The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Regeneration being first, and the ground-work of¹ the rest, we are to see what Regeneration is.

Regeneration being first, and the ground-worke of¹ the rest, we are to see what Regeneration is.

1. 1Regeneration is

I define it to be our spiritual incorporating into Christ; between which and the work of Sanctification, the difference lieth plain: for as Creation is distinguished from the qualities wherein men were created: so is this Now Creation from the qualities whereunto we are regenerate. And as Generation is one thing, and the corruption that Parents beget us in, another: so is our New birth, one thing; and the Holiness or Sanctification which we have thereby, another. This appeareth manifestly, 1. John 5. 8. where Spirit, Water, Blood, that is to say, Regeneration, Justification, Sanctification, are distinguished. And 1. John 3. 1, 2, 3. where purifying of our selves, is made an effect of being the sons of God. So our Saviour saith, John 3. 6. That which is borne of the Spirit: whereby he meaneth our part regenerate, is Spirit, that is to say, wholly spiritual, holy and sanctified: As that which is borne of the flesh, (meaning all of us by fleshly Generation) is flesh, that is to say, carnal in every part, and in all the powers both of body and soul, impure and unclean, and subject to the wrath of God. Peter also, when he saith, ^aHaving your souls purified by obeying of the Truth, through the Spirit, unto brotherly love, without hypocrisy, from a pure heart, love one another fervently, being borne again, &c. maketh a difference between these three, Regeneration, Sanctification, and the fruits thereof, in loving one another. This is yet more evident, in that Regeneration is that which