Reprobation asserted, or, The doctrine of eternal election & reprobation promiscuously handled in eleven…

For man by nature (consider him at best) can see no more, nor do no more then what the Principles of Nature understands and helps to do; which Nature being below the discerning of things truly, spiritually, and savingly good, it must needs fall short of receiving, loving and delighting ⟨p. 29⟩in them. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Now I say, If the natural man at best (for the Elect before Conversion are no more, if quite so much) cannot do this, how shall they attain thereto, being now not only corrupted and infected, but depraved, bewitched and dead; swallowed up of unbelief, ignorance, confusion, hardness of heart, hatred of God, and the like? When a Thorn by nature beareth Grapes, and a Thistle beareth Figs, then may this thing be. To lay hold of and receive the Gospel by a true and saving Faith, it is an Act of the Soul as made a New Creature, which is the workmanship of God: Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing, is God. For a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? 1 Cor. 2.11, 14. Mat. 7.16, 17, 18. Luk. 6.43, 44, 45. Jer. 13.23.

For man by nature (consider him at best) can see no more, nor do no more then what the Principles of Nature understands and helps to do; which Nature being below the discerning of things truly, spiritually, and savingly good, it must needs fall short of receiving, loving and delighting ⟨p. 29⟩in them. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Now I say, If the natural man at best (for the Elect before Conversion are no more, if quite so much) cannot do this, how shall they attain thereto, being now not onely corrupted and infected, but depraved, bewitched and dead; swallowed up of unbelief, ignorance, confusion, hardness of heart, hatred of God, and the like? When a Thorn by nature beareth Grapes, and a Thistle beareth Figs, then may this thing be. To lay hold of and receive the Gospel by a true and saving Faith, it is an Act of the Soul as made a New Creature, which is the workmanship of God: Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing, is God. For a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Can the Ethiopian change his skin?