A15003:113
The new birthThe nevv birth
The new birth: or, A treatise of regeneration delivered in certain sermons; and now published by William Whately, preacher and minister of Banbury in Oxfordshire.The nevv birth: or, A treatise of regeneration delivered in certaine sermons; and now published by William Whately, preacher and minisiter of Banbury in Oxfordshire.
London: printed by Felix Kingston for Thomas Man, 1618
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
and where that is preached, as now it is preached amongst you, there the holy Ghost comes to regenerate; there he comes with his in-living virtues; there he is present with his quickening power: and he that will ⟨p. 103⟩not resist the motions and exhortations, that the word and spirit of God do raise up within him, shall surely be visited from on high, and shall have the spirit of God descending upon him, to make him a new creature. Yea further I say to such an one, that God hath appointed certain things to be done by men, which they that will not refuse to do, may do, and those that shall do, shall be regenerated. For there is a common work of illumination, so making way for regeneration, that it puts a power into man of doing that, which when he shall do, the spirit of God will mightily work within him to his quickening and purging. All you therefore that find your selves as yet not to be regenerate, but yet fain would be (for to others it is in vain to speak, they be not yet so far enlightened as to be capable of regeneration), but all you, hearken and understand what it is that you must do, that you may be regenerate; and by doing which, you shall not fail of receiving this wonderful blessing of a new life, to be created in you: only yet with one proviso, that you do not damp the present motions of the word and spirit of God with procrastinations and delays, with putting off, and deferring till an other time. Nay, you must accept of the offers of grace, whilst it is called to day; and know, that nothing doth more harden your hearts, and chase away the spirit of God from them, then that foolish and slothful shifting off his persuasions, with a purpose of settling about the work hereafter, but not yet. Thou must take Gods time, and not bid him tarry thy time. It is no reason the King should wait upon the traitor, till he were at leisure to receive a pardon. If thou wilt not have while, when the Lord sees it fit to make thee a sweet promise of ⟨p. 104⟩grace: remember the terrible threatening of Wisdom, You shall seek me and not find me, 1because I stretched out mine hands, and you would not hear me. O then venture not to put off God till hereafter.
and where that is preached, as now it is preached amongst you, there the holy Ghost comes to regenerate; there he comes with his in-liuing vertues; there he is present with his quickning power: and he that wil