3. We cannot help our selves out of this misery, without Gods help. Our incapacity is best understood by opening that noted place, 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural man receiveth not the things that are of God, for they are folly to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Let us a little open that place: [Greek or Hebrew], the solely man, that is, a man considered in his pure naturals. Jude 19. [Greek or Hebrew], sensual, having not the spirit. However, he useth the best word by which a natural man can be described; he doth not say [Greek or Hebrew], not only those that are brutish and depraved by vicious habits, but take Nature in its excellency, soul-light in its highest splendour and perfection, though the man be not absolutely given up to vile affections. Well, it is said of him that he neither doth nor can receive the things of God, [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew]. The [Greek or Hebrew], the things of the spirit are such truths as depend upon mere Revelation, and are above the reach and knowledge of Nature. There are [Greek or Hebrew], things of God, that may be known by a natural light. Rom. 1. 19. That which may be known of God, is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them. But [Greek or Hebrew], things revealed in the word, though a natural man be able to understand the phrases and sentences, and be able to discourse of them, yet he wanteth faith, and a spiritual sense and relish of them: They are folly to him. It noteth the utter contempt of spiritual things by a carnal heart, who looketh upon Redemption by Christ crucified, with the consequent benefits, as things frivolous and vain. Paul at Athens was accounted a babbler, Acts 17. 18. The same disposition is still in natural men: for though these truths by the prescription and consent of many Ages, have now obtained veneration and credit; yet carefully to observe them, to live to the tenor of them, whatever hazards and inconveniences we are exposed to in the world, is still counted foolish. Mark, for greater emphasis it is [Greek or Hebrew] folly, as carnal wisdom is [Greek or Hebrew] enmity against God, Rom. 8. 7. Neither can be know them; it is out of sloth, and opposition, and moral impotency, as 'tis said Rom. 8. 7. The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not ⟨p. 111⟩subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be.
3. We cannot help our selves out of this misery, without Gods help. Our incapacity is best understood by opening that noted place, 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural man receiveth not the things that are of God, for they are folly to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Let us a little open that place: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the souly man, that is, a man considered in his pure naturals. Jude 19. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, sensual, having not the spirit. However, he useth the best word by which a natural man can be described; he doth not say 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, not only those that are brutish and depraved by vicious habits, but take Nature in its excellency, soul-light in its highest splendor and perfection, though the man be not absolutely given up to vile affections. Well, it is said of him that he neither doth nor can receive the things of God, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. The 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the things of the spirit are such truths as depend upon meer Revelation, and are above the reach and knowledg of Nature. There are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, things of God, that may be known by a natural light. Rom. 1. 19. That which may be known of God, is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it unto them. But 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, things revealed in the word, though a natural man be able to understand the phrases and sentences, and be able to discourse of them, yet he wanteth faith, and a spiritual sense and relish of them: They are folly to him. It noteth the utter contempt of spiritual things by a carnal heart, who looketh upon Redemption by Christ crucified, with the consequent benefits, as things frivolous and vain. Paul at Athens was accounted a babler, Acts 17. 18. The same disposition is still in natural men: for though these truths by the prescription and consent of many Ages, have now obtained veneration and credit; yet carefully to observe them, to live to the tenor of them, whatever hazards and inconveniencies we are exposed to in the world, is still counted foolish. Mark, for greater emphasis it is folly, as carnal wisdom is enmity against God,
