In regeneration , nature is not ruined but rectified . The convert is the same man , but new made . The faculties of his soul are not destroyed , but they are refined ; the same viol , but new tuned . Christ did not give the blind man new eyes , but a new sight to the old ones . Christ did not give Lazarus a new body , but enlivened his old body . So God in conversion does not bestow a new understanding , but a new light to the old ; not a new soul , but a new life to the old one . George Swinnock
Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
In a short time there will (we have reason to fear) remain but two kinds of persons among us, either those who think not at all, or those whose imaginations are active indeed, but continually evil. Of these latter it may be said, "Their foolish heart was darkened." Of the principles, I do not say of the detail, of political science, a sound theology is the only sure and steady basis. Now we trace the operations by which a destruction so extended in its consequences has been effected. The master-spring of every principle which can permanently secure the stability of a people is the fear and knowledge of Almighty God. The first operation of a principle of atheism, and perhaps one of the most formidable in its consequences, is that which leads political men to conceive of Christianity as a mere auxiliary to the State. Religion was not instituted (in the Divine council I mean) for the purpose of society and government, but society and government for the purposes of religion. As a...
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