The new birthThe nevv birth

And so much be spoken to them that are not borne again.¹ Now from the same point also we have something to say to those, that through the grace of God, have been blessed with this greatest of all ⟨p. 116⟩blessings, and that both for comfort and exhortation. First then,² let us lay open before the sanctified man, the riches of consolation, of which the words of our Saviour do put him in possession. This work of the Spirit of God, doth him more good, then all the wealth, strength, health, wit, learning, beauty, credit, favour and grace, that could befall him in the world. For all these things fore-named, a man may have in as great abundance, as this earth could yield, and yet be no whit nearer to heavenly felicity; yea, be quite out of all present possibility of attaining it. But so soon as ever the Spirit of God from above, hath visited the soul of a man, and hath begotten in him the image of Christ Jesus; so soon is he interested into the glorious Kingdom of God, and hath that riches and honour of heaven appertaining unto him, as an inheritance that cannot fall besides him. Every true Christian therefore, be he of never so mean repute & parts, in the esteem of others, or of himself, is yet a great, and a rich heir, and hath a mighty and large kingdom, by virtue of this birth-right appertaining unto him: for the excluding of all that are not borne again, from out of heaven, is a plain admittance of all them into heaven, to whom this benefit of a new birth hath befallen. The one cannot but be saved as well, as the other cannot possibly be saved. Seeing if the cause that hindereth our entrance into Gods Kingdom be removed, we need make no question, but that our passage afterwards, shall be found both certain and easy enough. O therefore that the children of God could sufficiently understand their own bliss! that with hearty rejoicing within themselves, and unfeigned thankfulness unto God, they might pass on forward