Original Sin by Charles Simeon.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother
conceived me. Psalm chapter 51 verse 5. David's account of himself
in this verse was true, and it is equally true of all the human
race. Just so, Paul declares of himself, as well as all the
rest of the human race, that we were dead in our transgressions
and sins. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 and 3. Why is it that every child,
from the first moment that he begins to act at all, manifests
corrupt tempers and dispositions? Since this has been the state
of every child that has been born into the world, we are constrained
to acknowledge that our very nature is corrupt, and that,
as David tells us, we are estranged from the womb and go astray as
soon as we are born. Psalm 58 verse 3. Further, how
can we account for the sufferings and death of infants but on the
supposition that they are partakers of Adam's guilt and corruption?
Sufferings and death are the penalty of sin, and we cannot
conceive that God would inflict that penalty on millions of infants
if they were not in some way or other liable to his wrath.
Paul notices this as a compelling proof that all of Adam's posterity
fell in him and through him are partakers of guilt and misery.
Just as sin entered the world through one man and death through
sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Romans chapter 5 verse 12. We find no intimation in the
scriptures that any are saved without faith in Christ. Christ
is the only door by which we must enter into heaven. He is
the only way to the Father. nor as long as the world shall
stand shall any come unto the Father, but by Him. I am the
gate, whoever enters through me will be saved. John chapter
10 verse 9. I am the way and the truth and
the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. John
chapter 14 verse 6. Salvation is found in no one
else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved. Acts chapter 4 verse 12.