Conversion of a sinner, painfully wrought. [ 1072]
IF a woman cannot be delivered of her child,* 1.1 which she hath carried but nine months in her womb, without pain and perill of life, though she conceived it in great pleasure; we must not think then to be delivered of sin, which is a man, an old man, a man that we have carried about in our hearts, ever since we were born,* 1.2 without any spirituall pain at all. The conversion of a sinner is no such easie matter, there must be the broken heart, the contrite spirit, the mourning weed, the pale countenance,* 1.3 the melting eye, and the voyce of lamentation; pain for sins past, pain for the iniquities of the wicked, pain for the abominations of the land and place where they live,* 1.4 pain to see the distractions both of Church and State, and final∣ly pain for their absence from their heavenly country. These are the pangs and throws of the second birth, the dolours that attend the conversion of a sinner.