The new birthThe nevv birth

Major, Aldermen and Burgesses, and the rest of the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Banbury: the Author dedicateth the following Treatise, and wisheth all happiness.

Maior, Aldermen and Burgesses, and the rest of the Inhabitants of the Towne and Parish of Banburie: the Author dedicateth the following Treatise, and wisheth all happines.

Worshipful and well-beloved, I have (not long since) preached amongst you some things, concerning the nature of the New Birth. I am glad to understand, that in handling of them, I gave to some of you some good content. I am willing (you see) to renew your content, by offering the same things now to your eyes, that formerly to your ears; that the serious (and I hope) often reading, of what you but once heard, may instruct you better, and ground you further, in this necessary doctrine. And, Oh that the Lord of Heaven would please so effectually to co-operate with his Word, that many of you may become partakers of this happy and saving work of grace! My greatest covetousness is, that your souls may be thus enriched; my greatest ambition, that they may be thus advanced. To this end have I bent mine endeavours amongst you in the constant employment of the talent lent me by God: which, how heartily do I wish and pray, that it may be available for your renovation! For in truth, the whole world is not worthy to stand in comparison, with this life of holiness. I say it again, All the greatest advancements, profits, pleasures (which this prick of earth, this almost nothing, which we tread upon, is able to afford), are in no sort to be esteemed desirable; if they be laid in the balance, against those heavenly preferments, those infinite treasures, those unutterable comforts; whereto ⟨image 4⟩this estate of grace doth bring those that are brought unto it, even in this present world in some good measure: but most fully in the upper region of this world, the stately palace of heaven, the fairest room of this large house, and the Presence Chamber of the King of Kings. Why then is any man, especially why is any of you (to whom these things have been frequently delivered, on whom they have been earnestly pressed, on whom they are constantly inculcated; why (I say) is any of you) so worse then childish, yea, then brutish, as to be careless of seeking that unspeakable felicity, from which nothing can hinder you, but your own slothful negligence, or wilful carelessness, in not vouchsafing to seek it? This small Treatise I am now bold to dedicate unto you;