Romans 8:7

By the carnal mind are meant the rational powers corrupted by our sensitive appetite, or. mind enslaved by sensual lust. Such. temper of mind is opposite to, yea, enmity against God and goodness.

Learn hence, 1. That carnal persons are not better than enemies unto God: There is. perfect contrariety in their affections, inclinations, and actions, to the will of God. They are called haters of God: Not that they hate him as. Creator, but as. law giver; they hate his holiness, not his goodness.

Learn, 2. That whilst men remain carnally-minded, there is no breaking off this enmity between God and them; the carnal mind, whilst such, is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be: Not that this impotency and inability will excuse from guilt, because it is not. created, but. self-contracted impotency; not. natural, but. moral impotency; which arises from. perverse disposition of will, is joined with. delight in sin, and. strong aversion from the holy commands of God.

Man must thank himself, and not God for his lame hand: That he cannot be subject to the law of God, is occasioned by his natural enmity and contracted hardness of heart against God.