A94157:216
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.
Thou mayst be full of joy under the word, and yet be empty of grace. Herod heard John gladly. Mark 6.20. others received the word with joy. Mat. 13.20. Do godly men rejoice in the word of the God? Psalm 119.110, 111. vers. Truly so may others; they may seem to warm themselves at the same fire with Saints, to drink the same heart-cheering wine, and yet their wine is drawn at several taps. The unregenerate mans joy floweth from a common gift or illumination; the regenerate mans from special grace or sanctification. Thou mayst be enlightened and taste the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Heb 6.4, 5. Mark, an unsanctified man may taste the word of God, and as Cooks taste of their sauces, it pleaseth them, but they spit all out, let nothing down, receive no nourishment from it. ⟨p. 99⟩The truths of God and thoughts of heaven, may pass through thee, as water through a pipe of lead, leaving only some dew of flashy and washy joy, not soaking into thy heart, as water into the earth, and making thee soft and fruitful. As a poor man in a sleep sometimes thinks that he is highly promoted, sumptuously feasted, exceedingly enriched, and O how is he delighted with such imaginations! and indeed all that such thoughts produce, is only some sudden joy, no alteration in the man, nor resolution to walk answerably to such dignity, for all is but a dream; so thou mayst think sometimes of the excellency of the mercies which God hath promised, of the pure rivers of pleasures which Christ hast purchased, and O how mayst thou be taken with them, imagining that they belong to thee! but all the effect which they work, is only some short joy, no real change, or settled purpose to crucify the flesh, despise the world, and deny self for the hopes of them, for all is but a fancy.
Thou mayst be full of joy under the word, and yet be empty of grace. Herod heard John gladly. Mark 6.20. others received the word with joy. Mat. 13.20. Do godly men rejoyce in the word of the God?