ARTICLE XIX. – OF THE CAUSE OF SIN.

As to the cause of sin, it is taught among us, that, although Almighty God has created and preserves all nature, yet the perverted will works sin in all evil-doers and despisers of God, even as the will of the devil and of all wicked men, which, as soon as God withdraws his aid, turns itself from God unto evil, as Christ says, John 8, 44: “When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own.”