The new birthThe nevv birth

but because in things spiritual, our understanding (without sense most times) must judge of the truth or falsehood of our opinions, it comes to pass that we are very ready to be deceived with over-loving opinions of our selves. Where almost shall we find a man (not extremely and notoriously wicked in all manner of shameful abominations), which will not say, that he hopes he is Gods child, and to be Gods child, and to be regenerate? or almost one and the same thing, they differ alone in some respects. Let our readiness to brag of being better then in truth we be (a certain fruit of the blindness of our minds in the matters of God), let this readiness I say, to be overwell conceited of our selves, make us afraid to rest upon any over hasty answer to this question, whether we be regenerate yea or no. Before thou do rest in the answer thou hast to make to this question, look well to the grounds of thine answer, and see that thine answer be made out of knowledge and judgement; not out of the folly and blindness of self-love. Verily (brethren) I would have you make a true answer this way, and neither deny the work that God hath wrought in you; nor yet brag of a conceit of that work which never was: but yet let me freely confess thus much, that I had much rather have you fear without a cause, then hope without a cause. I would thou shouldest answer truly of thine estate; but I had rather thou shouldest err in thinking thy self not regenerated, when thou art; then on the other hand in ⟨p. 91⟩deeming thy self regenerated when thou art not: for indeed, the former, though it be a troublesome error, yet is nothing dangerous; the latter though pleasing enough, is extremely perilous. Daungerlesse fear, is better then fearless danger. If a man condemned to dye, and leading to execution, think that he hath a pardon and hath none; he may go pleasantly to the gallows out of this fancy; but he will scarce come from it pleasantly: but if he that hath a pardon, think he have none; his heart is heavy in going, but he feels himself lighted quickly, when at the instant the pardon is produced to save his life. Just so it is, in this case: If any amongst you be strongly conceited that he is Gods child and is not, he goes towards death with fewer fears, and is not much troubled at the remembrance of his last hour:

but because in things spirituall, our vnderstanding (without sense most times) must iudge of the truth or f•lsehood of our opinions, it comes to passe that we are very ready to be deceiued with ouer-louing opinions of our selues. Where almost shall we find a man (not extreamely and notoriously wicked in all manner of shamefull abominations), which will not say, that hee hopes he is Gods childe, and to be Gods child, and to be regenerate? or almost one and the same thing, they differ alone in some respects. Let our readines to brag of being better then in truth we be (a certaine fruit of the blindnesse of our mindes in the matters of God), let this readinesse I say, to bee ouerwell conceited of our selues, make vs afraide to rest vpon any ouer hasty answere to this question, whether we be regenerate yea or no. Before thou do rest in the answere thou hast to make to this question, looke well to the grounds of thine answere, and see that thine answere be made out of knowledge and iudgement; not out of the folly and blindnesse of selfe-loue. Verily (brethren) I would haue you make a true answere this way, and neither deny the worke that God hath wrought in you; nor yet brag of a conceite of that worke which neuer was: but yet let me freely confesse thus much, that I had much rather haue you feare without a cause, then hope without a cause. I would thou shouldest answere truly of thine estate; but I had rather thou shouldest erre in thinking thy selfe not regenerated, when thou art; then on the other hand in