The door of salvation opened by the key of regeneration

Thirdly, Spiritual Privileges are no sure ⟨p. 70⟩sign that thine eternal estate is safe; we read of them that were Israelites, to whom pertained the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the Promises; whose were the Fathers, of whom, as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever, Rom. 9.4, 5. and yet many of them perished notwithstanding all these great Privileges. Paul had glorious privileges when he was a graceless person, Phil. 3.5, 6. Thou mayst enjoy Sermons, Sacraments, Sabbaths, seasons of grace, the society of Saints, and yet miss at last of salvation. All that are in a family are not children, though they possibly feed at the same table, and lodge in the same chamber. All that enjoy Church-ministry are not Church-members; Doeg may set his foot within the house of God as far as David. Judas may partake of the same privileges with the Apostles, and yet be a devil the outward Court was larger than he inner; and so Gods visible Church takes more in then his invisible. Tares may be in the same field with wheat, enjoying the same benefit of the Sun, rain, and earth, and yet are tares still. The Jews boasted much that they were Abraham's children, Matth 3. and yet Truth it self tells them, that they were of their father the devil, Joh. 8.44. Circumcision is nothing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature, Gal 6.15. Where the new creation is wanting, spiritual privileges are but as seals to a ⟨p. 71⟩blank, and signify little. Regeneration is the figure, which if missing, they as cyphers stand for nothing.

Thirdly, Spiritual Priviledges are no sure ⟨p. 70⟩sign that thine eternal estate is safe; we read of them that were Israelites, to whom pertained the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the Promises; whose were the Fathers, of whom, as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever,