A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

5. 'Tis against the nature of Regeneration. Regeneration is a change of nature and consequently of resolutions. A Lyon chained up hath an inclination to ravage, but a Lyon changed into the nature of a Lamb loses his inclinations, with that change of his nature; so that it is as impossible a regenerate man can have the fixed and determinate resolutions that a wicked man hath, as it is impossible that a Lamb should have the ravenous disposition of a Lyon; you know the Scripture makes the change as great. How can any man resolve to do a thing against that law, which at the same time, he hath an habitual approbation of as holy, just and good? Against a law natural to him, viz. The law of the heart. If a delight in the Law of God be a constitutive part of Regeneration, then any settled purpose to sin is inconsistent with Regeneration, because such a purpose, being a testimony of an inward delight in that which is contrary to the Law of God, cannot consist with a delight in that which forbids what his heart is set upon.

5. 'Tis against the nature of Regeneration. Regeneration is a change of nature and consequently of resolutions. A Lyon chained up hath an inclination to ravage, but a Lyon chang'd into the nature of a Lamb loses his inclinations, with that change of his nature; so that it is as impossible a regenerate man can have the fixed and determinate resolutions that a wicked man hath, as it is impossible that a Lamb should have the ravenous disposition of a Lyon; you know the Scripture makes the change as great. How can any man resolve to do a thing against that law, which at the same time, he hath an habitual approbation of as holy, just and good? Against a law natural to him, viz. The law of the heart. If a delight in the Law of God be a constitutive part of Regeneration, then any settled purpose to sin is inconsistent with Regeneration, because such a purpose, being a testimony of an inward delight in that which is contrary to the Law of God, cannot consist with a delight in that which forbids what his heart is set upon.

4. Proposition. A regenerate man cannot walk in a way doubtful to him without inquiries, whether it be a way of sin, or a way of duty, and without admitting of reproofs and admonitions according to his circumstances. This consists of two parts.