Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

and perfection in which he was created. And that his fall took place in the
head and root of human nature, before any of the generations of men were
propagated on the earth, is evident, not only from the declaration of God
himself in his word, but also from this strong commanding fact, that there
never was yet discovered a nation or tribe of holy or righteous men in any
part of the world; nor is there a record that any such people was ever
known. This is a truly surprising circumstance, and a most absolute proof
that not only all mankind are now fallen and sinful, but have ever been in
the same state: and this fall must have taken place previously to the
propagation of mankind; for, had it not taken place in our first parents
before they began to propagate and people the earth, the heads of families
and their successors who might have been born previously to such fall,
could not have partaken of the contagion; and consequently must have
been the progenitors of nations doing righteousness, loving God with all
their heart, soul, mind, and strength; and their neighbour as themselves.
But no such nation exists; no such nation ever did exist. Thus we find that
universal experience and knowledge agree with and confirm the account
given in the book of Genesis of the fall of man. The root being corrupted,
the fruit also must be corrupt; the fountain being poisoned, the streams
must be impure. All men coming into the world in the way of natural
generation must be precisely the same with him from whom they derive
their being. The body, soul, and spirit of all the descendants of Adam
must partake of his moral imperfections; for it is an inflexible and
invariable law in nature that "like shall produce its like." We, therefore,
seeing this total corruption of human nature, no longer hope to gather
grapes off thorns or figs off thistles.
Experience not only confirms the great but tremendous truth, that all
mankind are fallen from the image of God, but it shows us that man has
naturally a propensity to do evil, and none to do good; yea, to do evil,
when it is most demonstrably to his own hurt; that the great principles of
self-love and self-interest weigh nothing against the sinful propensities
of his mind; that he is continually and confessedly running to his own
ruin; and has of himself no power or influence by which he can correct,
restrain, or destroy the viciousness of his own nature; in short, that he