-13 Chapter 13. Of Original Sin.

1-13 Chapter 13. Of Original Sin. In the former argument (thesis 45), the multiplication of sin
was given as a consequent from the beginning of
spiritual Death, which we will thus show
in the following Theses.

1. The Sin that followed upon the first Fall is either Original, or Actual [chap. 14].
2. ORIGINAL Sin is a habitual exorbitance228 of the whole nature of man, or it is a deviation from the Law of God.
3. Because it is the corruption of the whole man, it is called in the Holy Scriptures, the old man, Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9; the body of Sin, Romans 6:6; Romans 7:24; a Law of the members, Romans 7:23, and the members themselves, Colossians 3:5; the Flesh, John 3:6; Romans 7:5; Romans 7:18; Romans 7:25.
4. This is also why in Scripture, a homogeneal229 corruption is attributed not only generally to the whole man, but also to every part of it, such as to the understanding. Genesis 6:5; the imagination and thoughts that are only evil.230 Romans 8:5-7, They favour the things of the flesh.231 To the conscience. Titus 1:15. Their mind and conscience is defiled. 232 To the will. Genesis 8:21, The imagination of the heart of man is evil from his childhood.233 To the affections of every kind. Romans 1:24, To uncleanness in the lusts of their hearts.234 Lastly, to the body and all its members. Romans 6:19, Your members are servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity, to commit iniquity.235
5. This Sin is said to be an exorbitance, or deviation of man, because in man it is a habitual privation of that due conformity to the Law that is imposed on man by God, in which he ought to walk as his way.
6. This is why in the Scriptures original depravation236 is called Sin, or that Sin, by a certain special appropriation, Romans 6:12; Romans 7:7. 237 Hamartia, ἡ ἁμαρτία; Romans 7:8, Romans 7:20.238 The Law of Sin, Romans 7:23.239 Sin dwelling in us, inhering, adhering, and compassing us about, Romans 7:17; Romans 7:20-21; Hebrews 12:1.240
7. This disorder in man has two parts: one is formal, and the other is as it were, material. Jeremiah 2:13, My people have done two evils: they have forsaken me, etc. that they might dig cisterns for themselves.241 This description of actual Sin contains the picture of original sin, as the daughter contains the picture of the mother.
8. The FORMAL part is an aversion from good. Romans 3:12, There is none that does good, no not one.
9. The MATERIAL part is turning and inclining to evil. Romans 7:23, The Law of Sin.
10. By reason of this original depravation, it comes to pass that although the will of man is free in the state of Sin, as touching all acts which it exercises, yet it is captive and servile as touching the manner of doing them. This is because it is deprived of that power whereby it might will well; and that inclination is at it were, a form by which it comes to pass that it wills amiss — even when that thing about which it is exercised in willing, is good, Romans 7:14; 2 Corinthians 3:5; John 8:34; 2 Peter 2:19; Romans 6:16.242