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2 lines
1.5 KiB
HTML
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<p>We have here two very sad considerations:—1. That corruption is woven into our nature. Sin is <i>foolishness</i>; it is contrary both to our right reason and to our true interest. It <i>is in the heart</i>; there is an inward inclination to sin, to speak and act foolishly. It <i>is in the heart of children</i>; they bring it into the world with them; it is what they were shapen and conceived in. It is not only <i>found</i> there, but it is <i>bound</i> there; it is annexed to the heart (so some); vicious dispositions cleave closely to the soul, are bound to it as the cion to the stock into which it is grafted, which quite alters the property. There is a knot tied between the soul and sin, a true lover’s knot; they two became one flesh. It is true of ourselves, it is true of our children, whom we have begotten in our own likeness. <i>O God! thou knowest</i> this <i>foolishness</i>. 2. That correction is necessary to the cure of it. It will not be got out by fair means and gentle methods; there must be strictness and severity, and that which will cause grief. Children need to be corrected, and kept under discipline, by their parents; and we all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father (<a class="bibleref" title="Heb.12.6,Heb.12.7" href="/passage/?search=Heb.12.6,Heb.12.7"><span class="bibleref" title="Heb.12.6">Heb. 12:6</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Heb.12.7">7</span></a>), and under the correction we must stroke down folly and kiss the rod.</p>
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