w It 126 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IV THE proved with more or less care and diligence. In those souls of men by a creating act of the power ofClod, ae therefore that are adult, these things are inseparable. Therefore, (3.) The difference in this matter cometh unto this head: we say and believe that regeneration consists in Spirituali Renovatione Naturre; in a spiritual renovation of our nature. Our modern Socinians, that it doth so, in Morali Refernsationé nice, in a moral reformation of life. Now, as we grant that this spiri- tual renovation of nature will infallibly produce a moral reformation of life, so if they will grant that this moral reformation of life doth proceed from a spiritual reno- vation of our nature, this differente will be at an end. And this is that which the ancients intend by first re- ceiving the Holy Ghost, and then all graces with him. However, if they only design to speak ambiguously, improperly, and unscripturally, confounding effects and their causes, habits And actions, faculties or powers, and occasional acts, infused principles and acquired.. habits, spiritual and moral, grace and nature, that they may take an opportunity to rail at others fat want of better advantage, I shall not contend with them: for allow a new spiritual principle, an infused habit of grate, or gracious abilities to be required in and unto regeneration, or to be the product or the work of the Spirit therein; that which is born of the Spirit bring spirit, and this part of the nature of this work is suffi- ciently cleared: Now this the scripture abundantly testifieth unto. Sect. 20. -2 Cor. v. 1 I. If any tuan be in Christ he is a newcreature. This new creature is that which is intended, that which was befbre described, which being born of the Spirit is spirit. # This is produced in the Is qui Spiritus Sancti particeps e(acitur, per communtdhdm ejus sit Spiritualis puristeet Sanctus. Didym. lib. 1. de Sp. Sena. p. 218. inte'r Hieronyms. opera, Get Spiritu Sancto ;Aeons est statim universis donationibus Dei re- pletur, sapientia, ta entia, fide csnerisgne virtntibus. Id. ibid. Nunqua accipit quisqua n Spirituales Benedictiones Dei, nut prudessérlt Spirm itus Sanctus; qui anis, habet Spiritual Sanctum conse- ìluenter habebit bdnédietiones. Idem p. 220. t Sicut in nattvitate russali oninem noscentis homiois voluntatém præéedit operis Divini foematio, sic in Spirituali netivitate quaveterem n deponere incipimus. Fulgent. de Incùrnar, at Grat. Christ. c. 29 przecesSit in mine Christi, quam nöstra fide Spiritualiter agnoscamua; Nam Christus Felius Del; secundum amen dè Spiritu Sancto cunceptus et natal est: Carnem auteur ilium bee condiperevirgo -posses nec parere, nisi jus Garni, Spitiais Sanctus operetur exordium. it is ndt a creature; and it is superinduced into the es- sential faculties of our souls, or it is not a new creature; for whatever is in the soul of power, disposition, ability, or inclination unto God, or for any moral actions, by nature, it belongs into the old Creation; it is no new creature. And it must be somewhat that hallt a being and subsistence of its own in the soul, or it can be nei- ther new nor a creature. And byour apostle it is op- posed to all ouhvard privileges, Gal. v. 6. chap. vi. 15. That the production of it also is by a creating act cf almighty power the scripture testifieth, Psal. li. 10. Ephes. ii. 10. And this can denote nothing but a new spiritual principle or nature wrought in us by the Spirit of God. No, say some; a new creature is no more but a changed man; it is true, bat then this change is in- ternal also; Yes, In the purposes, designs, and inclina- tions of the mind: but is it by a real infusion of a new principle of spiritual life and holiness? No, it denotes no more but a new courseof conversation; only the ex+ pression is metaphorical, a new creature is a moral man, that bath changed his course or way. For if he were always a moral man, that he was never in any vicious way or course, as it was with him, Matth. xixa IS, 19, 20. then he was always a new creature. This is good gospel, at once overthrowing original sin, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This doctrine I am sure was not learned from the fathers; whereofsome used to boast: nay, it is much more fulsome than any thing ever taught by Pelagius himself; who indeed as, cribed more unto grace than these men do, although he denied this creation of a new principle of grace in us, antecedent unto acts of obedience. * And this turning all scripture-expressions of spiritual things into meta- phors, is but a -way to turn the whole into a fable, or at least to render the gospel the most obscure and im- proper way of teaching the truth of things that ever. was made use ofin the world; Sic etiám inbuminit siede nee cöncipi Ades pelait nec augeri, alai earn Spiritus Sanctus eu'undat et nutrias. Ex ender amque Spiritu renati atinrus, as quo Christus saros est. Idem cap. 20. a Adjuvat nos Dens (Ste :Voids of Peìaaids) per doctrinam et reveit- ttorietn strum, distil cdfdis udstri ocnlos aperit, d,m nobis, ne prresenfi- bus occupemur, futura domonatrat, situa Diaboti panait insidia,, dam multiformi at ineffabili demo gratire cetestis illuminer.August. lib. dedial. conk Pelág. eè Cslest. cap. T
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