OR REGE hand of the Holy Spirit, This, I say, is in words ac- knowledged by all; although I know not how some can reconcile this profession unto other notions and senti- ments which they declare concerning it: for, setting a- side what men do herein themselves, and what others dotowards them in the ministry of the word, and I can- not see what remains, as they express their loose imagi- nations, to be ascribed unto the Spirit of God. But at present we shall make use of this general concession, that regeneration is the work of the Holy Ghost, or an effect of his grace. Not that we have any need so to do, but that we may avoid contesting about those things whereinmen may shroud their false opinions under ge- neral ambiguous expressions, which was the constant practice of Pelagins, and those who followed him of old. But the scripture is express in testimonies to our purpose. What our Saviour calls being' born again, John iii. S. He Calls being bornofthe Spirit, ver. 5, 6. because he is the sole principal efficient cause of this new birth. For it is the Spirit that quickeneth, John vi. ver. 63. Rom. viii. I I. And God saveth us, according to his mercy by the washing of regeneration, and the re- newing of the Holy Ghost. Tit. iii. 5. whereas therefore we are said to be born of God, or to be begotten again of his own will; John i. 13. James i. 18. 1 John iii. 9. it is with respect unto the especial and peculiar operation of the Holy Spirit. Sect. 5.These things'are thus for confessed even by the Pelagians themselves, both those of old, and those at present, at least ingeneral; nor bath any as yet been so hardy as to deny regeneration to be the work of the Holy Spirit in us; unless we must except those deluded souls who deny both him and his work. Our sole in- quiry therefore must be after the manner and natureof this work; for the nature of it depends on the manner of the working of the Spirit of God herein. This I so,- knowledge was variously contended about of old; and the truth concerning it, bath scarceescaped an open op- position in any age of the church: And at present this is thegreat ball of contention, between the Jesuits and the Jansenists, the latter keeping close to the doctrine of the principal ancient writers of the church, the for- mer under new notions, expressions, and distinc- tions, endeavouring the re-enforcement of Pelagianism, whereunto some of the elderschool-men led the way, of whom our Bradwardine so long ago complained. But Xx NERATION. 175 never was it with so much impotence and ignorance traduced and reviled as it is by some among ourselves. For a sort of men we have, who, by stories of wander- ing Jews, rhetorical declamations, pert cavillings, and proud revilings, of those who dissent from them, think to scorn and banish truth out of the world; though they never yet durst attempt to deal openly and plainly with any one argument that is pleaded in its defence and confirmation. Sect. 6. The ancient writers of the church, who looked into these things with most diligence, and la- boured in them with most success, as Austin, Hilary, Prosper, and Fulgentius, do represent the whole work of the Spirit of God: towards the souls of men under certain heads or distinctions of grace. And herein were they followed by many of the more sober school-men; and others of late without number. Frequent mention we find in them of grace, as preparing, preventing, working, co- working and confirming. Under these . heads do they handle the whole work of our regenera- tion or conversion unto God. And although there may be some altération in method and ways of expression, which may be varied as they are found tobe ofadvantage unto them that are to be instructed; yet, for the sub- stance of the doctrine, they taught the same which hath been preached amongst us since the reformation, which some have ignorantly traduced as novel. And the whole of it is nobly and elegantly exemplifiedby Austin in his confessions, wherein he gives us the experience of the truth he had taught in his own soul. And-I mightfollow their footsteps herein, and, perhaps, should, for some reasons have chosen so to have done; but that therehave been so many differences raised about the explication and application of these terms and distinctions; and the declaration of the nature of the acts and effects of the Spirit of grace intended in them; as that to carry the truth through the intricate perplexities which under these notions have been cast upon it would be a longer work than I shall here engage into; and too much divert me from my principal intention. I shall therefore, in gen- eral, refer the whole work of the Spirit of God, with respect unto the regenerationof sinners, unto two heads` First, thatwhich is preparatory for it, And, Secondly, That Which is effectiveof it. That which is prepare. tory for it, is the conviction of sin; this is the work of the Holy Spirit, John xvi. 8, 9. And this also may 23
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