We deny (A)duty faith and duty repentance – these terms signifying that it is every man’s duty spiritually and savingly to repent and believe. We deny also that (B)there is any capability in man by nature to any spiritual good whatever. So that we reject the doctrine that men in a state of nature should be exhorted to believe in or turn to God.
A: Ge 6:5, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Ge 8:21, And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Mt 15:19, For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Jer 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Joh 6:44, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Joh 6:65, And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
B: Joh 12:39-40, Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, he hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.. Ro 8:7-8, Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 1Co 4:7, For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Eph 2:8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
