By Nature Man is In A Dangerous Condition

    If one workman should tell you that “your house must be pulled down, that the beams are all rotten, and new materials must be prepared;” and another should say, “No; the house will stand firm enough with a little repair, such a beam is good, such a spar may continue, and a trifling cost will serve the turn:” you would probably listen to him who is for putting you to the least expense and trouble.

An honest and faithful minister of Christ comes and tells sinners from the Scriptures that man is, by nature, in a dangerous condition; that his house is tumbling about his ears; that his natural state is corrupt and rotten; that nothing of the original frame will serve; that old things must be done away, and all things become new. 

Next, in steps an Arminian and blows up the sinner’s pride, by telling him that he is neither so weak, nor so wicked, as the other represents him; that a little patching and whitewashing will set all to rights, without taking any part of the building down.  “If thou wilt,” says he, “thou mayest repent, believe, be good , and endure to the end: or, at least, by exerting thy natural abilities, thou wilt oblige God to lend a helping hand to thy endeavours, and superadd what thou hast not.” This is the workman that will please proud men best.

-Gurnall

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