The new birthThe nevv birth

not meaning this last of such a serving of sin as was before his new birth, but some kind of serving, even a doing of that sometimes that sin doth persuade, though unwillingly and against the hair. Neither yet is this all; for as within he is thus perplexed;¹ so can he not long be free from disquietment without. The third enemy stands up quickly, and that is the world; and that hates him, maligns him, abhors him, cannot away with him. When once some glimpse of Gods image shineth in him, then worldly men perceiving it, if they were his friends, turn foes. They think and call him a fool; they say he is either proud, or stout, or mad, or all. After a while also come slanders, as it were stronger and sharper weapons: then (if the times will give leave) his enemies growing in rage, as he grows in goodness, he meets often with loss of goods, banishment, and even death it self. So the world tries, what she can do by violence, if that way seem the fittest course of pulling him back again into her society: but if the case be such, that that way seem not at first so plausible, the world assaults him with strong allurements; his friends and neighbours will persuade him to return to be himself again: he shall have large offers of friendship, and of gain. Many entreaties, many promises, many ⟨p. 51⟩assurances, and many performances of good turns, as strong baits, are held out before him, to divert him from the ways of godliness. And these fairer assaults often hurt him much more, then the more violent; but yet still his faith is his victory, by which he overcomes the world. The assurance that he finds in himself of Gods eternal love, and the sweet effects thereof makes him to disdain these sugared allurements, and to stand strong against those bitter encounters; flatter they, or frown they; do him good, or do him evil, still he holds himself to this conclusion, he will not leave God, to cleave unto the world again. Thus you see how the regenerate man is laid too, on every hand, within, without, on every side. There is no day in a year, no hour in a day; nay verily, scarce any minute in an hour, wherein some one or other of these his back friends, doth not strive to do him a spite. The worst enemy is within himself, the next is the devil, and the world the least. These welcome him in this manner, into the City of God.

not meaning this last of such a seruing of sinne as was before his new birth, but some kind of seruing, euen a doing of that sometimes that sinne doth perswade, though vnwillingly and against the haire. Neither yet is this all; for as within hee is thus perplexed;