The new birthThe nevv birth

so that to him the same thing was natural (and to his innocent posterity should have been), which now to us is above the power and course of nature to attain; and therefore need we to get it by a second birth, because we cannot get it in our first birth. For the natural man doth not conceive in his mind (and consequently neither apply his will and affections to receive) the things of God,¹ as the Apostle speaketh: yea his mind is always bowing and bending, after either bare earthly, or very hellish objects: but because these things must be spiritually discerned, therefore the holy Ghost endues him with a new power of raising himself up, from these base and filthy matters, unto his Creator, the eternal fountain and first cause of being and of bliss, even unto the God of heaven; in comparison of whom, all things are less and worse then nothing: and likewise unto the things of God, remission of sins, the favour of God, communion ⟨p. 21⟩with Christ Jesus, increase of holiness; and the like to these, which are by an excellency called the things of God: because they are the chiefest of all those things, that he bestows upon the sons of men; and to the seeking whereof, he directs them in his holy word, whereas else they would never have sought them. This is the material cause of regeneration. The formal is, infusion, as witnesseth the Lord himself, saying; I will pour upon the house of David, ²the spirit of grace And in another place, I will pour floods upon the dry ground. And Paul saith,³ God hath given us the spirit of a right mind. For whereas some qualities are implanted in men by nature; some attained unto, by their own industry, and by virtue of certain actions for that purpose performed; and some again are wrought in them, by a supernatural work of God: this gift of holiness, is neither naturally descended unto them, (as it should have been, had their parents been innocent); nor yet attained by their diligence and pains, or by force and power, of any action done by them: but is put into them, by the spirit of God, working above and beyond, either their power, or the power of the acts that they shall do, for the attaining of it. Let us make the matter more plainly understood by comparisons. The power of seeing, is naturally bestowed upon all men in their very birth, and by the course of nature working in their mothers womb.