“They adopt a _new theory of regeneration_. It has been said by some that regeneration consists _in removing this sinful bias_, which is anterior to actual volition; this they deny. But whether we call this propensity _sinful_ or not, all orthodox divines who have admitted its existence have, I believe, united in the opinion that regeneration _does_ consist in removing it,” [which the New Haven divines denying, they are excluded from the “orthodox” ranks, in the view of Dr. N.] He continues thus: “No sinner ever did or ever will make a holy choice prior to an _inclination_, _bias_ or _tendency_ to holiness. “On the whole their [_i.e._, the New Haven divines] views of depravity, of regeneration and of the mode of preaching to sinners can not fail, I think, of doing very great mischief. This exhibition [_i.e._, that regeneration consists in _man’s choice_] overlooks the most alarming feature of human depravity and _the very essence of experimental religion_. It is directly calculated to prevent sinners from coming under conviction of sin....” “The progress of conviction ordinarily is as follows: _Trouble and alarm_ first, on account of _outward_ sins; secondly, on account of hardness of heart, deadness and insensibility to divine things,—_tendency_, _bias_, _proneness_ or _propensity to sin_, both inferred and felt; and this the convicted sinner always regards, not merely as calamitous, but as _awfully criminal_ in the sight of God. And the sinner utterly despairs of salvation _without a change in this propensity to sin_. And while he feels this propensity to be thus criminal, he is fully aware that if God, by a sovereign act of his grace, does not interpose to remove or change it, he shall never give his heart to God, _nor make one holy choice_.” The great point taught by Dr. Nettleton and his associates was, that man has a depraved nature consisting in a bias or propensity to sin, consequent on Adam’s sin, for which we are “awfully criminal in the sight of God,” and which man himself will never remedy; that regeneration consists in the change of this bias by God, and that until God does make this change man will “never give his heart to God nor make one holy choice.” And yet his sermons, as the writer heard them month after month, abounded in pungent addresses to sinners, commanding them in God’s name to “give their hearts to God,” and maintaining that their inability to do so was owing to their own fault and _unwillingness_ to do so.