by George Swinnock
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
His work comes ‘from one both of a good head and heart’. — Thomas Manton
‘George Swinnock had the gift of illustration largely developed, as his works prove…they served his purpose, and made his teaching attractive…there remains “a rare amount of sanctified wit and wisdom”.’ — C.H. Spurgeon
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 judgment, and gratify 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 author adorned this his spiritual treatise with a sanctified application of many pertinent histories in human 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 necessity whereof I find so fully handled in this book, but shall commend the perusal thereof unto all sorts of readers; it being so written as may, by God's 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.
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Table of Contents
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY
TO THE READER
AN EPISTLE TO THE READER
I. The opening of the words, and the doctrine
II. The description or nature of regeneration in the several causes of it
III. The reason why regeneration is necessary in all that will obtain salvation
IV. The first use of the doctrine, containing the gross delusion of all unregenerate persons
V. Shewing the insufficiency of ten particulars to speak a Christian's right to heaven
VI. A use by way of trial, wherein the character of regenerate persons is set down, with some quickening motives to examination
VII. Containing more marks of a regenerate person
VIII. Containing an exhortation to endeavour after regeneration
IX. The first help to regeneration, Serious consideration
X. The first subject of consideration, The misery of the unregenerate in this world
XI. The misery of the unregenerate in the other world
XII. The second subject of consideration, The felicity of the regenerate in this world
XIII. The felicity of the regenerate in the other world
XIV. The third subject of consideration, The excellency of regeneration
XV. The fourth subject of consideration, The necessity of regeneration
XVI. The fifth subject of consideration, The equity of regeneration, or living to God
XVII. The second help to regeneration, An observation or knowledge of those several steps whereby the spirit of God reneweth other souls, and a pliable carriage and submission to its workings and motions
XVIII. An answer to three objections
XIX. An exhortation to the regenerate
XX. A second exhortation to the regenerate, to do what they can for the conversion of others