2dly. I answer, This is my second Work, and you will soon see how forcible the Argument is from hence to prove, that none of ⟨p. 213⟩them can perish. See what our Blessed Saviour saith, That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is 1Spirit. That which is born of corrupt Nature, or is the Product of the Flesh, is Flesh, or of the same Nature of that which did beget it: As it is said of Adam, he begat a Son in his own likeness; 2that is, a depraved, sinful and mortal Child: The Flesh bringeth forth Effects proportionable to the Cause. 'Tis thus in the first Birth: But if by Flesh you will have our Saviour intend the product of Man's natural Abilities, or the Effects of the highest Improvements of his natural Light, Understanding, Will, &c. why then it follows still, that a Man purely natural can produce nothing but natural Operations; for nothing in operation exceedeth the Virtue or Excellency of that Cause which influenceth it: So that no Man can by his Abilities, however improved, produce any divine or spiritual Operation; and this shows that Man must be born of the Spirit, that becomes or is made truly spiritual and sit for the Kingdom of Heaven. And saith our Saviour, what is born of the Spirit, is Spirit, or is of the same Nature with the Holy Spirit; that is, Spiritual, Holy, Immortal; since every Creature begetteth its own Nature, Qualities, and Image: Such as is the Cause, such is the Effect. Thus it is in Generation, and thus it is in Regeneration; it must be from a Divine, from a spiritual Cause, and not a Natural, that the Image of God is formed in the Soul. The Flesh cannot bring forth an Heavenly Babe: Can Corruption produce or be the Cause of Regeneration? Can a Worm, or an Ant bring forth a Man, sooner than Flesh? Or can any Man under Heaven beget, or form, and bring forth the New Creature in the Soul; which is called the forming of Christ, or the Image of God in us? But now pray consider, that such as is the Nature or Quality of the Begetter, such is the Nature of that which is begotten of him; therefore since the New Creature is begotten by the Holy Spirit, it must partake of the Nature of the Spirit. Christ saith, it is Spirit, it is spiritual, immortal or incorruptible. Hence the Apostle Peter saith, Believers partake of the Divine Nature;
2dly. I answer, This is my second Work, and you will soon see how forcible the Argument is from hence to prove, that none of ⟨p. 213⟩them can perish. See what our Blessed Saviour saith, That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is 1Spirit. That which is born of corrupt Nature, or is the Product of the Flesh, is Flesh, or of the same Nature of that which did beget it: As it is said of Adam, he begat a Son in his own likeness; 2that is, a depraved, sinful and mortal Child: The Flesh bringeth forth Effects proportionable to the Cause. 'Tis thus in the first Birth: But if by Flesh you will have our Saviour intend the product of Man's natural Abilities, or the Effects of the highest Improvements of his natural Light, Understanding, Will, &c. why then it follows still, that a Man purely natural can produce nothing but natural Operations; for nothing in operation exceedeth the Virtue or Excellency of that Cause which influenceth it: So that no Man can by his Abilities, however improved, produce any divine or spiritual Operation; and this shews that Man must be born of the Spirit, that becomes or is made truly spiritual and sit for the Kingdom of Heaven. And saith our Saviour, what is born of the Spirit, is Spirit, or is of the same Nature with the Holy Spirit; that is, Spiritual, Holy, Immortal; since every Creature begetteth its own Nature, Qualities, and Image: Such as is the Cause, such is the Effect. Thus it is in Generation, and thus it is in Regeneration; it must be from a Divine, from a spiritual Cause, and not a Natural, that the Image of God is formed in the Soul. The Flesh cannot bring forth an Heavenly Babe: Can Corruption produce or be the Cause of Regeneration? Can a Worm, or an Ant bring forth a Man, sooner than Flesh? Or can any Man under Heaven beget, or form, and bring forth the New Creature in the Soul; which is called the forming of Christ, or the Image of God in us? But now pray consider, that such as is the Nature or Quality of the Begetter, such is the Nature of that which is begotten of him; therefore since the New Creature is begotten by the Holy Spirit, it must partake of the Nature of the Spirit. Christ saith, it is Spirit, it is spiritual, immortal or incorruptible. Hence the Apostle Peter saith, Believers partake of the Divine Nature;
- 1John 3. 6.
- 2Gen. 5. 3.
