ABSTRACT
As to the practical importance of the subject of native depravity, which has now been discussed at such length, any man may be satisfied, who will maturely consider what connexion it must have with our views, generally, of Christian truth and piety. It is not enough to say, that the denial of the Driginal, native corruption of man does in fact go in company with such and such notions of Christianity. It may be shown, and it must be remembered, that the connexion, which exists in fact, is not accidental, but arises directly from the nature of the subject. If we believe that our moral disease results from our moral constitution,—that it is inwrought in our very nature; we shall surely have different views of the remedy that is necessary, from what we should have, if we considered our disease as merely accidental, or as less deep and radical. Just as it is in regard to a bodily disease. If it is a slight, superficial disorder, which first appeared but yesterday, or which has appeared but a 141few times, the original constitution being sound and vigorous; we have little concern. Some gentle remedy will be sufficient to remove it; or perhaps it will shortly disappear of itself. But if the disease is rooted in our constitution; if it began to show itself very early, and evidently results from our original structure; especially, if there is evidence of its being hereditary; it becomes an alarming case. Some powerful remedy is necessary; something that will effect a great and salutary change in our very constitution. If this cannot be had, we despair of a thorough cure. In like manner, those who seriously believe themselves and others to be the subjects of a native and entire depravity, must be convinced, that a mighty operation of divine power is necessary to make them holy. They must view it as indispensable, that they should be born again. Passing by human efforts, and all slight, common remedies, as totally inadequate, they must found every hope of moral purification on that energy of God, which gives men a new heart and a new spirit,—which creates them in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though they have been born in a Christian land; though they have enjoyed the best instruction, and witnessed examples of the greatest purity; though distinguished by the most correct habits, by the most useful actions, and by the highest improvement of their rational powers and natural sensibilities; and though applauded for their virtues by those who look only on the outward appearance; yet, while unrenewed, they find in themselves that corruption of heart, which is the fountain of all iniquity;—they find, the utter want of that holiness, without which no man can see the Lord. The disease of their nature, that is, the earthly, selfish, unholy disposition, which has from the first borne sway in their hearts, and influenced all their actions, spoils the 142beauty of their fair exterior, lays them low in the dust, and brings them to rely solely on the purifying grace of God. They have a strong, humbling conviction that, amiable and excellent as their character may appear to others, they must be saved, if saved at all, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Through their whole course, their religious feelings and duties are materially affected by their belief of the radical, native depravity of their hearts. While sensible of this deep-rooted evil of their nature, they suffer no proud self-complacency to possess their minds. New reasons constantly occur for self-distrust and self-abhorrence. In a greater or less degree, the fountain of evil still remains within them. They never account themselves to have attained complete victory over sin. They have perpetually an inward warfare, and in every part of their warfare, they confide in that divine grace, which gives purity and strength to the soul. In their latest moments, they deplore that obstinate, hateful malady of their nature, which has so long kept up its resistance to the best means of cure; and, with their dying breath, they cry for the Spirit of God to complete their sanctification, and fit them for the presence of him whom their soul loveth.
