The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Secondly, Various, as for the beginning of the time, so for the length of time. It is in the new birth, as in the natural birth; some are a long time in travel, their pains not very strong; some their pains are long and strong; some are but a little while in travel (like the Hebrew Women, Exod. 1.19.) and pains sharp, but short; others, not so sharp neither. If we look at the beginning of the Gospel preaching, how quick were the souls in their new birth? as I may say, they were delivered, and up again, hail and strong in a few hours: I cannot say that the Jailer was above one hour (if so much) in his travel under the work of Compunction: the Text saith, Acts 16.33. The same hour of the night he took them, and washed their stripes: the Earthquake began at mid-night, ver. 25. before day, ver. 35. here is one new born and lusty, for he was filled with joy, ver. 34 So those in Acts 2. how long were they in travel? they must be but a very little time under the work of Compunction; for to have three thousand souls added in one day, ver. 41. baptized, and settled with comfort by night; when Peter began his Sermon but about nine of the clock in the morning, ver. 15. we must allow but a very little time for Compunction. In Acts 8. little of pain is mentioned among the Samaritans in their new birth, ver. 5, 8. Now though the Lord, for the honour of his Gospel, the establishing and encouraging of souls, and fitting of them for times of persecution at hand, was quicker with them then with us; yet we see the Lord is very various for the length of time even amongst us; some are not a quarter the time under their pains that others are.

Secondly, Various, as for the beginning of the time, so for the length of time. It is in the new birth, as in the natural birth; some are a long time in travel, their pains not very strong; some their pains are long and strong; some are but a little while in travel (like the Hebrew Women, Exod. 1.19.) and pains sharp, but short; others, not so sharp neither. If we look at the beginning of the Gospel preaching, how quick were the souls in their new birth? as I may say, they were delivered, and up again, hail and strong in a few hours: I cannot say that the Jaylor was above one hour (if so much) in his travel under the work of Compunction: the Text saith,