c.XV. Reg: not a reiterating of the Condition wherein men are borne. 3 58 our newbirth is calledourRegeneration, or new generation, in allufion to our naturali birth, not as a repetitionof it neither is the Allufion in refpe& ofthe contrary qualityes wherewith the one,and the other are attended, but in refpe& of the things themfelves, in which regard, as they are not the fame, fo they are not contrarybut diveri. Theyare both births, the oneNatural/ the other Spirituall; Naturali and Spirituali in that fence are not contrary qua- lityes, butdiverfe adjuncts; and fo are the two births compared, r Pet. I. 23. Iohn r. 13. Inwhich laft place Our Regeneration is expreft under the fimple terme ofbeing,borne,withdifiinetion tothe naturali birth, and not the leaft intimation of the iteration ofanybirth or Generation,fubjoyned; fo allo is it Tames r. 18. fo that hitherto little progreflè is made by Mr Goodwin towards his intendment whatever it be thus then he expreffeth it. 48 I rather(ftith he)conceivethat Regeneration which thescripture materappropri- able only unto perfons living to yeares ofdifcretion , who generally in thedayes of theiryouth,degenerate from the innocency oftheir childhood &youngeryeares,anel corrupt themfelves l swith the principles 6-wayes of the world, relates not to the Na- turall generation asfuch,imeane,as naturall,but unto the spiritual/egate and con- dition ofmen in refpeC oftheir Natural/generation and birth, in andupon which they are ifnotfimply FJ' abfolutelyyef comparatively,innoeent,harmeles, free front pride and malice; and inrefpeJoftheftqualifzcations,inGrace andfay'our with God, upon the account ofthe death andPufferinge of Chrifi for -them, aswe/ball afterwards prove. Here you have the fummeattic defigne, and the Do/Irine ofRegenerátiort cleared from all thofe vaine and erroneous opinions , wherewith it bath fo long been clouded. It is, the returning ofmen into thegood¡fate andconditi- onwherein they areborne, afterthey havedegenerated into waies ofwickecj- neffe we thought it hadbeen the quickening of them, who are by nature dead intrcfpaffesand f noes, their being begotten ágaine by the willofGod, the bellowingofa new principle of Spirit and Life upon them , a Tranflatiota from Death to Life, the opening ofblind eyes,making themwho were dark- neffe, tobe light in the Lord. It feemes wehave all this while been in the darke, and that Regeneration indeed , is only a returning to that condition from whence we thought it had been a delivery; but let us a little fee the De- monftration of this new notionof Regeneration. Firti, (he faith) theScripture makes - it appropriable only to themwho conic to yeares ofdifcretion. Sir,your proofe ; we cannot take your bare word in a thingofthis importance. In the place your felfe chofe to mention, as the foundationyod laid ofthe inferences you are nowmaking, our Saviour faies, tis a beingborneofthefhirit; Both the Scripture make this appropriable only unto Men ofdifcretion ? Men onlyof difcretioh then canentermto theKing- dome of God; for none, not foborne of theSpirit (ball enter therein loh.3. 5. If nonebut men ofdifcretion can be borneoftheSpirit, then infants have no o- ther birth but only that of the flefh; and that which is borne ofthefíefb isflejb, Not capable ofentring into the Kingdome ofheaven; finely you better defervethe title ofduru pater infantum,than He towhomofold'twas given; perhaps a grofher figment was never framed by a man of retion. Secondly, It is true, Infants are comparatively innocent, in refpe&ofAtilt- all TranfgreJfions but equally nocent and guilty with Sinners ofdifcretion, in refpe& ofnatural/ irate and condition. They are no lelle obnoxious to that death,fromwhenceour Regeneration is adelivery, by the beftowingof anew Spirituali life, than a firmer of an hundred yeares old; A returning to this condition, it feemes,isRegeneration. &uantun: eli in rebus inane! Thirdly, The qualifications ofInfantsnot Regenerated, aremeerely nega- tive
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