The Works of the Late REV. Thomas Scott (Volume 7) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824. Excerpt: ... BOOK II. ON REGENERATION. CHAPTER I. STATBMENTS CONCERNING BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. As the term regeneration, or new birth, is 'frequently used by modern Calvinists, when 'speaking of their favourite tenets of instantaneous 'conversion and indefectible grace, it may be pro'per to explain the application and true meaning 'of this word in scripture, and in the public for'mularies of our church.'1 Regeneration is indeed a term ' frequently used 'by modern Calvinists, ' and by many who do not think themselves Calvinists. It is also found continually in the writings on theology, which have been preserved to us from preceding ages, even from the primitive times; whether it be used in a scriptural or un scriptural meaning. It is, therefore, no peculiarity of ' modern Calvinists;' though essentially apart of their system. But is it not also an essential part of scriptural Christianity? And do we not all derive our phraseology, in this respect, 1 Kef. 83. from the New Testament; whether we adhere to the doctrine of that sacred book or not? 'Instantaneous conversion' has been considered; and it has been shewn that it is not a ' favourite '. tenet of' modern Calvinists:1 and certainly it has 'no connexion with the tenet of 'indefectible 'grace;' for they, in whose writings sudden conversions are most frequently related, decidedly oppose the doctrine of the final perseverance of all true believers. The words indefectible andindefectibility occur very rarely, if at all, in the writings of modern Calvinists, with reference to this topic. Indeed they do not precisely convey their meaning. When the word grace is used to signify a new creation to holiness, producing unequivocally "the fruits of the Spirit;" it is not deemed indefectible in its own nature, at least by many m...