Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: SERMON III. ON THE STATE OF MAN BY NATURE. Ephesians ii. 3. were by nature the children of wrath, even as othen. Without a knowledge of ourselves, we cau never properly know God. The Scriptures plainly tell us what man was in his first state, as he came pure from the hands of his Maker, and what he is in his present fallen state, as a creature polluted with sin and plunged in sorrow. Yet few are truly acquainted with their sad condition, and concerned to be recovered and brought back to God. Most people shew a great degree of aversion to think of their state. They travel to see what is curious in the world, but are strangers at home, and know nothing of their own hearts. They are infected with a deadldisease, a disease in the soul, and yet think they are whole and need not a physician. Persons of this character, in general, love hose teachers and books best, that flatter their pride, and keep up the good opinion they entertain of themselves. But the longer any one continues under this delusion, the greater is his danger. It is said by the Apostle Paul,
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Unless this humbling truth be acknowledged and felt, the gospel message will not be heartily welcomed, and estimated according to its true value. The apostle owns in the words of my text, that he and his fellow Christians were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. From these words, I shall lay down two propositions: First, that mankind are universally depraved and deeply polluted; Secondly, that by reason of sin all are exposed to the dreadful wrath of an offended God. I. Mankind are universally and deeply depraved. This point may be proved both by reason and by scripture. The image of God, stamped upon the soul, Which consisted in righteou…