A94157:230
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.
Thus unregenerate men may leave their lusts, when they are afraid to keep them, but many a longing heart they have after them, and are not by choice but constraint separated from them. As parents, they go to the funeral of those children of their corrupt hearts, with no small sorrow. Sickly persons forbear some meats, which they love dearly, because those meats do not love them; they either feed their diseases, or are ⟨p. 105⟩hardly digested. Some sinners dare not feed in their actions on some sins, which are as sweet to their affections as the honey and the honey comb, because they fear that they will rise in their stomachs, and the reckoning will be too heavy for them to pay.
Thus unregenerate men may leave their lusts, when they are afraid to keep them, but many a longing heart they have after them, and are not by choice but constraint separated from them. As parents, they go to the funeral of those children of their corrupt hearts, with no small sorrow. Sickly persons forbear some meats, which they love dearly, because those meats do not love them; they either feed their diseases, or are ⟨p. 105⟩hardly digested. Some sinners dare not feed in their actions on some sins, which are as sweet to their affections as the honey and the honey comb, because they fear that they will rise in their stomacks, and the reckoning will be too heavy for them to pay.
Or possibly thou art entering upon some solemn act of devotion, and upon that account at present forbearest thy corruptions, as some write of Serpents, they lay by their poison when they go to drink, and afterwards take it up again. Thou mayst like Abraham to his servant, bid thy sin stay below, while thou goest up to the mount to worship, Gen. 22. and when the duty is done, return to it again.
Or possibly thou art entring upon some solemn act of devotion, and upon that account at present forbearest thy corruptions, as some write of Serpents, they lay by their poison when they go to drink, and afterwards take it up again. Thou mayst like Abraham to his servant, bid thy sin stay below, while thou goest up to the mount to worship,