A94157:331
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.
Religion, is but (possibly) thy by-business, and a Lackey to thy lusts, a pass and a convoy which thou hast need of in thy travelling through the world. It may be thou goest to duty as a Bear to the stake; it goeth against the hair with thee to walk in the way of holiness, though necessity compel thee (sometimes, or) once or twice a day to take a turn in the path of piety: Conscience will roar unless it may find rest in some outward performance.
Religion, is but (possibly) thy by-business, and a Lacquey to thy lusts, a pass and a convoy which thou hast need of in thy travelling through the world. It may be thou goest to duty as a Bear to the stake; it goeth against the hair with thee to walk in the way of holiness, though necessity compel thee (sometimes, or) once or twice a day to take a turn in the path of piety: Conscience will roar unless it may finde rest in some outward performance.
Or thou mayst now and then perceive good company walking in the narrow way ⟨p. 175⟩which leadeth to life; and so, as travellers care not if they go a mile or two out of their way for company, especially if the way be fair and the company pleasing; so thou mayst go out of thy own way sometimes, and walk a little with the Saints for company.
Reader, be faithful to thy soul: A real fire differeth from a painted one by its heat; and so doth the real from the painted Christian by his heat, life and delight in the service of God. If thou art alive to God, thou art given up to all the Laws of God, thou exercisest thy self therein to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and men. If thou art a Christian indeed, the image of God is imprinted on thee; now this image consisteth in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness: Righteousness conforms thy heart to the whole Second Table of the moral Law; Holiness conforms it to the whole first Table, and Knowledge completes this conformity to both. The regenerate man is not maimed, no part of the new man is wanting: He cuts not off the garments of holiness in the midst. Agrippa may be half a Christian, Herod may do many things; but Zechariah and Elizabeth walk in all the statutes and ordinances of the Lord, blameless: And David will fulfil all the wills of God: