rom truth, it being itself the greatest
practical lie in nature, as it sets up that which is comparatively
nothing above universal existence. Self-love is the source of all
profaneness and impiety in the world, and of all pride and
ambition among men, which is nothing but selfishness, acted out in
this particular way. This is the foundation of all covetousness
and sensuality, as it blinds people's eyes, contracts their
hearts, and sinks them down, so that they look upon earthly
enjoyments as the greatest good. This is the source of all
falsehood, injustice, and oppression, as it excites mankind by
undue methods to invade the property of others. Self-love produces
all the violent passions--envy, wrath, clamor, and evil speaking;
and every thing contrary to the divine law is briefly comprehended
in this fruitful source of all iniquity--self-love.

"3. That there are no promises of regenerating grace made to the
doings of the unregenerate. For, as far as men act from self-love,
they act from a bad end; for those who have no true love to God,
really do no duty when they attend on the externals of religion.
And as the unregenerate act from a selfish principle, they do
nothing which is commanded; their impenitent doings are wholly
opposed to repentance and conversion, therefore not implied in the
command to repent, &c.: so far from this, they are altogether
disobedient to the command. Hence it appears that there are no
promises of salvation to the doings of the unregenerate.

"4. That the impotency of sinners, with respect to believing in
Christ, is not natural, but moral; for it is a plain dictate of
common sense, that natural impossibility excludes all blame. But
an unwilling mind is universally considered as a crime, and not as
an excuse, and is the very thing wherein our wickedness consists.
That the impotence of the sinner is owing to a disaffection of
heart, is evident from the promises of the gospel. When any object
of good is proposed and promised to us upon asking, it clearly
evinces that there can be no impotence in us, with respect to
obtaining it, besides the disapprobation of the will; and that
inability which consists in disinclination, never renders any
thing improperly the subject of precept or command.

"5. That, in order to faith in Christ, a sinner must approve, i