A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 1 · Section 3
SECT. III.
BEfore I proceed to open the nature of Conversion; I shall say somewhat more of the word: And I shall shew you the Difference between Conversion, Repentance, Regeneration, Sanctification, Vocation.
1. The Truth is, All these five words are used in Scripture to express the same work upon the soul: only they have some respective and other smaller differences, which I shall now manifest to you. And the first word Vocation is taken often for Gods Act of calling when it hath no success, and this is called uneffectual calling. So it is used, Prov. 1. 24. Because I called and ye refused, I have stretched forth my hands and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my Counsel, and would none of my Reproof. So Isa. 65. 12. Jer. 7. 13. I called, but ye answered not. And many other places: Sometimes it is taken for the Act of God when it is successfull; as 1 Thes. 2. 12. and many more places: 2. This success it self is termed our calling in a passive sense: and it is two-fold. 1. Common; when men are brought but to outward profession and common gifts; and so the word is used often. 2. Special; when men are savingly Converted to Christ; the former is Common effectual Calling; the latter is special effectual Calling: and this last is the same with Conversion: Only these two Differences are observable. 1. As to the name, it is Metaphorically taken from the outward call of the Gospel, and so applyed to the effect on the soul. 2. It hath usually in Scripture a Principal Respect to the first effect on the soul, even the Act of Faith it self above all other Graces, and following obedience: yet not excluding the latter, but sometimes plainly comprehending them. So that some Divines conceive that Vocation is a work different from Sanctification, because they conceive that it is only the Spirits causing the first Act of Faith in the Soul, and by that Act a habit is effected, and therewith the seed of all Graces, which they call the work of Sanctification. And indeed the word Vocation hath special respect to the Gospel-Call, to the Act of Believing in Christ, and the proper effect of that Call, even our Actual Belief. But sometime it comprehendeth the whole Christian Relation and State, as Heb. 3. 1. and 2 Pet. 1. 10, &c.
2. Repentance is the same thing as special effectual calling; So we … not calling in the most narrow sense of all: for the bare Act of faith: only this difference there is. 1. The word Repentance doth specially denote our motion from the Terminus a quo, even that sinful state from which we turn, and which we Repent of: yet including essentially also the state to which we turn. Whereas the word Vocation doth principally express the state to which we are called. 2. Also the word Repentance doth principally Respect our turning to God from whom we fell: But the word Vocation doth as much or more respect our coming to Christ the Mediator as the way to the Father. There is a twofold Repentance, 1. One is our turning from a state of sin and misery, such as the unconverted are in, and this is it that we mean now, as the same with conversion from the same state. 2. There is also a particular Repentance, which is a turning from a particular sin, and this must be daily renewed while we live. Repentance signifieth and containeth two things. The first is a hearty sorrow that ever we sinned; The second is a change of the mind from that sin to God. Indeed the former is but part of the later: The changed mind is changed in this part, and manifesteth its change in a speciall manner, by Remorse for former sins: Though all Remorse is not from such a change.
3. The word [Regeneration] also signifieth the same thing with Conversion, but with this small Difference. 1. The term is Metaphorical, taken from our Natural Generation; because there is so great a change, that a man is as it were another man. 2. The word is in Scripture-sense, I think more comprehensive then Conversion, Repentance or Vocation: For it signifieth not only the newness of our Qualities, but also of our Relations, even our whole new state. This is not ordinarily acknowledged, but if we view the places where the word is used, it will prove so. For as Paul describing the thing, though he use not the word, 2 Cor. 5. 11. saith, He that is in Christ is a new Creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. Where Relations must needs be part of that All, as the Context will shew. So Tit. 3. 5. It is called the laver or washing of Regeneration; and is distinguished from the Renewing of the Holy Ghost; at least as the General, comprehending that as a part. 1. Most Expositors think that the word hath Reference to Baptism, and expresseth its Effects or Consequents. And no doubt Baptism is for Remission of sins, and therefore the Laver of Regeneration is for Remission of sins. 2. The very Text mentioneth plainly that Grace by which we are saved; by free Grace, and that is our free Justification as well as free Sanctification. And our Divines commonly cite that Text against the Papists upon that account, as pleading for free Justification. Not by works of Righteousness that we have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us, by the washing of Regeneration, and the Renewing of the Holy Ghost: Is not saving from the guilt of sin a part of our Salvation? what reason to Restrain saving here to Sanctification only? Doubtless if there were reason to Restrain the word [Regeneration] to either, it would be to Justification only: Because the giving of the Holy Ghost is next mentioned by it self, but Justification is not mentioned at all; if Regeneration comprehends it not. And it is certain, that the Apostle intendeth not only to tell us, that we are freely Sanctified without works, but also that we are freely Justified by Grace without works. So John 3. 3. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Where he at least, hath some Respect to Baptism, as most suppose; and Baptism is for the Remission of sins: to be born of water therefore must needs Include Remission of sin. And this Regeneration maketh a man a New Creature, and as Paul saith, in the New Creature all things are become New; and not the Qualities only. But in the main, Regeneration is the same with Conversion.
4. The word [Sanctification] also signifieth the same thing for the main, as Conversion doth, only with these small differences following. 1. The word is more comprehensive, for it signifieth our whole State of Dedication or devotedness to God, which comprehendeth in it these four things. 1. The change of a mans Qualities, whereby he is made fit for the service of God; having his heart bent towards him, and set upon him. 2. The Actual Dedication or devoting of a mans self to God by Faith and a holy Covenant. Especially in Baptism, by solemn vow or engagement. 3. The Relation of a person so dedicated or devoted to God; as he is one set apart to him for holy uses; and it is from this Relation especially that the word Sanctification is used. 4. The holiness of life that followeth hereupon; in the Actuall living to God, to whom we are devoted. Sanctification comprehendeth all this, and so comprehends in it Vocation, and somewhat more.
But then perhaps it may be found, that the word is sometimes, if not often, used in Scripture for holiness of the life alone, as presupposing all the rest. Indeed there are more words then one, which we translate Sanctification, which yet are not all of one sense. As foreign, and foreign differ: So doth foreign and foreign differ: But I shall purposely forbear to trouble you with such matters. So that having opened before to you the word Conversion, and now these four, Vocation, Repentance, Regeneration and Sanctification, you may see how far they are the same, or differ. The like may be said of the word, changing, renewing, or making new, and the like; which all signifie the same work of God upon the soul.
Those therefore that enquire whether Vocation, Regeneration, Repentance, Sanctification, &c. are the same thing, or divers and which of them goeth first, &c. must first be resolved of the sense of the terms, before they proceed to the matter: For most of these words are used in several senses; and that ambiguity must first be removed.