glorycloud's Diaryland Diary

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regeneration of the understanding is called illumination

"Regeneration of the understanding is called illumination
This spiritual life, animating and quickening the whole regenerate man, and all the several parts and faculties of him, as different names according to those different faculties. As it takes place in the understanding it is called a new spirit (Ephesians 4:24; Romans 12:2) and spiritual light (Ephesians 5:8). The bestowing of it by regeneration is called illumination (Ephesians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6), and those who are illuminated are called children of the light (Luke 16:8; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5); they are said to walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5), which light begets in them the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:10), and also the saving knowledge of God (John 17:3) and a Mediator (Isaiah 53:12). This spiritual light of the regenerate affects, first, the simple understanding or perception (1 Corinthians 2:14), by which they know spiritual objects not only speculative as true, but practically as good. Second, it affects the judgment as that the regenerate judge concerning the goodness of spiritual things not only as to the general position (in thesi), what is good in a general view, but also under all the particular circumstances and connections of that truth (in hypothesi), what is good and profitable for them at this very time, all circumstances considered (Psalms 73:28). In the meantime, this saving illumination in regeneration is to be cautiously distinguished from the illumination which is given in the external call (Hebrews 6:4), in which spiritual light is rather held up to view than conveyed (John 1:5) into the soul; or, if some degree of light is bestowed by an internal work (Numbers 24:3-4), that however is either merely speculative, exporting only an acknowledgment and profession of the truth (Matthew 13:20-21); Hebrews 6:4), but not in hypothesi, under all circumstances of it, so as excite a love to the truth, or engage us in obedience thereto so as to walk in it (Galatians 2:14; 3:1), it is rather holding the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18)." pg.22,23 'A Treatise On Regeneration' Peter van Mastricht (1630-1706)

11:44 a.m. - 2018-05-30

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