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We believe
that by the disobedience of Adam
original sin has been spread
through the whole human race.
It is a corruption of all nature--
an inherited depravity which even infects small infants
in their mother's womb,
and the root which produces in man
every sort of sin.
It is therefore so vile and enormous in God's sight
that it is enough to condemn the human race,
and it is not abolished
or wholly uprooted
even by baptism,
seeing that sin constantly boils forth
as though from a contaminated spring.
Nevertheless,
it is not imputed to God's children
for their condemnation
but is forgiven
by his grace and mercy--
not to put them to sleep
but so that the awareness of this corruption
might often make believers groan
as they long to be set free
from the "body of this death."30
Therefore we reject the error of the Pelagians
who say that this sin is nothing else than a matter of imitation.
30 Rom. 7:24 |
