A Dissertation on the Means of Regeneration (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from A Dissertation on the Means of Regeneration

There is a very desirable harmony of views among all evangelical men, in relation to the reality and importance of that radical transformation of character, which the Scriptures call regeneration. The necessity of this change lies in the total sinful ness of all mankind by nature; the cause or author of it is the Holy Spirit; the change itself consists in the commencement of holiness in the heart; and the means by which it is brought about are com prised in the varied exhibitions of the truth of God.

This unillustrated statement would probably meet the views of all who love and preach the essential and fundamental principles of the Gospel. There is one branch of this subject, however, on which there is at least, the semblance of controversy between men who are equally attached to the doctrines of grace, - I allude to the means of regeneration. These may all be comprised in the truth of God. When we say the truth of God is the appointed means of regeneration, we mean the truth of God as published by God himself, and as attended to by unregenerated men. By a variety of methods, God has diffused his truth over different portions of the earth; and thus He is using the means of regeneration. In different ways. Unregenerated men are directing theirattention to the truth of God; and thus they are using the means of regeneration. It is important to a right interpretation of many passages of Scrip ture which speak of means, as well as to a full and just view of the subject, to make the distinction be tween means as used by God with unregenerated men, and means as used by the unregenerate them selves. This general view we propose to exhibit in the following Dissertation.

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