Preambles on the Various States of Human Nature

A fivefold distinction is made of the states of human nature: the first, the state of pure nature; the second, the state of integral nature; the third, of original justice; the fourth, of fallen nature; the fifth, of repaired nature. There might be added the state of glory and the state of damnation, but there is no question of these here, because we are now considering nature only insofar as it tends, by divine assistance, to its ultimate end. Therefore this dissertation I prefix to the treatise on Grace, because the explanation of those states contributes not a little to the knowledge of the necessity, diversity, and properties of grace, and grave difficulties are moved about them.