A94157:318
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.
An unregenerate person fighteth against sin, 1as the Athenians against Philip of Macedon, with words rather then with swords: Or as some that openly prosecute the Law against a Malefactor, and yet favour him underhand; so this man makes a show of pursuing sin unto the death, accusing, arraigning it, witnessing against it in prayer, and desiring judgement; but inwardly he so minceth the matter, taketh off the edge of the evidence against it, as one resolved that it shall live: His expressions cry out of sin, as the Jews of Christ, Away with it, away with it, 'tis not worthy to live, Let it be crucified; but his affections call with much more ardency, as Pilate, Why should it die? what evil hath it done? we find no fault in it; or at lest (as Austins heart) Not yet, Lord, not yet: A little longer he ⟨p. 163⟩would willingly laze upon the bed of lust: A little more slumber, a little more steep, saith this spiritual sluggard. Truly, all this show of warring against sin, is but false fire, which (you know) can do no execution.
An unregenerate person fighteth against sin, 1as the Athenians against Philip of Macedon, with words rather then with swords: Or as some that openly prosecute the Law against a Malefactor, and yet favor him underhand; so this man makes a shew of pursuing sin unto the death, accusing, arraigning it, witnessing against it in prayer, and desiring judgement; but inwardly he so minceth the matter, taketh off the edge of the evidence against it, as one resolved that it shall live: His expressions cry out of sin, as the Jews of Christ, Away with it, away with it, 'tis not worthy to live, Let it be crucified; but his affections call with much more ardency, as Pilate, Why should it die? what evil hath it done? we finde no fault in it; or at lest (as Austins heart) Not yet, Lord, not yet: A little longer he ⟨p. 163⟩would willingly laze upon the bed of lust: A little more slumber, a little more steep, saith this spiritual sluggard. Truly, all this shew of warring against sin, is but false fire, which (you know) can do no execution.