The new birthThe nevv birth

as sometimes he hath done, telling thee, that if thou beest not, as thou findest thy self not to be, regenerate: thy prayers cannot be heard, because they be not of faith. Thou mayest answer him, that that work of God in his word, which moveth thee so to pray, is a beginning of regeneration, which shall undoubtedly be perfected if thou continue to pray; and therefore that thou wilt not be hindered by such cavils. For thou believest that God hath said true, when he said, Ho every one that thirsteth; and seeing out of a persuasion of the truth of this general promise, thou addressest thy self to perform the duty whereto the promise is made, thy prayer must needs be of faith (though of a weak faith), and be no sin, but an acceptable service unto God. Now therefore (brethren) be not discouraged for praying for the spirit of life to breathe upon you, by any cavils or objections of Satan; be not made careless of seeking so necessary a thing, by any fond imaginations that he will put into your minds; be not diverted from doing this duty, by any worldly business that may come betwixt: but ⟨p. 110⟩what ever thou doest, now in thine heart, and when thou comest home, in thy closet, and in the solemnest manner bow thy self to God, and cry unto him for the holy Ghost to regenerate thee. And O thou blessed spirit, that art like the wind, and breathest even where thou luste••, breathe into the hearts of some of these that hear me this day, and cause some of them to be inflamed with a desire of regeneration, and to be encouraged to the begging of it, whereas yet it hath not been wrought. And so much for the first means to be used.¹ The second means is a diligent hiding of the word of God in the heart. For seeing that is the seed of immortality, if it be closely laid up in the ground of our souls, it will fructify to life. This law is pure, and it will purify. It is perfect, and it will convert the soul, if like a plaster it be laid unto it. Let it be engrafted into you like a science, and it will change the wild sap of your nature, and make you able to bring forth fruits of holiness. A man then buries the seed of the word in his hart, when he doth ponder and muse upon it; when he sets himself seriously to consider the truth of it, and to apply it unto his own soul, taking that, that is generally delivered, as pertaining to himself in special.