Thomas Reade

The corruption of the human race after the Fall was radical and universal: “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5). It would seem surprising that anyone should read this passage in the Bible and yet deny the doctrine of human depravity, did we not know the natural blindness of the understanding by reason of sin.

A painful truth is, however, plainly stated: the heart of man is evil. And that this solemn truth may be placed in the strongest light, it is further added that not only the thoughts, but the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart are evil. By this declaration, we learn how the Fall has corrupted all the secret workings of the human mind, since the very outline or rude sketch of the thoughts is polluted.

If the fountain be thus poisoned, can we wonder at those deadly streams that issue from it? All who know themselves through the teaching of the divine Spirit can testify to the truth of this Scripture from their own experience. “The heart knoweth his own bitterness” (Pro 14:10). O that sovereign grace may cast down every proud and sinful imagination that is contrary to the holy Law of God and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!

Some, contending for a portion of natural goodness, may perhaps say, “True, the imagination is often defiled; but must we acknowledge no remainders of virtue?” What says the Scripture? “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5). Allow that this is true, yet may there not be some mixture of good with the evil? What says the Scripture? “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Admitting this, yet may there not be some intervals of goodness? What says the Scripture? “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” If this be indeed the state of man’s heart, yet may not the innocent season of youth be an exemption from this awful charge? What says the Scripture? “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen 8:21). “The wicked are estranged¹ from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psa 58:3). “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child” (Pro 22:15). “Childhood and youth are vanity” (Ecc 11:10). And, as if determined to abase the pride of fallen man and to place the doctrine of original sin beyond dispute, David, speaking under the influence of the Spirit of truth, declares: “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psa 51:5).

Very many pertinent and important passages might be adduced, all of which attest this solemn truth of original sin. “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one” (Job 14:4). “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?” (Job 15:14). “How can he be clean that is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4). Hence, we conclude, with divine inspiration, that we are “by nature the children of wrath” (Eph 2:3); that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10).

O my soul! Dispute not with your justly offended Creator, but confess your guilt, both original and actual. Seek for grace to lie low at His feet and to accept with joyful heart those gracious offers of pardon and peace, which are so freely made to you through the great propitiatory² sacrifice of His well-beloved Son.

The grace of God when viewed, as it always ought to be, in connection with the wretched state of sinful man, shines like the beautiful rainbow on the darkened cloud. Its lovely hues cheer and delight the mind in the midst of surrounding gloom.

How consoling to a soul bowed down under a sense of guilt the following promises: “When I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee…Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live” (Eze 16:6). Then comes the source of mercy: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jer 31:3).

But how can a polluted creature be pleasing to a pure and holy God? Behold the effects of sovereign grace: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Eze 36:25-27).

The safety and perseverance of the redeemed is sweetly declared in the following delightful promise: “And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me” (Jer 32:39-40).

Support and final success are also promised to the believer under the various trials and difficulties that he may be called upon to endure in the cause of his covenant God and Savior: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isa 41:10). “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour” (Isa 43:2-3).

For the present and everlasting consolation of the believer, a full free forgiveness of all sin is graciously declared: “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isa 43:25). “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee” (Isa 44:22)…

Well may the ransomed sinner exclaim: “O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation” (Isa 12:1-2). “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever” (Psa 145:1-2). “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psa 103:1-4). “Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen” (Psa 72:18-19).

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1. estranged – gone astray.
2. propitiatory – having power to atone for.

Thomas Reade (1776-1841): English layman and author; born in Manchester, England, UK.

From Spiritual Exercises of the Heart, Reformation Heritage Books,
www.heritagebooks.org. Used by permission.

Courtesy of Chapel Library