Wesley Corpus

Taylor understands nothing else but the mere parts and powers of a man; and by “being born of the flesh, the being ‘born of a woman,’ with the constitution and natural powers of a man.” (Jennings's Vindication, p. 78, &c.) Now, let us suppose that human nature is not at all corrupted; and let us try what sense we can make of other scriptures where the word flesh is used in opposition to Spirit, as it is here: “There is no condemnation to them who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit;” (Rom. viii. 1;) that is, not after the pure, uncorrupted constitution and powers of man. Again : “They that are in the flesh cannot please God,” (verse&;) that is, they that have the parts and powers of a man. Again: “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die;” that is, if ye live suitably to the constitution and powers of your nature. Once more: How shall we understand, “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;” (Gal. v.17;) if flesh means nothing but the pure and uncorrupted powers of human nature? “But this text (John iii. 3) is,” according to Dr. Taylor, “so far from implying any corruption of our nature, that, ‘on the contrary, it supposes we have a nature susceptible of the best habits, and capable of being born of the Spirit.’” (Page 145.) And who ever denied it? Who ever supposed that such a corruption of nature, as for the present disables us for spiritual good, renders us incapable of being “born of the Spirit?” “But if natural generation is the means of conveying a sinful nature from our first parents to their posterity, then must itself be a sinful and unlawful thing.” I deny the consequence. You may transmit to your children a nature tainted with sin, and yet commit no sin in so doing. “Again: We produce one another only as the oak pro duces the acorn. The proper production of a child is from God. But if God produces a foetus which has sinful dispo sitions, he produces those dispositions.” (Page 146.) Your argument proves too much. It would prove God to be the author of all actual as well as original sin.