The signification of nature in this passage must be _that which is according to ordinary experience_. That is, _according to ordinary experience_ mankind “are children of wrath,” _i.e._, subject to the wrathful penalties of disobedience to the laws of God. But by the influences brought by Christ, “a new life” is secured, which is a life of intelligent and _voluntary_ obedience to law, an obedience which the natural penalties of law could not secure, but which the _knowledge_ and _love_ of God, as manifested by Christ, do secure. One other text merits attention: 1 Corinthians, chapter ii., 14. “But the _natural_ man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” In this passage the “_natural_ man” must signify “man as he is found in our ordinary experience.” The idea evidently intended, is that mankind, as a race, do not understand or obey the truth as it is taught by Christ and the Spirit of God. The fact is affirmed that without Christ and the divine Spirit to aid, man as a race does not come to such knowledge of and obedience to the laws of God as secures eternal life. In reference to most other texts quoted to prove a depraved _nature_, it will be found that they simply affirm depraved _action_. Men, in the Bible, are described as wrong‐_doers_ by their own wrong _willing or choice_ and not by a depraved _nature_. Sometimes they are said to choose wrong and sometimes right, and their wrong willing no more proves a depraved nature than the right willing proves a holy nature. CHAPTER XXXIV. A RELIABLE REVELATION FROM THE CREATOR IMPOSSIBLE IF IT CONTAINS THE AUGUSTINIAN THEORY. The object aimed at in this chapter demands attention to the following preliminaries. Before we can gain a reliable revelation from our Creator, we are obliged to establish the truth that there is such a Creator. Our only mode of doing this is by the method already set forth in chapter 10, and for which we are dependent on our reason or common sense. Having, by the aid of reason, arrived at a knowledge of the existence and character of the Creator, we next inquire as to the mode by which we can receive direct revelations from him. Here we find that we are again wholly dependent on reason or common sense. The principle on which we alone rely for revelations from God is this: A CHANGE IN THE ESTABLISHED ORDER OF NATURE SURPASSING HUMAN POWER, IS EVIDENCE OF A SUPERNATURAL AGENCY THAT IS SANCTIONED BY THE AUTHOR OF THE LAWS OF NATURE. The conviction of the wisdom and power of the Author of this vast and wonderful frame around us is such that, whatever changes may occur in its established order, must be felt to be by his permission.