The new birthThe nevv birth

and knows that having it, it will make it self so evident, that after a little while it will be known; and when he wants it, he finds himself not driven to deny the possibility or necessity of knowing it; but alone to be grieved, and to condemn himself that he doth not get that, which is both possible & necessary to be gotten. He finds also, ⟨p. 62⟩that though, after his committing of some kinds of sins, this his assurance that he is Gods child, is very much enfeebled; yet there is a secret and strong work of grace, inwardly moving him, inviting him, leading him by the hand; and little less then with a kind of sweet and gentle violence, drawing him to go to God and confess his sin, craving mercy, purposing amendment, and casting himself upon Christ for acceptance: that now he cannot but say within himself, sure here is life, though before the matter were called into doubt. Yea he findeth the spirit of adoption, dictating unto him the name of Father, in this case, and making him bold so to call God, and to cry unto him, till at length he perceive by manifest signs, that he is indeed a Father unto him. Yea verily, to the Christian man, this knowledge of God is so rich and precious a jewel, that he makes more account of it then of a thousand worlds, and a thousand lives. Wherefore of (almost) all errors concerning mans condition, he can with least patience brook their (to him being made in case to discern it) most palpable fancy, of which I spake before, that think it impossible to attain a sure knowledge and infallible, that one is the child of God, not know himself to be Gods by regeneration, and adoption. Take away his life then, take away his being. The world is worse then a prison and a dungeon to him, if the light of this knowledge be taken away: he can have no quiet in himself, no comfort in any thing else, without this knowledge; he perceives that this is the greatest confirmation of his soul, in an holy life, that he knows himself to be begotten again by the seed of immortality, to a lively hope, and to an immortal inheritance. ⟨p. 63⟩This knowledge therefore is so necessary unto him, that he cannot live without it: and hence it is that he no longer enjoys himself then he retains it. And so much for the third effect of regeneration. The fourth, and (of those that I purpose to speak of) the last effect followeth.

and knowes that hauing it, it will make it selfe so euident, that after a little while it will be knowne; and when he wants it, hee findes himselfe not driuen to denie the possibility or necessity of knowing it; but alone to bee grieued, and to condemne himselfe that he doth not get that, which is both possible & necessary to be gotten. He finds also,