A94157:92
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
THE Door of Salvation OPENED, BY THE Key of Conversion. › Doctrine
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.
1 Pet. 1.23. Ordinarily there is no other way to beget grace, then the word of grace, and it tendeth not the least to Gods dishonour (nay, rather the weakness and meanness of the instrument in such cases commendeth the workman) because he hath manifested this to be his pleasure, it pleased him through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, 1 Cor. 1.21 He will give light to the world only by the Sun, though he could do otherwise; therefore as some observe, though light were made the first day, yet the Sun was not made till the fourth day, to show that God could give light to the world without a Sun. Thus God could convey the Spiritual light of holiness without the Sun of scripture, but it is his will to make that his ordinary means. It is the word which makes clean the filthy, John 15.3. which sanctifieth the unholy, John 17.17 which begetteth grace in those that were graceless, Acts 2.37. For this cause it is called the ingrafted word, James 1.21. for as the Cions of a good ⟨p. 18⟩apple grafted into a crab-tree stock doth change the harsh sour nature of it, and maketh it sweet and pleasant, so the word preached (for of that he speaketh, verse 19.20.) can change the stony, canal, earthly heart of man, and make it soft, spiritual and heavenly.
1 Pet. 1.23. Ordinarily there is no other way to beget grace, then the word of grace, and it tendeth not the least to Gods dishonour (nay, rather the weakness and meanness of the instrument in such cases commendeth the workman) because he hath manifested this to be his pleasure, it pleased him through the foolishnesse of preaching to save them that believe, 1 Cor. 1.21 He will give light to the world onely by the Sun, though he could do otherwise; therefore as some observe, though light were made the first day, yet the Sun was not made till the fourth day, to shew that God could give light to the world without a Sun. Thus God could convey the Spiritual light of holiness without the Sun of scripture, but it is his will to make that his ordinary means. It is the word which makes clean the filthy,