Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Thirdly, Man cannot work a saving change on himself: but so changed he must be, else he can neither believe nor repent, nor ever see heaven No action can be without a suitable principle. Believing, repenting, and the like, are the product of the new nature; and can ⟨p. 124⟩never be produced by the old corrupt nature. Now, what can the natural man do in this matter? He must be regenerate, begotten again into a bo•y h•p•: but as the child cannot be active in his own generation; so a man cannot be active but passive only, in his own regeneration. The heart is shut against Christ: man cannot open it, only God can do it by his grace, Acts xvi. 14. He is dead in sin: he must be quickened raised out of his grave: who can do this but God himself? Eph. ii 1, 5. Nay, he must be created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Eph ii. 10. These are works of omnipotency, and can be done by no less power.

Thirdly, Man cannot work a saving change on himself: but so changed he must be, else he can neither believe nor repent, nor ever see heaven No action can be without a suitable principle. Believing, repenting, and the like, are the product of the new nature; and can ⟨p. 124⟩never be produced by the old corrupt nature. Now, what can the natural man do in this matter? He must be regenerate, begotten again into a bo•y h•p•: but as the child cannot be active in his own generation; so a man cannot be active but passive only, in his own regeneration. The heart is shut against Christ: man cannot open it, only God can do it by his grace, Acts xvi. 14. He is dead in sin: he must be quickned raised out of his grave: who can do this but God himself? Eph. ii 1, 5. Nay, he must be created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Eph ii. 10. These are works of omnipotency, and can be done by no less power.