Doctrine 2. God regenerates us, as the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ.
Reason 1. Because in Christ our Redeemer, and in our redemption performed by him, he laid the foundation of all our restoring to salvation.
2. Because he made Christ that great Shepherd, that should gather his sheepe, that is, the elect into his fold, by effectuall calling and regeneration. Hebrews 13.20. Iohn 10.16.
3. Because through Christ and his name men are called and regenerated by God, 2 Corinthians 5.18,19,20.
Use. This may serve to informe us, that in all those things that belong unto our salvation, we ought alwayes to looke upon God in Christ, and consequently alwayes to call upon and praise God in Christ. The solemne title, and as it were stile of God, that was used in the celebrating of his name, was not alwayes one and the same from the beginning of the world, but diverse: first, he was called by Melchizedeck, the most high God, possessour of heaven and earth, Genesis 14.19. Afterwards by reason of that singular covenant which he made with Abraham and his posterity, he began to be called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob: then againe, after that wonderfull deliverance of his people out of Egypt, for the memory of that thing there was added to his title, The God which brought the children of [♦]Israel out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: so also in the Prophet, after his deliverance of them from the Babylonish captivity, he was called The Lord which brought up his people out of the North countrey, Ieremiah 23.7,8. But now under the New Testament, and the Sunne being risen, all his other workes and benefits being obscur’d by the comming of Christ, this title is most congruous and solemne, God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 1.3. Ephesians 1.3.
[♦] “Israol” replaced with “Israel”
Doctrine 3. A wonderfull great mercy of God appeares in our regeneration.
Reason 1. Because he frees us from the greatest misery, and makes us partakers of the greatest good.
2. Because he doth this of his meere goodnesse, not only without our deserts, but even contrary to our deserts: when we did not so much as seek or wish for any such benefits to our selves, but were altogether aliens from God, and enemies to him.
Vse 1. This may serve to exhort us to attribute all to the mercy of God alone, and to raise up our minds to the admiration of it.