Thirdly, From the Children begotten of God: For we may read in mens foreheads, as soon as ever they are borne, the sentence of death; and we may see by mens lives what hellish hearts they have. Now there is a time that some of this monstrous brood of men, are quite changed and made all new; they have new minds, new opinions,1 new desires, new joys, new sorrows, new speeches, new prayers, new lives: and such a difference there is betwixt these and others, that they are hated by others, who loved them well while they loved their sins: and whence came this strange change? Is it from themselves? No; For they hated this new life, and these new men once themselves. Is it because they would be credited thereby? no, It is to be hated of Father, Mother, Friends, and maligned every where. Is it out of simplicity, or are their brains grown crazy? they were indeed ⟨p. 7⟩once fools, and I can prove them all to be Solomons fools: b•t even simple men have been known to be more wise for the world, after they have been made new. But lastly, is it now from a slavish fear of hell, which works this alteration? Nothing less; they abhor to live like slaves in Bridewell, to do all for fear of the whip.
Thirdly, From the Children begotten of God: For wee may reade in mens foreheads, as soone as ever they are borne, the sentence of death; and we may see by mens lives what hellish hearts they have. Now there is a time that some of this monstrous broode of men, are quite changed and made all new; they have new mindes, new opinions,1 new desires, new joyes, new sorrowes, new speeches, new prayers, new lives: and such a difference there is betwixt these and others, that they are hated by others, who loved them well while they loved their sinnes: and whence came this strange change? Is it from themselves? No; For they hated this new life, and these new men once themselves. Is it because they would be credited thereby? no, It is to be hated of Father, Mother, Friends, and maligned every where. Is it out of simplicity, or are their braines growne crazie? they were indeed ⟨p. 7⟩once fooles, and I can prove them all to bee Solomons fooles: b•t even simple men have beene known to be more wise for the world, after they have beene made new. But lastly, is it now from a slavish feare of hell, which workes this alteration? Nothing lesse; they abhorre to live like slaves in Bridewell, to do all for feare of the whip.
- 1John 3. 3▪Iohn 3. 3▪
