overthrows the Devils Kingdom as the blowing of the Rams horns did fell down the walls of Jericho By this means the dead are raised to Life the blind are made to see Acts 26.18 and deaf ears are unstoped By the Gospel men are Translated out of the Kingdom of darkness into Christ's Kingdom of Light 7. God Regenerates men to and for holy and gracious ends and purposes They are created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God had before ordained that they should walk in them Eph. 2.10 That they that live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5.15 That they should walk in newness of Life and not serve sin Rom. 6.4 6. God Crowns them with and makes them the subject of his special grace that they may be Agents of his glory in bringing forth fruit worthy of their new state God hath great ends in bestowing great grace and special ends in giving special grace God honours and beautifies men with his grace that they may therewith adorn his Gospel and exalt his name By Regeneration God makes men loving and lovely and meetens them for communion with himself I have I think said enough to or of the definition of Regeneration therefore shall say no more of it in this place Quest. Pray explain the great work of Regeneration more fully and shew us what those works of God on men are that do not amount to or ordinarily Issue in Regeneration that so we may clearly understand what Regeneration is not and also what it is Answ I shall first shew what t is not 2. What it is more fully First Meer light in the head is not Regeneration For men may have much Spiritual light without Spirittual Life Some are enlightened who fall away from the truth and become Apostates Heb. 6.4 5 6. and after they have known the way of Righteousness do turn from the holy commands of God to their own wicked ways 2 Pet. 2.21 22. And we read of some who knew their Lords will but did it not Luk. 12.47 which shews that they were never Regenerated Secondly Men may have many and great convictions of sin and of their miserable and wretched conditions by reason thereof they may be under much trouble of Spirit and cry out with tears and heart-grief and they may mourn and be in bitterness of Soul in the sight of their sad case and perishing state and yet all may be blown over and come to nothing but end in sin and eternal death Pharoah crys out I am wicked Exod. 9.27 and Saul saw his wickedness and wept 1 Sam. 24.16 and confessed his sin 1 Sam. 26.21 Wicked Ahab had conviction of and was greatly troubled for his sin and humbled himself 1 King 21.27 28 29. so the Israelites in the Wilderness and afterward Judas was troubled and crys I have sinned Matth. 26.3 4. yet none of them were Regenerated Thirdly Men may greatly reform their ways and look like New Creatures their Conversations may be white while their hearts are black they may have a clean outside when they are foul and abominable within they may appear beautiful to men whilest they are but whited Sepulchres and full of all manner of wickedness within Mat. 23.25 26 27 28. they may be washed and yet be still Swine 2 Pet. 2.22 and they may go for Saints amongst men whilest they are Devils within Judas was so and the Lord Jesus tells us that many go in Sheeps cloathing but are indeed Wolves Matth. 7.15 Therefore meer Reformation is not Regeneration Thou mayst forsake many sins whilest thou lovest them and perform many duties that thou lovest not but loathest Herod was a Reformer he did many good things Mark 6.20 but he was not a New Man Fourthly Thou mayst have much spiritual joy and yet be still an unregenerate man Herod heard John preach with gladness Mark 6.20 The stony-ground hearers had joy for a time in the good ways of God Mat. 13.20 Thou mayst have many tasts of the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come Hebr. 6.4 5. yea thou mayst have such tasts of the Heavenly Gift as to raise thy Soul to delight in drawing nigh to God in his Ordinances of Divine Worship and continue in thy unregenerate state Isa 58.2 Fifthly Thou mayst believe the truths of the Gospel and on the Lord Jesus Christ and yet be in an unregenerate state and condition Simon Magus believed when in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity Act. 8.13.23 The rockie hearers did believe a while but were afterward Apostates Luk. 8.13 Christ his hearers are said to believe on him Joh. 8.30 yet in verse 44. he calls them the children of the Devil Ye are says he of your Father the Devil and his works ye will do The Hypocrites mentioned in Psal 106.12 13 14. were said to believe and so may you have Faith and believe and yet be Hypocrites still You may think you do believe aright unto Salvation when in truth you do not but delude your own Souls Sixthly Thou mayst be much in hearing and praying and yet be an unregenerate man Herod was a hearer of John Mark 6.20 Hypocrites in Ezekiel were great hearers of him and he was to them as a very lovely Song Ezek. 33.30 31 32. The three bad grounds were all hearers of the Gospel Matth. 13 18-22 but not a good hearer amongst them they were all stark naught and so mayst thou be also who art a great hearer of good men and then for praying or rather saying of prayers thou mayst pray often and long and yet be an hypocrite and an unregenerate man yea thou mayst have the gift of prayer and yet be a graceless man The Scribes and Pharisees made many and long prayers Matth. 23.14 So the hypocrites we read of in Job Chap. 27.8.10 Many make such prayers as God abhors and will not hear Isa 1.14 15. Seventhly Thou mayst be very strict and very severe in fasting and afflicting thy self and yet be an unregenerate man The Scribes and Pharisees fasted and afflicted themselves in the height of their hypocrisie Luke 18.12 I fast twice in the week And wherefore have we fasted and afflicted our souls say the hypocrites in Isa 58.3 and the like they did in Babylon Zach. 7.5 6. Eighthly Thou mayst be a charitable man I mean thou mayst give much Alms to the poor and yet be an unregenerate man The Scribes and Pharisees did so Mat. 6.1 2. Luk. 18.12 Ninthly Thou mayst be a zealous man for and in Religion and yet be in an unregenerate state Paul was so before his Regeneration Act. 22.3 Gal. 1.14 The Jews had a zeal for God when in their blindness and hardness of heart Rom. 10.2 Thou mayst be of a warm zealous spirit even whilest thou hast a carnal unregenerate heart Tenthly Thou mayst have much Integrity and do many good things uprightly or without designed guile or fraud towards God
or that have the faith to believe in him to 〈◊〉 saving of their Souls Heb. 10. ult There are many indeed that have a Faith and pretend to believe in Christ so John 8 31. Acts 8. but very few have that faith to do so in Truth neither do they much if at all desire and seek after such a Faith but are pleased and satisfied well enough without it Oh! how few are there who have the Faith of Gods Elect and their pretious Faith that do Believe through â—race and have that Faith which purifies the heart and leads them forth and carries them out of themselves to Christ to take up in him only Tit. 1 1. 2 Pet. 1 1. Acts 15 9 Acts 18 27. This they could and would do indeed were they Regenerated for as hath been shewed all such as are Regenerated do so in and by the light and power of Christs grace in Regeneration 7. How few are there among the great multilades of professors that love God the Lord Jesus Christ his Grace Laws People and Gospel Obedience â—â—re or so much as they do their own Lusts the world and their own carnal profits pleasures and honours Oh! how few are there that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Eph. 6. ult and with their whole hearts Math. 22.37 how few are there to be found that have their hearts circumcised to love the Lord and that have had the holy Ghost sheding abroad the love of God into their hearts as all regenerate persons have Deut. 30.6 Rom. 5.5 Is it not apparent that the most of professors are strong and greedy fervent and zealous Lovers of the world and carnal self 2 Tim. 3.2 men shall in the last dayes sayes Paul be lovers of themselves and of pleasures more then God Vers 4. And is it not really so now with the greater number of professors which shews they are in an unregenerate state and condition For were they new Creatures indeed they would love God Jesus Christ and heavenly things as the great and onely objects of their lovely delight choice and complacency All other things would be to them as they were to regenerate Paul namely diâ—â— and dung in comparison of Christ Grace Gospel-obedience Holyness Heaven and heavenly things Phil. 3. 8. How few are there who have or are about the great work of Crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts in good earnest which were they â—ew Creatures indeed they would assuredly be much concerned in and busying themselves about as one of their great and indispensible workes and businesses For all regenerate persons are seriously exercising themselves in this work Gall. 5.24 they 〈◊〉 purifying their hearts by faith and perfecting holiness in the fear of God Acts. 15.9 1 Joh. 3.3 2 Co. 7.1 But so are not the Generality of professors they are strangers if not eneâ—ies to this work They are as was said in 〈◊〉 with them they are their joy and deâ—ight and who will seek and unfainedly endeavour to destroy them they love deilght and take pleasure in These are onely the works of regenerate men 9. How few are there who do unfainedly repent 〈◊〉 their Sins and mourn night and day for their transgressions are in real bitterness of soul and abase Judge and condemn themselves which if they were regenerated they would 〈◊〉 They would humble themselves be ashamed of themselves for uncovering their nakedness and laying open their shame before God and men and they would repent in dust and Ashes withall their hearts and Souls Job 42.5.6 Izek. 36.31 For this is the New Creatures dayly worke Regenerate men have that berefit of Christ his Resurrection and Ascension as well as others namely Repentance Acts 5.31 and that great grant and fruit of the Covenant of Grace and the blood of it Acts 11.18 Heb. 13.20 Repentance unto Life By the power of which they practice Repentance They have it in their hearts and act it in their walkings They mark and observe what they should be and what Errors and mistakes they are guilty of mourn for it and labor to mend them But do the multitude of professors do so no not in the least they cast these things out of all serious Consideration it is a work they loath and wholly neglect It is too low and base business for them to mind or concern 10. How few are there among the multitudes of professors who make it their business to please and honour God to fear and reverence him and to worship him in Spirit and Truth This or these matters would be strong and powerful on their hearts and Souls and they would labour to do it indeed were they regenerated For all regenerate men have it so on their hearts and they do really aim at and endeavour it as was before proved Phill. 3.3 God hath wrought in them that which is well-pleasing in his sight Heb. 13.21 and to worship him in Spirit and Truth Joh. 4.23 They are formed by Grace to honour and magnifie God and to make it their work and business Isa 43.21 and are created in Christ Jesus unto this and all other good works Eph. 2.10 They are renewed in knowledge to understand them and with power and will to do them Coll. 3.10 Phil. 2.13 Psal 110.3 But where are such persons to be found among Professors O! how few how this are they sown and how rarely do they appear if compared with others how few have the power of Godliness in comparison of them who take up with the meer forme how few professors are Spiritually minded persons who set their Affections on things above and not on things below Coll. 3.1 2 Rom. 8.5.6 and that have thee Conversation or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Trade in heaven Phil. 3.20 how few are their who guard and watch themselves and their Souls adversaries and keep their hearts with all diligence or above before all things Pro. 4 23. how few are there who labour and make it their Trade and business to be fruitful in every good worke and dound in the work of the Lord to bear much fruit unto Eternal Life and all that God may be glorified and their own Souls profited and saved by Grace Coll. 1.10 1 Cor. 15. ult Jâ—b 15.8 Rom. 6.22 How few are there who do unfainedly minde and labour to walk sincerely and uprightly with God and before him and to adorn the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Surely very few do and are so indeed Only a little little flock do they and they only are such persons within and walk so without as hath been shewed From which Proofs and Instances we may certainly conclude that there are but a very few a small number of Regenerate persons among the multitudes of professors I have I think said enough for the confirming and clearing of this Truth although I could say much more to and of it were it needful Now then what use and Improvement should we all make of this Truth Surely it is a great Truth and
Eternal Glorification BEGUN IN REGENERATION OR A DISCOURSE OF REGENERATION Wherein is shewed 1. What Regeneration is with the causes of it 2. The necessity of Regeneration in order to Salvation 3. The Lets and Hindrances of it 4. The certain Signs and Tokens of it 5. The small number or fewness of Regenerate Persons 6. Their Priviledges and Happiness 7. Their Duties and how they ought to walk Intended for the profit of all both REGENERATE and UNREGENERATE Persons By STEPHEN FORD Preacher of the Gospel in LONDON For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but a New Creature Gal. 6.15 London Printed for Nath. Crouch in Exchange Alley over against the Royal Exchange 1675. The Epistle Dedicatory To my much loved and regarded Friends the young men c. who have chosen me for your Instructor are of and continue your chearful attendance on the Lords Days Evening Lecture and to all other persons who do frequently wait on and encourage the same Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied unto you all SIRS THe great ends for which we are set and maintained in this world are 1. To get new hearts and prepare for another world that is to come 2. To live to and walk with God and serve our Generation and in and by our so doing to look for and receive from God the portion of Blessings he hath provided for and promised to bestow on us here We are all and every one of us indispensably bound to endeavour all we can to obtain and prosecute these ends because otherwise we shall all perish In this world we have our day of Grace to fit us for glory if we are wise and do faithfully improve it we shall assuredly reap the fruits of it in another world yea the earnest or first-fruits of it here You have but a little uncertain time here to run your Race in and to prepare for Eternal Life and if you neglect to do it to purpose here you will most certainly be shut out of Heaven hereafter Mat. 25 1-13 v. If you trifle in this matter and seem indifferent you are not wise but play the fool and err exceedingly as you will find to your cost at the last day if not before To prevent which and to make you truly wise sensible serious and diligent in and about your everlasting concerns I have written this little Book and do present it to your serious and faithful consideration and improvement and that in and with unfained love and cordial affection For I do assure you that I have bowels of love for you and with all my heart and soul do pray for and endeavour your Regeneration and Salvation which I hope you see and are convinced of by my constant free and unwearied labours amongst you according to my small Talent The great and holy God knows that I seek not yours but you as I hope you can all bear me witness having once and again told you that I had Dedicated my poor Labours as a Free-will Offering unto God and the service of your Souls and that I did not look for or expect any reward from you for my pains but your holy and spiritual improvement of them to the glory of God and your own Eternal Salvation The Truths here presented to your eyes to read were first you know preached to your ears to hear but knowing how treacherous and weak our memories are and how apt we are to let slip that which we hear and also fearing that the great Doctrine of Regeneration and your concernments in it might by this time be worn very much out of the minds and hearts of many of you I thought it a necessary and useful work to provide as well as I could for the reviving of it on you and fastening it in your hearts by writing and composing the sum and substance of what I preached to you which here I have done I have endeavoured to contract the whole within as narrow a compass as I could and to hold forth great Truths unto you with all possible plainness You may not expect a large Epistle from me because I want opportunity to do it at this time and therefore shall sum up all I have to say in a few words 1. I do entreat you to read and ponder well what you shall find here written and importune the Lord to give you much spiritual wisdom and understanding that you may be enabled to make a right judgment of the glorious Truths herein revealed 2. Look on the great Doctrine of Regeneration as a most weighty and important Doctrine to add for your selves as well as others that you stand in need of it and are indispensably bound to know and understand it as it is asserted and laid down in the Gospel and as written and set up in mens hearts in order to their Eternal Glorification yea and to know and experience the excellency and power of it in your own hearts 3. Apply what you read unto your selves examine and prove your own states and conditions by what you shall find in this Book search and see if the work of Regeneration be indeed wrought in your Souls and do not take up and deceive your Souls with a bare Reformation instead of real Regeneration with an external change only instead of an internal Oh! how many poor Souls are here among Great Professors who bless and speak peace to themselves and hope all is well with them that they are in Gods favour and shall certainly be saved because they have gotten some light in their heads and quiet in their minds good notions of good things and also a clean outside and form of godliness But if you have any pity for your Souls try and prove your selves to purpose until you know your conditions and take not up in any thing or attainments short of Regeneration for if you do you shall be shut out of Heaven 4. If you find upon search that the great and rare work of Regeneration is indeed wrought in your hearts and souls give glory to God and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ rejoyce and be exceeding glad for you are the blessed of the Lord you are the happy people and are sanctified and set apart for God and his holy works and ends and now you must unfainedly devote your selves and your all to him to live to and serve him with your all Now you must wholly mind how to please and honour him and to express your thankfulness in all possible hearty and filial obedience You must be wholly taken up with and imployed for God perfecting Holiness in his fear and bringing forth fruits whereby he may be glorified and you must in all your ways endeavour so to walk as to adorn the Gospel and have your good works shine in the world to the praise of God 5. You whom God hath Regenerated and given a well-grounded hope thereof put your selves under all the Ordinances of Christ and do not content your selves with some
when he proffers you the use and enjoyment of all They are your Priviledges and you need them Christ hath commanded you to observe them all and appointed to nourish comfort and educate your Souls in his Churches and with his Ordinances there Therefore do as the Primitive Converts were wont to do joyn your selves to some Church or Society of Regenerate Christians that there you may be fed with the Bread of Life The doors stand open for you and the Lord Jesus waâ—ts there for you to invite you in and welcom you You need the Lords Supper to strengthen and confirm you and the Communion of Saint 〈◊〉 a Church-state as means to secure and preserve you But I can only mention these things leaving the inlargement of them to your selves 6. If you find any good or profit to your Souls in and by my Ministry and Writing bless God and ascribe all the glory to him for all belongs to him and to him only But forget not to pray for me that I may be enabled by Divine Assistance to fulfil my Ministry and continue to hand out the Gospel of Salvation to you that the Name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified and your Souls profited and that I may be blameless before God and Men. 7. And lastly Continue in the good work and ways you have taken in hand and begun to walk in Have your eyes always to Jesus Christ keep fast hold of him and let your whole dependance be on him In him are all your Springs and it is he that hath the keeping of your Stock of Grace He can and will supply you with all Grace and preserve you unto his Heavenly Kingdom Therefore live upon and stay your selves on him Run your Race and finish your course in his hand and you shall obtain the End of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls Which that you may do is the prayer and earnest desire of Your Cordial Friend S. F. ETERNAL GLORIFICATION BEGUN IN REGENERATION OR A Discourse of Regeneration From John 3.3 Jesus answered and said unto him verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Beloved I Shall begin this Lecture which you have desired and are now waiting on with the Doctrin of Regeneration because it is one of the great fundamental and Soul-saving Doctrins that you should first understand and be early and experimentally acquainted withall Here God begun with Ignorant and unregenerate Nicodemus and here he begins to open the door of everlasting Life unto such as he will save and by Regeneration you must begin to seek for and expect Salvation and eternal Glory It is the Lords fixed and constant way to send down and infuse into the hearts of men the first fruits of Heaven in order to his possessing them in the fullness of everlasting Glory in Heaven The seeds of special grace sown in the Soul in Regeneration are the earnests and first fruits of Heavens glory And as it is a certain Truth that without Regeneration here men cannot be saved hereafter so it is as certain that whoever are really Regenerated here they shall be saved hereafter This is a Truth that nearly concerns every one of you and therefore requires your serious attention and consideration for here God will begin to save you if ever you be saved The words in the Text are spoken by Jesus Christ unto Nicodemus as you may read in the 1. 2. verses The subject matter of the Text is or contains Regeneration or the Renovation of men in order to their eternal Salvation and they are spoken to and intended for us as well as Nicodemus because we are all by nature in as had and miserable a condition as he and stand in as much need of Regeneration and the Doctrin thereof as Nicodemus did when Christ spake these words to him and therefore observe how Christ words the matter verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again That is unless thou Nicodemus to whom I do now immediately direct my Doctrin and other persons in thy present case and condition except a man that is thou or any other man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God so vers 5. And it is observable how the Lord Jesus ushers in the matter or Doctrin of Regeneration in the Text and vers 5. t is with a double asseveration verily verily Text and again verily verily 5. vers which informs us of these four things First that the matter of Christ was speaking of was a very great and weighty matter indeed and such as Nicodemus and other men were indispensibly bound on pain of eternal death to take notice of and concern themselves about with all possible diligence and faithfulness for it was for their Lives except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God that is he cannot be saved And therefore he quickens and provokes the minds of men to ponder the matter and lay it to heart by his verily and verily I say c. 2. That we are dull of hearing and slow of heart to believe and apply this great Doctrin to our own Souls but to imagin and fancy that we stand in no or very little need of it and therefore may overlook slight and neglect it as most men do 3. That the Lord Jesus is very serious hearty and earnest with men in perswading them to seek after Regeneration and that he doth really and unfainedly desire to see them serious in that so great concern of theirs and to labour after it to purpose 4. That there is such a thing as Regeneration and that men may be Regenerated if they will not slight and oppose it These and other such things were in the eye and heart of Christ towards men in speaking thus to them which he would have them believe and think on in his verilies I shall have occasion in my proceedures to speak further to this Text and therefore shall speak no more of it now but proceed to what I intend to commend to your serious considerations These are the most material heads I am to discourse on which I shall do by way of Question and Answer Quest What is Regeneration wherein does it consist or what does it contain or import Answ Regeneration is a special powerful and saving work of God on a sinner changing and renewing his whole man by infusing a measure of the Spirit and special grace of Christ into him through the Ministry of the Gospel and that for holy and gracious ends and purposes This is the best definition I can give you of Regeneration and I think it will serve and do well enough if rightly understood and improved by you If any material thing be found wanting it may be afterward supplied I shall take abroad the parts of the definition and briefly clear and prove it and then proceed First You have the Author and Worker of Regeneration that is God God is the
sin against God or wrong their own Souls God hath promised to cause men to fear him not so much for his Judgments as for his Mercy and Coâ—dness Hos 3.5 and this fear he put into the Body of Regeneration without which it will be imperfect Seventhly Humility Meekness These Graces if they are two are parts of the New Creature they are the Beauty and Ornament of the New Creature without which it would not be so amiable and lovely as now it is We are by Nature exceeding proud rugged haughty sowre and pievish Creatures but God loves a meek and humble spirit and therefore he Regenerates some with Humility and Meekness and the more men have of these the more lovely they are to God and men the more conformable to Christ who was meek and lowly in heart Matth. 11.29 Christ will have all his Members like himself the Body must be like the Head and Christ becoming their Head in Regeneration he bestows on them his Humility and Meekness which is a part of that fulness of Grace he hath received for his Members Meekness is one of the glorious fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 and one of the Graces of Christ Jam. 4.6 By Humility and Meekness Christ prepares and capacitates men for his service and communion with himself to bow and bend them to his holy will and make them obedient unto him in all things for only the Humble and Meek are such persons and walkers Eighthly Zeal Regeneration makes men zealous against sin and for God and godliness Before Regeneration men may have a zeal for God but not the Zeal it is not according to knowledge Rom. 10.2 True Gospel-zeal is a glorious Grace of Christ infused into men in Regeneration and that in pursuance of one of the great ends of Christ his death Tit. 2.14 He gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity and to make us a peculiar people zealous of good works Before men are Regenerated they are zealous for their own gain honour pleasure and superstition but Regeneration makes them zealous for God with the Zeal of God As soon as Paul was converted he shewed himself a true and great Zealot indeed for Christ Grace Holiness and the Souls of men It is holy Gospel-zeal that makes men active for God and puts them forward to follow their Light Light in the Head without Zeal in the Heart may fill men with notions of duty but never make them Practitioners of duty they may know the Will of God but they will not they cannot be perswaded to do it 't is true that Zeal without knowledge is not good and as true that knowledge without zeal is unprofitable Christ hath a fulness of zeal for men and in Regeneration he imparts it to them Ninthly Prayer In Regeneration Christ infuses the Grace and Spirit of Prayer as soon as Paul was Regenerated behold he prayeth Acts 9.11 He had often prayed before for he was a zealous Pharisee and concerning the Law he was blameless Phil. 3.6 but he never prayed aright until he was Regenerated for then Christ gave him the grace of Prayer he could then pray with Grace in his heart and then not till then behold he prayeth There are none can pray spiritually but New Creatures for the voice of Nature is the voice of the flesh and what is of the flesh is flesh Joh. 3.6 and that voice God is not pleased with and heareth not but it is the voice of the New Creature which is formed and made up of the Grace and Spirit of Christ that God heareth and delighteth in Pro. 15.8 Therefore God promiseth to give unto men in Regeneration the Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zach. 12.10 that they may thereby be enabled to pray unto God holily and acceptably 1 Pet. 2.5 Rom. 8.26 27. God is a Spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and truth Joh. 4.23 24. and therefore he spirits them in Regeneration so to do Men may speak great and good words and make plausible and seemingly good prayers from light in their heads and other common spiritual gifts without Regeneration but they are but fleshly cold dead and loathsome prayers because they proceed not from a Divine Root and Spring they are dead their hearts are dead and therefore their prayers must needs be dead prayers which the Living God abhors Isa 1. But now Regeneration opens their hearts and tongues enlivens and quickens them puts a heavenly Principle into them so that now they can speak to God with new tongues and hearts now they can pray in Faith and Hope with spiritual and lively affections and in obedience to the Will of God Tenthly Self-denial Men are by Nature altogether selfish they are wholly devoted to the service of the flesh and set upon fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind Eph. 2.3 Rom. 8.5 Phil. 3.19 But God lays in Self-denying grace on their hearts in Regeneration so that now they can deny themselves of their ease pleasures profits opinions relations peace and all their once beloved Interests whatsoever for God Holiness Truth and the welfare of their own Souls They can and that upon choice displease themselves to please God they can willingly be nothing that Christ may be all in all things Col. 3.11 yea they would be the Footstool of Christ to exalt him and set him on the Throne Regeneration makes them account their all too little for him as before they accounted a little too much for Christ This is the great term on which we receive and believe in the Lord Jesus Mark 8.34 Matth. 16.24 Luk. 9.23 and by Regeneration he gives them power and will to do it Psal 110.3 Phil. 2.13 Joh. 6.44 45. This Regeneration wrought in Paul Gal. 1.16 I consulted not with flesh and blood says he that is as soon as he was Regenerated Christ sent him to preach the Faith which before he had zealously destroyed vers 23. and that amongst the barbarous Heathens where was much danger and in the doing of which he should meet with many difficulties as he did yet he immediately yielded up himself to the Will of Christ and laid his own in the dust So when Christ called Peter and Andrew they straightway left all and followed him Matth. 4.18 19 20. and after ward Matthew did the like he presently left his gainful Trade at the Custom-House and followed Christ Matth. 9.9 So the Disciples tell Christ Luke 18. that they had left all and followed him and the grace of Self-denial is given to all Regenerate persons in the very moment of their Regeneration Eleventhly Sincerity This is the general grace or that which is the Salt that seasons and makes as it were all other grace good and singular Gospel-sincerity is the holy spiritual Leven that runs through the whole Lump or Body of the graces of Christ given in Regeneration it is not properly one single grace but it is rather the grace of all other graces 't is that which makes
men receive new strength and power from God to obey Phil. 2.13 6 By Nature we are Servants to the Devil and our own Lusts Rebels and Enemies to and against God as was shewed before We have chosen the service of Lusts and Satan and are well pleased and contented with it do it most willingly and readily and are not weary of it but against God we lift up the heel and kick throw off his Yoke and reject his Authority over us in his Laws and Statutes Joh. 8.44 Deut. 32. Eph. 2.2 Psal 2. Rom. 6. 7 By Nature we are lovers of sin and haters of God 2 Tim. 3.4 Rom. 1.30 We sin upon choice Isa 66.3 and are greatly delighted with it Pro. 2.14 As the Law of God is to Believers namely their joy and delight Rom. 7.22 Psal 1.2 so is sin and wickedness to Unbelievers whilest such they rejoyce not only to be evil but also to do it and to work it or in it with both hands Jer. 11.15 It is their meat and drink their pleasure and satisfaction to sin and wallow in the Mire of one or other abomination 8 By Nature we are dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2.1.5 and live stinking above ground like filthy Carrion We are unsensible of our sin and misery or of the wrong we have done to God Men and our own Souls We are all by Nature like some condemned Malefactors who are not touched with their Guilt or Punishment Neither Gods Truths Promises Precepts or Threatnings neither his Judgments or Mercies will pierce or make any saving impressions on us 9 By Nature we are void of all Grace We have neither Faith to believe nor Affection to love God we neither will that which is good nor believe that which is true nor yet love that which is lovely although we are indispensably bound to do it in order to Eternal Life He that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16.16 and if any man love not ou◠Lord Jesus namely in sincerity let him be accursed 1 Cor. 16.22 Eph. 6. ult Therefore we stand in absolute need of Regeneration that we may be enabled to believe in and love Christ aright 10 And lastly By Nature we do not so much as desire to be made happy by Free Grace in the Lords own way A happiness indeed we do desire but then we would obtain it in our own way which will not do it What men desire that they chuse to and for themselves they desire happiness and desire and chuse their ow◠way to it Isa 66.3 Rom. 10.3 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death So we read it but J. and T. render it Cujus finis est via multiplex as Mortem the end of that seeming right way is manifold or leads men divers ways to death and destruction Pro. 14.12 and yet it seems the right way unto them towards the obtainment of happiness But such is our Depravity Stupidity Atheism and Blindness as that we see not desire not to know the right way to it neither are we freely willing to find and get it in the ways God hath appointed God hath appointed Faith in Christ Repentance towards God Acts 20.21 and Gospel-Holiness Rom. 6.22 Heb. 14.14 to be the way to happiness but men will rather lose their happiness than have it in these ways of Gods own appointment They will have God to bow and condescend to them but they will not bend to nor comply with the will and way of God so that if God will save them it must be on their own terms not Gods for they do by no means like or desire to win Heaven by Self-denial Faith Repentance true Holiness and Gospel-obedience but in the way of their own hearts Eccl. 11.9 The way of Gods prescribing is contrary to their Lusts Humours Inclinations Interests and Affections Happiness they would have but with all these They do not account their obtainment of happiness of that weight and moment as to deny themselves of these to get it All the Moral perswasions in the World will not make them change their minds but that they may be happy on other and easier terms than God propounds unto them In Job 21.14 there is this description given of us as in our Natural states They say to God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways that is the ways of God which are appointed by God to lead and conduct men to Eternal Happiness Now if men do not so much as desire happiness much less will or can they seriously seek it in the Lords way without which yea and also striving for it men shall not find nor obtain it Luke 13.24 1 Cor. 9.24 Thus we may see by these few things the necessity of Regeneration from the state and condition we are all in by Nature I have said but little of what I could say of this matter but I think I have said enough to evince and prove the absolute necessity of a new state by what hath been said of our old how unable and uncapable we are to answer close up with prosecute and obtain the ends of God in our first Make or his knowing us in his own Image and Likeness without Regeneration How utterly unable we are to serve his holy designs without his special Grace renewing and new moulding us for his own glorious ends and purposes which is done by Regeneration Q. What have you else to offer for the further demonstrating and proving this great Truth namely the absolute necessity of Regeneration for our fuller information and conviction for it is a hard matter to believe it and there are but few that do believe what you have already said yea there are many that preach quite contrary Doctrine and perswade men that they are Regenerated in and by their Water Baptism and therefore they need no other Regeneration Answ I shall therefore further prove and demonstrate this Truth to you and shew you the absolute necessity of it in these following particulars 1 No man can know Jesus Christ rightly and savingly without Regeneration therefore Regeneration is absolutely necessary for the right knowledge or of knowing Christ which is Life Eternal Joh. 17.3 And that we cannot so know him until we are Regenerated hath been already proved For we are darkness Eph. 5.8 and walk in darkness because darkness hath blinded our eyes 1 Joh. 2.11 2 No man can rightly believe in Christ and in God the Father without Regeneration and therefore it is absolutely needful It is absolutely necessary to Salvation that we do rightly believe because it is Gods Statute Law that such as do not so believe shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 Now that none believe in Christ unto Salvation is evident because our sin and Gods Curse hath concluded or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shut up all in unbelief and believing is of Grace Act. 1.18.2.1 3 No man
themselves and not at all to God 14 No man can be made free of the Heavenly City and Spiritual Corporation nor be set at liberty from bondage and thraldome but in and by Regeneration All men are by Nature in bondage to the Devil and Lusts as you heard before but Regeneration is the year or day of Release and Enlargement to imprisoned Souls for then comes Jesus Christ opens the Prison doors and brings out his Prisoners Joh. 8.36 Gal. 5.1.13 until then they lye in the Dungeon of darkness bound hand and foot with Fetters of Iron and shut in under Impenitency Ignorance and Vnbelief and cannot get forth until the Jubilee comes and proclaims Liberty to them Isa 61.1 2. Zach. 2.11 Then are they made Free Citizens of the New Jerusalem and have their Freedom given them to live and Trade in Heaven for heavenly and everlasting Commodities Eph. 2.19 Phil. 3.20 Behold the necessity then of Regeneration 15 No man can be actually and personally justified pardoned and acquitted without Regeneration but are held under the Guilt and Curse of the Law for they must first believe unto Justification of life before they can obtain a discharge and take out an Acquittance under the Hand and Seal of the Holy Ghost Eph. 1.13 Rom. 5.18 but this they cannot do for want of Faith until they are Regenerated and thereby made partakers of this glorious Grace 16 No man can fear God aright namely with a godly filial fear nor indeed can he stand in awe of God and sin not or walk in the fear of God all the day long as commanded Pro. 23.17 Psal 4.4 until they be Regenerated for who can so fear and reverence God until God put it into his heart to do it Jer. 32.39 40. for if they could and had they wherewithal to do it without this Grace of God to what purpose hath God promised to do it himself and declared it to be a choise and singular Gift and Grace of his own giving and working in their hearts I will says God put my fear into their hearts that they may not depart from me and that they may fear me for ever And how can men fear God with a filial or Child-like fear until they are made Children by Regeneration and begotten again by his Word and Spirit 1 Pet. 1.3 Jam. 1.18 Joh. 3.5 17 No man can make the Glory of God his greatest end and aim and really design to please and honour God in his words and deeds without Regeneration therefore it is absolutely necessary We are indispensably bound to make God the chief and great aim and end of all our undertakings and to seek design and endeavour with all possible seriousness and diligence to please honour and exalt him 1 Cor. 10.31 Col. 3.23 Pro. 3.9 Col. 1.10 1 Thes 4.1 But this we cannot do until a new Spring of Life and Divine Principles be put into us by Regeneration for we are by Nature wholly selfish are quite swallowed up in sinful carnal self Self is the principle motive and end of all our thoughts words and deeds Self-pleasure profit ease honour and security have only Self in the bottom and top of every Good as well as Evil in Religious as well as Civil works And how can it be otherwise with us the Fountain of our Natures being so miserably corrupted and depraved as it is And it is a truth that the Streams cannot rise higher than the Fountains from whence they come 18 No man can be the object of Gods delight and complacency until he be Regenerated because they have nothing that is lovely and desirable in them Before Regeneration men are hateful vile and abominable in the sight of God as hath been shewed as they are sinners and unwashed It is the Nature and Image of God that is the Object of Gods delight and complacency in men for the God of Holiness cannot look on iniquity he is of purer eyes than to do so Habuk. 1.13 and this Nature and Image we have not until we are Regenerated and made New Creatures by Grace for till then God looks on us as in our blood Ezek. 16. Rom. 3. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. and stamps his own Nature and Image on us to make us clean pure lovely and delightful in his eyes He beautifies men with his Ornaments that he may take pleasure in and rejoyce with them Zach. 3.17 19 No man can claim a Right unto and Interest in the Covenant and Promises without Regeneration for they are not under neither have they any interest in them whilest they lay in their blood and continue in their state of Enmity against God No man can be interested in the Promises and Covenant of Grace and Life that is not interested in Christ and no man is interested in Christ until he be a New Creature All the Promises are in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 and they are made ours by virtue of our having of and being in Christ and when we are in Christ all is ours 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. and not till then then we may claim and use them as ours but not till then 20 No man can be in a state of Grace and Life without Regeneration no man can be a holy gracious and good man until he be Regenerated Whatever good things he may have act and do yet he is in a state of sin and death still until he pass under Regeneration He may be washed without yet he is a Swine still he may put on Sheeps cloathing but he is a Wolf still he may be enlightned but is in a state of darkness still and he may believe many Truths and yet be an Vnbeliever still 2 Pet. 2.20.22 Matth. 7.15 Heb. 6.4 Joh. 8.30.44 Acts 8.13.23 But I see I must contract my self lest I run beyond my intentions and therefore shall briefly sum up what I have further to say on this Head that I may presently dismiss it Therefore I say that as we stand in absolute need of Regeneration for the Reasons and Ends already named so likewise for those that follow which I shall but name We cannot take up in God as in our portion satisfaction and only happiness without Regeneration neither can we chuse him for the great and only delight of our Souls without it We cannot have our wills bowed to and swallowed up into the Will of God nor freely chearfully and dutifully yield up our selves to his disposement without Regeneration We cannot rejoyce in Christ Jesus nor in tribulation and bearing the Cross nor yet in doing good and working Righteousness without Regeneration We cannot be dutifully and thankfully patient under and contented with an afflicted state and condition nor demean and carry our selves well in it without Regeneration We cannot be fruitful in every good work nor bear fruit unto Eternal Life without Regeneration We cannot highly esteem and set a due nor a right value on Christ his Person Blood Laws and Grace nor on the great love and kindness of God
conditions states and ways and imagin that all others should have the same opinion of them that we our selves have And therefore conclude that such as think and speak otherwise of them are too uncharitable and censorious This is one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of Regeneration and causes many to tune a deaf ear to all convincing and regenerating Truths that are handed out unto them Besides the vain groundless hopes they have formed to themselves and are greatly in love withal that they are in a good and safe condition although they are not so good as they should be whatever men and the word of God shall say to the contrary of or against them The Jews gives us many proofs and evidences of it for when the Lord Jesus Preached to and discoursed with them about their states to convince and regenerate them Oh! how did they labour to fence off all the words of Truth spoken to them how did they strive dispute and set themselves against the Gospel of their Salvation and that upon the grounds before mentioned yea those very persons which sometimes were convinced in their Consciences that they were sinners Joh. 8.9 I say even these men did ordinarily harden themselves against the Word of Christ upon their vain hopes high priviledges proud and high conceits they had of themselves Joh. 8.33.39 48. ult Joh. 9. Joh. 10. Math. 9. Read these Chapters throughout and you will find what I have said abundantly confirmed and as it was with them so I am afraid it is with many of you do not you conceit and stoutly perswade your selves that you are in a safe and happy state and condition before God that you shall undoubtedly be saved notwithstanding the Truth of God Ministers of Christ yea and sometimes your own Consciences testify the contrary also and tell you plainly That you are yet in the gall of bitterness and bond of Iniquity do not you encourage and support your selves fortify and arm your selves under and against all convictions with many vain and groundless hopes and delusive conceits of your blessed states or that you are in a happy case and condition although you never experienced any real change in your hearts nor any special grace of Christ in your poor deluded perishing Souls But yet I say unregenerate persons may know and have a shrewd guess that they themselves are not unregenerated but in a state of sin and under the wrath of God Simon Magat was so Acts 8.24 Pharoah Exod. 9.27 unregenerate men have three means if I may so call them to help them to the knowledge and conviction of their bad conditions First the word of God written but especially Preached and so it is the word of conviction in the hand of an Ordinance appointed and designed thereunto by the great God Act. 26.18 2 Their own natural Consciences and principles of Nature that are in all men not feared which are subjects capable of impressions from the Word of God namely of its light and convincing power and also natural Reason helped by the Word so that when they hear the certain Characters of unregenerate persons laid down from Gods Word they may reflect on themselves and apply them to themselves if they will They may reason thus why if these are certain Characters or Signs of an evil or unregenerate man or state as I cannot but conclude they are then am I in such a state for I find them in and upon me I cannot deny it As thus Is gross ignorance of Jesus Christ the grace of God Sin and Duty a certain sign of an unregenerate person surely then I am an unregenerate person for I am grosly ignorant of these things So when they hear Characters or Signs laid down of a regenerate man then to examin themselves and reason thus Why I find not any of these in my self which I should if I was regenerate and therefore I am in an unregenerate state and condition much might be done this way by unregenerate men towards their conviction and knowledge I mean not saving knowledge of their States would such men practise it but that they will not no because they love their carnal ease and peace and therefore they are willingly ignorant of their unregenerate state And as they have these means or helps to know their evil States so 3 the holy Spirit of God to stir up Conscience in and by the Word The Spirit speaks sometimes to them not as the Spirit of Adoption but of Bondage whose voice is louder quicker and pierceth further unto and into their Consciences than the word of its self can do and tells them plainly that they are in a damnable state and condition and shall assuredly perish for ever except they be regenerate here Gen. 6.3 This awakens and affrights them this humbles and abases them and makes them cry out undone undone we are lost Oh! what shall we do to be saved Acts 2.37 And here I might add that not only these said means may help them to the knowledge of their states but also the discourses carriages and conversations of some Regenerate persons that they are concerned withal and may make observations of and compare themselves with them and them with themselves and conclude clearly that there is a vast difference between such and themselves the states of the one and of the other And if these be Regenerate persons and Regenerate persons be indeed such and so and so qualified graced and spirited as they seem to be then that they themselves are undoubtedly in an Unregenerate condition for that they are not such persons neither have any of their qualifications or any like them Matth. 5.16 Now if Unregenerate men would improve and rationally use these means or helps towards the knowledge and conviction of their states they might undoubtedly know them better than they do But there needs no further proof of this truth namely that unregenerate persons may know they are in a bad condition then the Gripes and trouble of Conscience their fears trembling and consternations in and under the apprehensions of Death and Judgment together with their wishes protestations resolutions and promises on their Death-beds These do all proclaim this Truth Q. May not Gods people such as are Regenerate know that they are so and be sufficiently assured of their Regeneration A. They may for first God hath promised the knowledge of it unto them in their obedient and holy walkings with God in that state Hosea 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. Isa 32.17 Prov. 2.1 â—7 So the Spirit witnesseth with our Spirit that we are the Children of God Rom. 8.16 2. The people of God have had certain and clear assurance or a sufficient knowledge of their Regenerate states and the Spirit of God hath recorded it for our learning and encouragement Enoch had it Heb. 11.5 and the Apostle John speaking in the name of Believers or regenerate persons saith We know that we are of
God That we are translated from Death to Life and hereby know we that we are in him 1 John 2.5.3.14.5.19 And Paul tells us that they namely he and other Regenerate Persons had received the Spirit that they might know the things which were freely given to them of God 1 Cor. 2.12 Now if it was certainly known by the Saints of old such as run their Race before us then we may obtain it now for we live under the same God Christ Grace Promises Love Spirit and means of assurance that they did and we have as much need of it as they had upon all accounts And as we have these and many other Scripture Evidences or Examples I mean the Saints mentioned in Scripture so we have had many undoubted Testimonies of it in and from many good men in our days and the latter Ages before us How that some on their Death-Beds others in the days of their prosperity others in their tryals and temptations Some in one Ordinance of God and some in another some in Prison and some at the Stake some under the loss of their Goods and Reproaches for Christs sake have gotten clear and heart ravishing Assurance of their Regeneration and blessed States I say we have this Truth confirmed to us by their worthy Testimonies and glorious Experiences And assuredly what they had we also may obtain in the same way in and by the use of the same means and in the same or like case and condition 2. God hath commanded Regenerate Persons and so hath made it their Duty to get and keep assurance of their new States and God would never have prescribed such a means and commanded our diligent use of it as our duty in order to the obtainment of the end but that the said end is attainable by and shall most certainly be obtained in the faithful constant use of it For as his commands makes the work or means our duty so the End propounded namely of the duty to be done by us is the obtainment of assurance so I say it is an object of our Faith and Hope And upon Gods propounding it to us as the end of the duty commended we are to believe and hope in the performance of the duty to obtain the end that is assurance of our being translated from Death to Life namely that God will bless his own means to effect and accomplish his own ends to and in us and he will by no means disappoint us or make us ashamed of our trusting him hoping in and waiting for him to grant us the end he presented to us commanded us to seek it that we might find it and which we have endeavoured with all our hearts to obtain in his own way Isa 49.20 Isa 54.4 Now God hath charged us to examin and prove our selves 2 Cor. 13.5 And to give diligence to make our Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 And to worship him in full assurance of Faith Heb. 10.22 that is in the certain perswasion of Gods Truth All-sufficiency and Faithfulness in his Promises and of Christ his being a High-Priest over the House of God vers 21. So likewise of our Interest and Right to and in all 4. God hath given us many Rules and Marks in his Word to help us in our Tryals of our states and to make a comfortable and satisfactory judgment of them whether we are indeed Regenerate or no. Very much of the New Testament was written for that end that we might know we have Eternal Life saith John 1 Joh. 5.13 All which Scripture had been to little or no purpose if assurance after all were not attainable But it is evident that it is attainable and that all Regenerate persons may attain unto and obtain it because God hath given them such proper and suitable means and helps for the obtainment of it There are many of them scattered up and down the Scriptures I 'le name one or two that in 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we are passed from death to life because we love the Brethren that is here is a certain and infallible sign or mark of a New Creature his loving of good men that is if you can really say and soundly experience that you do love a holy man or gracious men as such rightly truly heartily with a spiritual and special love because they are such and belong to Christ why then you may conclude that you are in a state of Grace and passed from death to life So that if I can make good the lesser Proposition the Gospel will prove and make good the first or greater Proposition thus He that loves the Brethren that is rightly and in a true Gospel sense is passed from death to life but I do so love the Brethren therefore I am passed from death to life Now that which we have to do in the case is this namely to get the clear proof of the second part thus I do know that I do so love the Brethren according to the true purport and meaning of that and other Texts of Scripture and then conclude from this Scripture and others of the like import that I am passed from death to life that is I am Regenerated 2. An other sign or mark of Regenerate men laid down in Scripture is this that they desire the sincere Milk of the Word that they may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 Now if I am a Babe in Christ I do desire the sincere Milk of the Word of God that I may not only eat it but eat it to grow thereby to grow up in Christ Grace and in the practise and fruits of holiness and if I do so desire the sincere Milk of the Word then I am at least a Babe or young Child of God But this is not my work or present design and therefore do but little more than mention these things namely to shew that Unregenerate and Regenerate persons may know the states and conditions wherein they are the one in and by sin the other in and by Grace But I thought good to say a little of it and but a little as a preparative to that which I have further to say and which was mainly intended as the subject matter of this Chapter Q. What are some of the most certain Signs Characters or Marks of Regenerate and Vnregenerate persons or states A. Much hath been said already in opening the work of Regeneration what it was and what was contained in it as you may see in that Chapter and therefore I shall say the less here But yet I shall endeavour to present so much unto you in this Chapter or Head as shall fully answer and resolve the Question First A Regenerate person hath new life It is a New Creature Gal. 6.15 and it is a living lively Creature it is not born dead but alive it is alive to God to live unto him in newness of life Rom. 6.4.10.11 To bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7.4 And men are created in Christ Jesus unto
matters not at all in these They onely mind and follow the things of the Flesh whilst others do mostly mind the things of the Spirit Rom. 8.5.6 Phil. 3.19 20. Regerate men do mostly mind how to please God Carnal men how to please them elves Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to honour the will of God and obey it Carnal men do mind and endeavour to know their carnal Interests and obey the will of the flesh Regenerate men do live in Heaven converse with delight in and set their minds and affections on things above Carnal men do onely converse with live in delight in and set their mindes and affections on things here below Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to be rich in grace and good works Carnal men how to get and keep the good things of this world Regenerate men do make Religion their business Carnal men do make sin their profits and pleasures their business Regenerate men do live in the Spirit and walk in and after the Spirit Carnal men do live in and walk in the flesh and the things thereof These are some of the many differences and contrarieties of regenerate and unregenerate men which have now been presented to you to help you to try your selves and to make a right judgment of your states and conditions Therefore do you prove and examin your selves by them whether you are in a regenerate or unregenerate state yea or no. For as suredly if you be regenerated and born againe you may find many if not all these marks and characters of regenerate persons in and on you You are indeed such persons in measure within and without in heart and life as you have heard regenerate persons are And know that if it be otherwise with you and you care not to know or find such real signes of regeneration in you nor any other of like import that then you ought to fear and tremble judge your selves and conclude that you are as yet in an unregenerate state and condition and under the curse and wrath of God And if so let me in the name of Christ exhort and perswade you to go to God the Father in Christ his name and tell him how it is with you Fall down before him pray and beseech him to pitty you and give regenerating Grace and with all Importunity and Constancy cry to him and wait for him to come and give you new hearts stamp his Image and divine nature on you and now with all possible speed to convert and make you new Creatures indeed CHAP. V. Shewing there are but few reall Regenerate Persons among the multitudes of Professors Q. THere are many great Professors of the Name and good ways of Jesus Christ in the world which are called Christians May we think or judge them all Regenerate persons Are there many or but few Regenerate persons What shall we judge of this matter for all Professors do pretend to and would have men think them a singular and peculiar people such as are in a good and happy state and condition in which they cannot be except they are indeed Regenerated Ans That there are many great and high Professors of the holy Name and good ways of Jesus Christ is certain and that there are but few really Regenerate persons among them is as certain too That they have the Name and do own themselves Christians is also apparent but that they are not such in Truth I mean the greater number is clear and notorious as will appear by and by That they do pretend to and would have men think them to be what they are not indeed namely a singular and peculiar and a happy people is clear and that they are not so or such as they pretend to be is evident also Now this I shall the Lord helping prove and demonstrate to you as well as I can and I am sure I have clear proof for what I say That there are but a small number of Regenerate persons in the world Comparatively or if compared to the number of such as seem or profess to be such I shall evince by many Scripture Testimonies Math. 7 14. Because strait is the Gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few there be that find it Mark it few there be that find it namely among or of those that seek it which the most of men do not They do not so much as seek to be Regenerated and saved in the Lords way But of them who do really though not rightly seek to enter in at the strait Gate I say that such Professors shall not find it This is further confirmed in Luke 13 24. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate says Christ why because many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Another testimony is in Math. 20 16. For many are called but few are chosen So Math. 22 14. Christ calls his People A little Flock fear not little Flock says Christ to and of his true Disciples Luâ— 12 32. And the Apostle Paul assures us Rom. 9 27. That although the number of the Children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea a Remnant shall be saved Now who or what kind of men were they which are so innumerable and should not be saved were they the Heathenish world such as the Apostle saith Eph. 2.12 Are strangers without hope and without God in the world No they were the Seed of Abraham John 8 37. To whom appertained the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the Promises Rom. 9 4. They were Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles of whom he speaks that they should perish and be damned And yet there was amongst them a little flock a small Remnant that should be saved but these were comparatively very few For what is a small Remnant in number compared with the innumerable sands of the Sea God tells us in Jer. 3.14 That he will take one of a City and two of a family and bring them to Sion What is one or two to a City and Tribe where were many thousands and yet you see these are the number of Regenerated and saved persons Thus you see the Truth Cleared and confirmed by many express Scriptures But I shall further prove and explain this Truth namely that there are but a very few Regenerate men comparitively to the multitude of high Professors thus First the Scripture or the holy God in his Word shews us that there are but a few a very small number that shall be saved as was shewed therefore there are but a few Regenerated for all Regenerate persons shall be saved 1 Pet. 1 3 4 5. The Lord Jesus that knows the number of them to a man having all their Names in the Book of Life and calls them all by their Names Revel 21 ult Joh. 10 3. tells us so and he knows very well what he saith He is the Truth its self
Joh. 14.6 and therefore cannot deceive us in and by what he speaks We are taught this Doctrine by Christ and therefore we may and must believe it as a real Truth He certainly knows their persons and number though he keeps that to himself as a secret not fit for us to know But although simply they are a great number no doubt on 't yet if compared to the number or multiude of unregenerate Professors they are but a very small number For says the Lord Jesus Many are called but few are chosen Math. 23 16. that is many come to the Word and Ordinances of the Gospel and there they are called upon to come to Christ and believe in him but they do not will not come to him nor accept him on his own tearms John 5.40 But why not why will they not answer Christs call and come in on his Invitation why because they are not chosen To the same purpose he speaks in John 10 26. But ye believe not because ye are not of my Sheep as I said unto you Secondly This Truth is further evidenced by their general frames walking and want af all those qualifications and Attainments that all new Creatures or Regenerate persons have Regenerate men are Singular and peculiar men Tit. 2.14 Caleb was a man of another Spirit and followed God fully Numb 14.24 he was of a choice singular and Peculiar Spirit much above and different from the Spirit of the Generality of the Congregation with whom he walked So all the Children of God are persons of another namely of a Choice Singular and Peculiar spirit They differ as much from other men as Gold from dross Light from darkness and in some sense as good from evil Their frames of heart their qualifications and atttainments and their carriages and walkings towards God and men are vastly different for Regenerate men are men of other Spirits They are 1 knowing men they see and discern Spiritual things Spiritually Eph. 1.18 1. Cor. 2.12.13.14 They are Children of light Eph. 5.8 But all others are Children of darkness Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 2.9 Now how few are their Comparatively that have the eies of their understandings thus enlightned how few are their that see and understand the things of God and the Lord Jesus Christ with a Spiritual Judgment and discerning Regenerate men are men of wisdome Mica 6.9 they have hidden wisdom of God and divine things in them 1 Cor. 2.7 But how few Spiritually wise Professors of the Gospel are there to be found All other men are called fools in scripture Pro. 1.7 22 32. Eccles 5 1. Eph. 5.15 2. How few are there among the multitudes of Professors that can indeed experience a real Change of heart and State many very many are reformed and have the outside changed and that they think is Regeneration when it is but a Reformation of their own not a work of God on their hearts making them new within and changing their frame habits and course Nicedemus was a reformed but not a new man his outside was clean but his heart and Soul was unsanctified and in darkness and so were the Scribes and Pharisees too Math. 23.26 27 28. and Paul was in the same plight and condition likewise before his conversation or Regeneration Phil. 3.4 5 6. Acts 23.1 Concerning the Law says he I was blamless and I love walked in all good Conscience before God â—unt 〈◊〉 day 3. How few are there that deny themselves take 〈◊〉 the cross of Christ and follow him without which day cannot be his disciples Luk. 14.26.27 〈◊〉 there any Self-deniers amongst them but 〈◊〉 little flock and smal Remnant did not the â—â—ng man in Luk. 18. Stick at this and here Christ and he parted and did not they in John 〈◊〉 tell Christ this was a hard saying and thereupon went away from him and walked no more with him Joh. 6.60.66 Peter and the little â—ock came fully and freely up to his terms and continued with him 67.68.69 Verses How few are there but are Lovers of pleasures more thâ—n Lovers of God 2 Tim. 3.4 that will deny themselves of any worldly carnal pleasures profits or Interests for Christ Grace and hosiness or so much as take any pains be at any Costs or deny themselves of any thing that is near and dear unto them to please and hoâ—our Christ to have communion with and to be saved by him in his own way 4. How few are there that do seriously and in Good Earnest seek and strive to be saved that take the kingdome of Heaven by a holy violence or that ran so as if they were fully set and bent to â—in the prize and wear the Crown of life and Righteousness And yet all men and women that are Regenerated do and all that shal win the prize wear the Crown and obtain Salvation by Christ must so strive run and press into the kingdom of Heaven Luk. 13.24 Math. 11.12.1 1 Cor. 9.24 Heb. 12.1 without which they shall not obtain them When God Regenerates men he sets them a Running for an Incorruptible Crown Striving to be saved and to take the kingdom by a kind of violence But assuredly there are but few professors who do so and therefore there are but a smal number amongst them that are Regenerated For were they such indeed they would do all they can in the Lords own way to win the Crown of Righteousness in the true way of Righteousness They would do all they can to run so as to obtaine would most freely lay aside all other business to attend on this and suffer any thing rather than this Eternal concern should be neglected as all truly regenerate persons do and cannot but do They would not act and do like the foolish Virgins as the most do namely neglect to take Oyl in their Vessels with their Lamps Math. 25. No they would strive and labour night and day to get Grace into their hearts as well as Light into their heads as the Wise Virgins did and they would cry and give God no rest until they had wone the Prize and got the Crown of life on their heads 5. There are but a few wounded and brokes hearted Professors and few who are indeed deeply and heartily sensible of their Misery and Sin that do really see and feel their pressing need and absolute necessity of Christ and change of state and therefore there are but a few Regenerate persons among Professors for all Regenerate Persons are deeply sensible of affected and afflicted with their own deplorable states and see an absolute necessity of Christ and interest in his Blood and Righteousness as also a real change of their states Phil. 3.7 8 9. â—â—e not the generality of Professors whole see not and feel not their sin and misery nor any need of a Phisitian to heal and save them Mat. 3.12 13. Revel 3.17 6. There are but a small number of Professors 〈◊〉 do indeed go out of themselves and take up in Christ