The new birthThe nevv birth

Thou hast two lives, and two estates; a temporary, and an everlasting. For the temporary, thou hast indeed (let it be confessed) made but a sorry match: Thy children are not so ⟨p. 120⟩dutiful, thy yoke-fellow not so loving, thy state not so plentiful, thy friends not so faithful, as were to be wished. But for the everlasting, thou hast made a bargain above all imaginations gainful. For God is to thee a most faithful friend and Father; Christ Jesus a most dear surety and brother; heaven a rich inheritance, all Saints fellow-citizens, and all Angels willing servants; and after this minute of time spent in affliction, thou shalt pass to a state of bliss that never shall have an end. In truth the gaining of ten hundred thousand pounds, doth not more exceed the loss of two single pence, then these thy spiritual benefits exceed thy natural crosses; and therefore (I say) it is most ignorantly and simply done of thee, to pass away thy days in heaviness and sighing; which thou hast so good and sufficient cause to spend in all holy cheerfulness and rejoicing. Wouldest thou then be acquainted with the true cause of thine unquiet and uncomfortable living? It is not the multitude nor greatness of thy crosses; it is not the heaviness of those afflictions, that lie upon thee more hard then upon other men (as thou art ready to imagine so, seeking to excuse thine own fault); but it is thy carnalnesse of mind, thy being led all by sense, thy looking only to things visible here before thine eyes, and not to things invisible, prepared for thee above the clouds, and kept for thee by a strong and able friend, Christ Jesus, that hath also bought it, and paid dear for it. The children of God do not take pains to make themselves understand their own inward happiness; they will not find time enough to contemplate the beauty of that goodly portion, which the Lord hath allotted unto them; they will not bestow their thoughts in heavenly meditations: hence ⟨p. 121⟩their being overcome of carnal sorrow; and well may they thank themselves for the want of comfort, seeing they will not open their eyes to look abroad into the land of comfort. I am sure if any of us were shut up in close prison, for the space of one whole twelve-months; and should there be destitute of all good attendance, lodging, fare, and other comforts;

Thou hast two liues, and two estates; a temporary, and an euerlasting. For the temporary, thou hast indeed (let it be confessed) made but a sorie match: Thy children are not so