The new birthThe nevv birth

And if at first, second, third, fourth, and (it may be) many more times, he seem to have cried in vain; because none answer cometh, but heaven it self seems strongly stopped up against him: yet he goes again still to the same throne of grace, again reckoning up the same, and (if he can also) new sins, again bewailing them bitterly, and heartily imploring both pardon and help again. This is to come unto Christ Jesus heavy laden, as our Saviour comfortably inviteth us; this is to seek God while he may be found, and to call upon him while he is near, as the Prophet exhorteth us. Which having done, he knows not what to do more; and therefore even casts himself upon Gods goodness through Jesus Christ; and knowing that in him (the Son) the Father is well pleased, he strives to rest in him, continuing to knock, continuing to seek, because his heart gives him, that at last he shall not fail to find acceptance. And this spirit of prayer seemeth to me so proper to ⟨p. 35⟩the regenerate, that it cannot any way befall the unregenerate: who when he feeleth not his misery, doth but multiply idle words in seeming to pray, when he feeleth it is so wholly drowned and swallowed up thereby, that he cannot run unto heaven for help. But with the regenerate, prayers and supplications are always found, and a continuing therein also, how many bitter repulses soever he suffers at Gods hand; as often he doth very many, the Lord either deferring or making more speed to answer, as he sees most behoofefull for the profit of each of his servants; and proportioning the fruit of his grace this way, to his knowledge of their ability and fitness to receive an answer, or to brook delays. It must not be denied, but that the man that never shall be regenerate (in the griping and twinges of his accusing conscience, through the working of the law, and the bare illumination of the spirit) may come so far, as to roar out his Lord have mercy upon me, very often: yea, he may by persuasion and entreaty of friends, be brought to read some good prayers out of a prayer-book: yea, to be glad to have an other pray for him, in his own hearing; and in some sense also, to join with him: yea more, by frequent persuading, urging, teaching of some godly man, he may be drawn to pray for himself;

And if at first, second, third, fourth, and (it may be) many more times, he seeme to haue cried in vaine; because none answere commeth, but heauen it selfe seemes strongly stopped vp against him: yet hee goes againe still to the same throne of grace, againe reckoning vp the same, and (if he can also) new sinnes, againe bewailing them bitterly, and heartily imploring both pardon and help againe. This is to come vnto Christ Iesus heauie laden, as our Sauiour comfortably inuiteth vs; this is to seeke God while hee may bee found, and to call vpon him while hee is neere, as the Prophet exhorteth vs. Which hauing done, he knowes not what to doe more; and therefore euen casts himselfe vpon Gods goodnesse through Iesus Christ; and knowing that in him (the Son) the Father is well pleased, he striues to rest in him, continuing to knocke, continuing to seeke, because his heart giues him, yt at last he shal not faile to find acceptance. And this spirit of prayer seemeth to me so proper to