The Door of Salvation Opened by the Key of Regeneration, Title page – To the reader 1
The DOOR of SALVATION OPENED By the Key of REGENERATION: OR A TREATISE CONTAINING The Nature, Neceſsity, Marks and Means of Regeneration; As alſo the Duty of the Regenerate.
By GEORGE SWINNOCKE, M.A. and Paſtor of Rickmerſworth in Hertfordſhire.
Matth. 18.3. Verily I ſay unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye ſhall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Non eſt via ad regnum ſine primitiis regm: nec ſperare poreſt coeleſte regnum, cui ne que ſuper propriam regnare concupiſcentian adhuc datur. Bernard.
LONDON, Printed by John Beſt for THO. PARKHURST at the Three Crowns in the lower end of Cheapſide, over againſt the great Conduit. 1660.
To the right worſhipful Sir Charles Herboard Knight, To the Worſhipful Richard Franklin Eſq John Bereſford Eſq Edward Ironſide Eſq Richard Beresford Eſq And to the Gentlemen, Yeomen, and the reſt of the inhabitants of the pariſh of Rickmerſworth.
IT is the cuſtom of our Country (and if I miſtake not, a Statute Law of the Nation) that children ſhould be kept and maintained by thoſe places in which they were born. This book, (which treateth of the Babe of grace) was conceived in your Pariſh, brought forth in your Pulpit, and now preſenteth it ſelf to you, (not for your protection and patronage but) for your peruſall and practice.
I confeſs that I am bound to many of you in courteſie, to all in duty, and I know not better how to expreſs my thankfulneſs to ſome, and my faithfulneſs to all, then by dealing uprightly with you in the concernments of your ſouls. Rom. 1.9God is my witneſs whom I (deſire to) ſerve with my ſpirit in the Goſpel of his Son, that without ceaſing, I make mention of you always in my prayers: And can through the ſtrength of Chriſt, much more rejoyce in one of your converſions, then in all your poſſeſſions. Ye know what a large Epiſtle I have already written to you (I beſeech you to read it often, To the Reader, in Hell and Heaven epitomized:and) O that the Lord would write it within you. We live in days that are full of diviſion; but all that have any face of religion, or form of godlineſs, will acknowledge the things which I have written to you, to be the commandments of God. My cheif work is, and hath been to preach unto you Repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which are of ſuch infinite weight in order to your unchangeable welfares. And could I prevaile with you heartily to embrace thoſe eſſentials of Gods word, I ſhould have confidence of your joyful appearance in the other world. Tis a ſign of a very foul ſtomach, to loath ſuch ſolid food as thoſe vitals of Chriſtianity are, and to pick at Kickſhaws or Sallads, (I mean either) the new-fangled opinions of ſome upſtart way, or the vaine flouriſhes of humane wit. O how gladly would I ſtand forth to your comfort at the judgment feat of Chriſt! which that I may, I earneſtly requeſt you again and again (in obedience to your bleſſed Saviour, and for the ſake of your precious ſouls) to ponder and practice theſe three particulars. Conſider, that they are not onelyonly commended to you by your weak and dying Miniſter, but commanded you by your Maker, who will within a ſhort time reckon with you for the performance of them.
Firſt, Make conſcience of, & be diligent about the means of grace; neglect not ſecret, private or publick ordinances. Your bodies may as probably live without diet, as your ſouls without duties. This is Gods way by which he infuſeth grace where it is wanting, and increaſeth grace where it is. As the head by the nerves and ſinews as organs, conveyeth animal ſpirits to the whole body; So doth the Churches head Chriſt Jeſus by ordinances convey his Spirit and grace to his members. Doth not experience teach you, that your hearts are like water, though heated a little while over the fire of the means of grace, yet are no ſooner taken off, but they are returning to their former coldneſs? Mariners that ſwim againſt wind and tide, muſt row hard and continue at it, if they intermit but a little while, how far and how forcibly are they carried backwards! It is not unknown to you (if ye have any knowledge in ſpiritual affaires) how buſily and unweariedly the Devil, world and fleſh are drawing you to hell; it highly concerneth you to be always, by duties, fetching in ſupplies from above, if ever ye would arrive at heaven. I do not wonder that many in our perillous times, (who live above duties) are given up to ſenſuality or blaſphemies. The Papiſts ſay that if they can get the Proteſtants out of their ſtrong holds of Scripture, into the open fields of Councils and Fathers, they ſhould quickly be able to foil them. If Satan can prevaile with men but to throw away the Word of God (which is the ſword of the Spirit,) and the prayer of faith (which engageth Chriſt himſelf in the combat) he will never doubt the conqueſt. While men wall in the Kings high way, between Sun and Sun, they have the protection of the Law; if otherwiſe, it is at their own peril; If you keep the way of God, he will be your guard; but if you wander and leave him, no wonder if he leave you. And certainly wo will be to you, when God departeth from you. A dreadful night of darkneſs muſt needs be expected, when this Sun is departed.
The miniſtry of the word is called the ſalt of the earth. Mat. 5.Saints are called Doves; Who are thoſe that fly as doves to their windows! Now the property of Doves, is to be exceedingly in love with a ſalt-ſtone. Kites and Rooks care little for it, but Doves are mightily incited to it: Graceleſs perſons neglect and deſpiſe the means of grace, but they that ever enjoyed God in them, cannot but ſet a due price upon them. The beggar, the poor in ſpirit will know that door again, at which he hath received a good dole; I will never forget thy precepts, for by them thou haſt quickned me.
Secondly, Mind the religious education of your children. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It was the wiſh of Crates, that he were upon the top of the higheſt hill in the world, that from thence he might cry out againſt monſtrous parents, that toile to leave their children great eſtates, but take no care what maner of perſons they ſhould be which ſhould enjoy thoſe eſtates. I doubt not but ye are careful to breed your Sons Gentlemen, or to bring them up to trades, that they may know how to live a few days in this world; but alas how few of you are ſolicitous, to breed them new creatures, and to bring them up to Chriſtianity, that they may know how to live for ever, in the other world! I remember that Auguſtine ſpeaks mournfully, Some praiſe my father for being at ſuch coſt (even beyond his eſtate) in my nurture, but alas his care was to make me an oratour, not to make me a Chriſtian. I am confident, many a child bemoans that, now he is damned in hell, which the Father did when he was converted on earth. I cannot condemn the education of children according to the quality of their parents, nor their bringing up to particular callings (this latter I am ſure is a duty) but that which is firſt ſhould be laſt, and that which is laſt ſhould be firſt. Your greateſt care, and that in the firſt place, ſhould be to ſeek the Kingdom of God, for your ſelves and children, and then other things ſhall be added to you; Caleb gave his daughter the upper and the neather ſprings. O labour that yours may with Jacob have the dews of heaven as well as the fatneſs of the earth.
Eliſha wept when he ſaw Hazael, 2 Kings 3.12, 13.and foreſaw that he would ſlay young men, and daſh the children againſt the wall: do nor ſome of you give far far greater occaſion of weeping (if poſſible, teares of blood) in ſlaying and murdering the ſouls of your dear children, teaching them by your patterns, to live like Heathens and Atheiſts! Believe it, God committeth the charge of, and will account with you for all the ſouls in your families. Gen. 4.3, 10, 11.When Cain had flain his brother Abel, God called to him, Where is thy Brother Abel? And Cain ſaid, I know not, am I my Brothers keeper, And the Lord ſaid, What haſt thou done? the voice of thy brothers blood cryeth unto me from the ground. And now thou art curſed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother, blood at thine hand. So ſuppoſe God ſhould whiſper one of you in the eare, Cruel Father, Careleſs Maſter, Where is thy child or ſervant, that dyed ſo many months or years ago? You may poſſibly think what Cain ſpake, Lord I know not (whether in heaven or hell.) Holy Greenham ſaith, that many mens children ſhall follow them up and down in hell, curſing them and crying out of them, for neglecting to inſtruct them.Was I their keeper? (O think of it with ſpeed and reform.) May not God reply very truly, Curſed ſinner, vile wretch, What haſt thou done? The voice of thy child, of thy ſervants ſoul-blood cryeth to me from hell. And now thou art curſed from hell, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy ſons, thy ſervants ſoul at thine hand. Friends, Friends, what will you do, when God ſhall thus deal with you, for your neglect of relative duties! Poſſibly ye may think I deal too ſharply; but truly the reaſon is becauſe I know that ſin will not deal mildly, either with you or yours; And ſhould I not give you warning, the blood of your own and childrens ſouls, would be required at my hands. Good Lord that ye did but believe what it is to be guilty of others blood! Heathens and Infidels provide for the body and temporall well-being of their children; and what do many of you more? Bears that bring forth miſhapen whelps, will by licking them, bring them to a better form. Your Children are brought forth enemies to God, and are by nature children of wrath, and heirs of eternal death; doth it not behove you to ſtrive that by religious nurture, they may become children of the promiſe, and heirs of eternal life.
Thirdly, Make ſure of Regeneration; be never ſatisfyed, till ye can upon Scripture grounds affirme that your natures are regenerated. This, this is the one thing neceſſary, Your All hangs upon this hinge. If this be not done, ye are undone, undone eternally. All your profeſſion, civility, priviledges, guifts, duties are cyphers, and ſignify nothing unleſs Regeneration be the figure put before them. It is Regeneration that will make you the ſons of God, the members of Chriſt, the temples of the Spirit, that will give you an holy improvement, of all providences, a right to all the promiſes, and at laſt the purchaſed poſſeſſion. It is Regeneration that will teach you to live like men, like Chriſtians, like Angels in the love and fruition of the infinitely bleſſed God. O the price of this pearl is not known in this beggerly world!
A grave and wiſe Counſellour of France (being deſirous in his old age, to retire himſelf) was intreated by the King, to write down ſome directions, and leave with him for the more proſperous government of his Realm. The Counſellour took ſome paper, and wrote on the top, Moderation; in the middle, Moderation; at the bottom, Moderation; Demoſthenes being asked what was the chief thing in an Oratour, anſwered Elocution; and being demanded the ſame queſtion three times, what made an Oratour, he ſtill gave the ſame anſwer. Aug. …piſt. 56. ad Di oſc.Auguſtine being demanded, what was the greateſt requiſite of a Chriſtian: What was the firſt, ſecond, and third? ſtill anſwered, Humility, Humility, Humility. Truly, what the Counſellour ſaid of Moderation, the Grecian of Elocution, and the Father of Humility, I ſhall ſay of Regeneration; If you ask me, what is the chiefeſt thing in the world, for a man to mind? What is that which is worthy of all his time, and ſtrength, and thoughts, and words, and actions? I anſwer, Regeneration; If you demand What is that which is of greateſt neceſſity, and excellency, that bringeth in the greateſt profit, delight and happineſs? I anſwer, Regeneration. He that hath this hath all that is worth having, the having of this is heaven: He that wanteth this, hath nothing: the whole world cannot make up the want of this, the want of this is hell. O Sirs, your everlaſting making or marring, dependeth upon your ſincerity, or hypocriſie in this. Of what infinite conſequence is it therefore to you (in whatſoever ye come ſhort) to make ſure here. Alas when ye come to throw your laſt caſt for eternity, how will the ſtouteſt of you do, to look death in the face, without Regeneration in your hearts? God hath in an hundred texts of Scripture, devoted all unregenerate ones to the unquenchable fire, and can any of you think to make him a lyer? Believe it, as ſoon as death landeth you at the other world, you will have other thoughts of God and his Truths, then now ye have.
For your help in this work, which is of ſuch abſolute indiſpenſable neceſſity unto your never dying ſouls, I commend to you this Treatiſe, beſeeching the bleſſed God: to make it ſerviceable unto your ſalvations. Ignatius when he heard a clock ſtrike, would ſay, I have one hour more to anſwer for; I muſt tell you that ye have eighteen hours, eighteen Sermons more to anſwer for. When they were preached, they had from ſome of you a favourable attention; now they are printed (it is not unknown what providence brought them to the preſs) I wiſh they may have within you all an effectual operation, that both the Author and his labors may appear to your joy at that great and terrible day.
Theſe things being ſignified, Act. 20.32.I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to (bring you home who are out of Chriſt and to) build you up, (who are in Chriſt) and to give you an inheritance among them which are ſanctified: And ſubſcribe myſelf,
Your Servant for Jeſus ſake, GEORGE SWINNOCKE. Ianuary, 10. 1659.
THere is now publiſhed two excellent Treatiſes of Mr. Jeremiah Burrough's, one on the fifth of Matthew, being many Sermons preached at Cripple gate, upon all the Beatitudes.
And Goſpel-Revelation in Three Treatiſes, viz. 1. The Nature of God. 2. The excellency of Chriſt. And 3. The excellency of Mans Immortal Soul. Both publiſhed by Will. Greenhil, Will. Bridge, Philip Nye, John Yates, Matthew Mead, Will. Adderly. Both ſold by Tho. Parkhurſt in Cheapſide.
TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader.
AS there are two things which commend a place, the fruitfulneſs of the ſoil, and the pleaſantneſs of the ſituation, the one ſuiting the neceſſities, and the other the comforts of life: So there are two things which commend a Book; the worthineſs of the Matter therein handled, and the skilfulneſs of the hand that contrived it; upon both accounts this gracious Treatiſe juſtly deſerveth with good men acceptation and value; The matter thereof, (viz.) The Doctrine of Regeneration being of moſt abſolute neceſſity to the being of a Chriſtian; and the manner of handling it being ſo quick and elegant, as cannot but convince the Judgement, and gratifie the Palate of the moſt ſerious Reader: It being like the Land of Canaan full of milk and honey; a ſweetneſs which doth both nouriſh and cleanſe. And as once David did conſecrate the Spoils of the Gentiles to the building of the Temple; So hath the Authour adorned this his Spiritual Treatiſe with a ſanctified application of many pertinent Hiſtories in humane Authors, to the attempering thereof the better unto the moſt delicate minds.
I ſhall not detain the Reader by any diſcourſe on Regeneration, the Nature and the Neceſſity whereof I finde ſo fully handled in this Book; but ſhall commend the peruſual thereof unto all ſorts of Readers: It being ſo written as may by Gods bleſſing be very likely to Convince and Convert thoſe who are ſtrangers to Regeneration, if they will bring but Self-love to the reading of it, and as may fill the mouths and hearts of thoſe who are partakers of ſo great a benefit with praiſes unto God their heavenly Father by gracious Adoption, and unto the Lord Chriſt, their Second Adam, and ſpiritual Father by powerful Regeneration; to whoſe bleſſing I commend the Work, the Author and the Reader,
ED. REYNOLDS. January 31. 1659.