The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

III. And it will further lead us to the original of this Change, to consider on whom it is thus wrought. 1. For their place and time. 2. Their quality in themselves. 3. And as compared to each other. 4. And as to their numbers.

1. For time and place, it is in all ages since Christ (to say nothing of the former ages now) and in all Nations and Countries which have received him and his Gospel, that Souls have been thus regenerated to God. If it had been only a fanatic rapture of brain-sick men, it would have been like the effects of the Heresies of the Valentinians, Basilidians, Gnostics, Montanists, &c. or of the Schwenkfeldians, Weigelians, Behmenists, Quakers, and other such Enthusiasts, who make a stir for one Age, in some one corner of the world, and then go out with a perpetual stink. In all Ages and Countries, these effects of Christian Doctrine are the very same as they were in the first Age, and the first Country where it was preached. Just such effects as it hath in one Kingdom or Family, it hath in all others who equally receive it; and just such persons as Christians were in the first Ages at Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Philippi, &c. such are they now in England, according to their several degrees of grace, (though not in miracles and things extraordinary to the Church.) The children of no one father are so like as all God's sanctified children are throughout the world.

1. For time and place, it is in all ages since Christ (to say nothing of the former ages now) and in all Nations and Countries which have received him and his Gospel, that Souls have been thus regenerated to God. If it had been only a fanatick rapture of brain-sick men, it would have been like the effects of the Heresies of the Valentinians, Basilidians, Gnosticks, Montanists, &c. or of the Swenckfeldians, Weigelians, Behmenists, Quakers, and other such Enthusiasts, who make a stir for one Age, in some one corner of the world, and then go out with a perpetual stink. In all Ages and Countries, these effects of Christian Doctrine are the very same as they were in the first Age, and the first Country where it was preached. Just such effects as it hath in one Kingdom or Family, it hath in all others who equally receive it; and just such persons as Christians were in the first Ages at Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Philippi, &c. such are they now in England, according to their several degrees of grace, (though not in miracles and things extraordinary to the Church.) The children of no one father are so like as all God's sanctified children are throughout the world.