A94157:308
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.
St. 1Augustine relateth of the Serpent that when she groweth old, she draweth herself through a narrow hole, and by this means stripping off her old skin, she reneweth her age: 2Truly thus the Christian is made new, by putting off the old coat of the old man.
- 1De civit. dei. l. 8. c. 6.
- 2Ambulare in peccatis est sic versari in pec catis ut i• voca•ione sua ordina ria. Dave• in Col. 3.
The Scripture speaketh expressly, He that is born of God, sinneth not, 1 Joh. 3.9. that is constantly; sin is not his design or employment; and cheerfully, sin is not his delight ⟨p. 155⟩or element; for sin is against his new nature; now a man can do nothing against his nature cordially or constantly; Sin may rebel within him, but it cannot reign over him; he looks on sin as his greatest enemy, and therefore 'tis impossible that he should converse with it in a way of amity. Nay, as fire and water, heat and cold never meet but they fight; so this new life is in continual war with every lust; the new creature is like unto God, Of purer eyes then to behold iniquity, Hab. 1.13. the evil of sin cannot ordinarily get a good look from him; he cannot meet this ugly guest in any corner of his house, but his heart riseth against him; he considereth what a Lord sin displeaseth, what a Law sin transgresseth, what a beautiful image sin defaceth, what a glorious name fin dishonoureth, what a lovely loving Saviour sin buffeted shamefully, and tortured cruelly, what a precious soul, and peerless salvation sin was like to have lost him eternally. And Oh 'tis a killing look which this soul giveth his dearest lust: Ah thinks he, that ever my nature should hatch and harbour such hideous monsters, that ever my heart should be a polluted bed to breed and bring forth such a poisonous brood: 'Twas my iniquity that bid defiance to the highest Majesty; 'twas my corruption which scourged the back, wounded the head, nailed the feet and hands, yea pierced the very heart of Jesus Christ; my wickedness was the