128 WORE{ OF THE II change the nature of the fruit, but by changing the na- ture of the tree which brings it forth. Now all amend- ment of life in reformation is but fruit, Matth. iii. 10. But the changing of our nature is antecedent hereunto. This is the constant course and tenor of the scripture, to distinguish between the grace of regeneration, which it declares to be an immediate supernatural work of God in us, and upon us, and all that obedience, holiness, righteousness, virtue, or whatever is good in us, which is the consequent, product, and effect of it. Yea, God hath declared this expressly in his covenant, Lxek. xxxvi. 25, 26, 27. Jer. xxxi. 53. chap. xxxii. 39, 40. The methodof God's proceeding with us in his cove- nant is. that he first washeth and cleansethour natures, takes away the heart of stone, gives an heart of flesh, writes his law in.our Hearts, puts his Spirit in us, where- in, as shall be evidenced, the grace of regeneration doth consist. The effect and consequent hereof i', that we shall walk in his statutes, keep his judgments, and do them; that is, reform our lives, and yield all holy obe- dience unto God; wherefore these things are disting- uished as causes and effects. See to the same purpose: Rom. vi. 5, 4, 5, 6. Col. iii. I, 5. Buhen. ii. 10. chap. iv. 23, 24, 25. This I insist upon still, on supposition, that by reformation of life, all actual obedience is in- tended. For as to that kind of life which is properly called a moral course of life, in opposition to open de- baucheries and unrighteousness, whichdolls not proceed from an internal principle of saving grace; it is so far from being regeneration or grace, as that it is a thing of no acceptation with God absolutely, whatever use or reputation it may be of in the world. Sect. 24. And yet further; This work is described to consist in the sanctification of the whole spirit, soul, and body, 1 Thess. v. 23. And if this be that which some men intend by reformation of life and moral vir- tue, they must needs win much esteem, for their clear Hess and perspicuity in teaching spiritual things. For whowould not admire them for such a definition of mo- rality, namely, that it is the principal sanctification of the whole spirit, soul and body of a believer by the Holy Ghost? But, n,t to dwell longer on this.subject, there is no description of the work of regeneration in the scripture; in itsnature, causes, or effects, no name given unto it, no promise made of it, nothing spoken of the ways, means, or power by which it is wrought, 0LY SPIRIT IN THE but is inconsistent with this bold Pelagian figment, which > destructive of the grace of Jesus Christ. The ground of this imagination, that regeneration consists in a moral reformation of life, ariseth from a denial of original sin, or an inherent habitual corruption of nature. For the masters unto the men of this per- suasion tell us, that whatever is of vice or defilement in us, it is contracted by a custom of sinning only. And their conceptions hereof do regulatetheir opinions about regeneration: for if man be not originally corruptedand polluted, if his nature be not depraved, if it be notpos- sessed by, and under the power of evil dispositions and inclinations, it is certain that he stands in no need of an inwardspiritual renovation of it. It is enough for such a one, that by change of life he renounce a custom of sinning and reform his conversation according to the gospel, which in himself he hath power to do. But, as it had, been in part already manifested, and will fully, God assisting, be evinced afterwards, that in our rege- neration, the native ignorance, darkness, and blindness of our minds are dispelled, saving and spiritual light being introduced by the powerof God's grace into them, that the pravity and stubbornness of our wills are re- moved and taken away, a new principle of spiritual life and righteousness being bestowed on them, and that the disorder and rebellion of our affections are cured, by the infusion of the love of God into our souls,: so the corrupt imagination of the contrary opinion direct- ly opposite to the doctrine of the scriptures, the faith of the ancient church, and the experience of all sincere believers, 'lath amongst us of late nothing but ignor- anceand readyconfidence produced togive countenance unto it. Sect. 25.Thirdly; The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration doth not consist in enthusiastical raptures, ecstasies, voices, or any thing of the like kind. It may be some such things have been by some deluded per- sons apprehended or pretended unto. But the counten- ancing of any such imaginations, is falsely and injuri- ously charged on them, who maintain the powerful and effectual work of the Holy Spirit io our regeneration. And this some are prone to do, wherein, whether they discover more of their ignorance, or of their malice, I know not, but nothing is more common withthem. All whom in this matter they dissent from, so far as they know what they say, or whereof they affirm, do teach
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=