2. To show the insufficiency of nature for a work like conversion, so
spiritual fervor; we never see this happen with the refined and sensual.
2. To show the insufficiency of nature for a work like conversion, so that people do not worship their own intelligence and power.
Changing from acts of sin to moral duties can be accomplished through natural strength and the power of natural conscience; for the very same motives that led to sin, such as education, interest, and profit, may, under different circumstances, lead people to outward morality. But a change to the grace of the opposite is supernatural.
Two things are certain in nature: (1.) Natural inclinations never change, except by some superior power. A lodestone will not stop attracting iron as long as it has that quality. The wolf can never love the lamb, nor the lamb the wolf; everything must act in accordance with its nature; water can only moisten, fire can only burn; similarly, man's corrupt nature, being possessed with an invincible hostility and enmity towards God, will never allow him to comply with God.
And a sinner's inclination to sin, being strengthened by the frequency of sinful acts, is just as powerful and natural to him as any qualities are to natural agents; and being stronger than any sympathies in the world, cannot be turned into a contrary channel by a person's own power or the power of any other nature equal to it.
(2.) Nothing can act beyond its own principle and nature. Nothing in the world can elevate itself to a higher rank of being than the one in which nature has placed it. A spark cannot make itself a star, even if it reaches a little towards the heavens. A plant cannot give itself senses, nor can an animal adorn itself with reason, nor can a human make themselves an angel. Thorns cannot produce grapes, nor can thistles produce figs because such fruits are above the nature of those plants. Likewise, our corrupt nature cannot produce grace, which is a fruit beyond it. Effectus non excedit virtutem suae causae, grace is more excellent than nature, and therefore cannot be the fruit of nature. It is Christ's conclusion, 'How can you, being evil, speak good things?' Mat. 12:33, 34. Not even the buds and blossoms of words,