Doc. of Life (Dick) n. 92

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92. XII

NO ONE CAN SHUN EVILS AS SINS, SO AS TO HOLD THEM INWARDLY IN AVERSION, EXCEPT BY COMBATS AGAINST THEM

Every one knows from the Word and from doctrine thence derived, that the proprium of man is evil from birth; and consequently from innate lust he loves evils, and is borne along into them, from the desire to revenge, to defraud, to defame, and to commit adultery. Moreover, if he does not think that these evils are sins, and does not resist them on that account, he commits them as often as occasion presents itself and his reputation and interest are not endangered. Further, if a man has no religious principles, he commits these evils from a feeling of delight.


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