FALL OF MAN

(See Original Sin .) The lo of those perfections and that happine which his Maker bestowed on man at his creation, for the transgre ion of a positive command, given for the trial of his obedience. This doctrine may be stated in the language of our ninth Article:—“Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk,) but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone (the Latin is quam longi ime i. e. as far as po ible ) from original righteousne , and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit; and therefore, in every person born into this world, it deserveth God’s wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek φρόημα σάρχος , which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh, is not subject to the law of God . And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the apostle doth confe that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.”