3. The Misery of Man's Natural State

3. The Misery of Man's Natural State

STATE II

THE STATE OF NATURE

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every thought in his heart was only evil all the time. - GEN. 6:5

We have seen what man was like when God created him - a beautiful and happy being. Now let us consider how man has undone himself, and we will see him as a sinful and miserable creature. This is the unfortunate state we are brought into by the fall - a state as dark and sorrowful as the previous one was glorious. We commonly refer to this state as "The State of Nature" or "Man's Natural State," as the apostle stated in Ephesians 2:3, "And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." There are two aspects to consider: 1. The sinfulness, and 2. The misery of this state in which all unregenerate individuals live. I will begin with the sinfulness of man's natural state, which is fully and briefly described in the text: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great," etc.

The purpose of these words is to justify God's justice in bringing the flood upon the ancient world. The preceding verses mention two specific causes: 1. Intermarriage between believers (the descendants of Seth and Enos) and unbelievers (the cursed lineage of Cain). They did not seek the Lord's guidance in their marriages, as stated in Psalm 48:14, but instead chose based on their own desires, without considering God's will. They were enticed by the physical appearance of the unbelievers, leading to their separation from God. This was one of the causes of the deluge that wiped out the ancient world. Would that all believers in our time could claim innocence! Although this sin caused the flood, it has not eradicated it. Just as in the past, it can still be considered one of the reasons for the decline of religion in our day. Among pagans, changing gods with changing circumstances was commonplace. The Christian world also provides numerous unfortunate examples of this behavior, as if people adopted Pharaoh's belief that religion is only for those who have no other concerns, as stated in Exodus 5:17. 2. The prevalence of oppression is mentioned in verse 4. Giants, individuals of great stature, strength, and extreme wickedness, filled the earth with violence, as stated in verse 11. However, their strength and treasures of wickedness could not save them from the day of judgment. Yet, the pursuit of gain through oppression still causes many to disregard the terrifying example set by the flood. This covers the context and specific crimes of that generation. Nevertheless, not every individual swept away by the flood could have been guilty of these offenses. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Therefore, in my text, a general indictment is made against all of them: "The wickedness of man was great in the earth," etc. and this indictment is clearly supported by God's observation. Two things are charged against them:

Beware of entertaining the thought in your wicked heart that says, "What does this have to do with us? Let the generation mentioned in the text deal with it." For the Lord has recorded the account of that generation as a mirror for all subsequent generations, enabling them to recognize their own corrupt hearts and what their lives would be like if not restrained. Just as "as water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart" (Proverbs 27:19). Adam's fall has affected the hearts of all humanity in the same manner. Hence, the apostle in Romans 3:10-18 establishes the corruption of human nature, hearts, and lives based on what the psalmist said about the wicked in his time, as mentioned in Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 5:9; Psalm 140:3; Psalm 10:7; Psalm 36:1. The apostle also draws from Jeremiah's description of the wicked in his time (Jeremiah 9:3) and Isaiah's description of those who lived in his time (Isaiah 57:7, 8). He concludes in verse 19, "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God." If the history of the flood had been passed down to us without the reason provided in the text, we could have deduced the corruption and total depravity of human nature from it. After all, what other quarrel could the holy and just God have with the infants who were destroyed by the flood since they had no actual sin? If we witnessed a wise individual who had meticulously crafted a masterpiece, fully satisfied with it upon completion, suddenly becoming furious and shattering it upon further inspection, wouldn't we conclude that the piece had been completely marred since it left their hands and no longer served its intended purpose? How much more should we deduce, when we see the holy and wise God destroying His own creation, which He had solemnly declared as very good, that its original design has been utterly spoiled and can only be restored through complete renewal or lost altogether? As stated in Genesis 6:6, 7, "The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.'" The flood did not wash away this corruption of human nature nor did it improve the situation. In His providence, God allowed this corruption of nature to resurface even in Noah, the father of the new world, after the flood had subsided. Behold him, like another Adam, sinning through the fruit of a vineyard (Genesis 9:20, 21). Moreover, God offers the same reason against another flood that He provided in our text for bringing the flood upon the ancient world. He says, "I will not again curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood" (Genesis 8:21). This implies that the situation cannot be rectified through such means and that if God were to follow the same course of action with humanity, He would repeatedly send floods upon the earth due to the persisting corruption of human nature. Although the flood could not wash away the corruption of human nature, it did serve as a signpost pointing to the solution: individuals must be "born of water and the Spirit," experiencing spiritual rebirth from the state of spiritual death in sin through the grace of Jesus Christ, who came through water and blood. From this new birth, a new world of saints emerges, just as the new world of sinners emerged from the waters, where they had lain buried in the ark. This is evident from 1 Peter 3:20, 21, where the apostle refers to Noah's ark and states, "In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also." Therefore, the waters of the flood, although dried up, continue to serve as a mirror in which we can perceive the complete corruption of our nature and the necessity of regeneration.

From the text, as explained above, a significant point of doctrine emerges, which is evident to anyone who reads it: Man's nature is now entirely corrupted. There has been a lamentable transformation, a remarkable upheaval in human nature. Where once there was nothing evil, now there is nothing good. In discussing this doctrine, I will:

I. Confirm it.

II. Describe this corruption of nature in its various aspects.

III. Explain how human nature becomes corrupted in this manner.

IV. Apply this doctrine.

I. I will confirm the doctrine of human nature's corruption. I will present a mirror to your eyes through which you can see your sinful nature, a reality that often goes unnoticed despite God's careful attention. Let us consult the Word of God, as well as human experience and observation.

For scriptural evidence, let us consider the following:

If we turn to experience and observe the state of the world, paying attention to things evident to anyone willing to see without blindfolding themselves, we will quickly discern the fruits that reveal the root of this bitterness. I will present a few points that can serve to convince us of this fact:

I. I now turn to explore the corruption of human nature in its various aspects. However, who can truly grasp its extent? Who can accurately measure its breadth, length, height, and depth? "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Nonetheless, we can quickly discern enough of it to bring about deep humility and to recognize the absolute necessity of regeneration. In its natural state, humanity is entirely corrupt, with both soul and body tainted, as the apostle comprehensively demonstrates in Romans 3:10–18. Regarding the soul, this innate corruption has permeated all its faculties, infecting the understanding, the will, the emotions, the conscience, and the memory.

The Corruption of the Understanding

The understanding, the leading faculty, has been stripped of its original glory and covered in confusion. We have fallen into the hands of our great adversary, much like Samson fell into the hands of the Philistines, and we have been deprived of our two eyes. "There is none that understandeth" (Romans 3:11). "Their minds and consciences are corrupted" (Titus 1:15). The natural man's perception of divine matters is corrupted. "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself" (Psalm 50:21). His judgment is flawed, and it cannot be otherwise, considering his evil eye. Thus, the Scriptures proclaim that "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6; 21:25). His thoughts and reasoning must be cast down by the power of the Word, as they align with his flawed judgment (2 Corinthians 10:5). To illustrate this corruption of the mind or understanding in greater detail, let us consider the following points:

Proof 2. Every person's heart and life, regardless of how refined they may appear to others, is filled with darkness, disorder, and confusion. Even the apostle Paul acknowledged his past foolishness, disobedience, and deception, indulging in various lusts and pleasures. Yet, during that time, he considered himself blameless concerning the righteousness found in the law. This clearly demonstrates that the eye is evil, and darkness pervades the entire being. Unregenerate individuals wander through life like blind men, refusing guidance and unable to guide themselves. Consequently, they stumble and fall into destruction, pursuing their covetousness, drowning in sensuality, or being crushed by pride and self-conceit. Each person stumbles upon different stumbling blocks, all heading towards the sword of justice as they eagerly follow their unrestrained passions and desires. Some lie in the way, while others stumble over them. Thus, woe to this blind world, full of offenses and errors in judgment, for it is a night where all the beasts of the forest creep forth. The unregenerate are completely mistaken about true happiness. Although Christianity has provided the principle, only overcoming grace can establish it practically. While everyone desires happiness, the unrenewed individuals hold countless opinions about the path to happiness, each turning to their own way. They resemble the blind men in Sodom, searching for Lot's door, groping different parts of the wall but never certain of finding it. Similarly, the natural person may stumble upon some good things but not the ultimate good. If you examine your unregenerate heart, you will find everything turned upside down, with earthly concerns overshadowing heavenly ones. Look at your life, and you will see yourself acting like a madman, pursuing shadows while neglecting the substance. You eagerly chase after things that do not exist while disregarding the things that do and will endure forever.

Proof 3. The natural person is like a worker left without light, engaging in frivolous activities or causing harm. Whenever you try to catch your heart, you will find it either engaging in meaningless pursuits or, worse, indulging in sinful actions. This is a clear sign of a dark mind.

Proof 4. The natural person lacks true knowledge of spiritual matters. They do not understand the God they are dealing with, are unfamiliar with Christ, and have no understanding of sin. Even the most clever unbelievers are as blind as moles in these matters. They may speak about spiritual things with eloquence, just as the Israelites spoke about the temptations, signs, and miracles they witnessed, but they lacked the heart to perceive, eyes to see, and ears to hear. Many who bear the name of Christian may confess, like Pharaoh, "I do not know the Lord," refusing to let go of what He commands them to relinquish. God is with them, as a disguised prince among his subjects, receiving no better treatment than if they were equals. Do they truly know Christ or recognize His glory and beauty, for which He should be desired? If they did, they would not disregard Him as they do. A glimpse of His glory would dim all earthly excellence, causing them to regard Him as the ultimate and gladly embrace Him as offered in the Gospel. Do they understand the nature of sin when they harbor it in their hearts, hold onto deceit, and refuse to let go? Certainly, they may have a superficial knowledge of these things, just as the unbelieving Jews knew Christ whom they saw and interacted with. But there was a spiritual glory in Him that only believers perceived. Regarding that glory, the unbelieving world did not truly know Him. They cannot possess the spiritual knowledge of these matters; it surpasses the understanding of the carnal mind. The natural person does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, as they appear foolish to them and require spiritual discernment. They may discuss these things, but only in the same way one might talk about honey or vinegar without experiencing their sweetness or sourness. They possess some notions about spiritual truths but do not grasp the realities that lie within the words of truth.

Proof 5. The mind of man has a natural inclination towards evil. It is easier for the carnal mind to engage in evil than to pursue what is truly good. When occupied with good things, it encounters difficulties and obstacles. But when dealing with evil, it acts effortlessly, as if it is in its natural element. The carnal mind proceeds slowly when considering goodness but acts furiously when contemplating evil. While holiness restrains it, evil entices it to unrestrained thinking. Saul provides an example when he did not know what to do until the priest sought God's guidance. Once the priest was involved, Saul quickly determined his own course and refused to wait for the Lord's answer. Such diabolical dexterity characterizes the carnal mind's ability to devise ways to divert people from their duty to God.

Proof 6. The carnal mind has a tendency to twist and distort spiritual things in its imagination, perceiving everything through a fleshly lens and conforming them to its own image. This inclination is evident in the prevalence of idolatry throughout history. People naturally desire a visible deity, wanting to see and worship what is tangible. Thus, they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for images. While the physical idolatry has been eradicated in our churches, mental idolatry persists. The unsanctified mind is even more prone to this subtler form of image worship, having horrific and distorted thoughts about God, Christ, heavenly glory, and all spiritual matters.

Proof 7. It is a challenging task to keep the carnal mind focused on good thoughts, as it is averse to entertaining them and dwells more comfortably in thoughts of worldly vanities. When individuals are engaged in serving God or present in His presence, their minds often drift away like idols with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Even when physically present, their hearts wander elsewhere, preoccupied with countless vanities. The mind becomes like a bird freed from its cage, flitting from one distraction to another. In essence, individuals do not truly come to themselves until they have distanced themselves from the presence of the Lord. Do not say that fixing the mind is impossible; it is undoubtedly difficult but not impossible. Through God's grace, it can be achieved, and suitable objects of focus can help. Just as a fascinating subject captures the attention of the inquisitive, the worldly mind is less prone to wandering when engrossed in business, financial calculations, or material possessions. If you approach someone preoccupied with such matters, they may not respond immediately, stating that they were too busy to hear you. Their mind was fixed. If we were granted an audience with a king to petition for our lives, we would not be at risk of gazing around the room. However, when the carnal mind is engaged in any spiritual matter, it is out of its comfort zone and cannot remain focused.

Proof 8. Although it is challenging to keep the mind fixed on good thoughts, it clings tenaciously to what is evil and corrupt, unable to cease from sin. Once the corrupt imagination fixates on its desired object, it becomes difficult to redirect it, even when reason and will desire a change. The mind is in its natural element, and pulling it away from impurities is akin to removing a fish from water or tearing a limb from a body. It races like a fire spreading through a trail of gunpowder, relentless until it can go no further.

Proof 9. Consider how the carnal imagination compensates for the lack of actual objects by creating imaginary pleasures to satisfy the corrupt heart's longing for happiness. The impure person indulges in speculative impurities, their eyes filled with adultery. The covetous individual fills their heart with thoughts of worldly possessions, even if their hands cannot possess them. The malicious person delights in acts of revenge within their own thoughts, while the envious person finds satisfaction in witnessing their neighbor's downfall within the confines of their narrow soul. Every lust finds support in the corrupt imagination when needed. This occurs not only when people are awake but sometimes even in their dreams. Thus, sinful dreams manifest the desires of the heart while awake. Some may question the sinfulness of these dreams, but can they be compatible with the holy nature found in Adam, Jesus Christ, or should be in everyone? It is the corruption of nature that condemns such filthy dreams. Solomon experienced the exercise of grace in his dreams, praying and making wise choices that were accepted by God. If a person can do good and please God in their sleep, why would they not be capable of doing evil and displeasing God? Solomon warns against this and prescribes the remedy of having the law on the heart. This keeps individuals from sinning in their sleep, preventing sinful dreams. When the law is impressed upon the heart, it acts as a lamp and light, guiding one in the path of duty while also keeping them from sin. The law does not lead to peace but guides in the way of duty, protecting individuals from sin. These insights should convince us of the natural inclination of the mind towards evil.

Proof 1. How few have been blessed with an inner enlightenment, brought about by the special working of the Spirit of Christ, leading them to perceive divine truths in their spiritual and heavenly radiance! How have you learned the religious truths that you claim to believe? You have acquired them merely through external revelation and education, meaning you are Christians simply because you were born and raised in a Christian country rather than a pagan one. You are strangers to the inward work of the Holy Spirit, testifying through and alongside the word in your hearts. Thus, you cannot possess the assurance of faith regarding the outward divine revelation found in the word, as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12. Therefore, you are still unbelievers. It is written in the prophets, "They will all be taught by God. Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me," declares our Lord in John 6:45. Since you have not come to Christ, it follows that you have not been taught by God. You have not received such instruction, and thus you have not come; you do not believe. Consider the revelation that gives birth to faith, even in the fundamental principles of religion, as in Matthew 16:16, 17: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for this revelation did not come to you through flesh and blood, but through my Father in heaven. If the Spirit of the Lord ever takes hold of you to work faith in you, it may well take as much time to dismantle the old foundation as it will to make you realize the necessity of His mighty power to enable you to believe even the foundational principles that you currently claim to have no doubts about, as stated in Ephesians 1:19.

Proof 2. How many professing believers have shipwrecked their faith, such as it was, in times of temptation and trial! See how they fall from grace, like stars falling from the heavens, when Antichrist prevails, as mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:12: "God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie." They plunge into damning delusions because they never truly believed the truth, even though they themselves and others believed they did. That house is built on sand, and that faith is poorly founded if it cannot withstand the storm.

Proof 3. Consider the complete inconsistency between the lives of most individuals and the principles of the religion they profess. Bringing fire close to oneself will cause burns, so people avoid it. However, most individuals live as if the gospel is a mere fable, and the wrath of God, revealed in His word against unrighteousness and ungodliness, is nothing more than an empty threat. If you truly believe in the doctrines of the word, why are you so unconcerned about the state of your souls before the Lord? Why do you show so little interest in the weighty matter of whether or not you have been born again? Many live as they were born and are likely to die in the same manner, yet they live in peace. Do these individuals truly believe in the sinful and miserable state of their natural condition? Do they believe they are children of wrath? Do they believe that there is no salvation without regeneration and that regeneration makes a person a new creation? If you truly believe in the promises of the word, why don't you embrace them and strive to enter into the promised rest? What lazy person wouldn't dig for hidden treasure if they truly believed they could find it? People are willing to work and toil for their livelihoods because they believe they will obtain it. Yet, they are not willing to exert comparable effort for the eternal weight of glory because they do not truly believe in the word of promise, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:1, 2. If you truly believe in the threatenings, why do you continue to live in sin, outside of Christ, and yet hope for mercy? Do these individuals believe that God is holy and just, and that He will not acquit the guilty? No, no, none truly believe or, at the very least, hardly anyone believes in the justice of the Lord, and how severely He punishes.

Thus, I have presented the corruption of the understanding, which, though not fully explained, should reveal to you the absolute necessity of regenerating grace. Consider this, those of you in a state of nature, and express your despair before the Lord so that the Sun of Righteousness may arise upon you, lest you be trapped in eternal darkness. What value does your worldly wisdom hold? What worth do your religious achievements have when your understanding remains enveloped in natural darkness and confusion, devoid of the light of life? No matter the gifts or accomplishments of the natural individual, we must, like in the case of a leper (Leviticus 13:44), declare them utterly unclean, as their affliction resides in their minds. However, that is not all; it also resides in their hearts, as I will soon explain.

II. The Corruption of the Will.

The Will, the commanding faculty that was once faithful and ruled alongside God, has now become a traitor, ruling with and for the devil. God initially planted it in humanity as a "wholly right seed," but now it has transformed into the degenerate offspring of a foreign vine. It was originally placed in proper subordination to the will of God, as mentioned earlier, but now it has completely strayed. Although some may exalt the power of free will, a spiritual understanding of the law that moral acts cannot satisfy, coupled with a deep insight into the corruption of human nature brought about by the inward working of the Spirit, convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment, would make people realize the absolute need for the power of free grace to break the chains of wickedness from their free will. To delve into this plague of the heart, I present the following points for consideration:

Proof 1. How often does the light shine before people's eyes, making them unable to ignore the good they should choose and the evil they should reject? Yet their hearts have no more power to comply with that light than if they were arrested by an invisible hand! They see what is right, yet they follow and cannot help but follow what is wrong. Their consciences inform them of the right path and approve of it, yet their will cannot align with it. Their corruption chains them, preventing them from embracing it. Thus, they groan and regress, despite their enlightenment. If it were not so, why do the word and the path of holiness encounter such resistance in the world? Why do clear arguments and reasoning in favor of piety and a holy life, which appear to have some influence even on the carnal mind, fail to sway people to that side? Even if the existence of heaven and hell were only probable, it would be sufficient to compel the will to choose holiness if it were capable of being determined by reason alone. Yet, "knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:31). And how is it that those who extol the power of free will do not demonstrate their opinion before the world through a practice that surpasses others in holiness, just as their belief in natural ability surpasses that of others? Or is this belief maintained solely to protect their lusts, which they can hold onto as long as they please and discard in an instant when they no longer have use for them, leaping from Delilah's lap into Abraham's bosom? Although some may exploit this principle, it inherently provides ample shelter for wickedness of heart and life. It may be observed that the majority of gospel hearers, regardless of denomination, are afflicted with it. It is a bitter root inherent in all humanity, resulting in fearlessness about the soul's eternal state and numerous delays and excuses in the weighty matter, which only accumulates more work for a deathbed conversion in some, while others are ruined by legalistic living and neglect the life of faith and reliance on Christ for sanctification. All of this is rooted in the persuasion of sufficient natural abilities, as it aligns with corrupt nature.

Proof 2. Let those who, through the power of the Spirit of bondage, have had the law opened before them in its spiritual dimension for conviction, speak and testify whether they found themselves able to incline their hearts toward it in that state. They will confirm that the more light shone into their souls, the more they discovered their hearts' inability to comply with it. Some have reached "the breaking point" yet remain in the devil's camp, and from their experiences, they can attest that light entering the mind cannot give life to the will, enabling it to comply. They could provide their testimony here if they were willing. However, consider Paul's testimony regarding this matter. In his unconverted state, he was far from believing in his complete inability for good, but he learned it through experience (Romans 7:8–13). I acknowledge that the natural person may possess a superficial love for the letter of the law. Yet, the crucial point lies in the fact that they perceive the holy law in a carnal guise. While they embrace the product of their own imagination, they believe they have the law. But in reality, they are without the law because they do not see it in its spiritual essence. If they did, they would realize it stands in direct opposition to their nature, and their will could not align with it until transformed by the power of grace.

Proof 1. Consider the rebelliousness of children. Do we not see that they naturally gravitate towards sinful freedom? How unwilling they are to be restrained! The world can attest that they are "like untamed bullocks," and it is far easier to train young bullocks to bear the yoke than to discipline young children and make them submit to restrictions on their sinful liberty. It is evident to everyone, like a mirror reflecting the truth, that humanity is inherently wild and stubborn, as Zophar observed, "Man is born like a wild donkey's colt" (Job 11:12). What more can be said? They are like colts, the colts of an ass, the colts of a wild ass. Compare it with Jeremiah 2:24, "A wild donkey used to the wilderness, snuffing up the wind at her pleasure; in her heat who can turn her away?"

Proof 2. Consider the pain and difficulty people often experience when trying to engage in religious duties, as well as the challenge of the carnal heart in remaining committed to them. It is distressing for them to detach from the world even for a brief moment to come before God. It is not easy to allocate time from various tasks and dedicate it to the one essential thing. Many approach God in their duties with their faces turned towards the world. While their bodies are physically present in the place of worship, their hearts are found lingering at the foot of the hill, pursuing their covetousness (Ezekiel 33:31). They quickly grow weary of doing good because holy duties are incompatible with their corrupt nature. Observe them engaged in worldly pursuits, surrounded by their carnal companions, or indulging in their desires; time seems to fly by, racing furiously, so that it is gone before they realize it. But how slowly it passes when they are engaged in prayer, listening to a sermon, or experiencing the Sabbath! For many, the Lord's day feels like the longest day of the week. Consequently, they sleep longer in the morning and retire earlier at night, attempting to make the day a tolerable length. Their hearts echo the sentiment of Amos 8:5, "When will the Sabbath be over?" The hours spent in worship feel interminable. Thus, when the duty is completed, they feel relieved as if a burden has been lifted. When the sermon ends, many lack the grace or common courtesy to remain until the benediction is pronounced. They are like animals, already turning their heads away as soon as someone begins to release them. And why is that? It is because while they are engaged in religious activities, they feel as if they are "detained before the Lord" like Doeg (1 Samuel 22:7).

Proof 3. Consider how the will of the natural person rebels against the light (Job 24:13). Although light may sometimes penetrate their being because they are unable to keep it out, they prefer darkness to light. When truth forcefully enters the outer door of their understanding, the inner door of their will remains firmly shut. Lusts rise up against the light, and corruption and conscience engage in a battle on the battlefield until corruption gains the upper hand and forces conscience to retreat. Convictions are slain, and truth is taken captive, unable to cause any more disturbance. Sometimes, when the Word is preached or read, or when the hand of God is upon the natural person, convictions are thrust upon them, and their spirit is wounded to varying degrees. Yet, as they cannot be made to yield, they flee with the arrows sticking in their conscience. Eventually, they manage to remove them and make themselves whole again. Thus, when the light shines, those who are naturally averse to it willingly close their eyes until God is provoked to blind them judicially. Then they become impervious to His Word and providences. They can go wherever they please and remain at ease, for there is no word from heaven that penetrates deeper than their ears. As Hosea 4:17 declares, "Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone."

Proof 4. Let us observe the resistance offered by chosen souls when the Spirit of the Lord works to transfer them "from the power of Satan to God." Zion's King gains subjects only through the stroke of the sword "in the day of His power" (Psalm 110:2-3). No one comes to Him unless they are drawn by a divine hand (John 4:44). When the Lord approaches a soul, He finds the strong man guarding the house, and within, a profound peace and security while the soul slumbers in the devil's embrace. However, "the prey must be taken from the mighty, and the captive must be delivered." Therefore, the Lord awakens the sinner, opens their eyes, and strikes them with terror as dark clouds loom above and the sword of vengeance is poised at their breast. At this point, they exert considerable effort to conceal their wickedness behind a veneer of righteousness, to shake off their fears, to resist them, and to divert their thoughts from the unpleasant and unwelcome reality of their spiritual condition. If they cannot rid themselves of these fears, they call upon carnal reason for assistance, urging that there is no reason for such great fear, that everything will be fine, and that if it goes wrong for them, it will go wrong for many others. When the sinner is defeated in this argument and realizes that there is no advantage in going to hell in the company of others, they resolve to abandon their sins. However, they cannot bring themselves to break away immediately, believing there is still plenty of time and they will do it later. Conscience admonishes them, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7). Yet they cry out, "Tomorrow, Lord; tomorrow, Lord," and even "right now, Lord." Eventually, "right now" never seems to arrive. Consequently, they often leave their prayers and confessions with a conscience burdened with sharper convictions. The heart does not always cast out the sweet morsel immediately after confession is made with the mouth (Judges 10:10-16). Even when compelled by conscience to part with certain lusts, they cling to others as if they were their right eyes and right hands, expressing sorrowful looks for those they have relinquished. This resembles the Israelites who, with bitter hearts, remembered "the fish they ate in Egypt freely" (Numbers 11:5). Moreover, when pressed to admit before the Lord that they are willing to part with all their idols, their hearts contradict their words. In summary, the soul in this condition shifts from one thing to another, like a fish with a hook in its jaw, until it can no longer resist, as "a wild ass used to the wilderness" (Jeremiah 2:24).

Proof 1. Isn't the path of evil the first path that people tread? Their inclinations clearly lean towards the wrong side, even when they lack the cunning to conceal them. From the moment we open our eyes to the world, we look askew, towards hell and not towards heaven. It becomes evident that we are not only rational beings but also sinful creatures (Psalm 58:3). Proverbs 22:15 states, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him." Folly is tightly woven into our very nature. The knot cannot be untied; it must be broken apart through discipline. Mere words cannot accomplish this; the rod must be employed to drive away folly. If it is not driven far away, the heart and folly will reunite. It is not that the rod alone can achieve this; the painful experiences of many parents testify otherwise. Solomon himself affirms in Proverbs 27:22, "Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him." Folly is so deeply embedded in his heart. However, the rod is an ordinance of God appointed for this purpose. Like the Word, it becomes effective through the accompanying work of the Spirit. By the way, this underscores that parents, when administering discipline to their children, must first correct their own uncontrolled emotions. They should approach it with solemnity, relying on the Lord and following it with prayer for His blessing if they desire it to be effective.

Proof 2. How easily are people led astray into sin! Children who are not persuaded towards good are simple and easily influenced. Those whom the Word fails to draw towards holiness are "led by Satan at his pleasure." Even the cunning Esau in Genesis 25:27 was as easily deceived out of his blessing as if he were a fool or an idiot. The more natural something is, the easier it is. Christ's yoke is easy for the saints, to the extent that they partake in the divine nature. Similarly, sin is easy for the untransformed person. However, learning to do good is as difficult as changing the skin of an Ethiopian. This is because the will naturally inclines towards evil and resists good. A child can set a round object in motion with a simple touch, but struggles to move a square object of the same weight. The roundness allows for easy motion, while the heart becomes a dead weight on the path of holiness. The reason for this lies in the natural inclination and disposition of the heart, which is prone and bent towards evil. If the will were naturally balanced between good and evil, embracing one would be as easy as embracing the other. However, experience testifies otherwise. In the sacred history of the Israelites, especially in the Book of Judges, how frequently do we find them forsaking Jehovah, the mighty God, and becoming infatuated with the idols of the nations around them! But did any of these nations grow fond of Israel's God and abandon their own idols? No, when it comes to change, though people are naturally inclined towards it, it is only from evil to evil, not from evil to good. As Jeremiah 2:10-11 states, "Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are not gods? But my people have changed their glory for what does not profit." It is clear that the will of man is not in perfect balance but leans towards the wrong side.

Proof 3. Consider how people continue in the path of sin until they are halted, and that by a force other than their own. Isaiah 57:17 states, "I was angry and went on rebelliously in the way of my own heart." If God withdraws His restraining hand and allows the sinner to follow their own desires, they have no uncertainty about which path to choose. Take note, the way of sin aligns with their heart's natural inclination. As long as God permits, they walk in their own way (Acts 14:16). The untransformed person is so firmly entrenched in their woeful choice that it is enough to say they are following their own way to demonstrate their departure from God's way.

Proof 4. Whatever good impressions are made on them do not endure. Although their hearts may be as hard as stone, even harder than a millstone, when it comes to receiving those impressions, they are as unstable as water and cannot retain them. The heart works against receiving them and, once they are received, it works to dispel them and return to its natural inclination. As Hosea 6:4 says, "Your goodness is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away." A morning cloud promises a heavy downpour, but when the sun rises, it dissipates. The sun's heat evaporates the early dew, disappointing the farmer's expectations. Such is the goodness of the untransformed person. Some intense affliction or profound conviction may compel them to some degree to turn away from their wicked path. However, since their will remains unchanged, religion continues to go against the grain for them. Therefore, their temporary change dissipates (Psalm 78:34-37). Although a stone thrown into the air may remain there momentarily, its natural weight will eventually bring it back down. Similarly, untransformed individuals return to wallowing in the mire because, although they may have washed themselves, their swinish nature remains unchanged. It is challenging to ignite damp wood, and even more challenging to keep it alight. But it is even more difficult to make the untransformed will retain acquired goodness. This serves as clear evidence of the natural inclination of the will towards evil.

Proof 5. Do the saints serve the Lord now as they used to serve sin in their unconverted state? Far from it! Romans 6:20 states, "When you were slaves to sin, you were free in regard to righteousness." Sin had full control and allowed no partners. But now, as servants of Christ, are they free from sin? No, some remnants of their old selves remain, indicating that the old self is still dying within them. Consequently, their hearts often mislead them and veer towards evil when they seek to do good (Romans 7:21). They need to be watchful and diligently guard their hearts. Their own painful experiences teach them that "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool" (Proverbs 28:26). If this is the case for the righteous, how much more so for the unrepentant?

(2.) You are enemies of the Son of God. The enmity towards Christ that resides in your hearts would have driven you to join the vineyard tenants who killed the heir and cast him out if you had faced the same temptations without any restraints. "Am I a dog?" you may ask, questioning whether you would treat your beloved Savior in such a manner. But just as Hazael asked in a different context, when faced with temptation, he acted like a dog. Many call Christ their dear Savior, yet their consciences bear witness that they derive more pleasure from their sinful desires, which are ten times dearer to them than their Savior. They hold no affection for Him except as they abuse His death and sufferings to secure the peaceful indulgence of their lusts. They want to live as they please in this world and hope to be kept out of hell when they die. Alas! It is a distorted Christ who appears sweet to them, while their souls loathe the Christ who is "the brightness of the Father's glory and the exact imprint of his nature." Their situation is akin to that of the carnal Jews who delighted in Him while misunderstanding His purpose in coming into the world, imagining that He would be a temporal deliverer to them (Malachi 3:1). However, when He "sits as a refiner and purifier of silver" (verse 2-3) and rejects them as worthless silver, they who expected to receive great honor in the kingdom of the Messiah find their consciences troubled by His doctrine. They find no rest until they have His blood on their hands. To open your eyes to this point, which you are so reluctant to believe, I will present the enmity of your hearts against Christ in all His roles.

Firstly, every unregenerate person is an enemy of Christ in His prophetic role. He has been appointed by the Father as the great Prophet and Teacher, but not according to the world's preference, as they would have unanimously rejected Him in their natural state. Thus, when He came, He was condemned as a deceiver and blasphemer. I will provide two pieces of evidence for this enmity.

Evidence 1: Consider the reception He receives when He comes to teach souls inwardly by His Spirit. People do everything they can to block their ears, like the deaf adder, so as not to hear His voice. They consistently resist the Holy Spirit. They do not desire knowledge of His ways and bid Him to depart from them. On such occasions, the old accusation is often made against Him, as recorded in John 10:20, "He is mad; why listen to him?" Many consider the soul's exercise, prompted by the spirit of bondage, to be nothing more than madness and melancholic fits. They blaspheme the Lord's work because they themselves are out of their minds and cannot discern these matters.

Evidence 2: Consider the reception He receives when He comes to teach people outwardly through His word. His written word, the Bible, is disregarded. Christ has given it to us as a book of instruction, showing us the path we must take to reach Immanuel's land. It serves as a lamp to guide us through the dark world towards eternal light. He has commanded us to search it diligently, just as men dig into mines for silver and gold (John 5:39). But, ah! How is this sacred treasure profaned by many! They ridicule the holy word by which they will be judged on the last day. They would rather lose their souls than their jests, adorning their wanton wit with scripture phrases. In doing so, they act as madly as someone who digs into a mine to acquire metal only to pour it down their own and their neighbor's throats. Many exhaust their spirits in reading romances, and their minds pursue them like a flame does dry stubble. Yet they have no heart for the holy word and rarely pick up a Bible. What is pleasing to their vanity brings them joy, while that which commends holiness to their unholy hearts leaves their spirits dull and flat. They find pleasure in reading a profane ballad or storybook, but the Bible holds no appeal for them. Many set their Bibles aside with their Sunday clothes, and whatever use they have for their clothes, they have none for their Bibles until the next Sabbath. Alas! The dust or the finery surrounding their Bibles now serves as a witness, and on the final day, it will testify to the enmity of their hearts against Christ. Furthermore, among those who do read the scripture, how few read it as the word of the Lord to their souls and maintain communion with Him through it! They do not make His statutes their counselors, nor do they turn to their Bibles when facing specific challenges. They remain ignorant of the true comforts found in the scriptures. And when they are downcast, it is something other than the word that revives them, just as Ahab was cured of his sullenness by obtaining Naboth's vineyard.

The preaching of Christ's word is despised. The reception given by most of the world, to whom it has been proclaimed, is as described in Matthew 22:5, "They paid no attention." They hold those whom He employs to preach in contempt, despite any pretense they may put on to disguise their disdain for the ministry. John 15:20-21 states, "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name." It seems that the son of Hated is not without a hidden meaning, which the world has deciphered in all ages. Yet, even though the vessels of clay in which God has placed His treasure have become vessels of no value in the eyes of many, why is the treasure itself treated with contempt? Regrettably, it is indeed scorned, especially in the present day. "Lord, who has believed what he heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" People can consecutively have silent Sabbaths without remorse. And, alas! When they do attend religious services, it is often merely to be seen by the Lord and to go through the motions, just as a group of animals would if driven into His courts (Isaiah 1:12). Little reverence and awe of God are apparent in their spirits. Many stand like solid walls before the word, but their corrupt conduct remains unaffected by the preaching. Nay, not a few are growing worse and worse despite hearing "precept upon precept," and the result is that "they shall go and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken" (Isaiah 28:13). What tears of blood are sufficient to lament that the gospel of the grace of God is received in vain! Ministers are but the voice of one crying out; the speaker is in heaven and speaks to you through men. Why do you reject Him who is speaking? God has made our Master Christ the heir of all things, and we are sent to seek a bride for Him. None is as worthy as He, and none is more unworthy than those to whom this match is proposed. Yet the prince of darkness is preferred over the Prince of Peace. A gloomy darkness enveloped the world after Adam's fall, more dreadful than if the sun, moon, and stars had forever been cloaked in pitch-black darkness. We would have remained in eternal darkness had not the grace of the gospel appeared as a radiant sun to dispel it (Titus 2:11). Yet, we flee from it like night-owls, and like wild beasts, we seek refuge in our dens. When the sun rises, we are blinded by its light, and as creatures of darkness, we prefer darkness to light. Such is the enmity that resides in the hearts of men against Christ in His prophetic office.

Secondly, the natural person is an enemy of Christ in His priestly office. He has been appointed by the Father as an eternal priest so that sinners may have peace with God and access to Him through His sacrificial death and intercession. However, Christ crucified is a stumbling block and foolishness to the unregenerate part of humanity to whom He is preached (1 Corinthians 1:23). They do not embrace Him as the "new and living way," nor do they acknowledge Him as the High Priest over the house of God, despite what the world may say. Corrupt human nature follows a completely different path.

Proof 1. None of Adam's descendants are naturally inclined to receive the blessing through borrowed robes. They always, in the words of the spider's motto, "owe all to themselves" and attempt to climb to heaven on a thread spun by their own efforts. They desire to be under the law and strive to establish their own righteousness. Naturally, humans view God as a great master and themselves as His servants who must work and earn their way to heaven. Therefore, when their conscience is awakened, they believe that to be saved, they must fulfill the demands of the law, serve God to the best of their abilities, and seek mercy for their shortcomings. Many engage in religious duties but never go beyond them to embrace Jesus Christ.

Proof 2. As people naturally think highly of their perceived well-done duties, they expect acceptance from God based on their works rather than the merits of Christ's blood. They question why their fasting goes unnoticed, taking pride in their performances and achievements, even their religious opinions. They claim what they steal from Christ the High Priest for themselves.

Proof 3. When approaching God in their religious duties, the natural person will either go without a Mediator or seek more than the one and only Mediator, Jesus Christ. Blinded by their nature, they are bold and venture to approach God directly without Christ, rushing into His presence and presenting their petitions without being introduced by the Secretary of heaven or placing their requests in His hands. This disposition is deeply ingrained in the unregenerate heart. When engaging with many gospel hearers about their hopes of salvation, the name of Christ is rarely mentioned. When asked how they expect to obtain the forgiveness of sins, they simply beg and hope for mercy because God is a merciful God, placing all their confidence in that alone. Others seek mercy for Christ's sake, but how do they know that Christ will take up their cause? They, like the Catholics who have mediators with the Mediator, have their own reasons. They believe that Christ cannot refuse their pleas because they pray, confess, mourn, and have great desires. They have something of their own to commend themselves to Him. They have never become poor in spirit or come to Christ empty-handed, fully relying on His atoning blood.

Thirdly, the natural person is an enemy of Christ in His kingly office. The Father has appointed the Mediator as the King in Zion (Psalm 2:6). Everyone who hears the gospel is commanded, at their own peril, to "kiss the Son" and submit to Him (verse 12). However, the natural inclination of mankind is to say, "Away with Him," as seen in verse 2 and 3 and Luke 19:14, "We will not have this man to reign over us."

Proof 1. The workings of corrupt nature seek to wrest the government from His hands. As soon as He was born, being born a King, Herod persecuted Him. And when He was crucified, they placed a sign above His head that read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Even though His kingdom is spiritual and not of this world, they do not allow Him to have a kingdom within a kingdom that recognizes no other head or supreme authority except the Royal Mediator. They boldly tamper with His royal prerogatives, changing His laws, institutions, and ordinances, shaping His worship according to the devices of their own hearts, introducing new offices and officials into His kingdom that cannot be found in "the book of the manner of His kingdom." They manipulate the external governance of His kingdom to suit their carnal desires. This is the enmity of the hearts of men against the King of Zion.

Proof 2. Naturally, people are reluctant to submit to and be constrained by the laws and discipline of His kingdom. As a King, He is a lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22) and has established external governance, discipline, and corrective measures to control the unruly and maintain order among His professed subjects. These measures are to be administered by officers appointed by Him (Matthew 18:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17). However, these measures are highly disliked by the carnal world, who prefer sinful freedom and cry out, "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles" (Psalm 2:3). This work, in particular, goes against the current of corrupt nature, which often leads to a state where it seems as if there is no king in Israel, and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

Proof 3. Although natural men may feign submission to the King of saints, their lusts always retain dominion in their hearts, and they serve various lusts and pleasures. Only those in whom Christ is formed genuinely crown Him and receive His kingdom within them. His crown is "the crown His mother placed on His head on the day of His espousals." Unless conquered by a day of power, who among those whom grace has not subdued will allow Him to set up and tear down within their souls as He pleases? In contrast, any other lord will sooner rule over them than the Lord of glory. They warmly welcome His enemies but never fully surrender themselves to His rule. Thus, you can see that the natural person is an enemy of Jesus Christ in all His offices.

But oh, how difficult it is to convince people of this truth! They are reluctant to believe, and it seems that most gospel hearers are unaware of the enmity in their hearts against Christ in His priestly office. There appears to be a particular hostility in human nature towards this aspect of His role. It is worth noting that the Socinians, who are enemies of our blessed Lord, acknowledge Him as a Prophet and a King but deny His role as a Priest. This aligns with the corruption of our nature because, under the covenant of works, the Lord was known as a Prophet or Teacher and also as a King or Ruler, but not at all as a Priest. Therefore, man knows nothing of the mystery of Christ as the way to the Father until it is revealed to him. And when it is revealed, the will rises up against it because corrupt nature opposes the mystery of Christ and the great plan of salvation through the crucified Savior as revealed in the gospel. To clarify this weighty truth, consider the following four points:

First, the law was Adam's covenant, and as the head and representative of all mankind, he knew no other covenant. We, as his descendants, were brought into that covenant and left under it by him, although without the ability to fulfill its conditions. Consequently, this covenant is interwoven with our nature, and though we have lost our father's strength, we still incline towards the path he followed as our head and representative in that covenant – the path of earning life through works. This is our natural religion and the principle that people naturally assume, as seen in Matthew 19:16 when someone asks, "What good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

Secondly, consider the opposition that has always been present in the world against the doctrine of free grace in Jesus Christ, with men instead advocating for the way of works. This reveals the natural inclination of the heart. It is evident that the primary purpose of the gospel plan is to elevate the free grace of God in Jesus Christ (Romans 4:16). All gospel truths revolve around Christ, so to learn the truth is to learn about Christ (Ephesians 4:20), and true learning entails being taught as "the truth is in Jesus" (verse 21). Throughout history, every dispensation of grace and favor from heaven, whether towards nations or individuals, has contained an element proclaiming the freedom of grace. This pattern is evident from the very first instance of divine favor, where Abel, the younger brother, was accepted while Cain, the elder brother, was rejected. This theme runs through the entire Bible. Yet, it is true that this aspect has faced the greatest opposition from corrupt nature. One could say that of all the religious errors since the preaching of Christ, the opposition to free grace in Him, in favor of works, was the first to arise and likely will be the last to vanish. Numerous errors have arisen one after another, only to fade away as the world grew weary and ashamed of them. However, this particular error has persisted from the time of Cain, its initial proponent, to this day. It has always found adherents, even during times of great enlightenment. It is not without reason that I call Cain its author. When Abel offered a sacrificial atonement—a bloody offering of the firstborn from his flock—Cain, like the proud Pharisee in Luke 18, brought a thanksgiving offering of the produce of the ground (Genesis 4:3-4). What caused Cain's anger and led him to murder Abel? Was it not because his work was not accepted by God (Genesis 4:4-5; 1 John 3:12)? Abel's work was done in faith and accepted, whereas Cain's work was done without faith and rejected, as the Apostle teaches in Hebrews 11:4. Cain expressed his opposition to justification and acceptance with God through faith, opposing works, by shedding his brother's blood and passing down this opposition to posterity. Since then, the unbloody sacrifice has often resulted in the shedding of blood of those who rejected it. The promise made to Abraham regarding the seed through whom all nations would be blessed became overshadowed among his descendants in Egypt, and the majority of them no longer saw the need for that means of obtaining the blessing. God Himself refuted their error with the fiery law from Mount Sinai, which was added because of transgressions until the seed would come (Galatians 3:19). It is unnecessary to detail how Moses and the prophets continually labored to lead the people away from the notion of their own righteousness. The ninth chapter of Deuteronomy is entirely dedicated to that purpose. The people remained quite obstinate in this matter during our Savior's time and the apostolic era when the doctrine of free grace was most clearly preached. That error persisted despite the presence of the clearest light, as evidenced by the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians. It has continued to this day, with Roman Catholicism being a common repository of past heresies and the heart and life of that delusion. Finally, it is worth noting that as the Church gradually lost its purity in other areas, the doctrine of free grace became increasingly obscured.

Thirdly, such is the innate inclination of man's heart to the way of the law, in opposition to Christ, that just as a tainted vessel alters the taste of the purest liquid poured into it, the natural man transforms the very gospel into a law and converts the covenant of grace into a covenant of works. The ceremonial law served as a genuine gospel to the Jews, constantly reminding them of blood, death, and the transfer of guilt as the sole means of salvation. Yet, their own practices related to the table, that is, their altar, and its accompanying ordinances became a snare to them (Malachi 1:12; Romans 11:9). They used these practices to compensate for their shortcomings in obeying the moral law and clung to them so tightly that they rejected the one to whom the altar and sacrifices pointed—just as Hagar, whose duty was to serve, was brought into her mistress's bed by their forefather, not without a divine purpose, for "these things are being taken figuratively" as "two covenants" (Galatians 4:24). Thus, the doctrine of the gospel is corrupted by Catholics and other enemies of the doctrine of free grace. Indeed, regardless of whether or not natural men's minds align correctly on this matter, as long as they remain outside of Christ, their faith, repentance, and obedience, however imperfect, are placed in the position of Christ and His righteousness. They trust in these as if by them they fulfill a new law.

Fourthly, it is exceedingly difficult for Adam's children to relinquish the law as a covenant of works. None abandon it in that regard except those whom the power of the Holy Spirit separates from it. The law serves as our first husband and captures the virgin love of everyone. When Christ comes to the soul, He finds it already married to the law, unwilling and unable to be wedded to another until it is obligated to part with the first husband, as the apostle explains in Romans 7:1-4. To give you an idea of the nature of this parting, consider the following:

Firstly, it is like a death (Romans 7:4; Galatians 2:19). Pleading and persuasion have no effect on the soul at this point. It says to the first husband, like Ruth to Naomi, "May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely if anything but death separates you and me." And sinners are true to their word; they die to the law before they are united with Christ. Death is difficult for everyone, but imagine the struggle a loving wife on her deathbed faces in parting with her husband, the husband of her youth, and with the dear children she has borne for him. The law is that husband, and all the duties performed by the natural man are those children. What a desperate struggle takes place in the heart before they are separated? I may touch on this later, but for now, consider the apostle's concise but powerful description of it in Romans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." They strive to establish their own righteousness, like an eager debater in a school seeking to establish a point, or like a tormentor extracting a confession under torture. They strive to make it stand, but their righteousness is like a house built on sand—it cannot stand, yet they insist on its stability. Why do they exert so much effort for a crumbling righteousness? Because, flawed as it is, it is their own. What opposes Christ's righteousness is that it would make them indebted to free grace for everything, and the proud heart cannot submit to that. Here lies the crux of the matter (Psalm 10:4): "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [God]." In other words, "He cannot dig, and he is ashamed to beg." This struggle occurs before the soul dies to the law. But what is even more indicative of this woeful disposition of the heart is that nature often prevails over the disease. The soul, which was nearly dead to the law during times of intense conviction, tragically recovers from this promising and hopeful sickness. Naturally, it clings even more tightly to the law, just as a wife, brought back from the brink of death, would cling to her husband. This is the outcome of the struggles of many concerning their spiritual state. They may indeed become more diligent in performing duties, but they are as far from Christ as ever, if not farther.

Secondly, it is a violent death (Romans 7:4). "You have died to the law," as the word implies, being killed, slain, or put to death. The law itself plays a significant role in this. The husband inflicts the wound (Galatians 2:19): "Through the law I died to the law." The soul that experiences this death is like a loving wife wedded to a severe husband. She does her best to please him, yet he is never satisfied and continually harasses and beats her until her heart breaks, and death releases her. This will become more evident later on. Thus, it becomes clear that people's hearts are naturally inclined towards the way of the law and opposed to the gospel method. The second charge against those who are unregenerate is confirmed—they are enemies of the Son of God.

(3.) You are enemies of the Spirit of God. He is the Spirit of holiness, but the natural man is unholy and delights in his unholiness. Therefore, he resists the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). The work of the Spirit is to convict the world of "sin, righteousness, and judgment" (John 16:8). However, men strive to ward off these convictions just as they would fend off a blow that threatens the loss of an eye or a hand. If the Spirit of the Lord pierces through and they cannot evade it, the heart reacts as if saying, "Have you found me, my enemy?" Indeed, they treat Him as an enemy, doing their utmost to suppress convictions and silence the messengers that come to prepare the way of the Lord into their souls. Some fill their hands with business to push convictions out of their minds, like Cain who set about building a city. Some postpone them with delays and empty promises, like Felix. Some dissipate them in company, and some sleep them away. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of sanctification, whose work is to subdue lusts and consume corruption. How then can the natural man, whose lusts are like his limbs and even his life, not be an enemy to Him?

(4.) You are enemies of the law of God. Although the natural man desires to be under the law as a covenant of works, choosing that path of salvation in opposition to the mystery of Christ, he is an enemy of it as a rule of life. The unregenerate are "not subject to the law of God, nor can they be" (Romans 8:7). Firstly, no unregenerate person is without some lust to which his heart is firmly attached and cannot part with. Since he cannot conform his inclinations to the holy law, he desires to lower the law to his inclinations—a clear indication of the heart's enmity against it. Therefore, "delighting in the law of God in the inner man" is presented in the Scriptures as a sign of a gracious soul (Romans 7:22; Psalm 1:2). It is this natural enmity towards the law that has given rise to all the Pharisaical interpretations that narrow its commands. By distorting the commandments, which are inherently comprehensive, they make them more agreeable to the natural disposition of the heart. Secondly, when the law confronts the natural conscience in its spiritual depth, it provokes corruption. The closer it comes, the higher nature rises in rebellion against it. It is like oil to the fire, which instead of extinguishing it, makes it blaze even more. As the apostle says, "When the commandment came, sin revived" (Romans 7:9). What other reason can be given for this except the natural enmity of the heart against the holy law? Unmortified corruption only intensifies as it faces opposition. Let us conclude, then, that the unregenerate are heart-enemies of God, His Son, His Spirit, and His law. There is a natural contrariness, opposition, and enmity in the human will towards God Himself and His holy will.

(5.) The will of man exhibits contumacy against the Lord. The natural will is obstinate in pursuing an evil course; it insists on having its way even if it leads to ruin. It is like the Leviathan mentioned in Job 41:29: "Darts are counted as stubble; he laughs at the shaking of a spear." The Lord calls out to man through His word, saying, as Paul said to the jailer who was about to kill himself, "Do not harm yourself" (Acts 16:28). He implores the sinner, "Why will you die?" (Ezekiel 18:31). But they refuse to listen. Each one turns to their own path, "like a horse charging into battle" (Jeremiah 8:6). The promise of life is given to us in the form of a command: "Keep my commandments, and live" (Proverbs 4:4). It reveals impenitent sinners as self-destroyers, willful self-murderers. They transgress the commandment of life, as if a servant were intentionally starving himself to death or eagerly drinking a cup of poison that his master commanded him to avoid. They choose death over life, for "all who hate me [Wisdom], love death" (Proverbs 8:36). Oh, what a heart this is! It is a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26), hard and unyielding. It remains unaffected by mercies and unbroken by judgments. Yet, it will eventually break rather than bend. It is an insensible heart. Although the weight of sin upon the sinner makes the earth tremble and the weight of divine wrath upon him causes demons to shudder, he carries the burden lightly. He does not feel its weight any more than a stone would until the Spirit of the Lord quickens him to the point of feeling it.

(6.) The unregenerate will is wholly perverse in relation to man's chief and highest end. The natural man's ultimate goal is not God but himself. Man's very existence is relative, dependent, and derived. He does not possess being or goodness inherently but receives everything from his God as the first cause and source of all perfection, both natural and moral. Dependence is woven into his very nature. Therefore, if God were to completely withdraw from him, he would wither away into nothingness. Since man's entire being originates from God, it follows that in everything he is, he should be for Him. Just as the waters that flow from the sea naturally return to it, man was created to direct his gaze towards God as his supreme end. However, when man fell into sin, he turned away from God and became self-oriented. Like a traitorous usurper, he seized the throne and claimed the crown for himself. This indicates a total apostasy and universal corruption in man. When the ultimate and final end is altered, there can be no goodness. This is the state of all men in their natural condition, as stated in Psalm 14:2-3: "The Lord looks down from heaven... to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside" from God; they do not seek God but themselves. Although many fragments of morality can be found among them, "there is none who does good, no, not one." Even though some may appear to run well, they are still off course, never aiming for the right target. They are "lovers of themselves" (2 Timothy 3:2) more than lovers of God (verse 4). Therefore, when Jesus Christ came into the world to restore men to God, His primary purpose was to draw them out of themselves (Matthew 16:24). The godly mourn over this woeful disposition of the heart. They acknowledge it and strive against its subtle and dangerous temptations. The unregenerate, though most oblivious to it, are under its power. Wherever they turn, they cannot move beyond the circumference of self. They seek themselves, act for themselves, and all their natural, civil, and religious actions, regardless of their source, converge and end in the dead sea of self.

Secondly, consider the opposition that has always existed in the world against the doctrine of God's free grace in Jesus Christ, with people advocating for a works-based approach, thus revealing the natural inclination of the heart. It is clear that the main purpose of the gospel is to elevate the free grace of God in Jesus Christ. Romans 4:16 states, "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace." Ephesians 1:6 and 2:7-9 further emphasize this. All the truths of the gospel revolve around Christ. Therefore, to grasp the truth is to grasp Christ, as Ephesians 4:20 states, and to truly be taught is to be taught "the truth that is in Jesus" (verse 21). Throughout history, every instance of God's grace and favor, whether directed towards nations or individuals, has always showcased the freedom of grace. This can be seen from the very beginning, when God accepted Abel's sacrifice while rejecting Cain's. This theme is pervasive throughout the Bible. However, it is evident that this aspect has been vehemently opposed by corrupt human nature. One could argue that since the time of Christ, this opposition to free grace in favor of works has been the earliest and most persistent religious error. Numerous errors have arisen over time and faded away as the world grew tired and ashamed of them. Yet, the opposition to free grace remains, persisting from Cain, the initial proponent of this heresy, until the present day. Even during periods of great spiritual enlightenment, there have always been individuals who clung to this opposition. Cain can be considered the originator of this mindset. When Abel presented an atoning sacrifice of the firstlings of his flock, reminiscent of a repentant tax collector saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner," Cain approached with an offering of the fruits of the ground, much like the proud Pharisee saying, "God, I thank You," and so on (Genesis 4:3-4). Wasn't Cain's anger and subsequent murder of Abel due to God's rejection of his work (Genesis 4:4-5; 1 John 3:12)? In other words, Cain rejected justification and acceptance with God through faith, opposed to works, and passed this down to future generations by shedding his brother's blood. Since then, countless lives have been lost due to the rejection of the unbloody sacrifice. The promise given to Abraham, that through his seed all nations would be blessed, was overshadowed by the Israelites' descendants in Egypt. The majority of them failed to recognize the need for that means of attaining the blessing until God Himself refuted their error with the fiery law given from Mount Sinai, which "was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come" (Galatians 3:19). There is no need to elaborate on how Moses and the prophets had to continually steer the people away from their self-righteousness. The ninth chapter of Deuteronomy is entirely devoted to this purpose. The people's ignorance of the need for God's righteousness was evident during the time of our Savior and the apostles, when the doctrine of free grace was most clearly preached. This error emerged prominently even in the face of the clearest light, as evident in the epistles to the Romans and Galatians. And since then, it has not ceased to exist, with Roman Catholicism becoming the receptacle for past heresies and the essence of that delusion. Ultimately, it can be observed that as the Church deviated from its purity in various ways, the doctrine of free grace was proportionally obscured.

Thirdly, the natural inclination of man's heart towards the law, opposing Christ, is such that, just as a tainted vessel alters the taste of the purest liquid poured into it, the unregenerate man transforms the very essence of the gospel into law and turns the covenant of grace into a covenant of works. The ceremonial law served as a true gospel to the Jews, constantly reminding them of blood, sacrifice, and the transfer of guilt as the sole means of salvation. However, they turned their altar and its accompanying ordinances into a snare for themselves when they used them to compensate for their shortcomings in obeying the moral law. Their attachment to these rituals led them to reject the very one to whom the altar and sacrifices pointed—the subject of all, similar to how Hagar, whose sole duty was to serve, was brought into her mistress's bed by their father. This carries a symbolic meaning, as described in Galatians 4:24, "For these are the two covenants." Thus, the doctrine of the gospel has been corrupted by Catholics and other enemies of free grace. In fact, regardless of whether the heads of unregenerate men are correct in this regard, as long as they remain outside of Christ, their faith, repentance, and obedience, however flawed, serve as substitutes for Christ and His righteousness. They trust in these actions as if they fulfill a new law.

Fourthly, it is extremely difficult for the sons of Adam to relinquish the law as a covenant of works. Only those whom the power of the Spirit of grace separates from it are able to do so. The law is their first husband, and it captures their complete devotion. When Christ comes to the soul, He finds it already wedded to the law, unwilling to be united with another until it is compelled to part ways with the first husband, as described by the apostle in Romans 7:1-4. To understand the nature of this separation, consider the following:

(1.) Firstly, it is a death (Romans 7:4; Galatians 2:19). The soul cannot be persuaded otherwise; it tells the first husband, like Ruth to Naomi, "May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." And sinners remain true to their word; they die to the law before they can be joined to Christ. Death is a challenge for everyone, but imagine the difficulty a loving wife on her deathbed faces in parting with her husband—the husband of her youth—and their beloved children. The law is that husband, and all the duties performed by the natural man are his children. Before parting ways, the heart undergoes an intense struggle, akin to a battle for life. We may explore this further later on, but for now, consider the apostle's concise yet profound description in Romans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." They strive to establish their own righteousness, like an eager debater seeking to prove a point or a torturer extracting a confession. They strive to establish it, to make it stand, but their righteousness is like a house built on sand—it cannot stand, yet they persist in their efforts. Why all this trouble for a faltering righteousness? Because, flawed as it is, it is their own. What opposes Christ's righteousness? The fact that it would make them debtors to free grace for everything, something their proud hearts cannot accept. This is the crux of the matter, as expressed in Psalm 10:4: "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God," or put simply, "He cannot dig, and to beg he is ashamed." This highlights the struggle the soul experiences before dying to the law. Moreover, due to the insidiousness of the heart, nature often overcomes the illness. Thus, the soul that was close to parting with the law during sharp and penetrating convictions tragically recovers from this promising ailment. Inevitably, it clings even more tightly to the law, just as a wife, brought back from the brink of death, would cling to her husband's side. This is the outcome for many individuals grappling with their spiritual condition—they may indeed adhere more strictly to their duties, but they remain as distant from Christ as before, if not further.

(2.) Secondly, it is a violent death (Romans 7:4). The law itself plays a significant role in this process; it inflicts the wound. As Galatians 2:19 states, "I through the law am dead to the law." The soul that experiences this death resembles a loving wife united with a severe husband. She does her best to please him, yet he remains dissatisfied, tormenting and mistreating her until her heart breaks and death sets her free. This will become clearer as we progress. Thus, it is evident that the unregenerate person's heart harbors enmity towards the law of God. Though the natural man desires to be under the law as a covenant of works, choosing this path of salvation in opposition to the mystery of Christ, he becomes an enemy of the law in its role as a rule of life. He is "not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Firstly, since every unregenerate person is bound to some form of lust that their heart cannot relinquish, they are unable to conform their inclinations to the holy law. Consequently, they yearn for the law to conform to their inclinations—a clear indication of their enmity towards it. This enmity is also responsible for the proliferation of Pharisaic interpretations that narrow the commandments, making the already comprehensive law narrower to accommodate the natural disposition of the heart. Secondly, when the law, in all its spiritual depth, confronts the unregenerate conscience, it provokes corruption. The closer it comes, the higher the rebellion within rises. It is like oil on fire, which instead of extinguishing it, intensifies the flames. As the apostle explains, "When the commandment came, sin revived" (Romans 7:9). What explanation can there be for this other than the natural enmity of the heart towards the holy law? Unmortified corruption rages more fiercely the more it is opposed. Therefore, we can conclude that the unregenerate are enemies of God, His Son, His Spirit, and His law. The will of man is inherently contrary, opposing, and hostile to God Himself and His holy will.

(3.) You are enemies of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of holiness, but the natural man is unholy and delights in his state of sin. Consequently, he resists the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). The work of the Spirit is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). However, individuals strive to avoid these convictions as they would dodge a blow that threatens to rob them of their right eye or right hand. If the Spirit of the Lord penetrates their defenses and they cannot evade these convictions, the heart effectively declares, "Have you found me, my enemy?" They treat the Spirit as an enemy, doing everything in their power to suppress convictions and eradicate the messengers preparing the way for the Lord's entrance into their souls. Some occupy themselves with worldly affairs to push convictions out of their minds, similar to Cain, who set about building a city. Others postpone convictions with empty promises, like Felix. Some attempt to dissipate convictions in the company of others, and some simply sleep through them. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of sanctification, tasked with subduing lusts and purging corruption. How then can the natural man, whose lusts are as vital to him as his limbs or even his life, not be an enemy of the Spirit?

(4.) You are enemies of the law of God. Although the natural man desires to be under the law as a covenant of works, choosing this path of salvation in opposition to Christ, he becomes an enemy of the law as a rule of life. He is "not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Firstly, every unregenerate person is wedded to some form of lust that they are unwilling to part with. Since they cannot align their inclinations with the holy law, they desire to bring the law down to their inclinations—an unmistakable enmity towards it. This enmity has given rise to various Pharisaic interpretations of the law, distorting its broad scope to suit the natural disposition of the heart. Secondly, when the spiritual essence of the law confronts the unregenerate conscience, it stirs up corruption. The closer it gets, the more vehemently nature rebels against it. It is like oil to a fire, fueling the flames. As the apostle explains, "When the commandment came, sin revived" (Romans 7:9). What other reason can there be for this except the natural enmity of the heart towards the holy law? Unmortified corruption grows fiercer the more it is resisted. Therefore, it is evident that the unregenerate are enemies of God, His Son, His Spirit, and His law. There is an inherent contrariness, opposition, and enmity in the human will towards God Himself and His holy will.

(5.) The will of man exhibits obstinacy towards the Lord. The natural man's will is inherently stubborn in its adherence to an evil course. He insists on having his way, even if it leads to his own destruction. It is akin to the leviathan, described in Job 41:29, for whom darts are considered as mere stubble; it laughs at the shaking of a spear. The Lord calls out to man through His word, saying, "Do not harm yourself" (Acts 16:28), and pleading, "Why will you die?" (Ezekiel 18:31). However, they refuse to listen and persist in their chosen path, rushing headlong into battle like a horse. We are given a promise of life, couched in the form of a command: "Keep my commandments and live" (Proverbs 4:4). By disregarding this command, impenitent sinners become self-destructive, willful self-murderers. They transgress the commandment of life, just as a servant would deliberately starve himself to death or greedily consume a cup of poison, which his master has commanded him to avoid. Similarly, they choose death over life (Proverbs 8:36): "All those who hate me love death." What a heart this is! It is like a heart of stone, as described in Ezekiel 36:26—hard and unyielding. Neither mercies nor judgments can soften it; yet, it will break before it bends. It is a heart devoid of feeling. Despite the weight of sin upon the sinner, causing the earth to tremble, and the weight of divine wrath upon them, making the devils shudder, they bear the burden lightly, oblivious to its weight, much like a stone. They remain oblivious until the Spirit of the Lord quickens them to the point of feeling its weight.

(5.) The unregenerate will is wholly corrupt in relation to man's ultimate and highest purpose. The natural man's ultimate purpose is not God but himself. Man's very existence is relative, dependent, and borrowed. He possesses neither being nor goodness inherently but receives everything from God as the ultimate cause and source of all natural and moral perfection. Dependence is woven into his very nature. If God were to completely withdraw from man, he would wither into nothingness. Therefore, since man owes everything to God, it follows that in everything he is, he should be for God, like the waters that return to the sea. Thus, man was created with a direct focus on God as his ultimate purpose. However, through sin, he turned away from God and became self-centered. Like a treacherous usurper, he hoards the treasures that rightfully belong to God. This signifies a complete apostasy and universal corruption within man. When the ultimate and final purpose changes, goodness ceases to exist. This applies to all people in their natural state, as expressed in Psalm 14:2-3: "The Lord looks down from heaven...to see if there are any who understand...who seek God. They have all turned aside." They do not seek God but themselves. Although some may display outward moral behavior, there is "none who does good, no, not one." Despite appearances, they continue to stray from the right path. They are "lovers of themselves" (2 Timothy 3:2) more than lovers of God (verse 4). Therefore, when Jesus Christ came into the world to reconcile men to God, His first task was to draw them away from themselves (Matthew 16:24). The godly mourn over this woeful state of the heart, acknowledging and actively opposing its subtle and dangerous influence. The unregenerate, despite their insensitivity to it, remain under its power, unable to move beyond the confines of self. They seek themselves, act for themselves, and their natural, secular, and religious endeavors, regardless of their motivations, all revolve around and converge upon the dead sea of self.

I have provided a rough sketch of man's will in its natural state, as depicted by Scripture and observed in personal experience. Let us no longer call it Naomi, but Marah, for it is bitter and the source of bitterness. Let us cease referring to it as free will, but rather as enslaved lust—free to do evil but not free to do good until the liberating grace of regeneration breaks the chains of wickedness. Now, since everything is distorted and nothing is upright when the understanding and will are so corrupted, I shall briefly address the inevitable consequences that follow from the corruption of these fundamental faculties of the soul.

III. The Corruption of the Affections.

The affections are corrupted. The unregenerate person's affections are completely disordered and disturbed. They resemble an unruly horse that either refuses to obey or forcefully drags away the rider. Similarly, the natural person's heart is a source of abominable thoughts and actions (Mark 7:21-22). Evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, theft, and covetousness originate from within them. The natural person's affections are horribly misplaced, making them a spiritual monstrosity. Instead of focusing on heavenly matters, their hearts are fixated on earthly things. They turn their backs to heaven and face hell. God calls out to them, urging them to turn around. They love what they should hate, and hate what they should love. They rejoice in what they should mourn, and mourn what they should rejoice in. They take pride in their shame and feel ashamed of their glory. They detest what they should desire and desire what they should detest (Prov. 2:13-15). Indeed, they are like Caiaphas, who accused the apostles of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). This is the work that the gospel has to do in a world where sin has distorted everything, with heaven underfoot and the earth turned topsy-turvy. If the unregenerate person's emotions are directed towards lawful objects, they are either excessive or deficient. They either don't appreciate these lawful enjoyments enough, or when they do, they indulge in them to excess. Conversely, when it comes to spiritual matters, their emotions are always deficient. In short, their emotions are never in the right place; they are always distorted and evil.

Now, there is a threefold barrier against heaven and holiness that is not easily broken. It consists of a blinded mind, a stubborn will, and disorderly and disturbed emotions. The swollen mind, inflated with self-conceit, says that man should not stoop. The will, opposed to the will of God, declares that it will not yield. And the corrupt emotions, rising against the Lord to defend the corrupt will, insist that it shall not yield either. Thus, the poor individual stands in opposition to God and goodness until a day of divine power comes and transforms them into a new creature.

IV. Corruption of the Conscience

The conscience itself is corrupted and defiled (Titus 1:15). It is like an evil eye that fills one's actions with darkness and confusion. Naturally, the conscience is incapable of fulfilling its function. It remains dormant and inactive until the Lord brings new light into the soul and awakens the conscience. The conscience can only function according to the light it has. Since the natural person cannot spiritually discern spiritual matters (1 Cor. 2:14), the conscience is ineffective in that regard. It remains in a deep slumber, and only the saving illumination from the Lord can activate it. The light of the natural conscience regarding good and evil, sin and duty, is very deficient. While it may convict someone of gross sins, it cannot detect subtler forms of sin because it lacks the ability to discern them. Consequently, the conscience may confront individuals about specific sins such as drunkenness, swearing, neglecting prayer, or committing gross sins. Yet, those same individuals may live in the sin of unbelief, be ignorant of spiritual worship and the life of faith, and still have a profound sense of peace. The natural light, which is often feeble and limited in its reach, results in a conscience that offers weak encouragement for duty and provides lax resistance against sin. This allows the natural person to easily overcome its convictions. However, because there is a false light in the darkened mind, the natural conscience follows

III. I will now explain how human nature becomes corrupted. The ancient pagans recognized that human nature was corrupted, but they were unaware of how sin entered the world. However, the Scripture is clear on this matter (Rom. 5:12, 19): "By one man sin entered into the world. By one man's disobedience many were made sinners." Adam's sin corrupted human nature and tainted all of humanity. We decayed in Adam, our root. The root was poisoned, and thus the branches became venomous. The vine turned into the vine of Sodom, and the grapes became bitter. Through his sin, Adam not only became guilty but also corrupt. Consequently, he passed guilt and corruption to his descendants (Gen. 5:3; Job 14:4). By his sin, he stripped himself of his original righteousness and corrupted himself. We were represented by him as our moral head in the covenant of works. We were also connected to him as our natural head. Therefore, we fell in him, and by his disobedience, we became sinners, just as Levi paid tithes in Abraham's loins (Heb. 7:9, 10). His initial sin is imputed to us, and that is why we are justly deprived of his original righteousness. He received it as a representative person but relinquished it through his sin. Consequently, both he and we experience the corruption of our entire nature. Righteousness and corruption are mutually exclusive, and one of them must always be present in human beings as they are capable of either. As Adam, our common progenitor, is corrupt, so are we. After all, "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?"

Although it suffices to establish the righteousness of this arrangement as being from the Lord, who does all things well, let us consider a few more points to silence the complaints of proud human nature. First, in the covenant where Adam represented us, eternal happiness was promised to him and his descendants based on his perfect obedience as the representative of all mankind. Without this covenant, they could not have claimed eternal life through their most perfect obedience. Instead, they might have been reduced to nothingness. According to natural justice, they would have been subject to God's eternal wrath in case of sin. Who, under those circumstances, would not have consented to such representation? Second, Adam possessed the power to remain upright. He was as capable of standing for himself and his descendants as anyone who came after him. The trial of humanity in their representative would have been quickly concluded, and the crown would have been secured for all of them if Adam had remained steadfast. If his descendants had been independent of him, each person left to act on their own, the trial would have continued as new individuals entered the world. Third, Adam had the strongest natural affection to motivate him as our common father. Fourth, his own destiny was tied to ours. Everything he had was at stake, and he had no separate interest from ours. If he neglected ours, he would inevitably neglect his own. Fifth, if he had remained steadfast, we would have received the light of his understanding, the righteousness of his will, and the holiness of his affections, all completely pure. We would not have fallen, and the crown of glory would have been secured for him and his descendants forever. This is evident from the nature of federal representation, and there is no reason why, given that we are lost through Adam's sin, we should not have been saved through his obedience. Conversely, it is reasonable that since he fell, we should also bear the consequences. Sixth, those who quarrel with this arrangement must renounce their part in Christ. We are made sinners by Adam in the same way that we are made righteous by Christ, from whom we receive both imputed and inherent righteousness. We did not choose the second Adam to be our head and representative in the second covenant any more than we chose the first Adam in the first covenant.

Do not be surprised that such a horrendous change resulted from one sin committed by our first parents. Through their sin, they turned away from God, their chief end, which inevitably led to universal depravity. Their sin was a conglomeration of evils, a complete apostasy from God and a violation of the entire law. They broke all ten commandments simultaneously. First, they chose new gods. They made their own desires their god through sensuality, they made self their god through ambition, and they even made the devil their god by believing him and doubting their Creator. Second, though they received the ordinance of God regarding the forbidden fruit, they did not obey it. They disregarded the clearly given command and insisted on determining for themselves how to serve the Lord. Third, they took the name of the Lord their God in vain. They grossly desecrated the sacramental tree, abused God's Word by refusing to believe it, misused the creature they were forbidden to touch, and wrongly interpreted God's providence as if His prohibition of the tree hindered their happiness. Consequently, they suffered the righteous judgment of God. Fourth, they did not remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. They prevented themselves from properly serving God on His appointed day and failed to maintain the state of holy rest in which God had placed them. Fifth, they neglected their relational duties. Eve acted independently without consulting her husband, leading to the ruin of both. Adam, instead of admonishing her to repent, succumbed to temptation and confirmed her in her wickedness. They forgot their responsibilities toward their posterity and dishonored their Father in heaven, resulting in shortened days in the land given to them by the Lord. Sixth, they ruined themselves and all their descendants. Seventh, they indulged in luxury and sensuality. Eighth, they took what was not theirs against the explicit will of the true Owner. Ninth, they bore false witness and lied about the Lord in the presence of angels, demons, and each other, essentially proclaiming that they were treated unjustly and that Heaven begrudged their happiness. Tenth, they were discontented with their circumstances and coveted evil desires for their household, which led to the ruin of both them and their descendants. Thus, the image of God in humanity was defaced in an instant.

IV. I will now apply this doctrine of the corruption of human nature.

USE I. For information. If human nature is wholly corrupted, then:

Secondly, this also demonstrates the necessity of regeneration. It is absolutely essential for salvation (John 3:4): "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." No unclean thing can enter the New Jerusalem, and in your natural state, you are entirely unclean. If every joint of your body were dislocated, each one would need to be reset before the members could function properly again. This is the condition of your soul, as you have heard. Therefore, you must be born again; otherwise, you will never behold heaven, except from a distance like the rich man in hell. Do not deceive yourself; neither the mercy of God nor the blood of Christ will bring you to heaven in an unregenerate state. God will never open a fountain of mercy to wash away His own holiness and truth. Christ did not shed His precious blood to erase God's truths or to overturn God's plan for the salvation of sinners. Heaven! What would you do there if you are not born again? How are you prepared to be a member of Christ the Head? It would be a strange sight indeed—a holy Head with wholly corrupt members, a Head full of treasures of grace while the members are nothing but vessels of wickedness, a Head obedient to death while the heels kick against heaven! You are not fit for the company of the saints; in fact, you hate true holiness. At the first sight of a saint in heaven, you would cry out, "Have you found me, my enemy?" Moreover, if it were possible for an unregenerate person to enter heaven in that state, they would approach it just as they approach the duties of holiness now, leaving their hearts behind them.

USE II. For lamentation. We must truly mourn for your condition, O natural man! It is the most wretched state one can be in outside of hell. It is time to grieve for you because you are already spiritually dead, dead while you are alive. You carry a lifeless soul within a living body, and because you are dead, you cannot lament your own plight. You are repulsive in the sight of God, for you are entirely corrupt, devoid of any goodness. Your soul is a mass of darkness, rebellion, and vileness before the Lord. You may think that you have a good heart towards God, good inclinations, and good desires, but God knows there is nothing good in you. "Every intention of your heart is only evil continually." You are unable to do any good; all you can do is sin. Here's why:

Ah! What a pitiable sight it is to witness someone who can do nothing but sin! You are that person, whoever you may be, if you are still in your natural state. Listen, O sinner, to your condition.

(1.) Countless sins surround you. Mountains of guilt weigh upon you, floods of impurities overwhelm you, and living lusts of all kinds roam within the dead sea of your soul, where no good can survive due to the corruption within. Your lips are unclean; the opening of your mouth is like the opening of a putrid grave, emitting stench and decay (Rom. 3:13). Your natural actions are sin. When you eat and drink, do you not do it for yourself? (Zechariah 7:6). Your civil actions are sin (Proverbs 21:4). Your religious actions are sin (Proverbs 15:8). The thoughts and imaginations of your heart are only evil continually. A deed can be done swiftly, a word spoken in an instant, a thought passing through the heart in the blink of an eye, yet each one adds to your account. O sorrowful reckoning! Every thought, word, and action is a sin. The longer you live, the more your account swells. If a tear were shed for every sin, your head would become a fountain of water and your eyes a source of tears, for nothing but sin flows from you. Your heart only conceives evil imaginations. There is nothing in your life that is not framed by your heart, and therefore, there is nothing in your heart or life that is not evil.

(2.) All your religion, if you have any, is in vain in terms of being accepted by God or having any saving effect on yourself. Are you still in your natural state? Truly, then your duties are sins, as previously suggested. Would not the best wine be distasteful in a vessel that brings no pleasure? That is how the religion of an unregenerate person is. Under the law, the garment in which the flesh of a sacrifice was carried did not sanctify other things it touched, but anyone who was unclean and touched something, whether common or sacred, made it unclean. Similarly, your duties cannot sanctify your corrupt soul, although they may be good in themselves. Your corrupt heart contaminates them and renders them unclean (Haggai 2:12–14). You used to categorize your works as either good or evil, but you must reconsider and place them all under one heading, for God inscribes "only evil" upon them. This is lamentable. It should come as no surprise to see those begging during the harvest who folded their hands and slept during sowing time. However, laboring alongside others in the spring and reaping nothing when the harvest comes is a truly tragic circumstance, and it will be the case for all professors who live and die in their natural state.

(3.) You cannot help yourself. What can you do to remove your sin when you are completely corrupt? Nothing but sin, indeed. If a natural person begins to feel remorse, sheds a tear for their sin, and reforms, their corrupt nature immediately claims merit. They think they have accomplished much themselves, and therefore, God must do even more for them on that account. In the meantime, all they do is sin. How then can you think to recover yourself through anything you are capable of doing? Can filth wash away filthiness? Will you purge out sin by committing more sin? "Can a clean thing come out of an unclean? Not one" (Job 14:4). This is the condition of your corrupt soul—you cannot be restored except through Jesus Christ. "O Israel, you have destroyed yourself, but in me is your help" (Hosea 13:9). Truly, you are poor, "wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). You have no refuge but a shelter of lies, no garment for your soul but filthy rags, and nothing to nourish it but unsatisfying husks. Moreover, you have suffered such a blow in the loins of Adam that remains unhealed, leaving you without strength and ungodly (Romans 5:6). You are unable to do or work for yourself. Furthermore, you cannot even think correctly but lie helpless like an infant abandoned in an open field (Ezekiel 16:5).

USE III. I urge you to believe this sorrowful truth. Alas! It is clear that very few truly believe it in the world. Few are concerned with transforming their corrupt behavior, and even fewer seek to have their nature changed. Most people do not know what they are or what kind of spirits they possess. They are like eyes that see many things but never see themselves. Until each one understands the plague of their own heart, there is no hope for their recovery. Why do you refuse to believe it? The Scriptures testify plainly to it, but you are unwilling to entertain such a negative opinion of yourselves. Alas! This is the nature of your affliction: "You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." May the Lord open your eyes to see it before you perish from it and lift your eyes in hell, seeing what you refuse to see now.

I shall conclude this weighty point of the corruption of man's nature with a few words regarding another doctrine from the text.

God's Special Attention to Our Natural Corruption

DOCTRINE: God specifically takes notice of our natural corruption, or the sin of our nature. He testifies to this in two ways: 1. Through His word, as stated in the text, "God saw that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). See also Psalm 14:2-3. 2. Through His works. God marks His particular attention and displeasure with it, evident in many of His works, but especially in these two.

USE: Let us, therefore, pay special attention to the corruption and sin of our nature. God sees it, and oh, if only we could see it too and have sin ever before us! What good does it do to notice other sins while ignoring this mother-sin? Turn your gaze inward to the sin of your nature. It is to be feared that many have yet to undertake this work; they have shut the door while the grand thief remains undiscovered in the house. This is a weighty matter, and in addressing it, I shall touch on these four points:

Men Overlooking Their Natural Sin

Why Original Sin Should Be Especially Noticed

III. I will present some reasons why we should pay special attention to the sin of our nature.

How to Gain a Clear Understanding of the Corruption of Nature

IV. In order to gain a clear understanding of the corruption of your nature, I would recommend three things:

To conclude this weighty matter, let the reflection on what has been said commend Christ to all of you. Those of you who have been delivered from your natural state of corruption and brought to Christ, be humble. Continually come to Christ and utilize your union with Him to further weaken your innate corruption. Has your nature been changed? It has only been partially so. If you have been healed, remember that the cure is not yet complete, and you still limp. Though your condition may be better than before, the remembrance of what you were by nature should keep you humble. As for those who are still in their natural state, take this with you: Believe in the corruption of your nature and hold Christ and His grace in high esteem. Oh, may you finally become serious about the state of your souls! What do you intend to do? You will die; you will appear before the judgment seat of God. Will you lie down and sleep peacefully for another night in this condition? Do not do so, for before another day dawns, you may be summoned before God's dreadful tribunal, clothed in the grave-clothes of your corrupt state, and your vile souls cast into the pit of destruction, like a corrupted lump, forever buried from God's sight. For I solemnly declare to all of you that there is no peace with God, no forgiveness, no heaven for you in your natural state. There is only a step between you and eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord. If the fragile thread of your life, which may break with a mere touch without warning, is severed while you are in this state, you are eternally ruined without remedy. But hasten to Jesus Christ: He has cleansed souls as vile as yours, and He will still "cleanse the blood that He has not cleansed" (Joel 3:21). This concludes the discussion on the sinfulness of man's natural state.

III. THE MISERY OF HUMANITY'S NATURAL CONDITION

We were by nature the children of wrath, even as others EPHESIANS 2:3

Having demonstrated the sinful nature of humanity's natural condition, I will now present the misery inherent in it. A state of sin inevitably leads to a state of misery. Where sin prevails, wrath follows as a consequence. Corruption and destruction are so closely intertwined that the Holy Spirit refers to destruction, even eternal destruction, as "corruption" (Gal. 6:8). Whoever sows to satisfy their flesh will reap corruption, that is, total destruction, as indicated by its contrast to eternal life in the subsequent clause. After revealing to the Ephesians their true state by nature, namely, being dead in sins and transgressions, completely corrupt, the apostle informs them in the words of the text about their relational state, namely, that the pit of wrath was prepared for them while they were in that state of corruption. As they were dead in sins, they "were by nature children of wrath, even as others."

In these words, we find four aspects:

DOCTRINE: The state of nature is a state of wrath. Everyone in a natural, unregenerate state is in a state of wrath. We are born as children of wrath and remain so until we are born again. In fact, as soon as we become children of Adam, we are children of wrath.

Before delving into this point, I will make a few observations regarding the universality of this state of wrath, which will help prepare the way for the message to penetrate your consciences. Wrath has spread as wide as sin itself. When angels sinned, the wrath of God flooded upon them. "God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell" (2 Pet. 2:4). This demonstrated that no natural excellence in a creature can shield it from God's wrath once it becomes a sinful creature. Even the most exquisite and delicate masterpiece of heaven's creation, if the Creator's image upon it is defaced by sin, God can and will shatter it in His wrath, unless justice is satisfied and that image is restored. Yet the sinner himself cannot accomplish either of these. When Adam sinned, the entire human race was corrupted and condemned to the fires of God's wrath. From this text, you can learn the following:

1. Ignorance of this state cannot free people from it. The Gentiles, who did not know God, were "by nature children of wrath, even as others." It is like a man whose house is on fire, with his wife and children perishing in the flames, while he remains unaware and unconcerned. Such is the case for those of you who are ignorant of these truths. While you bless yourselves and proclaim, "We shall have peace," the silent waves of wrath are engulfing your souls. There is no surer indication that you are children of wrath than the fact that you have never seen yourselves as such. You cannot be children of God if you have never recognized yourselves as children of the devil. You cannot be on the path to heaven if you have never recognized yourselves as being naturally on the road to hell. You are grossly ignorant of your natural state and, consequently, ignorant of God, Christ, and your need for Him. Although you perceive your ignorance as protection from wrath, take heed of God's own words that it will destroy you if it is not removed (Isa. 27:11). See also 2 Thess. 1:8; Hos. 4:6.

2. No outward privileges can exempt people from this state of wrath. Even the Jews, the chosen people of God, the children of the kingdom, were "children of wrath, even as others." Whether you are church members enjoying all the privileges of the church or descendants of godly parents from esteemed and honorable families, regardless of who you are, by nature, you are heirs of hell, children of wrath.

3. No religious profession or achievements in religious practices can exempt people from this state of wrath. Paul was among the strictest sect of the Jewish religion (Acts 26:5), yet he was a child of wrath, just like everyone else, until he was converted. The outwardly hypocritical and the blatantly sinful are equal in their state, regardless of their differences in behavior. They will share the same fatal end (Psalm 125:5), "As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity."

4. Young people who are just beginning their journey in the world do not need to make themselves children of wrath by following the godless multitude. They are already children of wrath by nature; it is an established fact. They were born as heirs of hell, and if they do not, while they are young, flee from the wrath they were born into by fleeing to Jesus Christ, they will only increase their condemnation.

5. Whatever people may be by grace at present, they were once just like everyone else by nature. This realization can be a somber meditation for those who have lived comfortably from their youth and have experienced no significant changes.

Now that these points have been established, I will proceed with the first part: explaining what this state of wrath entails. However, who can fully describe the wrath of an angry God? No one can. Nevertheless, we can grasp enough of it to convince people of the absolute necessity of seeking refuge in Jesus Christ to escape this state of wrath. Anger in humans is a passionate agitation of the spirit in response to an offense, accompanied by a desire to retaliate. When it reaches its pinnacle and becomes fixed in one's spirit, it is called wrath. However, God does not experience passions in the same way. Passions are incompatible with His absolute unchangeability and independence. Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas wanted to dispel the misconception of the Lycaonians who believed they were gods, they informed them that they were "men of like passions with themselves" (Acts 14:15). Thus, when wrath is ascribed to God, it should not be understood in terms of an emotional wrath but rather its effects. Wrath is a fervent fire in the affections of humans, tormenting the individual. However, there is no disturbance in God. His wrath does not in any way diminish His infinite tranquility and happiness. It is an entirely pure and undisturbed act of His will, bringing forth dreadful consequences upon the sinner. We have limited knowledge of the infinite God, but in His condescension to our weakness, He chooses to speak of Himself in terms we can comprehend. Therefore, we should consider human wrath while removing any aspects that imply imperfection, enabling us to gain a partial understanding, however limited, of God's wrath. By doing so, we can examine God's wrath against the natural man in three specific aspects:

(1.) Wrath befalls his physical body. It is a piece of cursed clay that wrath penetrates due to the threat of the original covenant, as stated in Gen. 2:17: "In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." Every disease or pain that afflicts him carries within it the sting of God's indignation. They are all cords of death sent ahead to bind the prisoner.

(2.) Wrath rests upon his soul. 1. He cannot have communion with God; he is "foolish and shall not stand in God's sight" (Psalm 5:5). Just as God cast Adam out of paradise when he sinned, natural men are banished from the gracious presence of the Lord, remaining in the state Adam left them in. They have no access to Him in that state, and war exists between heaven and them, severing all communication. They are "without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12). The sun has set upon them, and they receive no hint of favor from heaven. 2. Consequently, the soul withers away in its iniquity. The natural darkness of their minds, their aversion to goodness in their wills, the disorder of their affections, the disturbance of their consciences, and all their inherent plagues remain upon them as part of their punishment, gradually increasing. God throws them a portion of worldly goods, more or less, like a bone thrown to a dog, but alas, His wrath against them is evident in their lack of grace. The Physician of souls passes by them, healing others on either side, while they waste away in their iniquity and move closer to their utter destruction. 3. They are exposed to dreadful additional plagues on their souls, even in this life. At times, they encounter deadening blows—silent strikes from the hand of an angry God—arrows of wrath that enter their souls without making a sound. As described in Isa. 6:10, "Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes," etc. God contends with them for a while, and convictions reach their consciences, but they rebel against the light. As a result, they suffer a secret judgment, receiving a blow to the head that leaves them as if living and rotting above ground. Their hearts become numb, their affections withered, their consciences stupefied, and their entire souls are blighted—cast forth like withered branches (John 15:6). They are plagued with judicial blindness, willingly closing their eyes to the light, and God delivers them over to the devil, the god of this world, to blind them further (2 Cor. 4:4). Indeed, "God sends them strong delusions, that they should believe a lie" (2 Thess. 2:11). Even their conscience, like a false light on the shore, leads them to rocks upon which they are shattered. They harden themselves against God, and He leaves them to Satan and their own hearts, resulting in increased hardening. They are often "given up unto vile affections" (Rom. 1:26). The reins are placed upon their necks, and they are left to indulge in all kinds of excess driven by their raging lusts. Sometimes, they face sharp fiery strokes, causing their souls to resemble Mount Sinai, where nothing is seen but fire and smoke, nothing heard but the thunder of God's wrath and the voice of the trumpet of a broken law growing louder and louder. Consequently, they become, like Pashur (Jer. 20:4), a terror to themselves. God takes their filthy garments of sin, in which they used to sleep securely, overlays them with brimstone, and sets them ablaze around their ears. Thus, they carry hell within them.

(3.) Wrath is upon the natural man's enjoyments. Whatever may be lacking in his house, there is one thing that is never absent: "The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked" (Prov. 3:33). Wrath accompanies everything he possesses—his food, his drink, and his clothing. "His basket and store are cursed" (Deut. 28:17). Some things go wrong for him, and that is due to this wrath. Other things go according to his desires, and even that is filled with wrath, for it becomes a snare to his soul (Prov. 1:32): "The prosperity of fools shall destroy them." This wrath turns his blessings into curses (Mal. 2:2): "I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already." The holy law is a killing letter to him (2 Cor. 3:6). The ministry of the gospel is a scent of death leading to death (2 Cor. 2:16). In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, "he eateth and drinketh damnation to himself" (1 Cor. 11:29). Moreover, Christ Himself is to him "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence" (1 Pet. 2:8). Thus, wrath follows the natural man like a shadow follows his body.

(4.) He is under the power of Satan (Acts 24:18). The devil has conquered him, and thus he is the devil's rightful captive (Isa. 49:24). The natural man is already condemned (John 3:18) and therefore under the heavy hand of "him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil." The devil keeps his prisoners confined in the prison of their natural state, bound hand and foot (Isa. 61:1), laden with various lusts that serve as chains to hold them fast. There is no need for him to be summoned, as is the case for many others, for the devil already has a firm grip on him as a child of wrath.

(5.) The natural man has no guarantee of even a moment's safety from the impending wrath of God, which will come upon him to the utmost. The curse of the law, pronounced against him, has already tied him to the stake, leaving his soul susceptible to the arrows of justice and exposed to all the miseries and plagues that flow from God's avenging wrath. He is like a target for the arrows of wrath, as stated in Psalm 7:11–13: "God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready; he hath also prepared for him the instruments of death." Even when he lies down to sleep, there is no promise known to him or that can assure him he will not be in hell before he wakes. Justice pursues him, demanding vengeance upon the sinner, while the law continually hurls its fireballs of curses upon him. Only worn-out and exhausted patience keeps him alive. He walks amidst enemies armed against him, and his name may be Magor-missabib, meaning terror all around (Jer. 20:3). Angels, devils, men, beasts, stones, heaven, and earth stand ready, awaiting the Lord's command to bring about his ruin.

Thus, the natural man lives, but he must also die, and death is a dreadful messenger to him. It arrives armed with wrath and presents three solemn charges. First, death charges him to bid a final farewell to everything in this world, to depart from it and hasten to another realm. Oh, what a fearful charge this is for a child of wrath! He finds no comfort from heaven, for God is his enemy. As for the things of the world and the indulgence of his desires, which were the sources of his comfort, they are suddenly and permanently taken away. He is unprepared for the next world; he did not expect to depart so soon. And even if he did, he has no portion secured for him in the afterlife, except for the portion he was born into and has accumulated throughout his days—a treasure of wrath. But go he must; his earthly idol, the world, must be relinquished, and what else does he have? There was never a glimmer of light or favor from heaven for his soul. The wrath that loomed in the threatening, like a cloud the size of a man's hand, now darkens the entire sky above him. If he looks to the earth, from where all his light used to come, he beholds nothing but trouble, darkness, and anguish; he is driven into darkness (Isa. 8:22).

Second, death charges the soul and body to part ways until the day of judgment. The soul is required of him (Luke 12:20). Oh, what a wretched separation this is for a child of wrath! Care was indeed taken to provide for the body's needs in this life, but alas, nothing was stored up for the life to come, nothing to serve as a seed for a glorious resurrection. Just as the body lived, so it must die and rise again as sinful flesh, fuel for the fire of God's wrath. As for the soul, there was never any concern to provide for it. It resided within the body, dead to God and all things truly good, and now it must be carried to the grave in the shroud of its natural state. When death comes, the sinful companions must part ways.

Third, death charges the soul to appear before God's tribunal while the body lies to be laid in the grave (Eccl. 12:7, "The spirit shall return unto God who gave it"). Hebrews 9:27 affirms, "It is appointed unto all men once to die, but after this the judgment." It would be well for the sinful soul if it could be buried together with the body. But that cannot be; it must go and receive its sentence, and it will be consigned to the prison of hell while the accursed body lies imprisoned in the grave until the day of the final judgment.

When the world reaches its appointed end, the trumpet will sound, and the dead will rise. At the command of the Judge, the weary earth will cast forth the bodies—the cursed bodies—of those who lived and died in their natural state. "The sea, death, and hell shall deliver up their dead" (Rev. 20:13). Their miserable bodies and souls will be reunited, summoned before the tribunal of Christ, and receive that dreadful sentence: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41). Consequently, "they shall go away into everlasting punishment" (verse 46). They will be eternally confined in hell, devoid of even the slightest drop of comfort or the smallest relief from their torment. They will be punished with the loss of all, forever excommunicated from the presence of God, His angels, and His saints. Every means of grace and every hope of deliverance will be eternally severed from their sight. They will not have a drop of water to cool their tongues (Luke 16:24, 25). They will be subjected to the punishment of sense. They must not only depart from God but depart into fire—into everlasting fire! The worm that gnaws them will never die, and the fire that scorches them will never be extinguished. Throughout eternity, God will sustain them with one hand while pouring the full vials of wrath upon them with the other.

This is the state of wrath in which natural men live—under the weight of God's wrath and susceptible to even more. To further understand it, let us consider the characteristics of this wrath.

First, it is irresistible; no one can withstand it. "Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?" (Psalm 76:7). Can a worm or a moth defend itself against the one who seeks to crush it? Can frail mankind stand before an angry God? Foolish humans may defy Heaven in practice, but the Lord often opens floodgates of wrath upon them that their might cannot stop; they are carried away like a flood. How much more will this be the case in hell!

Second, it is insupportable. What a person cannot resist, they may try to endure. But who can dwell in devouring fire? Who can dwell with everlasting burnings? God's wrath is a weight that will sink people into the deepest depths of hell. It is a burden that no one can bear. "Who can bear a crushed spirit?" (Prov. 18:14).

Third, it is unavoidable for those who persist in impenitence and die in their sinful ways. "He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Prov. 29:1). Though one may flee from it now by seeking refuge in Jesus Christ, those who flee from Christ will never be able to escape it. Where can people flee from the avenging God? Where will they find shelter? The hills will not hear them; the mountains will be deaf to their loudest pleas when they cry out to be hidden from the wrath of the Lamb.

Fourth, it is powerful and fierce wrath (Psalm 90:11). We are inclined to fear the wrath of man more than we should, but no one can truly comprehend the dreadfulness of God's wrath. Its power can never be fully known, for it is infinite and has no limits. No matter how intense it may be on Earth or in hell, God can still intensify it further. Every aspect of God is most perfect in its kind, and therefore no wrath is as fierce as His. Oh, sinner! How will you endure the wrath that will tear you to pieces (Psalm 50:22) and grind you to powder (Luke 20:18)? The story of the two bears that mauled the children of Bethel is a dreadful one (2 Kings 2:23, 24). Yet even the combined fury of raging lions, leopards, and bereaved she-bears is insufficient to give us even a faint glimpse of the power of God's wrath (Hos. 13:7, 8).

Fifth, it is penetrating and piercing wrath. It is a burning wrath and fiery indignation. There is no pain more intense than that caused by fire, and there is no fire more penetrating than the fire of God's indignation, which burns all the way to the deepest pit (Deut. 32:22). Arrows of human wrath can pierce flesh, blood, and bones, but they cannot reach the soul. However, God's wrath can penetrate into a person's soul, piercing them in the most tender places. It is like when a person is struck by lightning—often, there is no visible wound on the skin, yet life is extinguished, and the bones melt. Similarly, God's wrath can penetrate and dissolve a person's soul from within, even when their earthly comforts remain intact and untouched, as in the case of Belshazzar (Dan. 5:6).

Sixth, it is constant wrath, accompanying a person throughout their unregenerate state, persisting from birth to death. Few days are so dark that the sun does not occasionally peek through the clouds. But God's wrath is a continuous cloud over its targets. "The wrath of God remains on him who does not believe" (John 3:36).

Seventh, it is eternal. Oh, wretched soul! If you do not flee from this wrath to Jesus Christ, even though your misery had a beginning, it will never have an end. If devouring death were to completely engulf you and forever hold you tightly in the grave, it would be merciful. But your body will be reunited with your immortal soul, brought back to life, and never die again. Instead, you will be eternally dying in the hands of the living God. Golden death may extinguish the flames of human wrath against us if nothing else does, but God's wrath, after it has been upon the sinner for millions of ages, will still be the wrath to come (Matt. 3:7; 1 Thess. 1:10), just as the water in a river keeps flowing, regardless of how much has already passed. As long as God exists, He will pursue His quarrel.

Eighth, despite its dreadfulness and eternity, this wrath is perfectly just. It is a clear fire without even a hint of injustice. The sea of wrath, raging with its utmost fury against the sinner, is as clear as crystal. The Judge of all the earth can do no wrong; He knows no fits of passion, as they are incompatible with His perfect nature. "Is God unjust when He inflicts wrath? (I am speaking in human terms) Certainly not! For then, how will God judge the world?" (Rom. 3:5, 6).

II. I will affirm the doctrine of the State of Wrath. Consider:

However, the unregenerate person, who does not highly value the honor of God, may rise up against this Judge and condemn His actions in their own heart. Nevertheless, since the Judge is infinitely just, the sentence must be righteous. Therefore, to silence your objections, O proud sinner, and quiet your complaints against your righteous Judge, consider the following:

Objection. But some may argue, "Isn't there a vast disproportion between our sin and the wrath you speak of?" I reply, "No, God punishes no more than what the sinner deserves." To correct your misunderstanding on this matter, consider the following:

USE I. For information. If our state by nature is a state of wrath, then:

(1.) The poorest, who go from door to door and have not received any inheritance from their parents, are born to an inheritance. Their first father Adam left them as "children of wrath." If they remain in their natural state, they cannot escape it. "This is the portion from God for the wicked, the heritage decreed to them by God" (Job 20:29). It is an inheritance that provides them with a dwelling, even when they have nowhere to lay their heads. They shall be "cast into outer darkness" (Matthew 25:30), and "the blackness of darkness is reserved for them forever" (Jude, verse 13). Their bed shall be filled with sorrow; "they shall lie down in sorrow" (Isaiah 50:11). Their food shall be judgment, for God will "feed them with judgment" (Ezekiel 34:16), and they shall drink the red wine of God's wrath, "the dregs of which all the wicked of the earth shall drain and drink" (Psalm 75:8). I am aware that those who lack worldly goods and are devoid of knowledge and grace, who may be called the devil's poor, might say, "We hope God will make us suffer all our misery in this world, and that we will be happy in the next." As if their miserable outward condition in this life would guarantee their happiness in eternity. It is a gross and fatal mistake! They have another inheritance, namely, "lies, vanity, and things in which there is no profit" (Jeremiah 16:19). But "the refuge of lies will be swept away" (Isaiah 28:17). Do you think, O sinner, that God, who commands earthly judges "not to show partiality to the poor in their cases" (Leviticus 19:15), will pervert justice for you? No, be certain that however miserable you are in this life, you will be eternally miserable in the hereafter if you live and die in your natural state.

(2.) Many who have an abundance in the world possess far more than they realize. You, unregenerate person, may have inherited an estate, a substantial portion, a large fortune left by your father. You have increased it, and the sun of prosperity shines upon you. You can say, like Esau, "I have plenty" (Genesis 33:9). But know that you have something far greater—an inheritance that you do not think of. You are a child of wrath, an heir of hell. That is an inheritance that will remain with you amidst all the changes of the world as long as you continue in an unregenerate state. When you leave your wealth to others, this will accompany you into the next world. It is no wonder that a well-fed ox meant for slaughter is not put to work like others (Job 21:30). "The wicked are kept for the day of calamity; they are led forth to the day of wrath" (Job 21:30). So, "rejoice, let your heart be glad, and walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes." Live above reproof and warnings from the Word of God. Show yourself to be a person of a fine spirit by casting off all fear of God, mocking seriousness, and living as you truly are—a child of wrath, an heir of hell. But know that for all these things, God will bring you to judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Be assured that your "sudden calamity will come, and destruction from the Almighty will visit you in an instant" (Isaiah 30:13). "For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:6). The bright blaze and loud noise they make quickly fade away. So shall your mirth be. Then the wrath that is silently sinking into your soul will hiss dreadfully.

USE II. Exhortation. Here, I will address three groups of people: 1. Those who are still in an unregenerate state. 2. Those who have been brought out of it. 3. All of you equally.

Motive 1. While you are in this state, you must stand or fall according to the law or covenant of works. If you truly understood this, it would pierce your hearts like a thousand arrows. It would be better to be a slave to the Turks, condemned to the galleys, or under Egyptian bondage than to be under the covenant of works now. All of mankind was brought under it in Adam, as we heard before, and you, in your unregenerate state, are still where Adam left you. It is true that another covenant has been introduced, but what does that matter to you if you have not been brought into it? You must necessarily be under one of the two covenants: either under the law or under grace. The fact that you are not under grace is clearly evidenced by the dominion of sin over you; therefore, you are under the law (Romans 6:14). Do not think that God has set aside the first covenant (Matthew 5:17-18; Galatians 3:10). No, He will "magnify the law and make it glorious." It is true that the covenant has been broken on your part, but it is absurd to think that your obligation has therefore been dissolved. No, you must stand or fall by it until you can present your discharge from God Himself, who is the party in that covenant. And this you cannot claim, for you are not in Christ.

Now, to give you a view of your misery in this respect, consider the following:

1. By being under this covenant, you are bound to death by virtue of the death threat in the covenant (Genesis 2:17). Since the condition has been broken, you fall under the penalty and are consequently under wrath.

2. Under this covenant, there is no salvation for you except on a condition that is impossible for you to fulfill. The justice of God must be satisfied for the wrongs you have already committed, and God has affirmed this truth with the blood of His own Son. Moreover, you must perfectly obey the law from now on. Thus says the law (Galatians 3:12), "The man who does these things shall live by them." So come, O sinner! See if you can make a ladder to reach the throne of God. Stretch out your arms and try to fly on the wings of the wind, grab hold of the clouds, and pierce through the visible heavens. Only then can you climb over or break through the jasper walls of the city above. These things you can do as well as you can reach heaven in your natural state under this covenant.

3. There is no forgiveness under this covenant. Forgiveness is a benefit of another covenant that you have nothing to do with (Acts 13:39). As for you, you are in the hands of a merciless creditor who will seize you by the throat, saying, "Pay what you owe," and cast you into prison until you have paid the last penny, unless you are wise enough to obtain a surety in time who is able to answer for all your debt and secure your release. Only Jesus Christ can do this. You remain under this covenant and plead for mercy, but on what grounds? There is not a single promise of mercy or pardon in that covenant. Do you plead for mercy's sake? Justice will step in and invoke God's covenant threat, which He cannot deny.

4. Under this covenant, there is no room for repentance that can truly help the sinner. As soon as you sin, the law imposes its curse on you, which is a heavy burden that you cannot throw off, even if your "head were waters and your eyes a fountain of tears, to weep day and night" for your sin. That is something the law cannot do because it is "weakened by the sinful nature" (Romans 7:3). You are like Esau, a profane person who has sold his birthright, and there is no room for repentance, no matter how earnestly you seek it with tears, while under the covenant.

5. Under this covenant, the will cannot be accepted in place of the deed. This covenant was not made for goodwill but for good works. Many are ruined by misunderstanding this point. They are not in Christ but remain under the first covenant, and yet they claim this privilege. It is as if a man were to prepare a feast for his own family, and when they sit down at the table, a servant who has run away from another master presumptuously comes forward and sits among them. Wouldn't the master of the feast rebuke such a stranger, saying, "Friend, how did you get in here?" and command him to leave immediately? Although a master may accept the goodwill of his own child in place of a deed, can a hired servant expect that privilege?

6. While under that covenant, you have nothing to do with Christ. According to God's law, a woman cannot be married to two husbands at the same time; either death or divorce must dissolve the first marriage before she can marry another. Likewise, we must first be dead to the law before we can be married to Christ (Romans 7:4). The law is the first husband, and Jesus Christ, who raises the dead, marries the widow who was broken-hearted and slain by the first husband. But as long as the soul remains in the house with the first husband, it cannot claim a marital relationship with Christ or the benefits of a marriage covenant that has not yet been entered into (Galatians 5:4). Peace, pardon, and similar benefits are all the benefits of the covenant of grace. Do not think that you can stand apart from Christ and the marriage covenant with Him and yet claim these benefits, just as one man's wife cannot claim the benefits of a marriage contract made with another man and his wife.

7. Look at the exclusion order issued in the court of Heaven against all those under the covenant of works (Galatians 4:30). The son of the bondwoman will not be an heir (compare verse 24). Those who are heirs of wrath cannot be heirs of glory. Whom the first covenant has the power to exclude from heaven, the second covenant cannot admit.

Objection: Then it is impossible for us to be saved. Answer: It is indeed impossible while you remain in that state. However, if you desire to be freed from that dreadful condition, hasten to escape from it. Just as a murderer who lives within the kingdom is subject to the reach of the law, but if he manages to escape and cross the sea into another prince's domain, our laws cannot apprehend him there. This is what we urge you to do: flee out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, out of the dominion of the law into the dominion of grace. Then the curses of the law or covenant of works will never be able to reach you.

Motive 2: O you children of wrath, your state is wretched because you have lost God, and that is an indescribable loss. You are without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). Whatever you may possess, you cannot claim God as yours. If we look to the earth, perhaps you can say that land, house, or herd of cattle is yours. But let us look upward to heaven: is that God, that grace, that glory yours? Truly, you have no part or share in this matter. When Nebuchadnezzar boasted of cities and kingdoms, how grandly did he speak! "Great Babylon, which I have built... my power... my majesty." But when it came to speaking of God, he told a different story, saying, "Your God" (Daniel 2:47; 4:30). Alas, sinner! Whatever you possess, God has departed from you. Oh, the misery of a godless soul! Have you lost God? Then,

1. The essence and substance of all you have in the world is gone. The godless person, no matter what they possess, is ultimately one who possesses nothing (Matthew 25:29). I challenge the unregenerate person to find true soul satisfaction, no matter their possessions, since God is not their God. Throughout their days, they eat in darkness, and there is always a hidden dissatisfaction that haunts their heart, like a ghost. The soul longs for something, though it may not even know what it is, and this will continue until the soul returns to God, the source of true satisfaction.

2. You cannot accomplish anything worthwhile for yourself because God has departed, and His soul has separated from you (Jeremiah 6:8), like a dislocated leg that is useless, as the word used there signifies. Losing God means losing the source of goodness, grace, and the saving influence of His Spirit. What can you do then? What fruit can you bear, apart from being a branch severed from the vine (John 15:5)? You have become unprofitable (Romans 3:12), like a filthy, rotten thing fit only for the dung heap.

3. Death has entered your windows, yes, and settled on your face because God, in whose favor is life (Psalm 30:5), has departed from you, and thus the life of your soul has departed. How repulsive is a body when the soul is gone! Your soul is even more repulsive in this state. You are dead while you live. Do not deny it, for your speech is silenced, your eyes closed, and all spiritual movement within you has ceased. Your true friends, who see your condition, lament because you have entered the land of silence.

4. Among all the creatures of God, you have no steadfast friend because now that you have lost favor with the Master, the whole household is against you. Conscience is your enemy; the Word never speaks well of you; God's people despise you when they see what you truly are (Psalm 15:4). The beasts and stones of the field unite against you (Job 5:23; Hosea 2:18). Your food, drink, and clothes are reluctant to serve the wretch who has lost God and dishonors them. The earth groans under you, and "the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs" because of you and others like you (Romans 8:22). Heaven wants nothing to do with you, for "nothing impure will ever enter it" (Revelation 21:27). Only "Sheol from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming" (Isaiah 14:9).

5. Your hell has already begun. What constitutes hell other than exclusion from the presence of God? "Depart from me, you cursed." You are already separated from God, bearing His curse. That which is now your choice will eventually become your punishment if you do not turn. Just as a state of grace is glory in its infancy, a state without grace is hell in its infancy, which, if left unchanged, will ultimately reach its full manifestation.

Motive 3: Consider the terrifying instances of God's wrath and let them serve as a wake-up call to flee from this state. Consider, firstly, how it has befallen mankind. Even in this world, many have become examples of divine vengeance so that others may fear. Wrath has swept away multitudes, who have fallen victim to the anger of God. Consider how the Lord "did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly" (2 Peter 2:5-6). Yet, it is even more dreadful to think of the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth among those who, in hell, lift up their eyes but cannot find a drop of water to cool their tongues. Believe these things and be warned by them, lest destruction come upon you as a warning to others.

Secondly, consider how wrath fell upon the fallen angels, whose case is utterly hopeless. They were the first to dare to transgress the Divine law, and God made them monuments of His wrath against sin. They once "left their own habitation" and were never permitted to reenter (Jude verse 6). They are "reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day."

Thirdly, behold how an angry God dealt with His own Son, who stood in the place of elect sinners (Romans 8:32). God did not spare His Son. If anyone could have obtained sparing mercy, it would surely have been His own Son. The Father's delight became a man of sorrows; the very wisdom of God was gripped by amazement and almost overwhelmed by horror. The weight of this wrath caused Him to sweat drops of blood. By the intensity of this fire, His heart became like wax melting within His bowels. Behold here, how severe God is against sin! The sun was struck blind by this terrible sight, rocks were split, graves opened, and death, in its astonishment, released its prisoners. What are a flood, a shower of fire and brimstone on the people of Sodom, the terrifying noise of a dissolving world, and the entire fabric of heaven and earth disintegrating simultaneously, with angels cast down from heaven into the bottomless pit? What are all these in comparison to God, in human nature, suffering, groaning, and dying on a cross? Infinite holiness accomplished this to reveal the true nature of sin, which is infinitely abhorrent. And will men continue to live in comfort while exposed to this wrath?

Motive 4: Consider the nature of the God with whom you have to deal and to whom you are liable to wrath. He is the God of infinite knowledge and wisdom, so none of your sins, no matter how hidden, can escape His notice. He unfailingly discovers all means by which wrath can be executed to satisfy justice. He possesses infinite power and can do whatever He desires against the sinner. Imagine the weight of the wrathful blows inflicted by an omnipotent hand! Infinite power can make the sinner a captive, even when they are fiercely opposed to Heaven. It can gather the scattered dust from the grave, reassemble the body, reunite soul and body, summon them before the judgment seat, hurl them into the pit, and hold them up with one hand through eternity while lashing them with the other. He is infinitely just and therefore must punish; it would be against His nature to let the sinner escape wrath. Hence, the execution of this wrath is pleasing to Him. Although the Lord takes no pleasure in the death of a sinner as it means the destruction of His own creation, He delights in it as the execution of justice. "He shall rain coals, fire, and brimstone on the wicked," as it is written, "For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness" (Psalm 11:6-7). "I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged" (Ezekiel 5:13). "I also will laugh at your calamity" (Proverbs 1:26). Lastly, He lives forever to pursue the quarrel. Let us therefore conclude that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Therefore, be awakened, O young sinner! Be awakened, O old sinner, who are still in the state in which you were born! Your sense of security is not approved by God; it is the slumber of death. Rise from it before the pit closes its mouth upon you. It is true that you may try to protect yourself with an iron breastplate, make your brow like brass, and your heart as hard as a diamond. But God will shatter that brazen brow and cause that adamantine heart to eventually crumble into a thousand pieces. You may, if you wish, attempt to push these thoughts out of your mind so that you can sleep in imagined safety, even though you are in a state of wrath. You may run away with the arrows piercing your conscience, engaging in work to distract yourself from them, or seeking solace in sleep or socializing to laugh them away. But convictions that are stifled in this way will have a terrifying resurrection, and unless you heed the warning in time, the arrows of wrath will embed themselves so deeply in your soul that you will never be able to remove them throughout all eternity.

But if anyone desires to flee from the impending wrath and, for that purpose, seeks to know what course to take, I offer them these few pieces of advice and implore and beseech them, as they value their own souls, to embrace them.

1. Retreat to a private place and there meditate on your misery. Believe it and fix your thoughts upon it. Let each person ask themselves, how can I live in this state? How can I die in it? How can I rise again and stand before God's judgment seat in this state?

2. Seriously consider the sinfulness of your nature, heart, and life. A true awareness of wrath flows from a deep sense of sin. Those who see themselves as exceedingly sinful will have no difficulty recognizing themselves as heirs of wrath.

3. Strive to justify God in this matter. Quarrelling with God about it and raging like a wild bull in a net will only further entangle you in it. Humiliation of the soul before the Lord is necessary for escape. God will not sell deliverance but freely grants it to those who see themselves as entirely unworthy of His favor.

4. Direct your gaze, O prisoners of hope, toward the Lord Jesus Christ and embrace Him as He offers Himself in the Gospel. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). God is a consuming fire, and you are children of wrath. Unless the Mediator intercedes between you and God, you are eternally lost. If you wish to be safe, seek shelter under His shadow. Not a drop of that wrath can fall there, for He "delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Accept Him in the covenant in which He offers Himself to you, and the fire of wrath that burns against you will be quenched by His blood. In the white robe of His righteousness, you will find safety, for no storm of wrath can penetrate it.

I shall offer a few words to the saints. (1.) "Remember—at that time," namely, when you were in your natural state, "you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Recall the state you were in before and reflect upon its misery. I present five reminders to the entire congregation of saints, who are no longer children of wrath but "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ," even though they are still in their spiritual infancy.

1. Remember that when the Lord first took you by the hand, you were no better off than others. Oh, what moved Him to choose you when He passed by your neighbors? He found you as children of wrath, just like everyone else, but He did not leave you in that state. He entered the common prison where you were shackled, just like others. From among the multitude of condemned criminals, He selected you, commanded that your chains be removed, placed a pardon in your hand, and brought you into the glorious freedom of God's children, while leaving others in the devil's shackles.

2. Remember that there was nothing in you to attract His love on the day He appeared to deliver you. You were children of wrath, just like others, fit for hell and entirely unfit for heaven. Yet the King brought you into His palace; the King's Son showed affection to you, a condemned criminal, and betrothed you to Himself on a day when you might have been led forth to execution. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight" (Matthew 11:26).

3. Remember that in that day, you were more deserving of loathing than of love. Marvel that when He saw you in your helpless condition, He did not turn away in disgust and pass you by. Marvel that such a time could ever be a time of love (Ezekiel 16:8).

4. Remember that you are adorned with borrowed feathers. It is His beauty that is upon you (verse 14). He removed your prison garments and clothed you in robes of righteousness, garments of salvation. You are dressed like lilies, which do not toil or spin. He removed the chains from your arms, the noose from around your neck, and dressed you in such a manner that you would be fitting for the court of heaven, even to partake of the King's table.

5. Remember your shortcomings on this day, akin to Pharaoh's cupbearer who forgot Joseph. Reflect on how you have forgotten and treated unkindly the One who remembered you in your lowly state. Is this how you show kindness to your friend? On the day of your deliverance, did you ever think you would repay Him in this manner, your Lord?

(2.) Have compassion for the children of wrath, for the world that remains in wickedness. Can you remain indifferent towards them when you were once in the same condition? You have indeed been saved, but your companions are still in danger of perishing. Will you not provide them with all possible help for their deliverance? What they are, you once were. Let this draw pity from you and motivate you to use every means for their recovery. See Titus 3:1-3.

(3.) Marvel at that unparalleled love that brought you out of the state of wrath. Christ's love was active love; He rescued your soul from the pit of corruption! It was no easy task to redeem the life of a condemned sinner, but He gave His life for yours. He shed His precious blood to extinguish the flames of wrath that would have otherwise consumed you. People get the best view of the stars from the depths of a deep pit. From this pit of misery into which you were cast by the fall of the first Adam, you can have the best view of the Sun of Righteousness in all His glory. He is the second Adam who lifted you out of the horrible pit and the miry clay. How vast was that love that covered a multitude of sins! Consider its length, reaching from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 103:17). Its depth, descending to deliver you from the lowest hell (Psalm 86:13). Its height, raising you up to sit in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

(4.) Be humble, lower your pride, and walk with humility all your days. Do not boast about your gifts, graces, privileges, or accomplishments. Remember that you were once children of wrath, just like everyone else. The peacock walks slowly, lowering its starry feathers, while keeping its focus on its black feet. "Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug" (Isaiah 51:1), and walk humbly as befits those indebted to free grace.

(5.) Be completely devoted to your Lord. Every wife is obligated to be obedient to her husband, but there is a double obligation upon one who has been rescued from a prison or a dung heap. If your Lord has delivered you from wrath, then you ought to be wholly His—acting for Him, enduring for Him, and doing whatever He calls you to do. The saints have no reason to complain about their circumstances in the world, whatever they may be. They can bear the cross for Him who bore the curse for them. They can bear the wrath of men for His sake, who has freed them from the wrath of God. They can willingly face the fire for Him who extinguished the fires of hell for them. Your soul and body, along with everything you had in the world, were once under wrath. He has removed that wrath, so should not all these be at His service? That your soul is not overwhelmed with the wrath of God is solely due to Jesus Christ. Should it not then be a temple for His Spirit? That your heart is not filled with horror and despair is only because of Him. To whom else should it be devoted but to Him alone? That your eyes are not blinded by the smoke of the pit, your hands not shackled by chains of darkness, your tongue not scorched in the fires of hell, and your feet not standing in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone—all this is solely thanks to Jesus Christ! Should not these eyes be used for Him, these hands act for Him, this tongue speak for Him, and these feet swiftly carry out His errands? To the one who believes that they were once children of wrath, just like everyone else, but have now been delivered by the blessed Jesus, nothing will seem too much to do or suffer for their Deliverer when called to it.

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