It was the common opinion of the Philosophers, that there were the seedes of all vertu•• graft in the minde of man by nature: which seedes growing to ripenes were able to bring forth right vertuous actions. But the contrarie is euident, that this naturall seede is imper∣fect, and of it selfe vtterly vnable to bring forth any such fruit.
1. The Apostle saith, that he which soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reape corruptio•• but he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting: it is then the seede o•• the spirit, that sanctifieth to life euerlasting: he that is lead onely by the light of nature, so••∣eth to the flesh, and the fruit thereof is corruptible: S. Iohn also saith, he that is borne of G•••• sinneth not, for his seede remaineth in him, 1. Ioh. 3.9. he then that is onely borne of nat••••e hath not this seede remaining in him, and therefore can not chuse but sinne.
2. If the morall law, without the grace of Christ, were of no efficacie to bring a man to righteousnes, but rather serued to reueale sinne, as the Apostle saith, Rom. 4.13. Th•• law causeth wrath: and, Rom. 7.11. Sinne tooke occasion by the commandement, and dece•••••• me, and thereby slew me: much lesse is the law of nature auaileable, to direct one vnto yet ••••∣ous acts: but rather, it is an occasion to the wicked, that abuse it, of further stumbling: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as a light suddenly flashing vpon ones eyes walking in darknes, doth dazle them the mo•••• and causeth him to stumble.
3. This further appeareth how vnsufficient this naturall light is, because in many tho∣rough custome and continuance in sinne, their very conscience is corrupt, that they are n•••• touched with any remorse for euill: but as the Prophet saith, Ier. 3.3. Thou hadst a who•••• forehead, thou wouldest not be ashamed: so they grew to be impudent, and shameles in their euill doing: and as their conscience was feared as with an hoat yron, so their iudgement ••••∣blinded, taking good for euill, and euill for good, Isa. 5.20.
4. If it be obiected, that the Gentiles did many commendable things: there are found ••∣mong them many worthie examples of iustice, temperance, fortitude, yet these were s•••••• from true vertues: for both these semblable vertues were obscured with many other vi•••• which raigned in them, and they aimed at doing such things at a wrong ende: they referr•••• all this their endeauour either to their owne profit, or els to get praise thereby: so that th•••• did ouercome other inferiour lusts & desires, with the predominant humour of couetous•• and ambition: like as in a bodie full of diseases and infirmities, there may be one, which not exceed the rest, & draw the other vnto it: which bodie notwithstanding is farre from per•••••• health, though the smaller infirmities are not felt, where a greater disease hath takē possessi••••.
5. Now if our nature be vnsufficient to produce any good morall worke, much lesses it able to direct a man vnto godly liuing: for the truth onely maketh one free, Ioh. 8.32. vnto such godly works, we had neede to haue the grace of God to direct vs: Psal. 4.6. ma•• say, who will shew vs any good, but Lord lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs.