388 Ofthe Nature ofRegeneration, and itsNeceffity, &e. Vol. 1. nearer a Refurreaion to a new Life than another ; as he that died but a week ago, is as far from being railed to life again, as he that died a thoufand years ago ; the Refurre&ion ofboth requires an Omnipotent a&, and to that both are equally eafie. The two Parables of our Saviour, Matth. r3. 3t, 33. are by many Interpre- ters underftood of the gradual operation of Grace upon the hearts of Men. That wherein the Kingdom of Heaven is likned to a grain of Millardfeed, which being fawn was the leafl of allfeeds, but by degrees grew up to be the greateft of herbs; and to leaven, which a Woman tookandhid in three meafures ofmeal, 'till the whole was leavened : intimating the progrefs of God's Grace, which by degrees dif- fufeth it Pelf over the whole temper of a Man's Mind, into all the a&ions of his Life. To be lure the Parable of the feed which fell upon good ground, does reprefent the efficacy of the Word of God, accompanied by his Grace upon the Minds of Men, and that is Paid to fpring up and increafe, and to bring forth fruit with patience ; which furely does exprefs tous the gradual operation of God's Word and Grace in the Renovation and Change of a Man's Heart and Life. The New Teftament indeed fpeaks of the fudden Change of Many upon the firft preaching of the Gofpel, which I have told you before is not a ftandard of the ordinary Method of God's Grace, the not confidering of which, bath been a great Caufeof all the Miftakes in this Matter. 'Tis true, thofe which were thus Converted to the belief of the Gofpel, their Faithwas a virtual Prin- ciple of all grace and virtue, tho' not formally the habit of every particular Grace. St. Paul himfelf who was a prime inftance of this kind, (peaks as if he acquir'd the Grace of Contentment by great Confideration, and diligent Care of himfelf in feveral Conditions ; not as if the Habit of this Grace had been infufed into him at once, Phil. 5. It, I2. I have learn'd in whatfoever fiate I am, therewith to be content. Iknow both how to be abated, and I know how to abound ; every where and in all things I am infirulled, both tobe full, and to behungry; both to abound, and tofufer need. And thus I have done with the firff thing I propounded to Confider, namely, the true and juft Importance of this Metaphor of the new Creation. The two Particulars which remain, I (ballby God's affiftance finilh in my next Difcourfe. SER-
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