And, my brethren, it is quite certain that no man ever begins the new birth himself. The work of salvation never was commenced by any man. God the Holy Spirit must commence it. Now, the reasons why no man ever commenced the work of grace in his own heart, is very plain and palpable. First, because he cannot; secondly, because he won’t. The best reason of all is, because he cannot—he is dead. Well, the dead may be made alive, but the dead cannot make themselves alive, for the dead can do nothing.