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A Doctrinal Guide for the Young Christian
A Doctrinal Guide for the Young Christian Author:William Mitchell General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1833 Original Publisher: J. P. Haven Subjects: Theology, Doctrinal Religious education Religion / Christian Education / General Religion / Education Religion / Christian Theology / General Religion / Christian Theology / Systematic Religion / Theology Notes: Th... more »is is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER I. ON HUMAN DEPRAVITY. The natural character of man, in every age and under all circumstances, is essentially the same. It may exhibit various degrees and shades of depravity, but never presents any diversity in its substantial properties. The distinction of good and bad, therefore, which prevails among men, in reference to morals, is founded upon external appearances, and the unequal exercise of the natural affections. In the Scriptures no essential difference of moral character is allowed, except that which is created by " the renewing of the Holy Ghost." God declares that those only who have been born of the Spirit are righteous. All who remain in their natural state He has denominated the wicked. The moral character of this latter class is now to be ascertained. It is admitted that they are depraved, but in what sense and degree ? In order to the solution of this inquiry, it has generally been deemed necessary to consider three things: the origin, nature, and extent of depravity. The first of these topics is inseparably connected with the apostacy. of our first parents, and has been the uccasiuu of much unprofitable speculation. Neither the convert, nor the sinner inquiring what he must do to be saved, is in a state of mind to be benefited by a prolonged discussion of this branch of our subject. And it is worthy of remark that the Scriptur...« less