Joseph A. Benton Collection

(3) [centered]

1 Cor. [Corinthians] 4:15. "In C. J. [Christ Jesus] I have begotten you thro the gospel." – In Bible change is sometimes as cuted [cutted] to truth – sometimes to preacher – Sometimes to God – but ever in con-nection with truth as the means ~ (Truth is the occasional, not the efficient cause.) ~ (2) Same is manifest from t. [the] nat. [nature] of t. [the] change – as a moral change ~

Shown before – the change intelligent, voluntary, &c. [etc.] – but no such change can be without previous kn. [knowledge] – thought – desire i.e. – truth known, seen, apprehended, – no choice – no change without this first.

Anything done in one, without his action – is not his – may affect his physics – not his moral character – that can't be forced on him – nor forced away from him – by any power – something of his own – for wh. [which] he only is responsible – as one free intelligent ~

(6) [centered]

One takes his affect from t. [the] world, & fixes on G [God] – in conseq. [consequences] of t. [the] motives wh. [which] truth presents to his view, – in no other way is conversion possible ~

III ~

What is it to use these means of Regeneration?

May respect G. [God] to convert – Sinner to be converted.

(1) God employs the means of regeneration in every form & variety; to save sinners ~

Does it in every way in wh. [which] truth is made to shine upon the soul – to affect the heart.

(a) By his works. The invis. [invisible] things of Him from t. [the] creation are already &c [etc.]

[b] By his providences. How stupendous are these. Look over t. [the] world to-day [today] &c. [etc.]

(c) Esp. [Especially] by Afflictions. Loss of prop. [property], of health – of friends – &c. [etc.] teach solemn lessons wh. [which] sh'd [should] use

(5) [centered]

(d) By his servants. – holy lives – good deeds – the church aligns in the world – their active endeavors ~

(e) By his mercies. Sharing – forbearing – Striving – atoning – &c. [etc.]

"The goodness of God leadeth to repentance."

(f) His word – Prominently by his ministry.

This is his institution – not of man alone – Saves "by t. [the] foolishness of preaching" – This great means – nothing else like it. Urging the truth on the mind and consc. [conscious] –

Declares his view – when he says – How s. [soul] bel. [believes] on him of wh.^m [whom] have not heard — & how hear without a Preacher?

In New Test. [Testament] all sinners most were converted by preaching – public or private.

6) [centered]

(2) Sinner uses means of grace – when he applies the truth to his own heart – yields obed. [obedience] – & gives right influences sway in his soul ~

(a) To think – to feel on the subject – but never act – never comply – is rather an abuse – than a proper use of means.

(b) May have them before as at our com-mand and never rightly use them.

To hear preaching – to read Bible – to pray – these are means – – but they are not fully used till we go through with an entire change of character.

Will not save – of necessity – must be more done – many sinners lost so ~

(c) Two opposite modes of teaching – One makes all a sinner does till – Sometime t. [the] heart is changed – positively sinful & wrong.

(7) [centered]

The other teaches him to seek, read, pray, &c. [etc.] & he will be saved – – but this is not so. – No good in there of themselves – many have done these things – yet never been regenerated. I don't say they are wrong – but they are only half the duty –.

No need of any delay – of this slow process of hours, days, & weeks, & months – it often happens so – but no necessity for it – do wrong in not yielding more promptly & heartily –

(d) True mods thus – – Sinner is to change his own purposes his own affect, his own char. [character] to wait for nothing make no delay – to repent on the Spot – – He is to use theses means – all the truth he knows on t. [the] Sub. [Subject] & go right through – in view of what the two things are he should decide to be the Lords [Lord's] ~