A Body of Practical Divinity

Resp. 1. There are Pangs before the Birth; so before Christ be born in the Heart, there are Spiritual Pangs. Some Pangs of Conscience, Deep convictions, Acts 2.37. [Greek or Hebrew], they were pricked at their heart. I grant, the New-birth doth Recipere magis & minus—all have not the same Pangs of Sorrow and Humiliation, yet all have Pangs. If Christ be born in thy heart, thou hast been deeply afflicted for sin. Christ is never born in the heart without Pangs—Many thank God they never had any Trouble of Spirit, they were always quiet; a sign Christ is not yet formed in them.

Resp. 1. There are Pangs before the Birth; so before Christ be born in the Heart, there are Spiritual Pangs. Some Pangs of Conscience, Deep convictions, Acts 2.37. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, they were pricked at their heart. I grant, the New-birth doth Recipere magis & minus—all have not the same Pangs of Sorrow and Humiliation, yet all have Pangs. If Christ be born in thy heart, thou hast been deeply afflicted for sin. Christ is never born in the heart without Pangs—Many thank God they never had any Trouble of Spirit, they were always quiet; a sign Christ is not yet formed in them.

2. As when Christ was born into the World he was made flesh, so if he be born into thy heart, he makes thy heart an heart of flesh, Ezek. 36.26. Is thy heart Incarnate? Before it was a rocky heart, and would not yield to God, or take the Impressions of the Word; Durum est quod non cedit tactui, now it is fleshy and tender, like melting Wax, to take any stamp of the Spirit. This is a sign Christ is ⟨p. 116⟩born in our hearts, when they are hearts of flesh, they melt in Tears and in Love. What is it the better Christ was made flesh, unless he hath given thee an heart of flesh.