t through it,
to mar and destroy. Man by nature is degraded, because he is chargeable
with original and actual sin, and because he wills not to obey God. Of
every characteristic of a creature in covenant with him, he is
destitute. Between the tendencies of his nature, and the demands of the
Divine law, there is no correspondence. "The carnal mind is enmity
against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can
be."[460] But in the day of effectual calling, a complete change is
produced upon the moral tendencies of the soul. Before that, there was
applicable to it the description, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might
have life."[461] Afterwards it uses the language, "It is good for me to
draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may
declare all thy works."[462] Men in sin have addressed to them the
mandate, "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see."[463] Men
renewed, do each say, "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he
will speak peace unto his people;"[464] "I will look unto the Lord, I
will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."[465] To the
wicked is addressed the reproof, "O ye sons of men, how long will ye
turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after
leasing?"[466] To the righteous belongs the description, "that join
themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the
Lord."[467] Of unbelievers, it is declared, "Even their mind and
conscience is defiled."[468] But of those who live by faith, it is said,
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God?"[469] Of those who, though professedly
the people of God, were but hypocrites, the record is given, "But my
people would not hearken to my voice: and Israel would none of me."[470]
But concerning those who had submitted to him, an apostle gave the
testimony, "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his
good pleasure."[471] Thus, those who are born again, are rendered fit to
lay hold upon the proposals of God's goodness and mercy through Christ.
Such are a people made willing in a day of power. Corruption continues
within them, but it is subdued. They delight in the law of God after the
inward man. To the requirement of a covenant like that of works, their
resolutions and endeavours are alike inadequate. Under the disp