/lit/ - Literature

I consider myself fluent in English, even though it isn't my native language, but this paragraph in "Religio Medici" has me beat. Can anyone help me figure out what Brown means?

on the limits of reason and beginnings of faith: "I do believe there was already a tree whose fruit our unhappy parents tasted, though in the same chapter, where God forbids it, tis positively said, the plants of the field were not yet growne; for God had not caused it to rain upon the earth. I believe that the serpent (if we shall literally understand it) from his proper form and figure, made his motion on his belly before the curse. I find the triall of the Pucellage and Virginity of women, which God ordained the Jewes, is very fallible. Experience and history informe me, that not onely many particular women, but likewise whole nations have escaped the curse of childbed, which God seems to pronounce upon the whole sex; yet doe i believe that all this is true, which indeed my reason would persuade me to be false; and this I think is no vulgar part of faith to believe a thing not only above, but contrary to reason, and against the argument of our proper senses."

Any help appreciated.