The new birthThe nevv birth

Then will the Devil assail thee with more tentations, and cast objections and doubts in thy way, as if it were in vain to pray; for sure thou shalt not be heard: but believe him not; he is a liar in going about to make thee make God a liar; for is not the promise so universal, as no man is excluded that doth not exclude himself? doth it not run thus, every one that asketh receiveth: every one that seeketh findeth, and therefore say thou to thine own heart, if every one why not I? sure I will ask then, and will not spare to speed, by sparing to speak to God. And that thou mayest yet more embolden thy self, know that God hath tied thee by a kind of vow to seek to him for the spirit of regeneration, and himself to give it unto thee, when thou so seekest. For, tell me, art thou not a man professing to be of the Christian religion? Wast thou not baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost? To what end was this washing; but to assure thee, of the spirit of God working like water to thy regeneration? Wherefore urge thou the Lord with his own seal, and say, O Lord! what better evidence can I wish? Thou hast given me the seal of regeneration. O make it to appear not to have been an empty sign: Lord, baptise me with the Spirit, and with Water; even wash me and cleanse me, by that pure Water of thy holy Spirit; which may sanctify me throughout, and make me a new creature. If any doubt arise in thine heart, look thus to the seal of the covenant and confirm thy faith: and assure thy self that God will never falsify his bond and seal, he will wash thee according to his covenant sealed up unto ⟨p. 109⟩thee by Baptism. In very deed (brethren) it is an absurdity to imagine, that all, that are baptized with water are also infallibly regenerated: but yet it is sure, that all such might be regenerated, if considering what this seal importeth, they would duly and earnestly seek unto the Lord for performance thereof. This is that I call upon you now to do, if already any have not done it: Let the remembrance of thy Baptism with water, cause thee to seek to him that can give the Baptism of the spirit; & he knoweth not how to deny himself nor his covenant. But (perhaps) still the Devil may be busy with thee, and cast some quiddity, and subtle cavil in thy way;

Then will the Diuell assaile thee with more tentations, and cast obiections and doubts in thy way, as if it were in vaine to pray; for sure thou shalt not be heard: but beleeue him not; hee is a lyar in going about to make thee make God a lyar; for is not the promise so vniuersall, as no man is excluded that doth not exclude himselfe? doth it not runne thus, euery one that asketh receiueth: euery one that seeketh findeth, and therefore say thou to thine owne heart, if euery one why not I? sure I will aske then, and will not spare to speede, by sparing to speake to God. And that thou maiest yet more imbolden thy selfe, know that God hath tyed thee by a kind of vow to seeke to him for the spirit of regeneration, and himselfe to giue it vnto thee, when thou so seekest. For, tell me, art thou not a man professing to be of the Christian religion? Wast thou not baptized in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost? To what end was this washing; but to assure thee, of the spirit of God working like water to thy regeneration? Wherefore vrge thou the Lord with his owne seale, and say, O Lord! what better euidence can I wish? Thou hast giuen me the seale of regeneration. O make it to appeare not to haue beene an empty signe: Lord, baptise me with the Spirit, and with Water; euen wash me and cleanse me, by that pure Water of thy holy Spirit; which may sanctifie me throughout, and make me a new creature. If any doubt arise in thine heart, looke thus to the seale of the couenant and confirme thy faith: and assure thy selfe that God will neuer falsifie his bond and seale, he will wash thee according to his couenant sealed vp vnto