IF there be any thing of importance, it is the working out of Salvation; 1if there be any way or method to work it out, it is by Sanctification; 2Which Sanctity begins in Regeneration, and ends in Glorification. The first of these, is the subject of this ensuing Discourse. Regeneration, or the New birth, hath various titles and appellations in Scripture, yet all pointing to the same thing, as it was the same Messiah, though represented by several types; sometimes Regeneration is called the new creature, Gal. 6.15. tis indeed a creation, because it is beyond the sphere of natural causes to produce; and it is a New creature, [Greek or Hebrew], in opposition to the old man; yet it is not new for substance, 3but qualities. Sometimes Regeneration is called a Resurrection, Rev. 20.6. It is a rising from sinb; there can be no rising to glory, till there be first a rising from sin. Sometimes it is called a transformation. Rom. 12.2. [Greek or Hebrew], Be ye transformed, by the renewing ⟨image 9⟩of your mind. In the incarnation Christ did assume our humane nature; in Regeneration, we partake of his divine nature; by Baptism we have Christs Name; by the new birth, his image; the change wrought in the new birth, is wonderful; the man is alter idem, like Caleb, of another Spirit: It is said of Alex. Severus, that he could play on the viol, he could carve, or paint, but after he was Emperor, he was never seen to do any of these things, it was below him: So though man by nature be proud, malicious, expert in all the works of the flesh, yet when once he is begotten of the seed of the word Jam. 1.18. now he is quite altered, ad changed from what he was. 1 Cor. 6.11. but yet every change doth not denominate the new birth; there may be an external, partial, temporary change, yet all these may be false conceptions, then birth implies a new heart, 5the will like the primum mobile, is carried with an holy violence, heavenward; and the affections, as the other orbs move along with it; before this new birth, there are spiritual pangs; though there is magis & minus, all have not the like pangs; all feel the same hammer of the Law, though some are bruised more by it then others. Regeneration hath an universal influence, Grace perfumes and consecrates the whole soul; though the Saints are Regenerate but in part, yet in every part, 1 Thes. 5.23. This New birth is not arbitrary but necessary.
IF there be any thing of importance, it is the working out of Salvation; 1if there be any way or method to work it out, it is by Sanctification; 2Which Sanctity begins in Regeneration, and ends in Glorification. The first of these, is the subject of this ensuing Discourse. Regeneration, or the New birth, hath various titles and appellations in Scripture, yet all pointing to the same thing, as it was the same Messiah, though represented by severall types; sometimes Regeneration is called the new creature, Gal. 6.15. tis indeed a creation, because it is beyond the sphere of natural causes to produce; and it is a New creature, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, in opposition to the old man; yet it is not new for substance, 3but qualities. Somtimes Regeneration is called a Resurrection, Rev. 20.6. It is a rising from sinb; there can be no rising to glory, till there be first a rising from sin. Somtimes it is called a transformation. Rom. 12.2. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Be ye transformed, by the renewing ⟨image 9⟩of your mind. In the incarnation Christ did assume our humane nature; in Regeneration, we partake of his divine nature; by Baptism we have Christs Name; by the new birth, his image; the change wrought in the new birth, is wonderful; the man is alter idem, like Caleb, of another Spirit: It is said of Alex. Severus, that he could play on the viol, he could carve, or paint, but after he was Emperour, he was never seen to do any of these things, it was below him: So though man by nature be proud, malitious, expert in all the works of the flesh, yet when once he is begoten of the seed of the word Jam. 1.18. now he is quite altered, ad changed from what he was. 1 Cor. 6.11. but yet every change doth not denominate the new birth; there may be an external, partial, temporary change, yet all these may be false conceptions, then birth implyes a new heart,
- 1Phil. 2.12
- 22 Thes. 2.13.
- 3Ipsam sane, animam esse nemo sanae mentis ignorat. Bern.
- bAug. Tom.
- 5Habet, suos impetus pietas. Quin ti•s dec. 6.
