A15003:82
The new birthThe nevv birth
The new birth: or, A treatise of regeneration delivered in certain sermons; and now published by William Whately, preacher and minister of Banbury in Oxfordshire.The nevv birth: or, A treatise of regeneration delivered in certaine sermons; and now published by William Whately, preacher and minisiter of Banbury in Oxfordshire.
London: printed by Felix Kingston for Thomas Man, 1618
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. VI. Showing the principal graces which by Regeneration are begotten in the soul.
CHAP. VI. Shewing the principall graces which by Regeneration are begotten in the soule.
And so much for the fourth effect of regeneration, and for three of those things, I promised to speak of: I go on now to the fourth and last point,1 viz. to make known unto you the principal graces that show themselves in the regenerate man; and by having of which (seeing by nature he had them not) he deserveth to be entitled a new creature. These are in all the powers of his soul. For as I said at first, holiness is infused into his whole man. First,2 in the principal faculties, understanding, conscience, and will. Secondly, in the inferior powers, thinking-power, memory and affections; of which let us speak in order but briefly, First then the understanding of the regenerate is perfected with two most excellent and ⟨p. 70⟩beautiful graces;3 knowledge, and faith. Knowledge, I say, first of God, then of himself; out of which springeth humility as a proper effect of both. He perceiveth a new light shining within him, enabling him to conceive with a very steadfast apprehension (not with a wavering, wandering, doubtful confused fancy, as that was which he had before) that there is a God, an eternal and infinite essence; his maker, & the maker of all things, most wise, most mighty, most true, most righteous; most merciful, most holy, hating sin with a perfect hatred, and fully bent to punish the impenitent sinner with unutterable punishments; fully resolved with all loving kindness to accept of the penitent. And in one word every way inconceivably excellent, as being indeed the fountain of all goodness, the creator, preserver, governor of all things, the Father, the Son, the holy Ghost, as he hath revealed himself to his Church. The brightness of this light discovereth it self upon his soul so effectually, that now he stands undoubtedly persuaded of these things; which is also a principal cause of all other the good things, that are begun in him, and so is fulfilled in him the word of God,