Regeneration, the excellency thereof. [ 1790]
ST. Augustine maketh this observation of Demosthenes,* 1.1 that being asked, What was the first and chiefest amongst the Precepts of Rhetorick? he answered, Elocution (or good utterance); what, the second? He answered, Elocution; what, the third? He answered still, Elocution: After the same manner saith the good Father, If you ask me, What is the first, the second, or the third, among the Precepts of Christian Religion? I must answer, Humility; And what S. Augustine attributes to Humility in the praise and commendations thereof,* 1.2 may justly be given to Re∣generation, or the new Creature, and to the excellency and dignity of that: If it be asked, What is the first, or the second, or the third, amongst the Graces of Gods holy Spirit? the answer will be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, our new Creation; And good reason too, For without this new Creation, there is no Freedom from damnation, no happinesse to be obtained, if any Man be in his Natural condition, and would have any benefit by the death of Christ, he must be a new Creature.