Replies

It is, doubtless, for this reason, that the apostle declares it to be the irrevocable decree of the Almighty, that "without holiness, (without being made pure by regeneration, and having the image of God thereby reinstamped upon the soul) no may shall see the Lord." And it is very observable, that our divine Master, in the famous passage before referred to, concerning the absolute necessity of regeneration, does not say, Unless a man be born again, he SHALL NOT, but "unless a man be born again, he CANNOT enter into the kingdom of God." Inability Jerry...man CAN NOT...no matter though as he does not want to anyway...

It is a real stretch to try and make that passage teach regeneration before faith. It is not teaching that at all.

As for inability

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear (Ps.10:17)

God knows those who wants to know and will provide the light to make a decision (2Cor.4:6).

Cornilus was a devout man who was not yet a believer, yet he was seeking God and God led him to Simon Peter to receive the Gospel and make a decision to believe or not