1817 Circular Letter of the Flint River Association

BELOVED BRETHREN we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices and therefore are disposed to do all we can to strengthen your minds, by holding up to your view some of the principles, and exercises of a true Christian, in contrast with those of a deceived soul. In the first place all who are taught of God’s Holy Spirit, are brought to a knowledge that they are by nature children of wrath made sinners, by the disobedience of one man while the deceived soul knows nothing thereof, he concludes it is only his actual transgressions that make him a sinner. If this were all we think Christ need not have sent his spirit into the world, to reprove the world of sin for all men must and do know, the practice of sin is wrong. So that he who denies being a sinner by nature and will not acknowledge and confess his sins can have no ground to believe, he is forgiven.