And yet farther : This work is described to consist in the sanctifi- 1/'' cation of the whole spirit, soul, and body, 1 Thess. v. 23. And if this be that which some men intend by "reformation of life" and "moral virtue," they must needs win much esteem for their clearness and perspicuity in teaching spiritual things; for who would not admire them for such a definition of morality, — namely, that it is the prin- cipal sanctification of the whole spirit, soul, and body, of a believer, by the Holy Ghost? But not to dwell longer on this subject, there is no description of the work of regeneration in the Scripture, in its nature, causes, or effects, no name given unto it, no promise made of it, nothing spoken of the ways, means, or power, by which it is wrought, but is inconsistent with this bold Pelagian figment, which is destructive of the grace of Jesus Christ.
The ground of this imagination, that regeneration consists in a | moral reformation of life, ariseth from a denial of original sin, or an inherent, habitual corruption of nature; for the masters unto the
22J^ WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE [BOOK III.
men of tliis persuasion tell us that whatever is of vice or defilement in us, it is contracted by a custom of sinning only. And their con- ceptions hereof do regulate their opinions about regeneration ; for if man be not originally corrupted and polluted, if his nature be not depraved, if it be not possessed by, and under the power of, evil dis- positions and inclinations, it is certain that he stands in no need of an inward si^iritual renovation of it. It is enough for such an one that, by change of life, he renounce a custom of sinning, and reform his conversation according to the gospel; which in himself he hath power to do. But as it hath been in part already manifested, and will fully, God assisting, be evinced afterward, that in our regenera- tion the native ignorance, darkness, and blindness of our m.inds are dispelled, saving and spiritual light being introduced by the power of God's grace into them ; that the pravity and stubbornness of our wills are removed and taken away, a new principle of spiritual life and righteousness being bestowed on them; and that the disorder and rebellion of our affections are cured by the infusion of the love of God into our souls: so the corrupt imagination of the contrary opinion, directly opposite to the doctrine of the Scriptures, the faith of the ancient church, and the experience of all sincere believers, hath amongst us of late nothing but ignorance and ready confidence produced to give countenance unto it.
Thirdly, The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration doth not consist in enthusiastical raptures, ecstasies, voices, or any thing of the like kind. It may be some such things have been, by some de- luded persons, apprehended or pretended unto; but the countenanc- ing of any such imaginations is falsely and injuriously charged on them who maintain the powerful and effectual work of the Holy Spirit in our regeneration. And this some are prone to do; wherein whether they discover more of their ignorance or of their malice I know not, but nothing is more common with them. All whom in this matter they dissent from, so far as they know what they say or whereof they affirm, do teach men to look after enthusiastic insjiira- tions or unaccountable raptures, and to esteem them for conversion unto God, although, in the meantime, they live in a neglect of holiness and righteousness of conversation. I answer. If there be those who do so, we doubt not but that, without their repentance, the Avrath of God will come upon them, as upon other children of disobedience. And yet, in the meantime, we cannot but call aloud that others would discover their diligence in attendance unto these things, who, as far as I can discern, do cry up the names of virtue and righteousness in opposition to the grace of Jesus Christ, and that holiness which is a fruit thereof But for the reproach now under consideration, it is, as applied, no other but a calumny and false
CHAP. T.] NEW CREATION BY REGENERATION. 225
accusation; and that it is so, the writings and preachings of those who have most diHgently laboured in the declaration of the work of the Holy Spirit in our regeneration will bear testimony at the great day of the Lord. We may, therefore, as unto this negative j^rinciple, observe three things: — 1. That the Holy Spirit in this work doth ordinarily jDut forth his power in and by the use of means. He worketh also on men suitably unto their natures, even as the facul- ties of their souls, their minds, wills, and affections, are meet to be affected and wrought upon. He doth not come upon them with in- voluntary raptures, using their faculties and powers as the evil spirit wrests the bodies of them whom he possesseth. His whole Avork, therefore, is rationally to be accounted for by and unto them Avho believe the Scripture, and have received the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive. T\\e formal eficiency of the Spirit, indeed, in the putting forth the exceeding greatness of his power in our quickening, — which the ancient church constantly calleth his " inspi- ration of grace," both in private writing and canons of councils, — is no otherwise to be comprehended by us than any other creating act of divine power ; for as we hear the wind, but know not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, " so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Yet these two things are certain herein: — (1.) That he worketh no- thing, nor any other way, nor by any other means, than what are determined and declared in the word. By that, therefore, may and must every thing really belonging, or pretended to belong, unto this work of regeneration, be tried and examined. (2.) That he acts nothing contrary imto, puts no force upon, any of the faculties of our souls, but works in them and by them suitably to their natures; and being more intimate unto them, as Aiistin speaks, than they are unto themselves, by an almighty facility he produceth the effect which he antendeth.