Believing, repenting, and the like, are the product of the new nature; and can never be produced by the old corrupt nature... as the child cannot be active in his own generation, so a man cannot be active in his own regeneration. The heart is shut against Christ: man cannot open it, only God can do it by his grace.
Thomas Boston (1830). “Human Nature in Its Fourfold State: Of Primitive Integrity, Entire Depravation, Begun Recovery, and Consummate Happiness Or Misery, in the Parents of Mankind in Paradise, the Unregenerate, the Regenerate, All Mankind in the Future State, in Several Practical Discourses”, p.144
