1st Cause of Apostasy From the Gospel -Uncured Enmity in the Heart

That rooted enmity which is in the minds of men by nature to spiritual things, abiding uncured under the profession of the gospel, is the original and first spring of this apostasy. So the apostle tells us that "the carnal mind is enmity against God," Romans 8:7; — that is, unto the revelation of the will and mind of God in Christ, with the obedience which he requires thereunto; for of these things doth he there discourse. Men, on various accounts, may take upon them the profession of the truths of the gospel whilst this enmity unto spiritual things abides uncured, yea, predominant in their minds.