Of original, or birthe sinne.
The Nature and Permanence of Original Sin
Original sin is not mere imitation but an inherited corruption that remains even in the baptized, yet believers are not condemned.
Original sin does not consist in following Adam's example, as the Pelagians vainly claim—a claim the Anabaptists are also renewing these days. Rather, it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every person who is naturally born of Adam's offspring. By it, humanity has fallen far from the original righteousness it had at creation, and is by its own nature inclined toward evil, so that the flesh always desires what is contrary to the spirit. Therefore, in every person born into this world, it deserves God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature remains even in those who are baptized. By it the lust of the flesh—called in Greek […] (which some explain as the wisdom, some as sensuality, some as the affection, and some as the desire of the flesh)—is not subject to the law of God.✦✦✦12 And although there is no condemnation for those who believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle confesses that concupiscence and lust have, of themselves, the nature of sin.✦✦
Read the original English
ORiginall sinne standeth not in the folowing of Adam, as the Pelagianes doe vainely talke, which also the Anabaptists do now a daies renue: but it is the fault, and corrupciō of the nature of euerye man, that naturallye is engendred of the of springe of Adam: whereby manne is very far gone from his former righteousnesse, whiche he had at hys creation: and is of his own nature geuen to euyll: so that the f…eshe desyreth alwaies contrary to the sp… rit: and therfore in euery person, born into this world, it deserueth Goddes wrathe and damnacion: And this infection of nature doeth remayne, yea in them that are baptyzed: whereby the luste of the flesh called in greke … (which some do expoune, the wisdome, some sensualitie, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh) is not subiect to the lawe of God. And although there is no cō demnation for theim that beleue, and are baptised: yet the Apostle doeth confesse, that concupiscēce, and lust hath of it self the nature of sinne.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Gal.5.17;Rom.8.5-Rom.8.7 — For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do the things you wish. Rom.8.5 — For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Rom.8.6 — For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Rom.8.7 — Because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, for it is not able to do so—
- ↩Rom.8.7 — Because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, for it is not able to do so—
- ↩Rom.8.6-Rom.8.7 — For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Rom.8.7 — Because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, for it is not able to do so—
- ↩Rom.8.1 — Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- ↩Rom.7.7-Rom.7.8 — What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! But I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known coveting if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' Rom.7.8 — But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every desire. For apart from the law sin is dead.
Notes
- 1 ↩Source shows hyphenation artifacts in 'f…eshe' and 'sp… rit'; restored as 'flesh' and 'spirit'.
- 2 ↩The Greek term after 'called in greke' is missing from the supplied witness (ellipsis). In parallel formularies this is typically φρόνημα σαρκός (phronēma sarkos), 'the mind/disposition of the flesh'; left unresolved here.
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit