But first, They grant original imputed sinne, yet Where doth the Scripture call
it imputed sinne?
And secondly, we say, The Scripture cals it inherent in this Text, The sinne
that dwelleth in us, that is the same in sense, with the sinne inherent in us. So
then, original sinne is the sinne that dwelleth, inheretit and abideth in us. To
open thus,
First, Take notice, That there are three kinds of sinnes, as to our purpose,
Original, Habitual, and Actual; Actual sinnes are all such which are a trans∣gression
of Gods Law, whether by thought, word or deed; for the sinnes
of the mind and the heart are actual sinnes, though never committed bodily and
externally; Now these actual sinnes, they cannot be called sinnes that dwell in
us, for they are transient, and when committed, they are passed away, onely
the guilt remaineth, viz. An obligation to eternal wrath; Neither doth the
Apostle so much complain in this Chapter of the actings of sinne (though
that be part) as the Law of sinne in his members, which is the fountain
of all.
In the next place, There are Habitual sinnes, such as are acquired by fre∣quent
acts, and daily commissions of sinne; and these indeed must be confessed
to be in-dwelling and fixed sinnes in us; and these habits of sinne do much in∣tend,
and strengthen our original corruption, making it more vigorous; and if
so be that custom be a second nature, how miserable is an unfegerate man, who
hath as it were a two-fold nature inclining him to sinne? Original corru∣ption,
which is like an innate habit, and custome in sinne, which is like an
acquired: So that as the Scripture speaks of some, who are twice dead, so
we may say, These are twice alive, in respect of their vigorous propensity to
sinne; Therefore the Scripture speaks sometimes of men, that have these double
chains of wickedness upon them: Thus when the Apostle, Rom. 3. 10, 11, 12,
&c. doth from several places in the Old Testament apply those things which are
spoken of men in an high nature flagitious, to every one by nature, that doth
comprehend both their innate and acquired impiety, and therefore might well
by the Apostle be applied to all, because all by nature would be carried out
to such enormous rebellions. The Psalmist, because of original and habitual
sinne in some persons, hath a notable expression, Psal. 5. 9. Their inward part
is very wickednesse, or wickednesses, as in the Hebrew, Their inward part is
nothing but wickednesse. Now although therefore habitual sinnes may truly be
called sinnes dwelling in us; yet the Apostle doth not speak here of such habitual
sinnes, for he speaks all along of one sinne, as the mother, as the fountain and
root of all; And besides, Paul speaking in the person of a regenerate man,
could not complain of the acquired habits of sinne within him, for in Regenerati∣on,
there is an expulsion of all habitual sinne; and in this sense, Those that are born
of God, are said, not to sinne, viz. habitually and customarily, as wicked men do,
although some actual sins, and those of a very hainous nature, may consist with
the work of grace, yet habites of sinne, and habits of grace can no more consist
together, than light and darkness: It is evident then, that the Apostle not mean∣ing
habitual sinne, must understand original, in the immediate actings and work∣ings
of it, for this will alwayes be a troublesome and molesting inmate; This is
not conquered but with the last enemy, death it self.