A94157:349
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.
If Grace be true, there is a natural tendency in it to growth, as there is in seed cast into the earth: There is virtually in a little plant, the bigness and height of a great tree, towards which it is putting forth it self with more and more strength every day. So there is in that seed of Grace planted in the soul at conversion, virtually that perfection of grace which Christ hath appointed that man unto, towards which its putting it self forth every day. He that hath clean hands, groweth stronger and stronger, Job 17.9. They go from strength to strength till they appear before God in Zion, Psal 84. This River of living waters runneth along (notwithstanding many turnings and windings) till it empty it self into the Ocean, and grace commence glory.
If Grace be true, there is a natural tendency in it to growth, as there is in seed cast into the earth: There is vertually in a little plant, the bigness and height of a great tree, towards which it is putting forth it self with more and more strength every day. So there is in that seed of Grace planted in the soul at conversion, vertually that perfection of grace which Christ hath appointed that man unto, towards which its putting it self forth every day. He that hath clean hands, groweth stronger and stronger, Job 17.9. They go from strength to strength till they appear before God in Sion, Psal 84. This River of living waters runneth along (notwithstanding many turnings and windings) till it empty it self into the Ocean, and grace commence glory.
The grain of mustard-seed groweth into a tree, and the smoking flax is blown into a flame: The least spark of true holiness cannot ⟨p. 185⟩be put out by all the blasts of men and devils; but will like the coal-fire wax the hotter for the waters of opposition, and never leave aspiring till it be joined, and become a pure and perfect flame.