Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

I Proceed to the second Hinderance of Mens rejecting the Call of the Gospel. The Flesh, that in the Language of the Scripture signifies the corrupt Nature, and inbred Inclinations of Men to forbidden things, obstruct their coming to Christ. The corrupt Nature is called Flesh, not only as that is a term of vilifying, for the Original and Resolution of Flesh is into the Dust, but partly with respect to its Propagation, and chiefly in that the usual attractive and defiling ⟨p. 224⟩Objects of Mens Thoughts and Desires are carnal, and are enjoyed by the carnal Faculties. Our Minds and Affections are coloured and qualified, distinguished and denominated from the Objects about which they are conversant. This Corruption is spread through all the Faculties of the Soul: the Mind is carnal in its Principles and Acts, in opposition to the Spirit of the Mind renewed by Grace: the Will and Affections are depraved. Whatever is born of the Flesh is Flesh. The Apostle fully expresses this Corruption: he saith, the natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; that implies the stubborn ¹Averseness in the Will and Affections from spiritual things: for they are Foolishness to him: neither can be know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The natural Mind is indisposed and incapable of knowing supernatural things in ⟨p. 225⟩their Reality and Goodness, so as to ravish the Will into a Compliance, till 'tis purified and spiritualized by the holy Spirit. The same Apostle tells us, that the ²Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law, neither can be. As the Lusts of the Flesh are opposite to the Law of God, so the Wisdom of the Flesh is to the Gospel.

I Proceed to the second Hinderance of Mens rejecting the Call of the Gospel. The Flesh, that in the Language of the Scripture signifies the corrupt Nature, and inbred Inclinations of Men to forbidden things, obstruct their coming to Christ. The corrupt Nature is called Flesh, not only as that is a term of vilifying, for the Original and Resolution of Flesh is into the Dust, but partly with respect to its Propagation, and chiefly in that the usual attractive and defiling