Stephen Charnock 
Doctrine of Regeneration [PDF ebook] 

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. These words contain the foundation of all practical religion here, and happiness hereafter. It is the principal doctrine Christ, as a prophet, came to teach; and as a king, to work in the heart.<br><br>The text proves the indispensable necessity of regeneration, by which I mean not a relative, but a real change of the subject, wrought in the complexion and inclinations of the soul. As in the restoring of health, there is a change made in the temper and humours of the body.<br><br>As mankind were changed in Adam, from what they were in a state of creation; so men must be changed in Christ, from what they were in a state of corruption. As that change was not only relative, but real, and the relative first introduced by the real; so must this. The relation of a child of wrath, was founded upon the sin committed. Without a real change, there can be no relative. Being in Christ, as freed from condemnation, is always attended with a walking in the Spirit; and walking is not before living.