Be~d I. . 'ihe rext e:.:p!ained. I 53 them in miod of their fpiritual original. He tells them they-we re born again; and that of one incorruptibl~ feed, the word q( God. This fpeaks them to be bret11ren; par– takers of the fame new nature ; wbich is the fame root f rom which ho1ioef5, and paiticulady brotherly Jcve ;'doth fpring. \Ve are once born {inners; we mull be born again, that we may hefaints. The fimple word iignifies to be be· notten, and {o tt may be read, lvlatth. xi. I I. ffl be con t~ . ce iz:-e d, .Yia:th . i. 20 and i~ be born, Mattb. ii. I. Accordingly the compound word qfed in the text, may be taken in its fu'll latitude, the laft notion ptefuppofing the two formeT: and fo regeneration is a fupernatural real change on the whole 1~1an, Gtly compared to natural or corporal generat:on, as wi-!1 afr .,rwatd appear. The ordinary m~an:s of regenerat ion called the feed, whereof the- new creahne · is formed, is not corruptible feed. Of fuch indeed, om· bodies are generated : but the fpititual feec4 of which the 11ew creature is generateq, is incorruptible ; namely, th..~ 'Word of God, 'Which liveth and abideth for ever. The found of the word of .God pa!feth even as other fou11ds do: but the word laf!:eth, liveth and abideth, io refpeCl of its everlafting effeCts, oo all upon whom it operates. Thi1 'l»ord, which by the gofpe! i.r preacbed unto yoU, (ver. 2j·J impregnated by the Spii·it of God, is the means of regene– ration; and by it are dead fir.tners raifed to life. Do CT R1NE. A limen in the flate of graceare born d· gain. All gracious perfons, n<nndy, fuch as are in a Hate of favour with God, and endued with graciotl9 qualities and d ifpoGtions, are regener ate perfons. In Cl ifcoorGng this fubject, I !hall fhew what Tegenerat ion is ; Next, \Yhy it is fo called, and then apply the docb ir. e. O.f the Nature of Regemral~on. < J. For the better underfl:anding of th e nat nre of r~ ? efte· ration, .take this along with ·you io the fi rft place, Tb,at .as there are falfe conceptions in nature, fo the ' e are aifo in grace : and by thefe many are de lud ed, mi ilakiro g Jome partial changes made upon t h em ~ for this great ·and tho .. rough change. To remove fuch vniHakes, let thefe few t-hiogs be confidered : .( t.) Mariy call ~h e church tbeir . .r • 1·~r · motLcr, ·
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