113 WORK OIa THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE three heads: (1.) Of sanctifying grace. (2.) Of espe- cial gifts. (3.) Of peculiar evangelical privileges. On- ly we must observe that these things are not so distin- guished, as to be negatively contradistinct to eachother; 3òr the same thing, under several considerations, may he all these, a grace, a gift, and a .privilege: All that I intend; is to reduce the operations of the Holy Spirit unto these heads, casting each of them under that whirls it is most eminent in, and as which it is most directly proposed unto us. And I shall begin with his work of grace. BOOK III. WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NEW CREATION BY REGENERATION. CHAP. I. - i l.) The neue creation completed. (2.) Regeneration the especial'work of the HolySpirit. (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.). Wrought under the Old Testament, but clearly revealed in the Nets.. Ánd,(10, t1, 12.) Is of the same bind 'a,i all that are regenerate.x(13, 14.) The causes- and way of it being the some in all.(15, 1G.) It consisteth not in" baptism alone. Nor(17, 18.) In a moral reformation of life. But(19, 20.) 4 new creature is - formed isa it. Whose (21, 22.) Nature is. declared.. And(25.) Farther explained. (2t.) Denial of the original depravation of nature the cause of many noxious opinions. (25, 26.) Regeneration consisteth not in enthusiastic raptures, their nature and danger.(27.) The whole doctrine necessary, despised, corrupted, vindicated. WE hareformerly declared the work ofthe Holy Spi- rit in preparingand forming the natural body of Christ. This was the beginning of the new creation, the foun- dation of the gospel state and church. But this was not the whole of the work he had to do. As he had pro- vided and prepared the natural body of Christ, -so he was to prepare his mystical body also. And hereby the work of the new creation was to be completed and per- fected. And, as it was with respect unto him and his work in the old creation, so it was also in the new All things in their first production had darkness and death upon them. For the,earth was void asid without form, and darkness was upon the flaw of the deep, Gen. i. 2. Neither was there any thing that had either life in,it, or principle of life, or any disposition thereunto. In this condition he -moved on the prepared matter, preserving and cherishing of it, and communicating unto all things a principle of life whereby they were animated, as we have declared. It, was no otherwise in the new creation. There was a spiritual darkness and death cameby sin on all mankind. Neither was there in any man living the least principle of spiritual life, or any disposition thereunto. In this state of things the Holy Spiritnndertaketh to create a new world, new heavens, and a new earth, wherein righteousness should dwell. And this, in the firstplace, was by his eligetual communication of a new principle of spiritual life unto the souls of God's elect, who were the matter designed ofGod forthis work to be wrought upon. This he doth in their regeneration, as we shall now manifest. Sect., 2. -1. Regeneration in scripture is every where assigned to be the proper and peculiar work ofthe Holy Spirit. John 'iii. 3, 9, 5, 6. Is Jesus answered and said unto Nicodemas, Verily,,verily, I say unto-thee, ex- cept a man be born again he cannot see the king- 's dom,of God. Nicodemns saith unto him,, how can a man be born when he is old; can he enter the se- s' rend time into his mother's womb and be born?Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born 6. of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the
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