Book VIII
after things fleshly and sinful. .... 278
Of the inclinations and lusts which are in the will and affections, BOOK IX.
Wisdom in the hidden part, or practical wisdom concerning original sin, founded on David s example and practice, Ps. li. 6. That this sin is matter of repentance as well as our actual sins, and how we are to be humbled for it, and to repent of it. . . . . . 324
BOOK X.
That this state of guilt and natural corruption is the condition of all men unregenerate, though they make an external profes sion of Christianity.- A discovery of the several sorts of such men, both the ignorant, the profane, and the civil and the formal Christian. And an answer to all those pleas by which they excuse, justify, or flatter themselves. . . 377
BOOK XL
That an unregenerate man is highly guilty, by reason of the numberless account of actual sins whichhe daily commits. 429
BOOK XII. of his sinfulness. ..... 489
An unregenerate man s guiltiness by reason of the aggravations
BOOK XIII.
Of the punishment of sin in hell. That the wrath of God is the immediate cause of that punishment. . . . 490
AN UNREGENERATE MAN S GUILTINESS
BEFORE GOD, &c.
VOL. X.
AN UNREGENERATE MAN S GUILTINESS
BEFORE GOD,
IN BESPECT OF SIN AND PUNISHMENT.
BOOK I.
Of an unregenerate man s guiltiness before God,from the imputation of Adam s first transgression to every person of his posterity.
CHAPTER I.
The general design and division of the discourse.
WE have seen the state of pure nature, as to the holiness and happiness thereof, by the law of God.* I come now unto man s fallen and lost con dition in a state of sin and wrath, which is the condition of all by nature, and whilst in the state of nature.
My method shall be this :
I. To handle the sinfulness of all men by nature in respect of their birthsin (which from Augustine we have used to call original sin), both in the guilt and corruption thereof.
II. To treat of it as it is a state, or an abiding condition, and therein to discover the several sorts of men remaining unregenerate in the church, and of a common profession of Christ : viz. 1, of ignorant persons; 2, profane; 3, civil and formal Christians ; and to detect the deceits and false pleas which each of these have, why they think themselves happy if they should die therein. That which I intend therein is a conviction of all these sorts of persons (that are the generality of the church) that they are still in the state of nature, and, without true regeneration, will eternally perish.
III. The third is the sinfulness of sin, and the aggravations of it, as in sinning against mercies, against knowledge, &c. ; together with the fearfulness of that punishment which is due unto men for the least sin in that estate.
In the Discourse of the Creatures, and the Condition of their State by Creation in Vol. II. of his Works. [Vol. VII. of this edition. ED.]
4 AN UNREGENERATE MAN*S GUILTINESS BEFJRE GOD, [BoOK L
I. As to the first, my method is,
First, To shew the first entrance of sin upon all men by Adam s first sin, that is, the first imputation of that act to all men; and how far the guilt of that act ie charged en us, and how far it was personal and proper only to him.
Secondly, To lay open that corruption of nature which hath defiled all our natures. Concerning which, 1, how it flows from the guilt of that first act; 2, that it is truly and -properly a sin ; then, 3, the great abounding sinfulness thereof; and, 4, the parts thereof in general, as that it is, First, A total privation and emptiness of all that is truly good.
Secondly, Positive inclinations to all evils, which consist in two things
1. In lusts, and therein of the nature of lusts, their inordinacy, their sinfulness and deceitfulness.
2. In an inbred enmity and opposition unto God, and whatever is holy and good (which I make the third particular branch of original corruption).
This in general. II. More particularly, I lay open this corruption, as it isin the whole man, and in every faculty.
First, The understanding in blindness, unbelief, practical false reasonings and deceits, &c.
Secondly, The thinking power, the vanity of thoughts.
Thirdly, The defilement in the conscience.
Fourthly, The subjection and bondage of the will and affections unto lusts ; then the varieties of these lusts, and of those master-lusts which are in the hearts of several men.