Inf. 5. If none but new creatures be in Christ, how small a rem- nant among men belong to Christ in this world ! Among the multi- tude of rational creatures inhabiting this Avorld, how few, how very few, are new creatures ? It is the observation of the learned Mr. Brerewood, that if the world be divided into thirty parts, nineteen parts are heathenish Idolaters ; six parts Mahometans, and onlv five out of thirty which may be, in a large sense, called Christians ; of which the far greater part is overspread with Popish darkness : se- parate from the remainder, the multitudes of profane, merely civil, and hypocritical professors of religion ; and how few will remain for Jesus Christ in this world ? Look over the cities, towns, and parishes in this populous kingdom, and how few shall you find that speak the language or do the works of new creatures ? How few have ever had any awakening convictions on them ? And how many of those that have been convinced have miscarried, and never come to the new-birth ? The more cause have they, whom God hath indeed regenerated, to admire the riches of God's distinguish- ing mercy to them.
Inf. 6. If the change by grace be a new creation, hoiv universal and marvellous a change doth regeneration make upon men ! The new creation speaks a marvellous and universal alteration, both upon the state and tempers of men ; they come out of darkness, gross, hellish darkness, into light, a marvellous and heavenly light, 1 Pet. ii. 9- Eph. v. 8. their condition, disposition, and conversation, (as you have heard) are all new ; and yet this marvellous change, as great and universal as it is, is not alike evident, and clearly discernible in all new creatures : and the reasons are,
First, Because the work of grace is wrought in divers methods and manners in the people of God. Some are changed from a state of notorious profaneness unto serious godliness ; there the change is conspicuous and very evident ; all the neighbourhood rings of
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it : but in others it is more insensibly distilled in their tender years, by the blessing of God, upon religious education, and there it is more indiscernible.
Secondly, Though a great change be wrought, yet much natural corruption still remains for their humiliation and daily exercise; and this is a ground of fear and doubting ; they see not how such corruptions are consistent with the new creature.
Thirdly, In some, the new creature shews itself mostly in the affectionate part, in desires and breathings after God ; and but little in the clearness of their understandings, and strength of their judgments ; for want of which they are entangled and kept in dark- ness most of their days.
Fourthly, Some Christians are more tried, and exercised by temptation from Satan than others are ; and these clouds darken the work of grace in them.
Fifthly, There is great difference and variety found in the na- tural tempers and constitutions of the regenerate ; some are of a more melancholy, fearful, and suspicious temper than others are ; and are therefore much longer held under doubtings and trouble of spirit ; nevertheless, what differences soever these things make, the change made by grace is a marvellous change.
Inf. 7. Lastly, How incongruous are carnal ways and courses to the spirit of Christians ! who being- new creatures, can never delight or find pleasure in their former sinful companions and practices. Alas ! those things are now most unsuitable, loathsome and detest- able, how pleasant soever they once were ; that which they counted their liberty, would now be reckoned their greatest bondage ; that which was their glory, is now their shame ; Rom. vi. 21. " What " fruit had ye then in those things, whereof ye are now ashamed ; " for the end of those things is death :" they need not be pressed by others, but will freely confess of themselves, what fools and mad-men they once were. None can censure their former conver- sation more freely than themselves do, 1 Tim. 13, 14. Second use, for conviction.
If none be in Christ but new creatures, and the new creation makes such a change, as hath been described ; this may convince us, how many of us deceive ourselves, and run into dangerous and fatal mistakes, in the greatest concernment we have in this world. But before I urge this use, I desire none may make a perverse and ill use of it ; let not the wicked conclude, from hence, that there is no such thing as true religion in the world, or that all who do profess it, are but hypocrites ; neither let the godly injure them- selves by that which is designed for their benefit : let none con- clude, that seeing there are so many mistakes committed about this Hew creature, that therefore assurance must needs be impossible.
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as the Papists affirm it to be. The proper use that should be made of this doctrine, is, to undeceive false pretenders, and to awaken all to a more deep and thorough search of their own conditions ; which being precautioned, let all men be convinced of the follow- ing truths :
Fb\st, That the change made by civility, upon such as were lewd and profane, is, in its whole kind and nature, a different thing from the new creature ; the power and efficacy of moral virtue is one thing, the influence of the regenerating Spirit is quite another thing, however some have studied to comfort them. The Hea- thens excelled in moral and homolitical virtues : Plato, Aristides, Seneca, and multitudes more, have outvied many professed Chris- tians, in justice, temperance, patience, &c. yet were perfect stran- gers to the new creation. A man may be very strict and temperate, free from the pollutions of the world, and yet a perfect stranger to regeneration all the while, John iii. 10.
Secondly ', That many strong convictions and troubles for sin may be found where the new creature is never formed. Conviction, in- deed, is an antecedent unto, and preparative for the new creature, as the blossoms of the tree are to the fruit that follows them ; but as fruit doth not always follow where those blossoms and flowers appear, so neither doth the new creature follow all convictions and troubles for sin. Conviction is a common work of the Spirit both upon the elect and reprobate ; but the new creature is formed only in God's elect. Convictions may be blasted, and vanish awav, and the man that was under troubles for sin, may return again, with " the dog to his vomit, and the sow that was washed, to her " wallowing in the mire,1'* 2 Pet. ii. 22. but the new creature never perishes, nor can consist with such a return to sin.