The new birthThe nevv birth

but yet still the spirit of prayer is absent, in that he doth not find himself by an inward moving of his own heart) inclined (in the middest of his griefs and fears) to betake himself (to God for help, by calling upon his name. And (which is a main observation in this matter) if he pray, he prays almost altogether for pardon, and for favour, little for grace and holiness; whereas the Christian man, (by a secret drawing ⟨p. 37⟩of his own inward soul, wrought by this regenerating spirit) comes unto the Lord with his requests, begging grace and holiness, with no less earnestness, then remission and salvation. Yea, and having once begun this course, he finds so much refreshing thereby, that he cannot but continue to do it, even sometimes with much struggling against, of his own hart, through fears and doubtings thereof. So it is one thing to be persuaded to pray by men, and to do it for ease sake; another thing to be inclined unto it, by the private and secret working of the Spirit. One thing to beg for pardon, not much minding amendment; another thing to cry for the help of God to reform ones heart and soul, as well as his free favour to pardon former offences. An unsanctified man, by benefit of Christian acquaintance, in long and heavy terrors, may come to the one of these; to the other, alone the Spirit of sanctification can lead one. To which pass, when the heart is once brought at length,¹ the fourth act of the Holy Ghost doth plainly show it self; for it becomes a spirit of adoption within him, the very earnest penny of salvation, sealing up unto him the favour of God, the pardon of sin, the attaining of life; and by a new (and in truth considering the difference of former times) a strange work, persuading him, that God is reconciled unto him, and hath accepted him for his child. As it made him able to take unto him words, and go unto the Lord, craving to be accepted graciously: so it brings him word again from God, that he shall be, yea, that he is, accepted graciously; and answering him (even as, one would say, with a sensible answer in the middest of his prayers oft-times) so strongly and undoubtedly •••ures him of his being heard, that he makes, for the ⟨p. 37⟩time, no more question of it then whither he lives yea, or no.