REGENERATION. 337 1 kind of relation unto Christ all grace that is, or may be in unregenerate men, is incapable of. The grace of regeneration and its fruits are also ad- ministered in the covenant. This is the promise of the covenant, that God will write his law in our hearts, and put his fear in our inward parts, that we shall not de- part from him. Jer. 32 : 40. This is that grace of which we speak. It is bestowed on none but those who are taken into covenant with God; for unto them alone it is promised, and by virtue thereof is it wrought in their souls. Now all unregenerate men are strangers from the covenant, and are not made partakers of that grace which is peculiarly and only promised thereby, and ex- hibited therein. And further, every spark of saving regenerating grace is wrought in the soul by the Holy Ghost, as given to men to dwell in them and abide with them. He is the water given by Jesus Christ to believers, which is in then)." a well of water springing up to everlasting life." John, 4: 14. First, they receive the water, the spring itself, that is, the Holy Spirit; and from thence living waters rise up in them ; they are produced by the Spirit, which is given to them. Now, though the common gifts and graces of unregenerate men are the effects of the power of the Holy Ghost, yet it loth not work in them and abide with them as a never- failing spring of spirit- ual life. Our Savior says expressly that the world, or unbelievers, do not know the Spirit, nor can receive him, or have him abiding in them. All which, in con- tradistinction to all unregenerate persons, is affirmed of all who believe. The least of saving grace, such as is peculiar to them Forgiveness. 15
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