ON

Important SUBJECTS.

Intended to establish the DOCTRINE of
SALVATION by GRACE, and to point out
its INFLUENCE ON HOLINESS of LIFE,

By JOHN WITHERSPOON, D. D.

To which are added by the PUBLISHERS,

Ecclefiaftical Characteristics,

OR THE

ARCANA of CHURCH POLICY,

WITH

A SERIOUS APOLOGY; which have
been generally ascribed to the fame Author.

VOL. III.

LONDON:

Printed for EDWARD and CHARLES DILLY,
in the Poultry, near the Manfion-House.

M.DCC.LXV.

TREATISE

N

REGENERATION.

By JOHN WITHERSPOON, D.D.

LONDON:

Printed for EDWARD and CHARLES DILLY, in the Poultry, near the Mansion-House.

M.DCC.LXIV.

1-21-3327558

INTRODUCTION

CHAP.

Ι.

Page I

Some general obfervations on the metaphor used by the

apoAle John, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN;

and the fame or fimilar expressions to be found in

other parts of the word of God

SECT. I.

12

I. From this expreffion, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN

AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF

GOD, we may learn the GREATNESS of that

change which must pass upon every child of Adam,

before he can become an heir of life

SECT. II.

14

This expreffion, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN,

and other fimilar expreffions, imply that the change

bere intended is not merely partial, but univerfal 21

SECT. III.

From these words, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN

AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF

GOD, and other fimilar expressions in the holy Scrip-

tures, we may infer that the change here intended

is not merely EXTERNAL and IMPERFECT, but

INWARD, ESSENTIAL, and COMPLETE

SECT. IV.

31

From this metaphor, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN

AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF

GOD, and other parallel expressions in the holy

Scriptures, we may learn that the change bere in-

tended is SUPERNATURAL

A2

68

CHAP.