Eternal Glorification Begun in Regeneration, Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Shewing there are but few reall Regenerate Perſons among the multitudes of Profeſſors.
Q. THere are many great Profeſſors of the Name and good ways of Jeſus Chriſt in the world, which are called Chriſtians: May we think or judge them all Regenerate perſons? Are there many, or but few Regenerate perſons? What ſhall we judge of this matter, for all Profeſſors do pretend to, and would have men think them a ſingular and peculiar people; ſuch as are in a good and happy ſtate and condition; in which they cannot be, except they are indeed Regenerated.
Anſ. That there are many great and high Profeſſors of the holy Name, and good ways of Jeſus Chriſt, is certain; and that there are but few really Regenerate perſons among them, is as certain too. That they have the Name, and do own themſelves Chriſtians, is alſo apparent; but that they are not ſuch in Truth (I mean the greater number) is clear and notorious, as will appear by and by. That they do pretend to, and would have men think them to be (what they are not indeed) namely, a ſingular and peculiar, and a happy people, is clear, and that they are not ſo, or ſuch as they pretend to be, is evident alſo. Now this I ſhall (the Lord helping) prove and demonſtrate to you, as well as I can, and I am ſure I have clear proof for what I ſay. That there are but a ſmall number of Regenerate perſons in the world, Comparatively, or if compared to the number of ſuch as ſeem or profeſs to be ſuch, I ſhall evince by many Scripture Teſtimonies, Math. 7, 14. Becauſe ſtrait is the Gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few there be that find it. Mark it, few there be that find it, namely, among, or of thoſe that ſeek it, which the moſt of men do not. They do not ſo much as ſeek to be Regenerated and ſaved in the Lords way. But of them who do really (though not rightly) ſeek to enter in at the ſtrait Gate: I ſay, that ſuch Profeſſors ſhall not find it. This is further confirmed in Luke 13, 24. Strive to enter in at the ſtrait Gate, (ſays Chriſt) why, becauſe many ſhall ſeek to enter in, and ſhall not be able. Another teſtimony is in Math. 20, 16. For many are called, but few are choſen: So Math. 22, 14. Chriſt calls his People, A little Flock, fear not little Flock, (ſays Chriſt) to and of his true Diſciples, Lu…. 12, 32. And the Apoſtle Paul aſſures us; Rom. 9, 27. That although the number of the Children of Iſrael be as the ſand of the Sea, a Remnant ſhall be ſaved. Now, who or what kind of men were they which are ſo innumerable, and ſhould not be ſaved were they the Heatheniſh world, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſaith, Eph. 2.12. Are ſtrangers, without hope, and without God in the world: No, they were the Seed of Abraham, John 8, 37. To whom appertained the Adoption, and the Glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the ſervice of God, and the Promiſes, Rom. 9, 4. They were Jews by nature, and not ſinners of the Gentiles, of whom he ſpeaks, that they ſhould periſh and be damned. And yet there was amongſt them a little flock, a ſmall Remnant that ſhould be ſaved; but theſe were comparatively, very few. For what is a ſmall Remnant in number, compared with the innumerable ſands of the Sea. God tells us in, Jer. 3.14. That he will take one of a City, and two of a family, and bring them to Sion. What is one or two to a City and Tribe, where were many thouſands? and yet you ſee theſe are the number of Regenerated and ſaved perſons. Thus you ſee the Truth Cleared and confirmed by many expreſs Scriptures. But I ſhall further prove and explain this Truth, namely, that there are but a very few Regenerate men comparitively to the multitude of high Profeſſors, thus. Firſt, the Scripture, or the holy God in his Word, ſhews us, that there are but a few, a very ſmall number that ſhall be ſaved (as was ſhewed) therefore there are but a few Regenerated; for all Regenerate perſons ſhall be ſaved, 1 Pet. 1, 3, 4, 5. The Lord Jeſus that knows the number of them to a man, having all their Names in the Book of Life, and calls them all by their Names, Revel. 21, ult. Joh. 10, 3. tells us ſo, and he knows very well what he ſaith: He is the Truth its ſelf, Joh. 14.6. and therefore cannot deceive us, in and by what he ſpeaks. We are taught this Doctrine by Chriſt, and therefore we may and muſt believe it as a real Truth: He certainly knows their perſons, and number, though he keeps that to himſelf, as a ſecret not fit for us to know. But although ſimply they are a great number, (no doubt on't) yet if compared to the number or multiude of unregenerate Profeſſors, they are but a very ſmall number. For (ſays the Lord Jeſus) Many are called, but few are choſen, Math. 23, 16. that is, many come to the Word and Ordinances of the Goſpel, and there they are called upon to come to Chriſt, and believe in him: but they do not, will not come to him, nor accept him on his own tearms, John 5.40. But why not, why will they not anſwer Chriſts call, and come in on his Invitation? why, becauſe they are not choſen. To the ſame purpoſe he ſpeaks in John 10, 26. But ye believe not, becauſe ye are not of my Sheep, as I ſaid unto you.
Secondly, This Truth is further evidenced by their general frames, walking, and want af all thoſe qualifications and Attainments that all new Creatures or Regenerate perſons have. Regenerate men are Singular and peculiar men, Tit. 2.14. Caleb was a man of another Spirit and followed God fully; Numb. 14.24. he was of a choice, ſingular and Peculiar Spirit; much above and different from the Spirit of the Generality of the Congregation with whom he walked. So all the Children of God are perſons of another, namely, of a Choice, Singular and Peculiar ſpirit. They differ as much from other men, as Gold from droſs, Light from darkneſs, and in ſome ſenſe, as good from evil. Their frames of heart, their qualifications and atttainments, and their carriages and walkings towards God and men, are vaſtly different; for Regenerate men are men of other Spirits. They are (1) knowing men: they ſee and diſcern Spiritual things Spiritually, Eph. 1.18. 1. Cor. 2.12.13.14. They are Children of light, Eph. 5.8. But all others are Children of darkneſs, Eph. 5.8. 1 Pet. 2.9. Now how few are their Comparatively, that have the eies of their underſtandings thus enlightned? how few are their that ſee and underſtand the things of God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, with a Spiritual Judgment and diſcerning? Regenerate men, are men of wiſdome, Mica. 6.9. they have hidden wiſdom of God and divine things in them, 1 Cor. 2.7. But how few Spiritually wiſe Profeſſors of the Goſpel are there to be found? All other men are called fools in ſcripture, Pro. 1.7, 22, 32. Eccleſ. 5, 1. Eph. 5.15.
2. How few are there among the multitudes of Profeſſors, that can indeed experience a real Change of heart and State? many, very many are reformed and have the outſide changed, and that they think is Regeneration, when it is but a Reformation of their own, not a work of God on their hearts, making them new within, and changing their frame, habits and courſe. Nicedemus was a reformed, but not a new man; his outſide was clean, but his heart and Soul was unſanctified and in darkneſs, and ſo were the Scribes and Phariſees too, Math. 23.26, 27, 28. and Paul was in the ſame plight and condition likewiſe, before his converſation or Regeneration, Phil. 3.4, 5, 6. Acts 23.1. Concerning the Law (ſays he) I was blamleſs; and I love walked in all good Conſcience before God …unt … day.
3. How few are there that deny themſelves, take … the croſs of Christ and follow him; without which day cannot be his diſciples? Luk. 14.26.27. … there any Self-deniers amongſt them, but … little flock, and ſmal Remnant? did not the …ng man in Luk. 18. Stick at this, and here Chriſt and he parted? and did not they in John … tell Chriſt, this was a hard ſaying, and thereupon went away from him, and walked no more with him, Joh. 6.60.66. Peter and the little …ock came fully and freely up to his terms and continued with him, 67.68.69. Verſes. How few are there, but are Lovers of pleaſures, more th…n Lovers of God, 2 Tim. 3.4. that will deny themſelves of any worldly, carnal pleaſures, profits, or Intereſts for Chriſt, Grace, and hoſineſs, or ſo much as take any pains, be at any Coſts, or deny themſelves of any thing that is near and dear unto them, to pleaſe, and ho…our Chriſt; to have communion with and to be ſaved by him, in his own way?
4. How few are there that do ſeriouſly and in Good Earneſt, ſeek and strive to be ſaved, that take the kingdome of Heaven by a holy violence, or that ran ſo, as if they were fully ſet and bent to …in the prize and wear the Crown of life and Righteouſneſs? And yet all men and women that are Regenerated do, and all that ſhal win the prize, wear the Crown and obtain Salvation by Chriſt muſt ſo ſtrive, run, and preſs into the kingdom of Heaven, Luk. 13.24. Math. 11.12.1. 1 Cor. 9.24. Heb. 12.1. without which they ſhall not obtain them. When God Regenerates men, he ſets them a Running for an Incorruptible Crown; Striving to be ſaved, and to take the kingdom by a kind of violence. But aſſuredly there are but few profeſſors who do ſo, and therefore there are but a ſmal number amongſt them that are Regenerated. For were they ſuch indeed, they would do all they can in the Lords own way to win the Crown of Righteouſneſs, in the true way of Righteouſneſs. They would do all they can, to run ſo as to obtaine, would moſt freely lay aſide all other buſineſs to attend on this, and ſuffer any thing rather than this Eternal concern ſhould be neglected, as all truly regenerate perſons do, and cannot but do. They would not act and do like the fooliſh Virgins, as the moſt do, namely, neglect to take Oyl in their Veſſels with their Lamps, Math. 25. No, they would ſtrive and labour night and day, to get Grace into their hearts, as well as Light into their heads, as the Wiſe Virgins did, and they would cry, and give God no reſt, until they had wone the Prize, and got the Crown of life on their heads.
5. There are but a few wounded and brokes hearted Profeſſors, and few who are indeed deeply and heartily ſenſible of their Miſery and Sin, that do really ſee and feel their preſſing need, and abſolute neceſſity of Chriſt, and change of ſtate; and therefore there are but a few Regenerate perſons among Profeſſors; for all Regenerate Perſons are deeply ſenſible of, affected, and afflicted with their own deplorable ſtates, and ſee an abſolute neceſſity of Chriſt, and intereſt in his Blood and Righteouſneſs, as alſo a real change of their ſtates, Phil. 3.7, 8, 9. …e not the generality of Profeſſors, whole, ſee not, and feel not their ſin and miſery, nor any need of a Phiſitian to heal and ſave them, Mat. 3.12, 13. Revel. 3.17.
6. There are but a ſmall number of Profeſſors, … do indeed go out of themſelves and take up in Christ, or that have the faith to believe in him, to … ſaving of their Souls, Heb. 10. ult. There are many (indeed) that have a Faith, and pretend to believe in Chriſt ſo, John 8, 31. Acts 8. but very few have that faith to do ſo in Truth, neither do they much, if at all, deſire and ſeek after ſuch a Faith, but are pleaſed and ſatiſfied well enough without it: Oh! how few are there, who have the Faith of Gods Elect, and their pretious Faith, that do Believe through …race, and have that Faith which purifies the heart, and leads them forth, and carries them out of themſelves to Chriſt, to take up in him only, Tit. 1, 1. 2 Pet. 1, 1. Acts 15, 9, Acts 18, 27. This they could and would do indeed, were they Regenerated, for (as hath been ſhewed) all ſuch as are Regenerated do ſo, in and by the light and power of Chriſts grace in Regeneration.
7. How few are there among the great multilades of profeſsors that love God, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, his Grace, Laws, People, and Goſpel Obedience, …re, or ſo much as they do their own Luſts, the world, and their own carnal profits, pleaſures and honours; Oh! how few are there that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſincerity, Eph. 6. ult. and with their whole hearts, Math. 22.37. how few are there to be found, that have their hearts circumciſed to love the Lord, and that have had the holy Ghoſt ſheding abroad the love of God into their hearts, as all regenerate perſons have, Deut. 30.6. Rom. 5.5. Is it not apparent that the moſt of profeſſors are ſtrong and greedy, fervent and zealous Lovers of the world and carnal ſelf, 2 Tim. 3.2. men ſhall in the laſt dayes (ſayes Paul) be lovers of themſelves, and of pleaſures, more then God, Verſ. 4. And is it not really ſo now with the greater number of profeſſors, which ſhews they are in an unregenerate ſtate and condition. For were they new Creatures indeed, they would love God, Jeſus Chriſt, and heavenly things, as the great and onelyonly objects of their lovely delight, choice and complacency. All other things would be to them, as they were to regenerate Paul: namely, di… and dung, in compariſon of Chriſt, Grace, Goſpel-obedience, Holyneſs, Heaven and heavenly things, Phil. 3.
8. How few are there, who have, or are about the great work of Crucifying the fleſh with the affections and luſts in good earneſt; which were they …ew Creatures indeed, they would aſſuredly be much concerned in, and buſying themſelves about, as one of their great and indiſpenſible workes and buſineſſes. For all regenerate perſons are ſeriouſly exerciſing themſelves in this work, Gall. 5.24. they … purifying their hearts by faith, and perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, Acts. 15.9. 1 Joh. 3.3. 2 Co. 7.1. But ſo are not the Generality of profeſſors: they are ſtrangers, if not ene…ies to this work. They are (as was ſaid) in … with them; they are their joy and de…ight, and who will ſeek and unfainedly endeavour to deſtroy them, they love, deilght, and take pleaſure in? Theſe are onelyonly the works of regenerate men.
9. How few are there, who do unfainedly repent … their Sins, and mourn night and day for their tranſgreſſions, are in real bitterneſs of ſoul, and abaſe, Judge and condemn themſelves; which if they were regenerated, they would …. They would humble themſelves, be aſhamed of themſelves for uncovering their nakedneſs and laying open their ſhame before God and men, and they would repent in duſt and Aſhes withall their hearts and Souls, Job. 42.5.6. Izek. 36.31. For this is the New Creatures dayly worke. Regenerate men have that berefit of Chriſt his Reſurrection and Aſcenſion as well as others, namely, Repentance, Acts 5.31. and that great grant and fruit of the Covenant of Grace, and the blood of it, Acts 11.18. Heb. 13.20. Repentance unto Life. By the power of which they practice Repentance. They have it in their hearts, and act it in their walkings. They mark and obſerve what they ſhould be, and what Errors and miſtakes they are guilty of, mourn for it, and labor to mend them. But do the multitude of profeſſors do ſo? no, not in the leaſt: they caſt theſe things out of all ſerious Conſideration; it is a work they loath and wholly neglect. It is too low and baſe buſineſs for them to mind or concern
10. How few are there among the multitudes of profeſſors, who make it their buſineſs to pleaſe and honour God; to fear and reverence him, and to worſhip him in Spirit and Truth? This, or theſe matters would be ſtrong and powerful on their hearts and Souls, and they would labour to do it indeed, were they regenerated. For all regenerate men have it ſo on their hearts, and they do really aim at and endeavour it (as was before proved) Phill. 3.3. God hath wrought in them that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, Heb. 13.21. and to worſhip him in Spirit and Truth, Joh. 4.23. They are formed by Grace to honour and magnifie God, and to make it their work and buſineſs, Iſa. 43.21. and are created in Chriſt Jeſus unto this and all other good works, Eph. 2.10. They are renewed in knowledge to underſtand them, and with power and will to do them, Coll. 3.10. Phil. 2.13. Pſal. 110.3. But where are ſuch perſons to be found among Profeſſors? O! how few, how this are they ſown, and how rarely do they appear, if compared with others? how few have the power of Godlineſs, in compariſon of them, who take up with the meer forme? how few profeſſors are Spiritually minded perſons, who ſet their Affections on things above, and not on things below? Coll. 3.1. 2 Rom. 8.5.6. and that have thee Converſation or foreign. Trade in heaven, Phil. 3.20. how few are their who guard and watch themſelves and their Souls adverſaries, and keep their hearts with all diligence, or above & before all things? Pro. 4, 23. how few are there who labour and make it their Trade and buſineſs, to be fruitful in every good worke, and dound in the work of the Lord; to bear much fruit unto Eternal Life, and all that God may be glorified, and their own Souls profited and ſaved by Grace? Coll. 1.10. 1 Cor. 15. ult. J…b. 15.8. Rom. 6.22. How few are there who do unfainedly minde and labour to walk ſincerely and uprightly with God and before him, and to adorn the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus. Surely very few do and are ſo indeed. Only a little, little flock do; they and they only are ſuch perſons within, and walk ſo without; as hath been ſhewed. From which Proofs and Inſtances we may certainly conclude, that there are but a very few, a ſmall number of Regenerate perſons among the multitudes of profeſſors. I have (I think) ſaid enough for the confirming and clearing of this Truth, although I could ſay much more to and of it, were it needful. Now then, what uſe and Improvement ſhould we all make of this Truth? Surely it is a great Truth, and that which doth very much and nearly concern us all and every one.
1. Such as are Regenerated, and have ſufficient proof of it, that they are ſo indeed, why, they ſhould conſider and lay to heart their great priviledge and ſingular happineſs in their Regeneration, and that Exceeding great love and Grace of God that have been put forth and expended on them, to make them new Creatures, and they …ould labour to walk worthy of ſo high a calling to which they are called in and by their Regeneration. And declare that they are in Truth a Choice and a peculiar people.
2. This Truth ſhould be conſidered and laid to heart by all ſorts of profeſſors, to cauſe them to fear and tremble, and to look with all ſeriouſneſs and diligence into their ſtates and Souls Concernments. To ſearch and try the bottomes they build upon, and ſee indeed if they will hold and ſtand them in ſtead in the great day of Gods tryal: which tryal they muſt paſs under and come to. That they may no more delude themſelves, and ſay they ſhall have peace, while they continue Regenerate and in a State of ſin and death. The moſt of profeſſors are willingly Ignorant of their own conditions, and of what is likely to be their future State. If there are, but few Regenerate men among profeſſors, and they are ſuch a people (as was proved) then the moſt of you may conclude that you are unregenerate, becauſe you are not indeed ſuch a people.