The new birthThe nevv birth

only it follows him with its own vehement checks and reluctations, in divers troublesome and confused thoughts. But the sanctification of the will opposeth its corruption, by prayers, by the word, by the blood of Christ Jesus, and by the hopes of eternity. For having this hope, he purgeth himself as Christ is pure. So the unsanctified man, when he would do evil and dares not, is tossed and tumbled from place to place, now thinking of one thing, now of another, wishing to follow his own inclinations, but wanting boldness; and if he do any thing to help himself, it is to get him into some company, that perhaps may ease him a while. But the sanctified, when he finds this distraction of his will, usually ⟨p. 48⟩seeks out some secret place; tells himself of Gods commandment, of Gods love, of Christs suffering for him; asketh himself, if he can find in his heart so much to offend so good a Father, so perfect a Saviour: and then falling down, telleth the Lord how wicked he finds himself, what foul desires are stirred in him, and how weak he is to make resistance; he beseecheth God to pull out this prick of his flesh, to strengthen him against these wicked desires, and to establish his heart in a sincere purpose of obedience, by his holy spirit, and so riseth up confirmed. Thus (I say) he doth usually and ordinarily, though sometimes the suddenne••• of occasions hinders him that he cannot; and sometimes his own neglect of duty hath so estranged him, that he finds no power so to do: in which last case he is often foiled, in the former not so often. Lastly, the conscience, if it take the foil once or twice, is benumbed and silenced. Sometimes it suffers its mouth to be clean stopped, by some idle shift and vain distinction, which the wit (that in many men is too good for their conscience) hath invented for the justification of evil: and after some such paltry defence or apology, a man is suffered to sin freely enough. But if the thing be never so unjustifiable, yet after two or three times doing it, the heart is hardened, the natural conscience put to silence; and a mans checks grow faint, or none at all, until some cross come, or some immediate hand of God to set it on working again. For why? the unsanctified man, as he did not beg grace to hold him up before his sin;

only it followes him with its owne vehement checks and reluctations, in diuers troublesome and confused thoughts. But the sanctification of the will opposeth its corruption, by prayers, by the word, by the blood of Christ Iesus, and by the hopes of eternitie. For hauing this hope, hee purgeth himselfe as Christ is pure. So the vnsanctified man, when he would doe euill and dares not, is tossed and tumbled from place to place, now thinking of one thing, now of another, wishing to follow his owne inclinations, but wanting boldnesse; and if hee doe any thing to help himselfe, it is to get him into some company, that perhaps may ease him a while. But the sanctified, when he findes this distraction of his will, vsually