Wesley Corpus

But this does not exclude the wickedness of their nature, springing from their fall in Adam. Rather this, which is expressed in those two places at least, is pre-supposed in all places; particularly in the beginning of the Epistle to the Romans, where he describes the enormous wickedness both of the Jews and Gentiles. It is true “he begins his discourse with an account of the actual transgressions of the idolatrous Gentiles.” (Page 166, &c.) Afterwards, (chap. iii.,) he treats of the depravity and corrup tion of all mankind; and then proceeds (chap. v.) to show, that we are all “made sinners by Adam,” and that “by his offence judgment is come upon all men to condemnation.” The Apostle's method is clear and natural. He begins with that which is most obvious, even actual sin; and then pro ceeds to speak of original sin, as the joint cause of the neces sity of redemption for all men. But which way can we infer, that because he begins with the mention of actual sins, in order to demonstrate the necessity of redemption, therefore he excludes original out of the account P Neither can we infer, that because “it is not expressly mentioned in other texts, therefore it is not implied.” (Page 241.) “‘But the Redeemer himself saith not one word of redeem ing us from the corruption of nature derived from Adam. And seeing he spake exactly according to the commission which the Father gave him, we may safely conclude, it was no part of his commission to preach the doctrine of original sin.” (Page 242.) Just as safely may we conclude, that it was no part of his commission to teach and make known to men the ‘many things’ which he ‘had to say to” his Apostles before his death, which they “could not then ‘bear;” (John xvi. 12;) but which, according to his promise, he afterward taught them by his Spirit, and by them to the world. It makes no difference as to the ground of our faith, whether a doctrine was delivered by Christ himself, or by his Apostles; and whether it be written in any of the four Gospels, or of the divine Epistles.