The Marrow of Sacred Divinity - William Ames (1642)

1. THis propagation, is that whereby the whole posterity of man, decending from Adam, in a naturall manner, is made partaker of the same condition with him. Iob 14. 5. Psal. 51. 7 Rom. 5. 44. Eph. 2. 3. This is come to passe by Gods just ordination. The equity whereof appeareth in some measure among men. 1. In naturall right, whereby inbred qualities are derived from that which begetteth, to that which is begotten. 2. In hereditary right, whereby the burdens of parents are transferd upon their children. 3. In the right of like for like whereby the rejection of good, and suffering of evill are equally extended.

2. This propagation of Sinne consists of two parts. Namely, Imputation and reall communication.

3. By imputation, the same singular act of disobedience, which was Adams, is also become ours.

4. By reall communication the same singular sin is not derived to us, but the same in kind, or of the same reason and nature.

5. Originall sin, seeing it is formally a privation of originall righteousnesse, and this privation doth follow the first sin as a punishment, hence it hath the respect of a punishment in order of nature, before it hath the respect of a sinne. As by the Iustice of God that originall righteousnesse is denied, so far forth it is a punishment: As it ought to be in us, and yet through mans fault in wanting, so far forth it is a sin.

6. Therefore this privation is derived from Adam by way of desert, as it is a punishment; and by way of a reall efficient, as it hath the respect of a sin joyned to it, for in that that any is borne a son of Adam, he is made worthy to be endowed with righteousnesse: when therefore he ought to have it, and hath it not, that want to him is sin.

7. Together with this privation, there is also derived, an unaptnes, and a certaine perversnesse of all the bodily faculties, which in their manner are opposite to that rectitude, that is approved of God.

8. For upon the deprivation of righteousnesse whereby all the faculties were to be directed, there followes in them all, such a defect, whereby it comes to passe, that when they are carried to any morall thing; that very inclination is morally evill.

9. Of these ariseth every actuall Sinne: for the mind being blind by the privation of light dotheasily admit any errors: And the will being now turned from God, doth burne with love of it selfe, and evill desires without God.

10. From Sinne thus propagated, there followes also, a propagation of death, both begun & consummate: as well touching sence as touching losse, as well corporall as spirituall, to all the posterity of Adam.

11. Through this apostasie of mankind, it comes to passe, that our Faith, whereby now wee believe in God, is not simply for life, but for salvation. For it is not sufficient for man being fallen, that God doe simply give him life, but it is also required, that he would give it man being dead in Sinne, Eph. 2. 1. And this was one difference betweene the question of the rich young man. Matth. 19. 16. What good shall I doe that I may have eternall life? and that of the Iaylor, Acts 16. 30. What must I doe to be saved?