First, here is no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of my argument; for none of my party or opinion hold, that inclination unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is essentiall unto man: Flaccius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sinne was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or substance of the soule; but I ne∣ver heard that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sollowers were considerable; he hath (I am sure) both Pa∣pists and Protestants; 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Lutherans for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 opponents: but, perhaps you confound naturall with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and make them all one; if you doe, your reason will be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
2. I believe, you here play with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the word naturall, a thing (though it may be tollerated in a Sophister,) altogether unworthy of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Inclination to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be said to be naturall, either 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
That inclination to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is naturall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (that it flowes, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Physically, and necessarily from our nature,) I slatly deny: and if you can direct me unto any place in your bookes, where you prove it to be naturall in this sense, I shall take it into 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Indeed to say, that it is in this sense naturall, is to throw a reproach upon God the Author of nature.
But it is naturall 〈◊〉〈◊〉; together with our nature derived unto us from our first Parents; and yet not in Christ, who had not his nature from Adam in an ordinary way of Generation, but was miraculously conceived by the holy Ghost, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the wombe of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mary.
This inclination unto evill is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blemish of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nature; because it is a cause of sinne, & qualis causa 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est effectus. A good tree, saith our Saviour, cannot bring forth evill fruit, Matth. 7. 18. This inclination to evill bringeth forth much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fruit, and therefore it cannot be good; and consequently it is bad, and sinfull; and therefore could not be in Christ; (who even as man) was the most holy one of God. Indeed if Christ had wanted any propriety of man's nature, he had not then been a perfect man, but, that inclination to evill is a propriety of our nature, sc: proprium 4 to modo you are never able to make good.
But, Sir, in good earnest, doe you thinke that Christ was inclined unto evill? if you doe not, your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christ is impertinent; if you doe, I shall con∣clude your opinion to be blasphemous; and unto it shall oppose this following ar∣gument.
He in whom dwelled an all-fullnesse of the Godhead bodily; he in whom dwelled an all-fullnesse of habituall grace; he who enjoyed the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vision, was not, could not be inclined unto evill.
But, in Christ dwelled an all-〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Godhead 〈◊〉〈◊〉; in him also dwel∣led an all-〈◊〉〈◊〉 of habituall, and sanctifying grace; he enjoyed the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vision
Therefore he was not, could not be inclined unto evill.