A94157:130
The door of salvation opened by the key of regeneration
The door of salvation opened by the key of regeneration: or A treatise containing the nature, necessity, marks and means of regeneration; as also the duty of the regenerate. / By George Swinnocke, M.A. and pastor of Rickmersworth in Hertfordshire.
London: printed by John Best for Tho. Parkhurst, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In the next place I shall speak to the Reasons why there is a necessity of Regeneration in every man that would obtain Salvation.
First, Because every man must be prepared for (before he can be admitted into) that holy place. We say in Philosophy, Nature doth nothing per saltum; the ground is prepared for an harvest, by being dunged, ploughed, and sowed; it is as true in this point of Divinity; the god of Nature will not save a man per saltum, not remove a swine out of a Sty immediately into a Dining-room, not take a sinner reeking in his ⟨p. 44⟩lusts, and presently invest him with a Crown of life; no, the man must be prepared by Regeneration or holiness in part, for salvation or holiness which is perfect. The heathen King would not admit Virgins to his bed till they had been purified, Esther 2.12. and surely the King of Kings will not receive any into his nearest and dearest embraces, till they are cleansed from all pollutions both of flesh and spirit.
FIrst, Because every man must be prepared for (before he can be admitted into) that holy place. We say in Philosophy, Nature doth nothing per saltum; the ground is prepared for an harvest, by being dunged, ploughed, and sowed; it is as true in this point of Divinity; the god of Nature will not save a man per saltum, not remove a swine out of a Stie immediately into a Dining-room, not take a sinner reeking in his ⟨p. 44⟩lusts, and presenly invest him with a Crown of life; no, the man must be prepared by Regeneration or holiness in part, for salvation or holiness which is perfect. The heathen King would not admit Virgins to his bed till they had been purified, Esther 2.12. and surely the King of Kings will not receive any into his nearest and dearest embraces, till they are cleansed from all pollutions both of flesh and spirit.