositions. And if what I have drawn hence be not directly from the Text, let him but be pleased to take the illative along with him, and then inferr what he can otherwise, or to the contrary. I confess I would not in any wise have this illation thought redundant, p. 18for that were to make the Scripture either impure and corrupt, or or else idle and superfluous; yet should I not have excepted at all, if any (following my Siriack Transletion) had omitted it upon this consideration; That it is a hard matter (especially in a comparison betwixt Adam and Christ) to define a cause, or give a reason for Original Sins entrance into the world, or descent upon posterity. But then this should be observed withall, if such a thing be hardly rendred, it should not be rashly inquired into, because our inquisitiveness (in this case) tends more to the dishonour, than all our Resolution can to the honour of the Divine Attributes.

As by one Man] Whom we may (not amiss) understand in an unity of name, order, person, nature, sex, action, and Type. 1. Of name, Adam, which appellation comprehends also both the person, the sex, and the kind. 2. Of Order, sc. the first man Adam. 1 Cor. 15. 45. and so the very Hebraism, or Grecism (of the cardinal for the ordinal) would give it if need were. 3. Of Person, sc. in the individual, in number singularly p. 19and precisely taken, and so Original Sin properly derived from the prime, and not from the proximate Parents, or according to their pluralities, 4. Of sex, the male and not the female, who though she was first in the transgression, yet some will have him to be solely understood in this propagation. But, for my part, I confesse I can see no cause for such an exception, but that they may be understood one Flesh, one in the Image, one in the praevarication, and so one in the Propagation. 5. Of Nature, as one not only in individuo but in specie, one comprehending and representing the whole root and stock and seed and generation, and nature and condition of Mankind, so Adam is taken for the whole species of Men, and the Beast singularly for the whole species of Beasts. 6. Of Act, namely, one in the Dis-obedience or Offence. For it was not the simple or meer nature that was the means of such a derivation, but the offending and disobedient Nature, by which (causally and instrumentally) this privation and depravatiou, this stain and guilt descended upon all; yea not only the Offence of one, but one offence; p. 20for it was his first Act that was imputed to us, and none of the rest. 7. Of Type, for Adam is here said to be the Figure or Type of Christ, under this notion (of one) as much as in any thing else, he whole Comparison throughout.

Sin] No great matter how many and various soever be the acceptions of Sin in the Scriptures, since in this place it is defined by the Apostle to be Sin in the singular, and not said plurally Sins, as if he would precisely determine it of that one root of Sin, distinct from those many following fruits. Yea, it may be thus rendred the Sin, very Emphatically, and is understood by almost all (from antient to modern) for no other but Original Sin simply so accepted, as the only Sin which came by one Man singularly, and entred into all the world universally, whereas actual sins are by many men, neither enter they into all the world in general, but rather into these and those particulars therein; yea it is Sin simply, absolutely, properly, formally: For (as himself grants) this Sin had its beginning by the disobedience of Adam, and disobedience is a transgression of a Law, and that's the very formality of p. 21Sin; and that law was the law of the Image, or of perfect Nature. Now see Sir I beseech you! what is here (but in the least shew) whereby to collect this sin to be Metonymically so called? or what kind of Metonymie would he have it? is it a Metonymie of the cause put for the effect? So it seems he would have it, because it is the effect of one sin: Surely that one sin was a proper and real cause; how strange is it then, That it should beget an effect like to it in no thing, but in a Tropical or Tralatitious, an equivocal and abusive name? if by the cause for the effect be meant Sin but for the Punishment, how contrary is that to St. Pauls express words. Sin entred into the world, and death by Sin, so far is he from confounding them, that in most express manner he distinguishes between them, both in name and signification; For should his words be made to signifie thus, Death, (that is the punishment) entered by Sin (that is the punishment) Death the punishment of the punishment, I beseech you what sense were this? yet we grant (though it is not so to be argued from the word in this place) Original Sin is both a Sin and p. 22a punishment too: A sin, from the humane injustice perverting, a punishment, from the Divine Justice deserting: Or will he have it a Metonymie of the Effect put for the Cause? for so his other words intimate, because it is the cause of many sins, and those many sins, (without doubt) he means properly so called; then seems it so much the more strange, and almost prodigious, that so many real effects should proceed from a poorly equivocal and transnominated cause. Rhetoricians observe that such kind of Metonymies are usual in external causes and effects only: that an internal cause then should be put for an external effect must needs be most unusual.

Entred into the World.] We may understand this Entrance of Sin in divers senses, and that very Orthodoxally. 1. Sin was not in the beginning: for it had no being before the Entring, and therefore was no eternal evil principle, but only the issue of some inordinate and irregular Act. 2. It entered not as a creature or substance that had some existence in it self, but as a vicious accident that could not subsist without a Subject, p. 23in which it must inhere: And therefore though it entred into our Nature and substance, yet our nature and Substance it was not. 3. It entered not of it self, but by means, by one man, by a second cause. Therefore (himself grants) Sin had its beginning, and thence let the fault and guilt be fetcht causally, what need is there to seek further than the beginning? why then is there such prying into the first cause? such disputing, such labouring to entitle hereunto his Decreeing, his ordaining, and permitting, disposing, dispensing, &c. For so indeed the most we do is bus to disparage and dishonour him in his glorious Titles and Attribut. It is enough for us to beleeve him to be just, wise, good, &c. in all things, because he cannot possibly be otherwise, although in some dispensations it is not possible for us to comprehend him. 4: If entred into, Loe! the Apostle speaks plainly of an ingression, not as of an accession of a thing inward, and not outward only, doubtless then it must needs be something inherent and not imputed only. 5. It entred into the World foreign it came into, even the reduplicated praeposition is a note of more intimate p. 24and peculiar manner of introduction, namely by way of Generation and Propagation, not by Temptation nor by Imitation; not by Temptation, for so it came from the Devil to Eve; not by Imitation, for so it came from Eve to Adam; but by Propagation, for so it came from Adam to us all. Had it been otherwise than so, Sin could not (in any adaptness or propriety) have been said to have Entred into the world; but the world must then have caused it, and called it, and sought it, and brought it, and taught it to it self.

And death by Sin] that is to say, by the same Sin which came into the world by one Man, namely the Original: So then death it is, that cannot be denied: But now men must be Judges, and take upon them to determine what kind of death, albeit the Apostle speak it never so indefinitely. He must mean temporal death, says he; well and thus he may inferr it, because St. Paul speaks of such a Death as entred into this world, and that's but temporal: But then he ought to observe withall, that St. Paul speaks here, not only of Deaths first Entrance, but of Deaths through passage; now p. 25such a passage is out of the world, and beyond it, and so must be eternal. But he objects, eternal death did not pass upon all men. That's easie to be answered from some of his own words. The Sentence did, though the Execution did not; in the one was the Divine Justice to be magnified, and his Mercy in the other. Thus the Divine Attributes know how to save, and to exalt themselves on either side: if men would not seek to make them seem to clash, by humbling those high things to their low and weak apprehensions.

And so Death passed upon all men] sc. Death entred by Sin; and so (by Sin) Death passed: So that (whether we consider the terminus a quo, or ad quem) we may directly hence collect, that Death (even the coporal as well as the eternal) was not the sequel or necessity of Nature, but even the penalty and wages of Sin, because death is a separation quite contrary to the natural union, especially to that of Nature in her integrity and original perfection. But say that (because of a composition, and that of contrary Elements) there might be nevertheless some kind of mutation, migration, p. 26melioration; yet this was far from separation, dissolution, confusion, and that dolorous and ignominious, execrable and damnable. This makes me I cannot so well brook or digest those passages of his. His Sin left him to his Nature,—we returned to the state of meer nature — of our prime creation — thrust back to the form of Nature — was remanded to his mortal natural State, — means he to a corrupt state of Nature? that was not the former, or from the prime Creation; or means he by the form of Nature that of Natures first forming? why that was after the Divine Image and similitude; or means he by meer Nature those they call Pure Naturals? which indeed are nothing, because Nature cannot be so abstractly considered, but either in the state of Integrity, or in the state of Corruption, a third state (before, between, of after those two) never was, and therefore is not to be imagined. Ever since the Fall, and Original Sin we aptly conceive that there is a difference still to be made betwixt the substance of Nature, and the corruption of Nature: But that this Nature and this corruption was ever separated in any p. 27(Christ only excepted) we beleeve not, or that there shall be a State of pure Naturals again till the Resurrection of the Dead. We all know and beleeve Adam by his disobedience defected and fell from what he was before, sc. from the Image and Original Righteousness, but that by his Sin he fell into a Nature or state which he had before, or without original righteousness, that we understand not, not yet of any remanding, obtruding or returning thither. Indeed we read, God said, Dust thou art, and to Dust thou shalt return, Gen. 3. 19. but that noted only some materials in part, but no certain state, neither had that dust returned to the dust, but that the Image and righteousness was forfeited and lost. For we see it was so not by a natural propensity, so much as by a provoked Commination. Besides this, methinks he says something to oppose himself in this part, when he says, our Nature is of Gods making, and consequently is good, — or Nature is almost the same, &c.— What good? and yet punished? nay and we remanded to it for a punishment? What almost the same in goodness? and yet nothing the same in immortality and the blessing? Thus here p. 28again Gods Justice is brought upon the Stage; nay and upon the rack too, especially by our scanning betwixt the two Terms of Death entring by one man, and Death passing upon all men.— For we cry, why the punishment, and how, of all, for one, & so forth? Mean while it is not considered by us (Nay not believed) how we were all in the lump & loyns of that one, which remains hereafter to be demonstrated, only thus much is now to be said, That while the Divine Attributes are pretended for, saved harmless by us, either we our selves doe it, or else give occasion for others to quarrel at them.

For that all have sinned] This clause thus translated was greedily snatch'd at of old, to extenuate and excuse the severity of Deaths universal passing; and not only so, but to alter and divert the cause and guilt, from the Original Sin to the Actual. For this cause the Antients did either reject this Translation, or did not so wel accept it: But I am to speak of this our Paraphrast, whose words (by reason of this Translation) are imposing on the Apostle, if he means eternal Death, he must not mean that it came for Adams sin, but in as much as all men have sinned, that is, upon all those upon whom p. 29eternal death did come, it came because they also have sinned; and again in passing on us, For that all have sinned, that is, the sin was reckoned to all, not to make them guilty like Adam, but Adams Sin pas'd upon all imprinting this real calamity on us all; but yet death descended also upon Adam's posterity for their own Sins, for since all did Sin all should die. His (also) once and again seems to admit of original sin for her share in this reckoning; but his (in asmuch) quite thrusts it out, & brings in actual sin in its stead; Actual sin I say is obtruded and Original sin excluded; at least for propriety, for guilt, for imputation, for likeness, for equality: Yet I shall not therefore reject this Translation, because I see our Church hath accepted it, and shall hope to make it stand good in this sense, For that all have sinned, that is, sinned Originally although not Actually, sinned naturally in Adams Sin, although as yet not personally, or in their own, and am confident he is not ignorant I can find Abettors for this exposition amongst the reformed and Orthodox Expositors far before him: But, Sir, if you will be pleased to look upon the Margin (which I suppose he winked at) p. 30know it is pointed at by our Church as a note of equal indifferency and authority, and there you find in whom all have sinned, this speaks plainly of sinning not actually in our selves, but originally in Adam; and this Translation is every whit as much, and rather more congruous to the Original Text: for my part I rather embrace this latter Translation, with most Translaters or Interpreters old or late. And with them conceive it to be the safer, as not giving such way to the Errors of the Pelagians old or new: Nay I hold it to be the sounder, and more consonant to the very Letter; for why should (foreign) be translated so flatly in the Neuter Gender, when 'tis found so Emphatically in the Masculine? being it may with so close and so apt Concotd be referred to the One Man spoken of before; for construe it in the Masculine, and the Relative fairly agrees with the proximate and eminent Antecedent; but take it in the Neuter, and then the Relative is without any Antecedent at all, or else must be turned into some obscurer and less significant part of speech. Erasmus (who labours like a Critick to draw it this other way) would p. 31not allow of St. Augustines referring it to Sin; because of the different gender, though he confesses it to be the same in sense to say, in which Man, or in which Sin. As for Erasmus, (whom all have occasion to honour, from the Cradle to the Crown of learning) him this Author recommends to us more precisely to be reckoned amongst the greatest and the best Expositors of Scripture that any age since the Apostles, and their immediate Successors hath brought forth; (as for the learned Grotius, whom he reckons with him, I only say thus much; As he was a most eminent Adversary to the Socinian, so he was sometimes a not approved Advocate of the Arminian, both which are reproved for their opinions about Original sin) But on Gods name let him add all he can to Erasmus, yet I would not have him detract any thing from St. Augustin (which thing was sometime charged upon Erasmus himself) both are to be mentioned with honour as the Worthies of their Ages. And therefore all he hath said (had it been more) should have past for me without exception, had he spoken it at another time, and upon another place: For upon p. 32on this place (he cannot but know) That Erasmus hath not only been suspected but taxed (even by learned men of his own time and religion) for more than I now think fit to express: only as to the clause, nay and whole verse in hand Erasmus is much contending for a Tropologie (and peradventure hence it was that he hinted his Metonymie) But for all his Rhetorick he turns Grammarian, and plaies the Critick betwixt, foreign and foreign and will hardly be perswaded of foreign for foreign in the Dative Case, yet at length acknowledges, Because the use of Greek Prepositions are so various, I dare not affirm that foreign is no where joyned with a Dative Case, where one thing is declared to be in another, like as the Tree is in the seed. A most apt similitude to illustrate our being in Adam, and our sinning in him too. Were it not for this his confession, places of such construction were easie to be produced, but I spare them, as likewise his propter unum, his pervasit, his quatenus peccavimus, which also might be of a facile connivence, were it not in case of dangerous consequence and contention; besides my task is to pursue, not his but this Authors paraphrase.

p. 33Verse 13.

For until the Law Sin was in the World, but sin is not imputed where there is no Law.

FOr until the Law Sin was in the world] That is, from the beginning, of the world, all that time which went before, until that very period wherein the Law was externally promulgated: Sin was nevertheless (even all that while) in the world: For the Apostle so speaks now, with intent to occur to a certain objection, (an Objection not so much of mens Mervail or Scruple, but rather of their Petulancy and Cavillation) an objection that indeed hath been always but too much inculcated by the Adversaries of Original Sin: Thus, Where there is no Law, there is no transgression: But there is no Law given against Original Sin. Ergo. This is it which the Apostle here prevents, by saying. Sin was in the world during all that space of time which went before the giving or promulging of the Law of Moses, notwithstanding it was not a Sin without a Law, but so it was by vertue of the Law of Nature; p. 34the rule of original righteousness, the dictates of right reason, the eternal moral Law; the Law written in Mens hearts, before it was written in Tables of stone: For Original sin was not so much forbidden, convinced, condemned by the promulgated Law that followed it, and was directed chiefly to persons and actions: as by the internal law of the Image which went before it, with a perpetual obligation of integrity to the whole Nature; of such a Law speaks the Apostle in this Epistle, When the Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the things contained in the Law, these having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves, which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. Rom. 2. 14, 15. And this certainly was Law sufficient both to convince men of this Sin, and condemn them for it. Say the Law of Nature be greatly obscured, and the conscience thereupon blinded; yet for all that it is usually making this argument, upon any pecrancy: Something now is which ought not to be, and p. 35therefore by consequence, something is not which ought to be, and thus by the exorbitances grows conscious of the defects, and this Collection is enough for conviction of the want of natural goodness, and that is a divine apprehension of the loss of original righteousness, wherefore then speaks he thus? Nature alone gives rules, but does not bind to penalties;—if by Nature alone he means fallen, corrupted nature, now in her defections, she gives neither rules, nor binds to penalties; but only lies bound both to rules and to penalties. But to speak of Nature in her integrity and perfection, she doth them both directly, for she were not perfect without a rule, neither were her rule perfect without a penalty upon the violation of it; his other words (in my judgement) as they are little to the Apostles meaning, so they are lesse to common Truth, Death (he says) d…d presently descend upon all Mankind even before a Law was given them, with an appendant penalty, viz. with the express intermination of death; was not that Law exprest enough? In that day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. 2. 17, I need not ask him whether this p. 36Law did concern the man alone? for he confesses it did presently descend upon all Mankind; But what? death without a Law? and a Law without a penalty? He that contended so before to vindicate Gods attributes in regard of a Sentence without Execution, how will he extricate himself from impinging thereupon, in talking thus of an Execution without a Sentence? certainly the Divine Attributes are much more out of question, in pronouncing utterly upon all, and yet sparing some, than in executing upon all (although but in the least degree) having not yet denounced against any. As for his next words, let him look well to what he saies, it is impossible they should passe even moderate men without a censure, or some scanning at the least; with him, (that is with Adam) God being angry (was he provoked against the person only, and not against the whole Nature) was pleased to curse (was not that pleasure in a manner absolute, that had no more but an improper respect to curse all for the Sin of one?) To curse him also in his posterity (nay was it not rather to curse his posterity in him? for he but little p. 37felt his curse in them, but they were long to feel their curse in him?) and leave them also in their meer natural condition (was this natural condition any kind of state before the Fall? then could it not be cursed or miserable; was it that after the Fall? then was it not meer or pure natural, but altogether depraved and corrupted) But God was pleased to leave them: (So then Gods great and easily justifiable action, was the good pleasure of his desertion, wisely, justly to leave them destitute of the forfeited Image, and to let them alone to themselves in that corrupt condition to which they betrayed:) But he says more, To which yet they disposed themselves. To what? to their meer natural condition, to which God curst them, in which he left them. But how disposed themselves hereunto? I hope he will not say 'twas any personal disposition of ours, for that goes far beyond all that hath been said of our natural inclination; but if he intend it only of our actnal and following sins, they did not dispose us to our fall'n estate, and corrupt natural condition; but only confirm us in it; what can be spoken more against Order p. 38than that following actions should dispose to a foregoing condition? we use to say, the first person corrupted our Nature; but in all else it is the nature that corrupts the persons; personal sins are no whit disposing to the Nature, but aggravating to the person only: Original Sin, though it doe not act alike in all, yet it is but one and alike in all, be the personal actions more or less. He concludes, yet for the anger which God had against Mankind he left that Death which he threatned to Adam expresly by implication to fall upon his posterity. Now I demand but this, Was the anger of God with Adam, and against Mankind, the same? well then it had the same provocation: Nay, but he will have this last to be upon our own evil Commissions and deserts; Then I must demand again why was that Death the same? is it righteous that should be the same penalty, and not the same provocation? But he left it to fall by Implication, that's an implicated word, and may imply Error, as well as truth: If he implies our Original defection, that's a truth; but if our actual Commissions only, that's the Error: But I will take (by implication) as he here contradistinguishes it to p. 39Expressively threatned, and so it draws near, nay comes home to the truth of my Text: That before Moses Law sin was in the world, even Original Sin, and the Sin of the first Parent, and that by a Law of its own, which Law though it was Expressively threatned but to Adam only, yet by implication (of Sin and corruption in the whole nature) the punishment (through that implying Law) justly fell upon the whole posterity.

But Sin is not imputed where there is no Law.] In these words St. Pauls intention is not so much to prove the being of Sin, from the being of a Law; but rather the being of a Law, from the being of a Sin: And therefore he thus argues, Sin was in the world before the promulgation of Moses Law: but that could not be unless there was a Law to convince it so to be. Ergo A law there was. And again Sin is not imputed when there is no Law; but it was imputed. Ergo there was a Law. And this is the more certain and infallible way of arguing, because the being of a Law does not necessarily, and always argue the being of a Sin, but the being of a Sin does necessarily and always argue the being of p. 40a Law; For a Law may be a Law, though no sin be yet committed: but a Sin is no Sin till the Law be imposed; now the Law was always, as being the eternal Law, and eternally existing in the divine mind, yea, and more or less imprinted in the minds and consciences of Men from the beginning. The Law therefore being before the Sin, there was no time of the world after Sin, wherein Sin was not imputed. But much adoe is here made by the means of distinguishing or diversifying Questions, viz. whether this imputing of Sin be by God, or by men? whether it be of Original Sin, or of actual? whether it be by the eternal and natural, or by the written and published Law; whether it be of the fault and corruption, or of the guilt and punishment, whether it be to penalty temporal or eternal? whether this imputation be of our own sins or anothers? Whether this imputation be distinguished or divided from inherence? Thus we trouble our selves and one another, and the Truth betwixt us with many a Fallacy of Division; whereas much error were to be avoided by taking both together in a conjoyned sense, and p. 41the Truth were easily determined in all those questions, or in most part of any of the questions; by accepting both parts indifferently, even the one as well as the other. As to speak only to this Authors words or divided Propositions: The Apostle (he saith) speaketh here of Sin imputed; therefore not of Sin inherent. Not so by his leave, for the Apostle speaks not here of any distinction at all, betwixt imputed and inherent sin; but of Sin indefinitely and universally, and that imputed only by a Law; now the Law properly imputes Sin, be it never so properly inherent, as in actual sins, though they be inherent; yet the Law properly does but impute them: So in Original Sin, the Law does impute it, yet so as it is inherent. So that in one or other the Sin is nevertheless inherent for being imputed; nor imputed for being inherent: And if imputed to such purposes as he here speaks of, viz. to Temporal Death: then it is neither a Sin properly, nor yet imputable so eternal; so far as is or can be implyed by the Apostles words. Yes, yes, the contrary to all his in every purpose is not only implyed, but apparent from the Apostles words. p. 42For the Apostle speaks of Death indefinitely (without any limitation to these or those purposes) and that's an universal implying all kinds of Death: Besides Death here by Adam must so be taken as proportionably extending to the-life by Christ; otherwise wrong is done to the whole comparison, and consequently to all our Saviours Attributes; Now the life we are here said to gain by the Excellency of Christ, is not only a corporal life, opposite to a temporal death, but a justification of life, opposite to a spiritual Death, and a reigning in life, opposite to an eternal Death: Whensoever another mans sin is imputed to his relative, therefore, becaeuse it is anothers, and imputed, it can goe no further, but to effect certain evils to afflict the relative, but to punish the cause, not formally to denominate the descendant or relative to be a Sinner; So he saith again, to which thus much is to be said; That what perhaps may be congruously spoken betwixt one particular man and another, is very inconsutile to be said betwixt Adam and all Mankind. Betwixt Man and Man, we know the Descendants of Traitors and Vassals, in relation to their progenitors p. 43offences, are punish'd, though they were not formally the Offenders: And therefore such words may say something, in respect of proximate Parents, and of relatives yet living, upon whom their condition may reflect, and to whom their example may be usefull; but in relation betwixt the prime Parent and us his descendants, they say nothing at all; For he was not punished for our Sins, but we for his; neither was he punished in our punishment, but we in his; neither was his simply another mans sin, but ours also; neither was it imputed only, but inherent also; neither were we Relatives only, but accessories only; neither were we Descendants only, but participants (all this is to be understood of the Common nature, union, and representation) and therefore here was enough to denominate us formally to be Sinners. But I cannot but wonder at such a restrictive largness in the saying, Another mans sin imputed, therefore because it is anothers and imputed. For the Sin or the crime to be imputed, therefore because it is imputed, and for the evil or punishment to be inflicted for another mans p. 44sin therefore, because it is anothers; this is horrid to think of even in Men, what is it then to urge in such a case as this, where it cannot but reflect even upon God himself? But (about this imputation) he yet urges, Nor Reason, nor Sciptures, nor Religion does enforce, and no Divine attribute does permit that we should say that God did so impute Adams sin to his posterity, that he did really esteem them to be guilty of Adams sin, equally culpable, equally hatefull: though this latter part be said but by few; yet this Scripture in hand inforces us to say, That God did really esteem them to be guilty of Adams Sin [in whom all have sinned] that is, really sinned, and by whose disobedience they were made Sinners, sc. really so made; if he did so only impute, as not really and verily esteem guilty; what kind of imputation (I pray) was that? imaginative, opinionative, suspitious, pretensive, presumptive conjectural, phantastical, equivocal, abusive, or, (as are his own words) figurative, Metonymical, collateral, indirect? this we are sure no Reason, no Scripture, no Religion, no Divine Attribute will permit to say so; But because p. 45he wil have us say equally culpable, equally hatefull, &c. we will say it in the most convenient sense, we may be equally culpable in our common nature, equally hatefull in our Natural Sin, the same Malice of our Nature, the same action of our Nature, as much guilty as he, according to that universal nature wherein he comprised and represented us all; and so much, he is not unknowing all Religions (primitive and latter, Protestant and Papists) have said, not without reason and Scripture, nor is any Attribute of God to be objected there against. But to suppose that we have sinned (take us truly as in our Nature, union, mass, root, stock, &c.) less than he, or That God imputed this Sin lesse to us than to him; this (say we) is but supposition, and that is far from probation; and therefore we would fain learn that Analogie of Faith, those Words of Scripture, that proportion, and Notice of the Divine Attributes, that would inforce us to suppose so much. But I return to the Apostles supposition, who here supposes that there was no time of the world since the First mans fall, wherein there was not a Law, and p. 46sin and the imputation: How is it then that he says of Mankind? They did do actions unnatural and vile enough, but yet these sins were not yet so imputed — were they indeed unnatural and vile, and yet not so imputed? upon what ground then does he censure them for such? that cannot be but a calumnious aspersion, that prae-occupates the Law, and precedes the Divine Imputation; let him say how were they unnatural? but because done against the Law of Nature; and why vile enough? but because that pure and perfect law was sufficient so to convince them: Original Sin could never have been called so, but that there was a Law of Original righteousness, that went before it; how then can actual sins be said to foregoe a Law? For they did do actions, personal, actual Sins, even these done, and yet not imputed? Oh, what an imputation were this to the eternal Law, the Law of Nature, of right reason, and true Conscience? But will this salve it to say, they were not yet so imputed? that will not do it; if he so means that nothing was imputed from the first upon their Original account, to the eternal and internal; but p. 47afterwards, upon the external publication of the Law of Moses, these things were imputed to them upon their personal account; nor will that do it, if he pretends these things were not imputed even unto death: For it is out of question, that Moses Law (as to the morality of it) added no new vertue, goodness, truth, obligation, imputation or penalty, which was not in force before from the eternal and internal Law of God and Nature, of which Moses Law was no more but the External publication; but to speak of actual Sins being in Men, and yet not imputed by God, and of Origiginal Sin deputed to deadly punishment, and yet not imputed by a Law, I say, to speak to such purposes, is such an imputation to the Divine Attributes, as I need not now to say.

p. 48Verse 14.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, who is the figure of him that is to come.

NEvertheless Death reigned from Adam to Moses] But for all that the Law of Moses was not yet given or promulgated to a peculiar people; Death notwithstanding reigned throughout the whole world: For all that time (comprehensively and inclusively) from Adam his Fall, his deprivation of the Image, and depravation of Nature; Till Moses his publication of the Law written in Tables of stone; and so during that whole Oeconomie or dispensation, even until Christ and the Gospel of his Grace; by whom alone all that beleeve are justified from all things (both Sin and Death) from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses. And therefore till then (terminally and exclusively) Death reigned, and Sin likewise; because the dominion and tyranny of these two always goe together; p. 49Now after the duration, the main thing remarkable is the domination or Deaths reigning, which cannot exactly be, but as she is understood in her whole law and power, and in their full latitude or extent; sc. in the forcible denunciation, and infliction of Death temporal, spiritual, and eternael; For where she is so restrained as to goe no farther than the corporal only, so far is she then from any thing like to reigning, that she is now, as it were, swallowed up in Victory; but take her in her utmost Tyrany, and she reigned from Adam to Moses, that is, for Original, as well as for actual sin: for consider her subjects, and her power and authority was,

Even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, That is over Infants, whose reason and discretion, will, and affections, had not yet made them ripe enough for action and imitation; and therefore they had not sinned actually, or in their own persons, but Originally, or in their first Parents loyus. Adams similitude, likeness, or Image, in which he begat his Posterity (Gen. 5. 3.) was that of Original sin, because it was contradistinct to that p. 50image, likeness, or similitude in which God had made him, (Gen. 1, 26, 27.) which was that of Original Righteousness. And to Sin after the similitude of Adams transgression, is, to imitate him, follow him, make him our example, and our selves altogether like him; and therefore not to have sinned after that similitude, is, not to have done so. Now then to construe it (with this Author) of sinning not so grievously, or of sinning lesse than he did, is to make it come little near to, nay, make it fall very much short of sinning after the similitude of his Transgression, or according to the proportion of his prevarication; To sin less, is, not to sin according to the aequallity: But a man may sin less by much, and yet sin after the similitude nevertheless: He that ere this started this very notion (non peccaverunt ad illius similitudinem; hoc est non tam capitaliter — non perinde graviter peccaverunt arque ille) applies it rather (as others besides him do) to the Gentiles than to the Patriarks, (and indeed in such a construction, the Gentiles should sin lesse than the Patriarks, as not having the Law, or the like means they had) But if the same Man p. 51had been taken up, or followed in his other suggestion (regnavit mors in simitudine) the reigning of Death had so been made as vain a semblance, and as light a shadow, as some would make that of Original Sin. But they who suggest that this sinning after the similitude, is neither to be understood of sinning after an internal principle; nor yet after an external example; but only upon and after the direct expression, and express direction of a precept; These (ere they are a ware) do take from the Actual and add to the Original; while they thus exempt all before the written law, as likewise all Heathens, to this day, from sinning after Adams similitude, or rather doe thus deny to most men Sin both Original and Actual; but though we may make Adam a Sin similitude to our selves in matters past; yet it hath pleased God to propose him, as a comfortable type for the future.

Who is the figure of him that was to come] Behold! here's a typical promise, sufficient to satisfie all querulous complaining, and to prevent all quarrellous charging God foolishly, in calling any of his Articles to question in the case, p. 52Since Adam, who received Gods similitude, not for himself alone, but for all his posterity after him, had now forfeited the same both for himself and them all, and had now begotten them in his own similitude of prevarication and defection; and in that very similitude they were now found, and so lest; left (and that justly) to the Tyranny of Sin and Death, yea even those, who had not as yet (according to all actual circumstances) sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression; Neverthelesse they were yet in the estate of Natural corruption, and by that Nature, worthily born Children of wrath; but what if they had already sinned after that similitude, and had now made him their Example to sin, and to die by? yet hath God (of his good pleasure) made him the Type or figure of Christ, intimating that they who are elected by him, and beleeve in him, shall not die by the one, in whom they sinned; but shall live by the other, in whom they beleeved; For as the First man Adam, was the head and principle of Nature to us, and after that of Sin, so is this second Man Adam (Christ the Lord) the principle and p. 53head of Grace to us; and after that of Glory. Behold then (each one) the goodness and severity of God; On them which fell severity; But towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness: And thus indeed are the Divine Attributes to be magnified by us on either part.

p. 54Verse 15.

But not as the offence so also is the free gift: for if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one Man Iesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

BUt not as the offence so also is the free gift] The Comparison is now not interrupted, but pursued with a correction; For he confesses that in the Analogy there lies a great deal of disparity. There may be a foreign, or some resemblance between the persons; as each of them being the First, the Author, the Head, the Root, the Foundation, the Representative of his kind but there is a foreign, an utter difference of the things; as betwixt Sin and Grace, Death and Life: And therefore though there may be comparing of the persons, with an infinite preferring on the one part; yet there can be no conferring of the things, but with an utter differing, both for account, and effect; because there may be some Typical proportion betwixt Adam p. 55and Christ, with the due honour reserved to the Great Reconciler; but betwixt the offence of one, and the Free gift of the other, remains an utter disproportion, never to be reconciled: For the one both is from, and is the Image of the Earthly, the other is from, and is the Image of the Heavenly; the one is naturally transmitted, the other supernaturally conferred; the one from Free-will, the other from Free grace; the one tending to Death, but the other to everlasting life.

For if through the offence of one many be dead, &c.] In this part of the collation, this is one main instance of prelation from the disparity of power and effect, as if he had thus said, suppose the worst that followed Original Sin, that innace offence; yet forasmuch as the remedy propounded so far exceeded the propagated malady, what cause is here to complain or challenge any of the Divine Attributes? since wisdom herein manifests and magnifies her self so excellently, so exceedingly, (both for substance and measure) why should not her children herein seek to justifie her herein above all? what if it was through the p. 56offence of one, ought that to offend? were we not one Nature, one Species of Men, both he and we? In the participation of that Species, all men were to be reckoned as one Man, the sundry persons of men being to that one Man, but as the several Members are to the same body: Moreover this may be enough to satisfie all minds, and stop all mouths; The Grace of God, and the gift of Grace, (both his liberal favour, and our competent measure) is also by one Man Iesus Christ: And why then should we set our selves to wrangle so, with God, with our selves, and one another, because of the Justice and Severity which descends to us but duly from the one in one way; and not rather rest our selves contented, and greatly rejoyce, for the Grace and Mercy that most freely and superabundantly proceeds towards us from that one man Iesus Christ another way? Oh! what peevish things we are! to vex our selves in thinking, how we were made subject to the punishment on the one hand; when we might sweetly satisfie our selves, in beleeving how we are made capable of the exceeding recompence of reward on the other. And p. 57grant again by the first one, and through his one way many be dead, understand it withall emphatically spoken foreign; the many, that is All; for it is not many comparatively, but absolutely; not so spoken as to except some, but to intimate All; All (I say) collectively, and inclusively, and not so sparingly or seemingly (as he speaks) even as it were all, Enoch also (contrary to his mind) not excepted: how much less those few more, of whom peradventure mention is not made? The first is a fond conceit, but the next a vainer crotchet: For take Many (as he would) in the restrained way, and Dead, but for corporally so; yet even Enoch was among that many, & so is dead; For it is not his peculiar and abstruse way of dying that can hinder to say truly he is dead; For Heb. 11. 7. though he was translated by an extraordinary power, that he should not see Death, after the common way; yet for the verity and reality of Death, it was said of him together with the rest; These all died, vers. 13. But taking it (according to the Apostle) in the largest sense. I must say more, All are dead, namely, though not effectually, yet virtually; p. 58though not naturally, yet deservedly; according to a just sentence, though not according to the fearfull Execution; But notwithstanding all this, and all that can be said of the offences worst, and Death's utmost; how would it appease our consciences, and comfort our spirits (even in all wherein the Divine Majesty has been pleased to reveal, either himself, or our selves to us) to conceive rightly, and heartily consider the grace of God, which is to be understood his good will and pleasure, free goodnesse, everlasting love, exceeding favour, with all his beloved Sons merits, and Holy Spirits efficacies, and the gift by Grace, sc. our measures of Sanctification, with the duties required, the comforts promised, and the benefits received? And all this by One man Iesus Christ, sc. by his life and actions; by his death and passion; by his merits and mediation alone. To whom we had no natural, or necessary relation (as we had unto the other) but as he was made Man, and so freely and gratiously gave himself to us, and for us. And thus the grace of God hath much more abounded in pardoning all kinds and measures p. 59of sin, and in preventing the same, as concerning punishment: But the Free gift hath abounded also, we being made both more holy and more happy in Christ than in Adam, we were made corrupt, and miserable, yea and this abounded unto Many, that is All again, and that in sufficiency, though not in effect, else the excess here spoken of should fall short; inasmuch as Sin and Death passed upon All.

p. 60Verse 16.

And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift; for the judgement was by one to condemnation, but the Free gift is of many offences unto justification.

ANd not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift] It is partly a repetition of the first words in the former verse; only there was the Disparity and excess betwixt the Sin and the Grace; here betwixt the Gift, and the person sinning: There it was said to be more plentifully abounding, here more powerfully effecting; There by what Authors, here to what Ends; There the Free gift was opposed to the Sin, but here to the Judgement.

For the Iudgement was by one to condemnation] By the Judgement we understand not only the Decree on God's part, but also the desert on our own; In as much as the word in Scripture notes both the Act and the power of Judgement, as likewise the cause and thing judged: And if we did but truly consider this, then durst we not be so p. 61bold in questioning the Divine Attributes, in regard we are taught to apprehend it as a thing not only of his severity, but of our own impiety also: So by Condemnation we understand both the Sentence and Execution; the threatning against, as well as the inflicting on; likewise we take the (foreign) in the Neuter; as wee doe the (foreign) in the Masculine; yea and from the diverse preposition, we note some distinction, namely of the matter and subject, as well as of the cause and instrument: and thereupon we doe not confound them (as he doth) by One Man sinning one sin; but somewhat more distinctly, by one sinning, or that sinned, we understand the Act with relation to Adams person; but by the one sin we understand the thing it self with relation to our whole Nature, even Original sin it self, to note that one sin (original sin) in us, is under the same judgement unto condemnation, as was that one sinning in Adam; and that in the very Act of his sinning, we sinned (as he seems to grant) ve…y much: And moreover to that, sinned (which he grants not) as bad as he & that not only because of the p. 92likeness of Nature, and of sin (as he says) but because of the very identity and sameness thereof, in the main substance, though not according to every circumstance; For we Descendents from Adam, were perfectly like him in nature, his own real, natural production, and so we sinned, as himself says well; and now if he himself thinks there is so great a parity of reason that the evil (he means this judgement unto condemnation) should descend upon us; then in all reason he ought to yeeld not only a likeness, but also a parity of Sin. Yet whereas he says, the evil was threatned to Adam, and not to his Children: Then was it not judgement unto condemnation, for judgement implies the Sentence and Commination, as Condemnation does the Execution, or effect. But what? not threatned, and yet descending? will the Lord strike before he warns? I say no more, but (for Gods sake) what kind of Vindication call you that? to urge the evil or punishment so oft, and admit so little of the fault or sin, is (I think verily) the wrong way to a Vindication of the Divine Attributes.

But the Free gift is, of many offences p. 63unto justification] To prevent all our murmuring and censuring, that judgement should be to condemnation by one man or person, the Apostle bids us construe him rightly, and says he means it by one Sin or offence; for we shall never think Gods ways equal in this case, till we can look upon it with a right Eye, not only as the Sin of one man, and so the Sin of another; But as one sin of all men, and so our own: But the Sin of one, and one Sin, if this satisfie not; yet this makes amends for all abundantly; that the Free gift is of many offeuces unto justification. For mark how it answers to every opposite, the Free gift to the offence, many to one, and justification to condemnation. The first shews how benignly, the next, how bountifully, the last how beneficially the recompense is vouchsafed; as it is the Free gift to the offence; so it signs Grace in us not to be natural, as the sin is. As it is many to one; so it betokens a liberal condonation of many actuals, as well as that one Original. As it is Iustification against condemnation; so it signifies a making holy as well as happy, against both the sin and the punishment. Since p. 64then what God in Christ hath here done, is to justifie; let God in Christ be justified by all, and in all.

Verse 14.

For if by one mans offence Death reigned by one, much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of Righteousness, shall reign in life by one Iesus Christ.

FOr if by one Man's offence Death reigned by one] It is of no small note, that a mutual construction is here to be made of one Mans offence, and one offence: The diverse reading shews a coincidence; and however the repetition seems as the note upon their narrow conjunction; nothing has done more prejudice to the truth of this point, and to the Divine Attributes, as they are therein concerned, than a dividing, separating, or over-severe and too nice distinguishing between the one man, and the one offence; For though the natural corruption may be distinguishd from the personal Act; according to some circumstances, p. 65yet in substance they are to be considered as one, and the same, because it was (for the main substance) the same sin that Adam committed, that entred into the world by him; and well might the same sin passe from the whole, or head, into all the parts, & members; though not in the particular Act, yet in the universal guilt; so that in his very sin we might (not amiss) be said to sin originally, although not actually. The Apostle more than once expresly intimates it to be translated indifferently, either the Sin and offence of one man, or one sin and offence. We should do well therefore to accept it so equally, as he hath been pleased to expresse it: But we look askew upon it, in the personal Act only; as that one mans sin, and no more; and so we ascribe and impute all to him most presumptuously; and seek in like manner to shake it off from our selves. Strange it is! we dare not deny that God imputes it to us; and yet we dare be bold to impute it solely to him. For so the Paraphrast seems to do: The Sin of Adam alone, whereas (in truth) we ought humbly to conceive, and consider it as one Sin, both in him, and us; one p. 66Sin in our Nature, one Sin in our kind: and so coming to be but one Sin even in the persons of us all. They that goe the first way, are quite out of the way to vindicate the Divine Attributes; For how is it possible to make it anothers sin alone, and not our own in any proper respect, and yet not give occasion to murmurers and repiners at the imputation, to any purpose whatsoever. Whereas if instead of imposing it altogether upon another, we would be convinc'd and content to take what is our own, unto our selves, That heavy yoak which is upon the Sons of Adam, from the day that they goe out of their Mothers womb, till the day that they return to the Mother of all things, would not be so grievous, or so unequal to their apprehensions; But they would soon be convinc'd to lay their hands upon their mouths; yea would be content to say every man for himself, This is my Yoak (the image of the earthy) and I will bear it; I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him; which is never to be brought to passe if we once go about to unyoak our selves of the Sin: But whether we will p. 67do so or no, God will be true when all men are found Lyers; his ways will be proved equal, when our ways are reproved for unequal; and wisdom will be justified and cleared, when she is judged, though no flesh living can be justified in her sight. The very punishment and infliction from God, is sufficient to argue the sin and guilt in us: For Death reigned by one, not only by one man, in the Masculine (as he spake immediately before) but by one in the Neuter, one Sin; for death could never so have reigned by the one Man, had it not been by the one sin: Yet see how he would labour to bring the Original punishment on our heads, that will not admit us to bring the Original Sin so much as upon our Shoulders: For so he supposes it: If the sin of Adam alone could bring death upon the world, who by imitation of his transgression, on the stock of their own natural choice did sin, against God, though not after the similitude of Adams transgression. How says he? no Sin but in imitation? no punishment but for imitation? he knows full well whose exploded heresie that was, and therefore shall do very well to renounce both p. 70name and thing at once. But how agree his own words to themselves? sinning by imitation, and yet not after the similitude of Adams transgression? (which cannot genuinely, no nor conveniently be interpreted but of sinning actually, and by imitation; yea let it be understood of sinning less than he did, yet so it is by imitation.) Again, Sinning on the stock of their own natural choice, and yet, not sinning after the similitude of Adams transgression? Why how sinned Adam but out of the stock of his own natural choice? And how sinned we in him, but out of the stock of his natural choice? for indeed he was our natural stock, and we were the branches thereof: And it was he that received the whole stock of Natures choice, liberty, Free will, and consent for himself, and likewise for us all; and out of this stock of natural choice and liberty it was, that we sinned not only by him, but in him, and with him; wherefore I heartily wish him to be wary how he exempts sinning after the similitude of Adams transgression, and sinning on the stock of our own natural choice, each from other, lest he imp…ir that stock, and overthrow that p. 71Rock of liberty, and Free will, which (against both Supralapsarians, and Sublapsarians) he laboured ere while so earnestly to establish, and so prove to strike upon them, and himself, and the Divine Attributes, all at once. But (to remedy all this) here it is not only by one Man, who had his personal choice, but by one sin, wherein was our natural choice; and therefore let us go on to see what the Apostle inferrs, and preferrs in such a case.

— How much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousnesse shall reign in life by one Iosus Christ] sc. Though Death reigned much both by one man, and by one sin; yet by one Christ they shall reign much more. But then they must be duely qualified, for it is They which receive, and that argues no capacity, no ability in them, notwithstanding the blemish of Orginal sin, for thereby they were under Death's reign, which was spiritual and not corporal only; and held under the power, and utter slavery of Sin as well as Death; rather it convinces them of their privation and impotence, as not having but as they receive; duplicate page p. 70duplicate page p. 71p. 72yet notwithstanding such emptiness and unaptness, being prepared and embled by Christs abundance, they must receive (that is rightly apply) Grace, sc. the grace of justification by Faith, and likewise the Gift of Righteousness, sc. the sanctification of the Spirit to holy walking: And both these they shall have, both in their kinds and measures, sc. abundance, namely, for sufficiency, but not to supererogation: And so they shall reign in life; sc. from Vassals under Sin and Death, become Free-men, nay Kings in life, both of Grace and Glory. And all this not of themselves, nor for any worthiness of their own, but by the sole merits and mediation of one Iesus Christ, who is God all-sufficient, and besides whom there is no Saviour. All these Excellencies of Remedy put together, serve but to set forth the destituteness and desperateness of the Disease.

p. 73Verse 18.

Therefore, as by the offence of one Iudgement came upon all men, to condemnation; even so by the righteousness, of one, the Free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

THerefore as by the offence of one man judgement came upon all men, &c.] This 18 verse, by the illative, seems (to me) rather to refer to the 16 verse than to any of the rest, and may thence more expresly and peculiarly be supplyed. Howbeit the Comparison was there with more precise respect to the Things; hu… here to the persons. Therefore then (the illative is a reduplicate, and concludes so much the stronger) as by the offence of one man, or by one offence (whether the primordial Act of his person, or the original stain of our Nature) judgement (of the Divine Decree, so wise, so just) came upon all men (all common men, and born after the ordinary way of Nature, not the blessed Virgin, none but Christ himself excepted) unto condemnation (at least from his sentence, and according p. 74to our desert) even so by the righteousnesse (of his person, natures, offices) the Free gift (of grace and salvation; came upon all men (sufficiently, yea, and effectually too upon all the faithfull, For he is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that beleeve) unto justification of life, sc. that life which only the justified, or which by justification only, all men attain unto. And here I have only those words of his to except against: The proportion and comparison lies in the mayn emanation of death, from one, and life from the other. That certainly it does not, if we look at the Comparison no further than as it lies in the present verse; for here the main proportion and comparison is betwixt the offence of one and the righteousness of one, both here and throughout the whole Comparison Sin and Grace, the offence and the free-gift, these are the main opposites; as being the principal causes: The other two Death and Life are but secondarily set opposite, as being but the consequents or effects: And this I note that Christs excellency might appear much more in remedying the cause, than in removing the effect only.

p. 73Verse 19.

For as by one Mans disobedience many were made Sinners: so by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous.

FOr as by one man's disobedience many were made Sinners] here concludes the comparison betwixt Adam and Christ; and he says well, this is the sum of all; for 'tis the principal scope of the Holy Ghost, to prefer Christ making righteous, to Adam making sinners. And therefore he saith yet better, we are made much more righteous by Christ, than we were sinners by Adam; and yet best of all, the graces we derive from Christ shall be more and mightier than the corruption and declination by Adom; because the excess and excellency of Christ appeareth much more in taking away the Sin and corruption, than in a delivering from the misery and mortality of Original Sin; And therefore the Apostle (in this case and comparison) concludes it for his greatest glory in making Sinners righteous; above that of making the miserable happy, or bringing p. 74those that were subject to Death, to reign in life, saying thus, as the sum of all, as by one mans disobedience (Adams prime and personal Act, with all the affections and circumstances) Many, foreign the many (that is all; for none that ordinarily proceeded out of his loyns are to be excepted) were made Sinners (from and in that very Act, not only imputed and accounted, but constituted, and really so effected) And so the very word is used both by St. Paul in this place, and by St. Peter, 2 Pet. 1. 8. and by St. Iames, Iam. 4. 4. to signifie the very being of the thing, and not the bare reckoning only: And we may take his own construction of the word, put into the order of sinners; but then we understand it of the humane and natural order, as by generation and propagation, and the like, but not of the divine and eternal order, as made such by Gods appointment. It stranges me still, that he who even now was so vehemently invective against both Supralapsarians, and Sublapsarians, upon the account of the horrible and necessitating Decree, in this case of Original Sin, as reproving their supposition, if it be by the Decree p. 75of God by his choice and constitution, that it should be so, &c.— and again, —if God may ordain men to Hell for Adams Sin, which is derived to them by Gods only constitution, &c.— And now for all that that himself is here, saying, many were constituted or put into the order of sinners; they were made such by Gods appointment; to speak altogether so like them: Is this the way (I pray you) to vindicate the Divine Attributes against them? nor will such an exception salve it at all, to say, not that God could be the Author of a Sin to any; but that he appointed the evil, which is the consequent of Sin to be upon their heads who descended from the Sinner: For though Sin and the Sinner may be put for the punishment and the punished in some other places of Scripture, yet can neither be so understood or accepted in this to the Romans; because the Sin and the punishment both are here noted again and again in their proper, plain, and distinct expressions and comparisons. Neither is there truth (much lesse safety to the Divine Attributes) to speak in such a sense, as, that God appointed (by his Decree) the evil (of punishment and misery) which is the p. 76consequent of Sin, (anothers, and not their own) to be upon their heads (outwardly and temporally, though the pravity was never in their hearts) who descended from the Sinner (and yet descended not Sinners themselves) For thus (though he labours not to speak out) a man of any strict observation, or narrow search, must needs accept him, and the rather, because of former passages to this purpose not a few; besides what necessity is there to wrap in here the divine constituting (either for sin or suffering) where the humane constituting is so evident, so sufficient? It is but asking by whom or by what were many made sinners? and the answer is here already made to our hands, by one Mans disobedience, to bid us satisfie all our curiosity in that; and to seek no further for a constituting cause; nor indeed will the whole Analogie endure it; For the total comparison is not betwixt God and Christ, but betwixt Christ and Adam; neither is all this excesse, or excellence of State (wherein Christ constituted us, above that wherein Adam destituted us) spoken with any respect to God; but in a direct and compleat respect to Adam only.

p. 77So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous] By the obedience (both active and passive) of one (Lord Jesus Christ, who alone is sufficient to satisfie for all sins original and actual) shall many, even all the Elect, all that beleeve) be made righteous, made (as himself says well) and constituted righteous: And we hope he means really righteous (by the Spirits imparting as well as Christs imputing) else where were all this contrariety of the Comparison? For what excesse or excellency were it, to make a thing really righteous, if it was not really sinfull and corrupt before? and righteous, that is, not only happy, but holy withall; And therefore the Sinners must needs be understood, not only as miserable and afflicted, but as declined and corrupted; and so signifying, we joyn with him (as we have already approved him) in what he says to the end of the Paraphrase; Nevertheless we may not doe so as touching the Consequents or Antecedents thereof; Therefore.

p. 781. As to the Antecedents.

HIs Position which he intimates in opposition to the Objection is, That to deny original sin to be a sin properly, and inherently, is not expresly against the words of St. Paul in the 5 chapter to the Romans. And for this he hath these sayings; (For as for reasons, he hath more reason than to call them so) 1. He supposes, the words are capable of interpretation, otherwise than is vulgarly pretended. Now I suppose that the interpretation of the Primitive Churches, Councils, Fathers, Papists, Protestants, Lutherans, Calvinists, (and the most learned and moderate of them) is of other account with him, than either as vulgar, or as pretended. Yea a reason (or the Maior of it) is propounded by him. For any interpretation that does violence to right reason, to Religion, to holinesse of life, and the divine Attributes of God, is therefore to be rejected, and another chosen. True! but then it remains on his part to be proved, That such an Interpretation (as is contrary to his understandiug) does so in all, or in p. 79some one of them at least: And withall, that an Interpretation of his own understanding be not such in all or any one of them. 2. Sin in the Scripture is taken for the punishment; what then? it is not so here, nor in more than hundreds of places besides. For as life and death go all along the Antithesis throughout for the express reward and punishment, so doe Sin and Righteousnesse, the offence and the Free gift distinctly, as the vile anomie or obliquity; or as the holy vertue or efficacy. 3. The word Condemnation is by the Apnstle himself limited to signifie Temporal death; no such matter by his favour, for most certain it is condemnation is here opposed by him, to the Iustification of life; and that signifies life, both spiritual and eternal; and to take away the extent on either part, is rather to make the Apostle limit the excess on the best part. He must mean Temporal death, for eternal death did not passe upon all men. Yes, that it did even passe upon all men, from the just sentence; though (as he knows who said) it did not invade all men, to an uttermost Execution. And if he means eternal death, he must not mean that it came from Adams sin, p. 80but in as much as all have sinned, &c. well corrected of himself, but ill restrained by him. Yea, indeed but he must; and very well he may; not only, in as much as, but in whom all have sinned: Even originally, in his loyns; although not actually in themselves. If all have sinned in him, an eternal death is little enough: But if not, even a Temporal death is too much. 4. The Apostle here speaks of sin imputed, therefore not of sin inherent; why not one as well as the other? imputed and inherent, though they may be of some diverse consideration, yet are they not of such contrariety, that they may consist together, and that in every kind of sin. As actual sin is inherent, and yet nevertheless is imputed; so original sin may be imputed, and yet inherent nevertheless; will the imputation, which is in respect of a Law, take away the inhaesion of the fact or crime, which is with respect to the person? Neither doth the Apostle speak here directly of Sin imputed but of Sin not imputed. And he knows that hath been construed by many, for man's not so reputing it, (through want of knowledge, or conscience of a law) although it was p. 81never so much inherent. 5. The Apostle says, by the disobedience of one man many were made Sinnere: so that it appears, that in this we have no sin of our own; neither is it at all our own formally & inherently. Whatsoever the appearance may be to us; yet this is of no consequence from the words: Because Adam is here often called one, and one man; not so much to distinguish, or to divide him from us; but to compare and parallel him with Christ: And though it be called one man's disobedience, in regard of the individual, and circumstantial Act; yet in regard of the specifical Act of the Common Nature, the common union, comprehension, representation, it was indeed all our act. For so all have sinned and are made Sinners, sc. inherently. The Formality of Sin (whether original or actual) is anomie and obliquity to the Law of God, and so it is imputed; but with all it is ataxie and deformity of our nature, and so it is inherent; Neither was Adams Sin efficiently his persons only, but his natures also, and so it was ours. And for Original Sin Adam's person was but the External efficient; but the internal efficient was that p. 82law of corrupted Nature, whereby a corrupt thing deserted, did beget a corrupt thing like it self, so that, that which is born of flesh, is flesh: But for him to make it effectively ours as to some purposes of imputation. Alas! this is to bring God into the business; whose wisdom and justice (no doubt) was efficient to some sad effects of punishment; but then to say, That it could not be a Sin in us formally: and notwithstanding the Divine Justice both imputing and effecting such fearfull purposes, as the dreadfull and direfull effects of Adam's and our Original Sin, oh, Divine Attributes! What's now become of your Vinditation? I have heard of deputation to punishment, but not of imputation without the crime or fault. And if it be so that the sin ran in no sence be properly ours; how stands this with the Divine Justice, that the punishment should be ours in any sense whatsoever? since even we our selves (such is our natural and humane Justice) kill or destroy not poysonous Serpents, noisom vermin, savage Beasts, ravenous Birds; or pestilent weeds; but for some natural vitiosity, seminally, innately, hereditarily, p. 83intrinsecally, inherently, formally and properly in them. 6. To his sixth saying I have spoken before particularly, and say now moreover in summe, That it is not our punishment that can redound to Adam, but the guilt of his sin rather that redounds upon us. That in actual, external, and particular Sins, it may be just to afflict the relatives; not only to punish the cause, but (for terrors sake) to prevent the example; but in this original, internal, natural, and universal Sin, it cannot be for terror or prevention to any; since all are guilty, all are punished: That in our relation to Adam, we are not only descendants from him in our persons, but participants with him in our Natures, and so may be formally denominated Sinners as well as he: And if there be no more contradiction in it, than for every man to say thus, if I am formally by him a Sinner, then I did really doe his action: that may be easily said, and not so easie to be contradicted. For what hinders but that a man may say, nay, that he ought to say; I did really doe his action, though not in the personal and external circumstance, yet in the natural and internal p. 84substance of doing, I did really doe his action in his loyns, and as a member of of the whole body of Nature; Now if the Member of a mans body may formally be denominated sinfull from the sin of the whole man: why then may not every man be so denominated here, being an included Member of the whole body of Mankind? 7. He says, there is nothing in the design or purpose of the Apostle, that can or ought to enforce any other thing, than what? than that we sinned lesse than Adam, and therefore sinned not in him, and that God imputed this sin less to us, than to him. I confesse I can see no such purpose in the Apostle, and doubtlesse his design (throughout the whole contraposition) is not to lessen our sin to Adams; but to lessen both Adams sinne, and the sinne of us all, to Christs righteousnesse; yea and to lessen the Death which both he and we deserved, to the life that Christ had merited for us; and so indeed, to heighten his Acts and Attributes in all. But thus he argues, If we have sinned less, then we did not sin in him. To which it may be thus answered, the hand sins less than the mind, did it not therefore sin in the p. 85body? but we see no reason why we should not still say; we sinned in him (naturally though not personally) and as much as he, neither do we look that our sin in him, should by him be lessened to us, but by Christ only, both to him, and to us all.

2. Now for the Consequents of this Paraphrase.

THe consequent of this discourse (he says) must needs be this at least. If it be consequent to his discourse so: but it stands us in hand to examine, whether it be consequent to the Apostles words: but since he will needs impose them on us as Consequences, he will not be angry if I take them up as Inconsequences: For whether so or so, I refer them, Sir, both to yours, and every able and indifferent mans judgement (Conseq.) That it is impossible that the greatest part of mankind, should be left in the eterternal bonds of Hell by Adam. Inconsequ. nothing is impossible with God, nothing is impossible that is justly p. 86done, and past; we say, not only the greatest part, but the whole race of mankind was so left; and yet all that aggravates it not to an impossibility. For why should it be thought an impossibility, That all by Adam should be left in the etetnal bonds of Hell; since all in Adam had a possibility to be brought to the eternal Throne of Heaven? (Conseq.) For then quite contrary to the discourse of the Apostle, there had been abundance of Sin, but a scarcity of Grace; and the excesse had been on the part of Adam, not on the part of Christ. (Inconseq.) The abundance, or excess, which the Apostle here contends for, is not with respect to numbers or to multitudes of persons, on either part, but in regard to Grace abounding Sin, and Life excelling Death, and Christs merits infinitely exceeding both Adams and our own deserts. (Conseq.) So that the Presbyterian way is perfectly condemned by this discourse of the Apostle. (Inconseq.) Though he tell them never so often, yet they will hardly beleeve him on his own word, till he can convince them from the Apostles words perfectly and indeed. (Conseq.) Nay, and yet p. 87more particularly convince them, when their way of understanding in this point, is singular from the Church of England, or other reformed Churches Suffrage; the other m…re gentle way, which affirms that we were sentenc'd in Adam to eternal death, though the Execution is taken off by Christ, is also no way countenanced by any thing in this Chapter; (Inconseq.) No? these words (death passed, death reigned, the judgement was to condemnation) these (I say) countenance and confirm the sentence. Again (the Free gift came to justification of life, they shall reign in life by one Iesus Christ) these countenance and confirm the taking off the Execution; were it not thus both for the sentence and for the Execution, where then were all those excesses on Christs part? what excesse were it to make those righteous, that were not made Sinners before? what excess were it to justifie those to eternal life; that were never condemned to eternal death? let him look to it, either Christ must be preferred in these Acts and Excesses, or else his Attributes are but impaired. (Conseq.) That the judgement which came from Adams sin, unto the condemnation p. 88of the world, was nothing but temporal Death, is here affirmed. (In conseq. so far is it from being affirmed that upon right deduction, it is more than once denied. For it was Death entring by Sin, and that was something more than temporal death; It was Death reigning, and that was something more than death temporal; It was death opposed to the justification of life, and that must be something more than temporal death; It was death opposed to reigning in life, and therefore must needs be more than temporal death. (Conseq.) It is in no sence imaginable, that the death which here St. Paul says passed upon all men, and which reigned from Adam to Moses, should be eterual Death. (Inconseq.) Will he allow no man a sensible imagination, besides his own understanding? or rather a sensible understanding besides his own imagination? Death passed upon all men, that is eternal death passed upon all men, according to the justice of the sentence, and their due desert, There's one sense. That Death which reigned from Adam to Moses, was eternal death; for if you take the time of Deaths reigning p. 89to be betwixt them two, terminally and exclusively, then was it not so much as a tempotal death passing upon all men; But death reigns not but from an eternal Law, and in and to eternity. There's another sense, yea Death reigned from Adam to Moses, and so onward until Christ, and would have reigned eternally over all men, had not Christ taken it off. There's another sense. (Conseq.) the Apostle speaks of that death which was threatned to Adam. (Inconseq.) rather of the death which was threatned to the world in Adam, but take it as directed to Adams person, dying thou shalt die, Gen. 2. 17. The sacred idiom serves to note the continuity, as well as the certainty of Death: and that was an intimation of the eternity. (Conseq.) The Apostle means such a Death which was afterwards threatned In Moses Law. (Inconseq.) well, but who takes a temporal death only? nay, who takes not an eternal death chiefly to be threatned upon the breach of the Morral Law? (Conseq.) and such a death which fell even upon the most righteous of Adams posterity. (Inconseq.) True it fell upon them in part, not that the other p. 90part was not due unto them, but that it was taken off by Christ. (Conseq.) Upon the most righteous of Adam's posterity, who did not sin after the similitude of Adam's transgression. (Inconseq.) Such righteous ones of all his posterity were never yet known. Abel, Seth, and Methusala were certainly none such; for they and their like (even all the holy Patriarks) were sinners, as well by imitation, as by propagation; and sinned as well actually as originally. To say that those holy men sin not after the similitude of Adams transgression, in that they sinned less, alas! that's but poor; for so even wicked men are said, not to sin after the similitude of one another. (Conseq.) Because in proportion to the evil, so was the imputation of the Sin, it follows, That Adam's sin is ours metonimycally and improperly. (Inconseq.) Here's nothing at all which follows aright: for even the first part of his argument is preposterous: By evil he intends punishment, and then the consequence is quite contrary, because the sin was not imputed in proportion to the punishment; but indeed the punishment was deputed in proportion to the Sin. p. 91And therefore it must follow (by reason of contraries) That Adams sin was not tropically and tralatitiously, but even litterally and properly ours. But consider what he says in effect; That God did measure the sin according to the punishment. Now good Lord! how can the Divine Attributes stand safe to such a saying? for what Justice is that, that regulates or proportions the sin by the punishment, and not the punishment by the Sin? In the imputation of God or men, who makes the sin to follow the punishment, and not rather the punishment to follow the sin? But say his rule stood upon some right foot; yet how follows his argument from it? The Sin was imputed in proportion to the punishment; but the punishment was proper and real, not figurative and equivocal; and therefore so must the Sin be too: else who can tell what's become of all this proportion? (Conseq.) God was not finally angry with us, nor had so much as any designs of eternal displeasure upon that account. (Inconseq.) The way to vindicate Gods Attributes, is, not to pry into them too curiously; nor to determine upon them too peremptorily: p. 92nor to aggravate them too severely, nor to extenuate them too indulgently, but to believe them and justifie them, and magnifie them, so as they are revealed. God indeed was not finally angry with us (his Elect) neither upon our original, nor upon our actual account: And why? because his wrath was so appeased by Christ, satisfaction. But was he not therefore so at the Sin simply and absolutely considered? if he had no design of eternal displeasure, upon that account, then he sent Christ to die in vain. For Christ died to prevent, not the temporal, but the eternal death; Nor was that to redeem us from the mortality and condition of our Nature (for he suffered it himself, and left us to follow him in a conformity) but from the depravation and damnation of it. (Conseq.) This anger went no further than the evils of this life; and therefore the imputation was not of a proper guilt; for that might justly have past beyond our grave, if the same had past beyond a Metonymie or a juridical external imputation. (Inconseq.) O rare consequent! the punishment was p. 93but temporally inflicted, and therefore the Sin was not properly imputed. As if temporal punishments (whether from God, or men) were the arguments of improper Sins only. But O wonderfull vertue of a bare Trope, or figurative locution! to qualifie such a pravity, extenuate such a provocation, divert such a desert, yea to regulate such a Justice, or to restrain and limit such a power. If his Metonymical imputation be the same with Iuridical and external, then (me thinks) this proportion should be observed in the proceeding, That as the Sin is imputed but only as it were in some shadow or resemblance of words; so should the punishment be inflicted, and not in any deed or substance. For he that is found guilty, but only in an imaginary Idea or picture, ought not to be executed, but only in conceit, or as it were in effigie. But I am forbidden to smile, since it is a matter of fighing, in regard the Divine Attributes are so stricken at: For what provocation can there be for Gods universal and continual anger (for such it is against the Fall and original sin) without an, mputation of a proper and participating guilt? p. 94where the sin is properly imputed, there (he grants) the punishment may justly goe beyond our Graves, that is even to Hell. But if there be no such imputation, no such propriety, no such participation; I can see no cause why those evils should passe so far as this present life. Eternal death is little enough, if sin be properly and particularly imputed: but if it be not so, I cannot see but that even a temporal death to all mankind, must be too much. (Conseq.) That as no man ever imposed penance for it (for original Sin) so God himself in nature, did never for it afflict or affright the Conscience. (Inconseq.) By penance surely he understands not private Repentance, but publick Discipline, or that of the Churches imposing; say it were so, the Churches power is to impose the penance for publike, notorious, scandalous and exemplary Crimes and offences: it cannot take cognisance (as no external Law or administration can) of an inward, secret, unsearchable, (though worthily suspected) Sin, such as the Original is. Besides, whose should be the authority in such a cause or case, where all are concluded, and confest p. 95guilty alike? As for the other part, I ask of him, did not God himself afflict and affright Adams Conscience for it, when he was forced to say; I heard thy voice in the Garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid my self. Gen. 3. 10. And we all feel and must confesse, this afflicting this affrighting was not of his person only, but in his and our Nature also; as woefull experience convinces us all to this very day. (Conseq.) And why, the conscience shall be for ever at so much peace for this sin, that a man shall never give one groan for his share of guilt in Adams sin, unlesse some or other scares him with an impertinent proposition. (Inconseq.) What the conscience shall be for ever, is hard for him to say; And for what it hath been hitherto, he knows a Conscience is not always to be argued for pure and free, because it is quiet and still. But what says he to David? did not he groan for it in that Poenitential of his? Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin hath my Mother conceived me, Psalm 51. 5. And to St. Paul, is this no groaning,? Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom. p. 967. 24. Nay shall we not beleeve what he but lately said of himself? For my part I cannot but confesse that to be which I feel and groan under, and by which all the world is miserable. Let him look to his Conscience, and see how his words agree first and last; I hope he will not now say it was some impertinent proposition that scared him thereunto. (Conseq.) Why the Conscience should not naturally be afflicted for it, nor so much as naturally know it, I confesse I cannot yet make any reasonable conjecture, save this only; that it is not properly a Sin, but only Metonymically and improperly. (Inconseq.) Such a conjecture is not reasonable; for if to deny a Sin to be such, were sufficient, because the Conscience naturally smiles not for it, nor yet convinces of it: so many actual sins might easily come to be denied. A strange conjecture for a figurative appellation to save a Conscience. I know the Conscience can Syllogize, but I never knew that she could ever so Rhetoricate with her self: such a conjecture is so far from being worth the sole preferring, that it's not worth the naming, where better reasons are brought forth. As namely, p. 97That Original sin her self has blinded and bedulled the Conscience, as touching the true and full apprehension of her self, and of Original sin. That the law and light of nature is exceedingly obscured to all Consciences since the Fall That most mens Consciences are insensible even of their actual and sensual sins; how much more then of the Original and invisible? That men have pulled and seared both their own, and others Consciences, as touching the true sense of Original Sin, by dayly hatching and broaching such heresies and errors about it: No marvel then that men are here so insensible; we see it may easily come to passe through natural ignorance and ill habits, without this diminishing glass of a Metonymical spectacle. (Conseq.) there are some whole Churches which think themselves so little concerned in the matter of Original Sin, that they have not a word of it in all their Theologue. (Inconseq.) That they have not a word of it, their Theologue is defective to them, that they think themselves not concerned in it, they are defective to their Theologie. I could tell him of some Churches that in their Theologie p. 98make no mention of the Decalogue; do they therefore think themselves but little concerned in it? again some Churches think themselves so much concerned in Original Sin, that they beleeve Souls, as well as Bodies, to be propagated from Adam. I spake this of the Ethiopians and the Russians, no Church but is bound to have such a body of Divinity as may comprehend the whole principles of Faith and Religion; yea, and to unfold them, and confess them so far as they are revealed in the word of God; but what is it to object some obscure and confused Churches, to the Catholique universal, & to the most orderly and eminent Churches of the World? (Conseq.) The height of this imagination hath wrought so high in the Church of Rome, that when they would doe great honour to the Virgin Mary, they were pleased to allow unto her an immaculate conception, without any Original Sin. (Inconseq.) So far as the Church of Rome seemed to joyn with the Primitive Churches in the point of Original Sin, so far also have the Reformed Churches joyned with them, as namely, That Original Sin is, That it p. 99is properly and inherently a Sin. That it descendeth by natural propagation, not by imitation. That it hath in both a stain and guilt. That it subjected to misery and death in all senses and significations: That we are redeemed therefrom by the merits of Christ: These are heights indeed, but not heights of imagination, but sound Doctrine. And these she pretended to hold forth against all those who affirmed, That Adam lost Original righteousnesse only for himself, and not for us his posterity: and that by Adams disobedience sin descended not upon Mankind, but only a bodily death or punishment. Indeed here she hath also some heights of imagination, as, That Original sin is not only remitted by Baptism, but utterly abolished and quite taken away. That the concupiscence remaining in the regenerate, is no sin. That Original Sin is only in the inferiour, and not in the superiour faculties. That the blessed Virgin was conceived and born free from Original Sin, yea, and many more heights of imagination they have much disputed on among their Scholasticks, so that they owe their errors, p. 100not to the simple profession of Original Sinne, but to their subtle disputation about it. As for their opinion of the blessed Virgins immaculate conception, it arose from no other height, but that o… their own superstition, which is too notorious, in all they can feign or imagin… for her, say of her, or doe to her. But I pray God this low imagination, o… slender and slight conceit of a Metonymical, juridical, external collateral, nay, equivocal, abusive, phantastical imputation, serve not to be get a conceit or presumption of an immaculate conception in us all. I have read of one that would needs deny the immortality of the Soul, with intent to disprove the Popish purgatory; but there are other ways to refute this Error of the immaculate conception, than by abating the truth or utmost truth of Original Sin.

One thing more (he saith) I am to observe before I leave considering the word of the Apostle. This one thing is not so much a consequent of what he would say for himself, as an argument against all such as would argue against him. The ground betwixt both is laid in these last words of the Apostle, As by one mans disobedience p. 101many were made Sinners, so by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous. Some (saith he) from hence suppose they argue strongly to the overthrow of all that I have said, Thus, As by Christ we are made really righteous, so by Adam we are made really sinners. This we acknowledge not only to be our Argument, but our way of Augmentation; and if this standing good be sufficient to overthrow all that he hath said, then it is easie to be observed to what purpose he hath spoken all this while, but to this he hath spoken in his Addresses, and to them we can say nothing till we see them. But besides (saith he) I have something very material to reply to the form of the Argument, which is a very trick and fallacy. Strong reason may be spoken very often without a formal Syllogisme; and where the matter cannot be denied to be true and good, 'tis but a kind of sophistical fallacy to stand too pedantically upon the form. — But to argue from hence, (as by Christ we are made really righteous, so by Adam we are made really sinners) is (saith he) to invert the purpose of the Apostle. The reciprocation or conversion of propositions p. 102is no inversion of their purpose, where they may truly praedicate either way. Neither is the inverting of words in their order, always a perverting of them in their intent. But the Apostle argues from the lesse to the greater. Indeed the Apostle in his comparison proceeds after such a manner, as from Adam to Christ, from Sin to Grace, from Death to Life: now Comparates (Ianus-like) look foreign, forwards and backwards, and may argue mutually from one to another, Nay they must doe it, else could they not be Comparates; now though the Apostle argue from the lesse to the greater, by way of Amplification: yet he forbids not to argue from the greater to the lesse, for matter of reallity, and that is all our Argument. But we (saith he) make it conclude affirmatively from the greater to the lesse, in matter of power. Will he allow us to doe it negatively? why that will serve our turn sufficiently. Thus, As Christ's righteousnesse was not imputed only: so neither was Adams sin; or thus, As our righteousness by Christ was not a Metonymical righteousnesse; so our sin by Adam p. 103was not a Metonymical Sin. But (by his leave) we may take liberty to argue affirmatively, as before, & yet offend against no Logical Law, or Canon of Comparates, nay and the consequence shall be of great force, even affirmatively, as Thus. As Christ did and suffered his Fathers will; so ought we to doe and suffer the same. As God charged his Angels with Folly, how much more may he us mortal men? and from the Apostle in this place. As the Life was a real life, so the Death was a real Death: As the Grace was real Grace, so the Sin was real Sin. But he now assumes the trick or fallacy himself, taxing us for concluding affirmatively from the greater to the lesse in matter of power (as what a Man can doe, a Child can doe; What God is able to doe, &c. the Devil is able to doe, &c.) Whereas our manner of arguing is not in matter of power and prevalency; but for matter of being, and reallity. Now betwixt the greater and the lesse, though there may be a disproportionate action, yet there must be some proportionate being. And what is affirmed of the greater, may likewise be affirmed of the lesser, and p. 104that in the same kind and manner, although not according to the same measure or degree; yea very Opposites and and Disparates if they come to be compared, are accepted as opposite and different only in their proper forms and adjuncts, but alike, and agreeing in their common Attributes, according to which they are compared; and without which there could be no ground for comparison. And where there is no ground for Collation; there can be no cause for prelation; as here in the Apostles worlds; Take away the reallity of Sin, and the Proper being of the offence, and in such a comparison, with what excesse, or excellency, can the Grace, the Free-gift, Iustification, and the righteousnesse of Christ be preferred thereunto? There's nothing now remaining, but to put it into an Hypothetical Syllogism, and so to leave it concluding without all Fallacy, according to his own condition, viz. If we be made really righteous by Christ, then we were made really Sinners by Adam: But we are made really righteous by Christ, Ergo

And thus (worthy Sir) though I cannot presume my self to be one of those p. 105wise persons he speaks of; yet this I presume, that I am not unwarily perswaded by this way of arguing; neither can I (out of my simplicity) observe that it is this way, but rather his own whole way of arguing that appears unconcluding. But let it be with your own judgement how we either of us appear to you, from what we have said.