The new birthThe nevv birth

or else wrought by a common grace of illumination, enabling the mind to give a light, weak, and infirm assent unto it; but he cannot be throughly and infallibly resolved of the truth thereof, nor that it is from God: and therefore it is said of the stony ground, that they believed indeed, but withal that the seed had no root in them:¹ they had a conceit, and a sudden flashing apprehension, that sure this doctrine must needs be true; but they had no settled, well grounded, and established assurance thereof. Only when the word sinketh thus into the bottom of the soul, and a man hath had so lively experience of its wonderful and divine working; he makes no more question whether it be of God or no; then whether the Sun shine, and whether that be food that doth daily nourish his body. Wherefore by the inward operation of the spirit, and mighty efficacy of the word, being most effectually convinced of its divinity & truth, he now makes care to apply it in all parts to himself; he lays hold upon the promises, threats, precepts, and makes particular use thereof to his own heart, captivating his reason, sense and all, to the infallible certainty and verity thereof: for he knows that God is the author of it, seeing it hath begotten him again to be the child of God. So is his understanding beautified with these two most admirable fruits of the spirit; by which also he attaineth (as the Scripture calleth it) a notable sharpness of wit,² quickening ⟨p. 73⟩him to the discerning of things spiritual and divine, in such manner and measure, as a man of far better wit & more learning, but destitute of the same help, could not attain unto. In the next place his conscience is also quieted with peace,³ & in lived with conscionableness. Whether conscience be a distinct faculty of the soul; or whether alone a particular act of the understā ding reflecting upon its self & its own actions, with immediate reference to God, I hold it not very needful to dispute: but here we will speak of it, as of a special faculty, by reason of the wonderful power, that it is perceived to have in all the soul. First then, I say, the conscience of the regenerate proclaims within him, an established peace betwixt God and him.