The new birthThe nevv birth

And in the second place, let me turn my speech to all them (which are without doubt the greater number) that if they will answer truly,¹ must answer negatively to this question; & must confess, if they will not lie, that in very deed they are not regenerate. To which kind of men I have two things to speak; the one, to show them their wretchedness, out of Christs own words; the other to beseech them, that they would be careful and willing to come out of it. Come hither all ye unregenerate men, and see your hard condition: you know you must not live in this world always: you see so many dye before you, ⟨p. 96⟩that you cannot but see, (though you refuse to consider of it) that death must seize upon your persons also afore long. And you have been wont to flatter your selves with hopes of being saved, when you die. But now I pronounce against you, that all these your hopes are lying hopes, and like a broken reed, will but run into your arms if you rest upon them. Either out Lord Jesus Christ did egregiously falsify, when he did so vehemently assure Nicodemus, that a man cannot see the kingdom of God, unless he be borne again: or else you have most egregiously deluded your own souls with vanity & lies; when (being unregenerate) you have been bold to make your selves believe, that you should be saved. Now for our Saviour, we are sure he affirmeth nothing but what he knoweth; his words be all pure words, tried in the furnace seven times; he that is the author of salvation, can well enough tell to whom he will grant it; you therefore, even all you that have maintained contrary hopes in your selves, have lied to your selves, have trusted in vanity, have bin beguiled by sin and Satan, have flattered your selves foolishly, and shall surely be disappointed of your goodly hopes, unless you take a better course then heretofore. I say unto thee that art unregenerate: Though thou livest an honest and civil life; though thou cariest thy self justly and truly towards thy neighbours in thy dealings; though thou give much alms to the poor; though thou come to Church, and hear the Word, and receive the Sacraments; though thou hast been baptized, and professest to believe in Christ; though thou read the Scriptures, and pray with thy family; yea though thou have some fits of sorrow for some sins;

ANd in the second place, let me turne my speech to all them (which are without doubt the greater number) that if they will answere truly,