Wesley Corpus

17.) This is a plain proof of the corruption of nature; forasmuch as those that have not actually sinned have their share of these sor rows; yea, and draw their first breath weeping. There are also graves of the smallest as well as the largest size; and there are never wanting some in the world, who, like Rachel, are ‘weeping for their children, because they are not.’ “(2.) How early does this corruption of nature appear ! It is soon discerned which way the bias of the heart lies. Do not the children of fallen Adam, before they can go alone, follow their father’s footsteps? What pride, ambition, curiosity, vanity, wilfulness, and averseness to good, appear in them ! And when they creep out of infancy, there is a necessity of using ‘the rod of correction, to drive away the foolishness that is bound in their heart.” “(3.) Take a view of the out-breakings of sin in the world. ‘The wickedness of man is yet great in the earth. Behold the bitter fruits of corrupt nature ! ‘By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out,’ (like the breaking forth of waters,) “and blood toucheth blood. The world is filled with all manner of filthi ness, wickedness, and impiety. And whence is this deluge of sin on the earth, but from the breaking up of the fountains of the great deep, “the heart of man,’ out of which ‘proceed adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wicked ness?’ Ye may, it may be, thank God, that ye are not in these respects ‘like other men: And you have reason; for the corruption of nature is the very same in you as in them. “(4.) Cast your eye upon those terrible convulsions the world is thrown into by the wickedness of men. Lions prey not on lions, nor wolves on wolves; but men bite and devour one another. Upon how slight occasions will men sheathe their swords in one another's bowels | Since Cain shed Abel's blood, the world has been turned into a slaughter-house. And the chase has been continued, ever since Nimrod began his hunting; as on the earth, so in the seas, the greater still devouring the lesser.