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

Fourthly, Man, in his depraved state, is under an utter inability to do any thing truly good as was cleared before at large: how then can he obey the gospel? His nature is the very reverse of the gospel: how can he, of himself, fall in with that device of salvation, and accept the offered remedy? The corruption of man's nature infallibly concludes his utter inability to recover himself any manner of way: and whoso is convinced of the one, must needs admit the other; for they stand and fall together. Were all the purchase of Christ offered to the unregenerate man, for one good thought, he cannot command it, 2 Cor. iii. •. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as of ourselves. Were it offered on condition of a good word, yet how can ye, being evil, speak good things? Matth xii. 35. Nay, were it left to yourselves, to choose what is easiest; Christ himself tells you, John xv. 5. Without me, ye can do nothing.

Fourthly, Man, in his depraved state, is under an utter inability to do any thing truly good as was cleared before at large: how then can he obey the gospel? His nature is the very reverse of the gospel: how can he, of himself, fall in with that device of salvation, and accept the offered remedy? The corruption of man's nature infallibly concludes his utter inability to recover himself any manner of way: and whoso is convinced of the one, must needs admit the other; for they stand and fall together. Were all the purchase of Christ offered to the unregenerate man, for one good thought, he cannot command it, 2 Cor. iii. •. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as of ourselves. Were it offered on condition of a good word, yet how can ye, being evil, speak good things? Matth xii. 35. Nay, were it left to yourselves, to chuse what is easiest; Christ himself tells you, John xv. 5. Without me, ye can do nothing.