A94157:154
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.
First, Civil practices are but a slender evidence of thy right to the holy place: Civility is commendable, but without Sanctity it is not sufficient: A mere civil and sanctified man differ, as much as a lifeless picture, and a living person. Thou mayst make a fair show in the flesh, and be wholly a stranger to this life after the spirit: Paul was one of the strictest of the Pharisees, concerning the righteousness of the Law blameless, even then when he was out of zeal persecuting the Church, and in an unregenerate estate, Phil. 3.6. Those foolish persons that were denied entrance into the purchased possession, were Virgins, they walked innocently and inoffensively, and had not defiled their garments with gross pollutions, but yet were unconverted, having (though some in their lamps) no oil in their vessels, Mat. 25. init. and therefore were excluded the inheritance of the Saints in light.
First, Civil practices are but a slender evidence of thy right to the holy place: Civility is commendable, but without Sanctity it is not sufficient: A meer civil and sanctified man differ, as much as a liveless picture, and a living person. Thou mayst make a fair shew in the flesh, and be wholly a stranger to this life after the spirit: Paul was one of the strictest of the Pharisees, concerning the righteousness of the Law blameless, even then when he was out of zeal persecuting the Church, and in an unregenerate estate, Phil. 3.6. Those foolish persons that were denied entrance into the purchased possession, were Virgins, they walked innocently and inoffensively, and had not defiled their garments with gross pollutions, but yet were unconverted, having (though some in their lamps) no oyl in their vessels, Mat. 25. init. and therefore were excluded the inheritance of the Saints in light.
The young rich man, who came to Christ, and told him that he had kept all the commandments from his youth,