The door of salvation opened by the key of regeneration

First, there is in this new nature a dying to sin. The Apostle calleth it a putting off the old man, Eph. 4.22. and a dying to sin, Rom. 6.11. Conversion like the ship-mans fatal star, is never seen but before the wrack and death of sin. The spring of grace is a living fountain and cleanseth it self of mire and dirt. Grace like Christ increaseth, and sin like the Baptist decreaseth. The expression of the holy Ghost about this is worthy our serious consideration, Rom. 6.6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin; for he that is dead is freed from sin. Lo, here, sin is served by Christ the same sauce, which it formerly served Christ, Sin crucified him, when he came in the likeness of sinful flesh, and he slayeth it when he cometh into the soul by his Spirit; but in the words of the Apostle observe, Sins appellation, and its execution. For its appellation, it is called, first the Old man; partly because it is derived and propagated from Adam, the eldest of men; partly in comparison of renovation, and renewing the whole man. It is called secondly, the body of sin, partly because mans corrupt nature, like a body or stock, brancheth forth into ⟨p. 154⟩divers actual sins as members, Col. 3.5. Gal. 5.19. partly because of the strength of it, as also because men are as much naturally in love with their sins as with themselves. But take notice of the execution of this old man of this body of sin in the regenerate. The old man is crucified: Sin like an old man in them which are new made, doth decay and decline every day; it is every hour growing weaker and weaker, and nearer to its grave and utter abolition. Regeneration giveth sin its deaths wound, though as those that are crucified, it dyeth lingeringly, yet it dieth certainly. Sin (like a man in a consumption) in a converted person is always wasting and dying till at last it's quite dead. One that is mortally wounded sprawleth and moveth for a time, but afterwards giveth up the Ghost; so sin, while Saints live, though it be mortally wounded doth rage and stir, but it abateth in strength and dyeth with them.