A94157:235
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.
Thirdly, If without Regeneration, none can attain salvation; it informeth us of the difficulty of salvation, that it is an hard thing to get to heaven: it is no easy matter to be regenerated and made holy; and therefore 'tis no easy matter to be glorified and made happy. Where the gate is straight, 'tis hard to get in. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the sinner and ungodly appear! 1 Pet. 4.18. The Apostle there intendeth not the uncertainty, but the difficulty of the salvation of the godly. If it be so hard for them to be saved that have passed the Pikes, shot the Gulf, gone through the pangs of the new birth, and travelled a considerable part of their way heavenward: how hard will it be for them who are not yet set out, that have not taken one step in the way to life!
THirdly, If without Regeneration, none can attain salvation; it informeth us of the difficulty of salvation, that it is an hard thing to get to heaven: it is no easie matter to be regenerated and made holy; and therefore 'tis no easie matter to be glorified and made happy. Where the gate is straight, 'tis hard to get in. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the sinner and ungodly appear! 1 Pet. 4.18. The Apostle there intendeth not the uncertainty, but the difficulty of the salvation of the godly. If it be so hard for them to be saved that have passed the Pikes, shot the Gulf, gone through the pangs of the new birth, and travelled a considerable part of their way heavenward: how hard wil it be for them who are not yet set out, that have not taken one step in the way to life!
The sleepy world indeed dream that men may go to heaven without so much ado, they look upon civility to be sanctity, worldly sighs to be godly sorrow, not doubting their estates to be faith in Christ; and if they can but spare a little time and now then from the world, & the flesh to mumble over a few night Petitions, they hope with the help of these bladders to swim through the Ocean of Divine fury to heaven. Or if they come short of these fig-leaves (wherewith many of Adams children endeavour, though in vain to cover their nakedness) yet if they have the warning-piece of sickness, before the murdering piece of death be shot off, that