Eternal glorification begun in regeneration, or, A discourse of regeneration intended for the profit of all, both regenerate and unregenerate persons / by Stephen Ford.

CHAP. IV. Certain signs or undoubted Characters of Rege∣nerate and Ʋnregenerate Persons.

Q. WHether Ʋnregenerate persons may not know, and be sometimes strongly convin∣ced, that they are in an unregenerate and evil state and condition?

A. Yea, they may, and it is certain that many are so convinced, but very loath they are to know it, and exceeding unwilling to think themselves to be so, and greatly provoked with such friends as tell them that they are in an e∣vil case, and unconverted state; for we are all by nature exceeding proud and self-conceited. We think too well of our own conditions, states, and ways, and imagin that all others should have the same opinion of them that we our selves have. And therefore conclude, that such as think and speak otherwise of them, are too uncharitable and censorious. This is one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of Regeneration, and causes many to tune a deaf ear to all convincing and regenerating Truths that are handed out unto them. Besides the vain groundless hopes they have formed to themselves, and are greatly in love withal, that they are in a good and safe condition, (al∣though they are not so good as they should be) whatever men and the word of God shall say

to the contrary, of or against them. The Jews gives us many proofs and evidences of it, for when the Lord Jesus Preached to, and dis∣coursed with them about their states, to con∣vince and regenerate them. Oh! how did they labour to fence off all the words of Truth spoken to them, how did they strive, dispute, and set themselves against the Gospel of their Salvation, and that upon the grounds before mentioned; yea, those very persons which sometimes were convinced in their Consciences that they were sinners, Joh. 8.9. I say, even these men did ordinarily harden themselves against the Word of Christ, upon their vain hopes, high priviledges, proud and high conceits they had of themselves, Joh. 8.33.39, 48.—ult Joh. 9. Joh. 10. Math. 9. Read these Chapters through∣out, and you will find what I have said abun∣dantly confirmed, and as it was with them, so I am afraid it is with many of you; do not you conceit, and stoutly perswade your selves, that you are in a safe and happy state and condition before God, that you shall undoubtedly be saved, notwithstanding the Truth of God, Mi∣nisters of Christ, yea, and sometimes your own Consciences testify the contrary also, and tell you plainly, That you are yet in the gall of bitter∣ness, and bond of Iniquity? do not you encou∣rage and support your selves, fortify and arm your selves under and against all convictions, with many vain and groundless hopes and de∣lusive conceits of your blessed states, or that you are in a happy case and condition, although you never experienced any real change in your

hearts, nor any special grace of Christ in your poor deluded perishing Souls?

But yet I say, unregenerate persons may know, and have a shrewd guess, that they them∣selves are not unregenerated, but in a state of sin, and under the wrath of God. Simon Magat was so, Acts 8.24. Pharoah, Exod. 9.27. unre∣generate men have three means, (if I may so call them) to help them to the knowledge and conviction of their bad conditions. First, the word of God written, but especially Preached; and so it is the word of conviction in the hand of an Ordinance, appointed and designed there∣unto by the great God, Act. 26.18. (2) Their own natural Consciences, and principles of Nature that are in all men, not feared, which are subjects capable of impressions from the Word of God, namely of its light and convin∣cing power: and also natural Reason helped by the Word; so that when they hear the cer∣tain Characters of unregenerate persons laid down from Gods Word; they may reflect on themselves, and apply them to themselves if they will. They may reason thus, why, if these are certain Characters or Signs of an evil or unregenerate man or state, as I cannot but conclude they are: then am I in such a state, for I find them in and upon me, I cannot deny it. As thus, Is gross ignorance of Jesus Christ, the grace of God, Sin and Duty, a certain sign of an unregenerate person, surely then I am an unregenerate person, for I am grosly ignorant of these things. So when they hear Characters

or Signs laid down of a regenerate man, then to examin themselves, and reason thus, Why, I find not any of these in my self, which I should if I was regenerate, and therefore I am in an unregenerate state and condition: much might be done this way, by unregenerate men to∣wards their conviction and knowledge (I mean not saving knowledge) of their States; would such men practise it, but that they will not, no, because they love their carnal ease and peace, and therefore they are willingly ignorant of their unregenerate state. And as they have these means or helps to know their evil States, so (3) the holy Spirit of God, to stir up Con∣science in and by the Word. The Spirit speaks sometimes to them, (not as the Spirit of Adop∣tion, but of Bondage) whose voice is louder, quicker, and pierceth further unto, and into their Consciences, than the word of its self can do, and tells them plainly, that they are in a damnable state and condition, and shall assu∣redly perish for ever, except they be regene∣rate here, Gen. 6.3. This awakens and affrights them, this humbles and abases them, and makes them cry out, undone, undone, we are lost; Oh! what shall we do to be saved? Acts 2.37. And here I might add, that not only these said means may help them to the knowledge of their states, but also the discourses, carriages, and conversations of some Regenerate persons that they are concerned withal, and may make observations of, and compare themselves with them, and them with themselves, and conclude (clearly) that there is a vast difference between

such and themselves, the states of the one, and of the other. And if these be Regenerate persons, and Regenerate persons be indeed such, and so and so qualified, graced and spi∣rited, as they seem to be, then that they them∣selves are undoubtedly in an Unregenerate condition; for that they are not such persons, neither have any of their qualifications, or any like them, Matth. 5.16. Now, if Unregenerate men would improve, and rationally use these means or helps towards the knowledge and conviction of their states, they might un∣doubtedly know them better than they do. But there needs no further proof of this truth, namely, that unregenerate persons may know they are in a bad condition, then the Gripes, and trouble of Conscience, their fears, trembling, and consternations, in and under the appre∣hensions of Death and Judgment, together with their wishes, protestations, resolutions, and promises, on their Death-beds; These do all proclaim this Truth.

Q. May not Gods people, such as are Regenerate, know that they are so, and be sufficiently assured of their Regeneration?

A. They may, for first, God hath promised the knowledge of it unto them, in their obe∣dient and holy walkings with God in that state, Hosea 6.3. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. Isa. 32.17. Prov. 2.1.••7. So the Spirit witnesseth with our Spirit, that we are the Children of God, Rom. 8.16.

2. The people of God have had certain and clear assurance, or a sufficient knowledge of

their Regenerate states, and the Spirit of God hath recorded it, for our learning and encou∣ragement Enoch had it, Heb. 11.5. and the A∣postle John speaking in the name of Believers, or regenerate persons, saith, We know that we are of God, That we are translated from Death to Life, and hereby know we that we are in him, 1 John 2.5.3.14.5.19. And Paul tells us, that they, namely, he and other Regenerate Persons, had received the Spirit, that they might know the things which were freely given to them of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. Now, if it was certainly known by the Saints of old, such as run their Race before us; then we may obtain it now; for we live under the same God, Christ, Grace, Promises, Love, Spirit, and means of assurance that they did, and we have as much need of it as they had upon all accounts. And as we have these, and many other Scripture Evidences or Ex∣amples, (I mean the Saints mentioned in Scri∣pture) so we have had many undoubted Te∣stimonies of it in and from many good men in our days, and the latter Ages before us. How that some on their Death-Beds, others in the days of their prosperity, others in their tryals and temptations: Some in one Ordi∣nance of God, and some in another; some in Prison, and some at the Stake; some under the loss of their Goods and Reproaches for Christs sake, have gotten clear, and heart ra∣vishing Assurance of their Regeneration and blessed States. I say, we have this Truth confirmed to us by their worthy Testimonies, and glorious Experiences. And assuredly,

what they had, we also may obtain in the same way, in and by the use of the same means, and in the same, or like case and condition.

2. God hath commanded Regenerate Per∣sons, and so hath made it their Duty, to get and keep assurance of their new States; and God would never have prescribed such a means, and commanded our diligent use of it as our duty, in order to the obtainment of the end, but that the said end is attainable by, and shall most certainly be obtained in the faithful constant use of it. For as his com∣mands makes the work or means our duty, so the End propounded, namely, of the duty to be done by us, is the obtainment of assurance, so I say, it is an object of our Faith and Hope: And upon Gods propounding it to us as the end of the duty commended, we are to be∣lieve and hope in the performance of the duty to obtain the end, (that is) assurance of our being translated from Death to Life; namely, that God will bless his own means, to effect and accomplish his own ends to and in us, and he will by no means disappoint us, or make us ashamed of our trusting him, hoping in, and waiting for him to grant us the end he pre∣sented to us, commanded us to seek it, that we might find it, and which we have endea∣voured with all our hearts to obtain in his own way, Isa. 49.20. Isa. 54.4. Now God hath charged us to examin and prove our selves, 2 Cor. 13.5. And to give diligence to make our Calling and Election sure, 2 Pet. 1.10. And to worship him, in full assurance of Faith,

Heb. 10.22. that is, in the certain perswasion of Gods Truth, All-sufficiency, and Faithful∣ness in his Promises, and of Christ his being a High-Priest over the House of God, vers. 21. So likewise of our Interest and Right to and in all.

4. God hath given us many Rules and Marks in his Word, to help us in our Tryals of our states, and to make a comfortable and satis∣factory judgment of them, whether we are indeed Regenerate or no. Very much of the New Testament was written for that end, that we might know we have Eternal Life, saith John, 1 Joh. 5.13. All which Scripture had been to little or no purpose, if assurance, after all, were not attainable. But it is evi∣dent that it is attainable, and that all Rege∣nerate persons may attain unto and obtain it, because God hath given them such proper and suitable means and helps for the obtain∣ment of it. There are many of them scat∣tered up and down the Scriptures, I'le name one or two; that in 1 Joh. 3.14. We know that we are passed from death to life, because we love the Brethren; that is, here is a certain and in∣fallible sign or mark of a New Creature, his loving of good men; that is, if you can re∣ally say, and soundly experience, that you do love a holy man, or gracious men as such, rightly, truly, heartily, with a spiritual and special love, because they are such, and be∣long to Christ; why then you may conclude, that you are in a state of Grace, and passed from death to life. So that if I can make

good the lesser Proposition, the Gospel will prove and make good the first or greater Proposition thus; He that loves the Brethren (that is rightly, and in a true Gospel sense) is passed from death to life, but I do so love the Brethren; therefore I am passed from death to life. Now that which we have to do in the case is this; namely, to get the clear proof of the second part, thus, I do know that I do so love the Brethren, according to the true purport and meaning of that, and o∣ther Texts of Scripture; and then conclude from this Scripture, and others of the like import, that I am passed from death to life; that is, I am Regenerated. (2.) An other sign or mark of Regenerate men laid down in Scripture is this; that they desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2. Now if I am a Babe in Christ, I do desire the sincere Milk of the Word of God, that I may (not only eat it) but eat it to grow thereby; to grow up in Christ, Grace, and in the practise and fruits of holiness; and if I do so desire the sincere Milk of the Word, then I am (at least) a Babe, or young Child of God. But this is not my work, or pre∣sent design; and therefore do but little more than mention these things; namely, to shew that Unregenerate and Regenerate persons may know the states and conditions wherein they are; the one in and by sin, the other in and by Grace. But I thought good to say a little of it, and but a little, as a prepara∣tive to that which I have further to say, and

which was mainly intended as the subject matter of this Chapter.

Q. What are some of the most certain Signs, Characters, or Marks of Regenerate and Ʋnregene∣rate persons or states?

A. Much hath been said already in open∣ing the work of Regeneration, what it was, and what was contained in it, as you may see in that Chapter; and therefore I shall say the less here: But yet I shall endeavour to present so much unto you, in this Chapter or Head, as shall fully answer and resolve the Question.

First, A Regenerate person hath new life. It is a New Creature, Gal. 6.15. and it is a li∣ving lively Creature; it is not born dead, but alive; it is alive to God, to live unto him in newness of life, Rom. 6.4.10.11. To bring forth fruit unto God, Rom. 7.4. And men are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Eph. 2.10. It is a heavenly and spiritual Creature, Joh. 3.3.5. exactly fitted to heavenly, and suited to spi∣ritual objects, matters, works, and enjoy∣ments, which the Natural Man is not, now in it's lapsed and depraved state. Christ re∣quires a new life of them; and in order thereunto, creates and forms it in them, Joh. 10.10. 1 Joh. 3.14. This New Creature hath, and it is formed with all it's senses. It hath five Spiritual Senses, in allusion to the five Na∣tural Senses of men; though all of them cannot be so properly and plainly exprest, as the Natural Senses may; it is a perfect New Creature, and therefore must have all it's

parts and senses. I shall open them to you as briefly as I may.

1. The Sense of Seeing. When God made the World, his first days work was Light, Gen. 1.3. Let there be light, and there was light, (says the Text.) So in this new Creation, the first Sense in order that is Created, and doth first appear, is the Sense of Seeing. Before Rege∣neration (as you have heard) we are blind, and in darkness, Matth. 15.14. Eph. 5.8. We know not (to purpose) what we are, not where we are, whose we are, nor where to find true happiness. By sin we put out our own Eyes, quenched our Candle, and drew a thick Cloud before our Eyes, and utterly spoiled them; our spiritual knowledge of heavenly things, and Soul-concernments, is destroyed, and there is none of that Light remaining, to conduct us in acceptable obe∣dience in the way to Heaven. Therefore as it is absolutely necessary that we should have new Eyes, as well as new Light to see withal: So God doth in Regeneration give men new Eyes, and Light, called the Eyes of their Ʋnderstanding, Eph. 1.18. Upon this Er∣rand was Paul sent with the Gospel to the Gentiles, Acts 26.18. and having received this new Spiritual Light, they are ever after cal∣led Children of Light, as they were called before Children of Darkness, Eph. 5.8. 1 Joh. 2.9, 10, 11. In Regeneration they are called out of this Darkness into marvellous Light, 1 Pet. 2.9. This their new sight, light, and power of discern∣ing, is excellent, spiritual, special, and pe∣cullar,

and that in many respects. These are some of them. 1. They can now see the things, and discern the matters and objects they could not see before. 2. Other things, objects and matters, more plainly and clear∣ly, more lovely, precious, excellent, and ac∣ceptable. First, they see the things that they never saw before: As 1. The evil of their Na∣tures. The Light of Nature may shew men many of their actual sins and wickednesses, but not the Source and Fountain of them; namely, our Original, Natural, and Habitual vileness and sinfulness; only Regenerate per∣sons see a far greater odiousness and abomi∣nation in the heart, than in the life; they find by sad experience, that the Fountain of corrupt Nature is more full of Poyson, than any Acts of sin; and the sight of that causes such out-crys in them, O wretched men that we are, who shall deliver us from the Body of this Death? Rom. 7.24. And purge me, (that is, the filthy Spring of the heart) that I may be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than Snow, Psal. 51. For out of the heart proceeds all abomi∣nations, Matth. 15.18, 19. and the Fountain and Root must needs be more full of evil, than the streams and branches are. This the spiritual eye of the New Creature sees; he hath it not by hear-say, but sees it in him∣self, and so does not the Carnal and Natural eye of man.

2. They see and know by their new spiri∣tual light, spiritual sins; yea, they see and know a greater sinfulness in them, in some

sense, than in fleshly sins, and so do not un∣regenerate men. They do indeed see an e∣vil in some external sins, such as are seen and condemned by the Light of Nature, and that by all men; as Drunkenness, Theft, Whore∣dom, Cursing, Railing, Back-biting, Slau∣dering, Swearing, Cheating, Blasphemy, Pride in Words, Carriages, Cloaths, Cruelty, Op∣pression, and the like; but they see not, nor apprehend the horrible evils of Atheism, Spiritual Pride, Self, Vain-glory, Envy, Hy∣pocrisie towards God, Unbelief, Covetous∣ness, corrupting the Worship of God, and his Gospel-Ordinances, Earthly-mindedness, robbing God of his due, departing from God, malice against, and hatred of the Pow∣er of Godliness, and the People of God, and such like heart and spiritual wickednesses. These are little things in an unregenerate mans eye, because he wants a spiritual under∣standing and light to discern what they are; but they are hainous abominations to a spiri∣tual eye, for it knows and sees what they are (in measure) and passes a spiritual judgment on them, as sins more fully and immediatel•• against the Holiness, Grace, and Truth o•• God, and such as God hath declared hi•• greatest indignation and severity against Matth. 23.13. to vers. 24. Joh. 15.22. Joh; 19, 20, 21.

3. They see and know that Life that is a∣bove Sense and Reason, namely, the Life 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Faith; but meer Natural men discern 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Life: They are only acquainted wi••••

the Life of Sense and Reason, and cannot see one step beyond it, for they are faithless men, 2 Thes. 3.2. But Regenerate men have found a new way to Heaven, (I mean 'tis new to them) and that is the Life of Faith, and Go∣spel-Holiness, and this is now their proper Life; they are called to it, and instructed in it by the Holy Ghost; they live now in a higher Sphere, and walk in another Region; they now see a singular Excellency and tran∣scendent My stery in this New Life, in the ob∣jects, matters, and ends of it. They see their former folly and madness, in living such low, base, and sensual lives, and look on their new Life as far more precious, high, and honour∣able, and own it as their proper and pecu∣liar Life, and endeavour to conform them∣selves to the Will of God in it, who hath appointed this life for them, and command∣ed them to live it, Rom. 1.17. Heb. 10.38. And Paul tells us, that he, and other New Creatures, did live this life, 2 Cor. 5.7. Gal. 1.20. But unregenerate men are strangers, yea, enemies to this life. At the best, they say, how can these things be? and judge Re∣generate men to be under strong delusions, for ta••king of, and pretending to live the Life of Faith.

4. They see and know the new and living way to God the Father, which they were unac∣quainted with before, Heb. 10.19, 20. but so do not unregenerate men. They may hear of it, and have some general and confused Notions of the Doctrine of it, but they do

neither see nor understand what indeed it is, or what it means, because of the blindness of their minds, Eph. 4. They know only the old Natural way to God and Heaven, according to their Natural Principles, but wanting spi∣ritual eyes, and Sunning light in their hearts, they are real strangers to it continually, Rom. 3. But the Light of Christ in the hearts of Regenerate men, finds it out, leads the•• to, and directs them to walk in it, 2 Cor. 4.6. Isa. 30.20, 21. but unregenerate men do stum∣ble at it; they know not whether they go, because darkness hath blinded their eyes, 1 Joh. 2.11. But the path of the Just is as the shining light, that shining more and more unto the perfect day, Pro. 4.18.

5. They see and know (in measure) what Communion with God is, or what it is to have Communion with God; they might hear of such a thing before, but now they know wha•• it means; They are called into the Fellowship of Christ, 1 Cor. 1.9. 1 Joh. 1.3. It is their pro∣mised priviledge and blessing, and they have the real experimental knowledge of it, Jo••. 14.21.23. But unregenerate men have i•• not, know it not; it is none of their privi∣ledge, they desire, they chuse it not: They are in Fellowship with the World, and their Lusts, and are well satisfied and contented therewith. But I may not inlarge.

6. They see and know the Power of Godli∣ness, 2 Tim. 3.5. The Word and Spirit of Christ hath fallen and wrought on and i•• them with Power and saving Efficacy,

brought them into, and set up Godliness in power in them, 1 Thes. 1.5. Rom. 1.16. Their dearts and Souls are subdued to it, and swallowed up in it; the Form of Godliness is a poor empty thing to them, without the power of it in their heart. But it is not so with unregenerate men; they see not any Re∣ligion or Godliness beyond the form or out∣side; it is not formed or set up in their hearts; and therefore see little or nothing in Religion, Godliness, or Religious mat∣ters. But unregenerate men do see and find a glorious Excellency in it; it is exceeding precious, lovely, and profitable to them: They see that worth and Excellency in it, as to cause them to love and honour it, to prize, value, and esteem it, as worthy of all accep∣tation; to cherish, keep, and augment it, to improve and practise it, and to walk worthy of it, to the glory of the Giver of it.

7. They see and know the vanity and no∣thingness of the Creature, and that they are not indeed such things as they verily thought them to be before their Regeneration. Their Opinion of them is changed, it is now quite another thing. Before they looked on them, and their having and enjoying them, as their portion and happiness: Oh, thought they, what a brave thing is it to be rich? what happy men are they who have abundance of riches, honours, pleasures? they doted on them as on their Gods and Lovers, and their very imaginations of them ravished their hearts; but now they see their folly, and

how they were mistaken and deluded in their judgments and imaginations. They now see them to be but vanity and vexation of spirit, in comparison of Christ, Grace, and Heavenly things, Eccl. 1.2. Phil. 3.19, 20. 'Tis true, they do not now simply contemn them, but own them, and use them as Gods Mercies, thank and praise him for them; but compa∣ratively only, with Christ, Grace, and Hea∣venly things. Now they see that they are but left-hand and foot-stool Mercies; that they are not worth the having, nor coveting after, but with and in Christ, Grace, Pardon, and Holiness, and in order to their living to God with them, and enjoying of him in them. But unregenerate men see them with other eyes, and they have other thoughts of them. They account them their good things, as the only or chiefest good, their great por∣tion and happiness, and accordingly they act, walk, and steer their course; follow after them, and greedily pursue them, Luk. 16.25. Rom. 8.5. For indeed whatever they do pro∣fess, or pretend to the contrary, they do not see, nor mind any higher good.

8. They see and know the vanity and emp∣tiness of that which they did bear upon, and glory in, namely, their own Righteousness. They once thought that they had that in them, and such works were performed by them, as would commend them unto God, and in∣cline his heart to love and pity them, to ac∣cept and save them. But now they see they were deceived, that all their Righteousnesses are

but filthy rags, dirt, and dung; and that they are so far from being accepted, or accounted of in Heaven, as that they are matters of contempt and loathing, Phil. 3.7, 8. Isa. 64.6. Matth. 23. So that that which was their glory, is now their shame. Their Gay Cloa∣thing are now meer Rags in their account; Why? Because they see with other eyes, and by a better light than they did before. They see they were building themselves on a San∣dy Bottom, which would have sunk under them, and they and it must have perished to∣gether, had they not been taken off it by the power of Regenerating Grace. But now this is all they have to glory in, who are Profes∣sors of Godliness, in an unregenerate state, namely, God, I thank thee, I am not as other men; I fast twice in the week; I give Tythes of all that I possess, &c. Luke 18.9, 10, 11, 12. Phil. 3.7.

9. They see and know the Lord Jesus Christ, and his Gospel-will, revealed in Scrip∣ture; they are spiritualized, and made spiri∣tual men by Regeneration, and thereby are enabled to judge all, or of all spiritual things (in measure) 1 Cor. 2.15. They heard of Christ and his Will before, but now they see and know him, and it. But more of this anone.

10. They see and know in measure, the great work of real Gospel-Obedience, what it is, & how to be performed; and also, the holy Ghost his teachings, helpings, quickenings, and comfor∣tings, in and to their Gospel-Obedience. They see wide difference between meer doing of that which is good, and that with and by meer natu∣ral

helps and principles, and that which is real Gospel Obedience of the heart in it, Ro. 6.17. as like∣wise the Spirits helping their Infirmities, Ro. 8.26. But Unregenerate men know nothing of these matters. But I have done with this. These are some, and but some of the things, mat∣ters, and objects, which by regenerating light, they are enabled to see and discern; as you that are regenerated can witness. Now then, try your selves by what hath been al∣ready said, of seeing, or of the seeing and knowing sense.

Secondly, as Regenerate Persons can see, and do know the matters and things they saw not before; so secondly, they are enabled to see and understand such spiritual things and matters which they had some knowledge of before their Regeneration, more clearly, plainly, distinctly, experimentally, and power∣fully, then they did or could before. For they had only a dim, weak, and general natu∣ral, and spiritual light, and sight before. They did see, but understood not what they saw, Isa. 6.9. They are like Men or Children that see some rare and pretious Jewels, or Cor∣dials, but know not what they are, neither understand the worth, excellency, and use∣fulness of them, as Artificers do, or like such as hear Musick in a strange Tone and Lan∣guage, they know not what it means; so at the best their sight and knowledge is an un∣certain, weak, and unedifying knowledge. Their sight and knowledge of these matters, profit them not. It lies idle and useless in the

head, but is of no advantage to the heart. It brings them not to the things they see, to close up with them, and make them their choice, to apply and rightly to appropriate them unto themselves. No, but they still lay at a distance from their hearts, and their hearts from them. They see no transcendent worth and excellency in them, to cause them indeed to desire them, and with self-denial to make them their own. But they are enabled by Regeneration to see and understand Spiritual things spiritually, 1 Cor. 2.13.14. They have now Eyes to see withal, Ephes. 1.18. and a new light to see by, namely, The Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 4.2. The Glory of the Lord is risen upon them, Isa 60.1. But before they saw with their old eyes, though it may be they were a little anoin∣ted with some common spiritual Light still, yet they were but their old natural Eyes, or sense of seeing, and they had only Candle light to see spiritual things by; But Rege∣nerate persons are called out of darkness, into marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. The light of the know∣ledge of the Glory of God shines into their hearts, 2 Cor. 4.6. enabling them with a measure of clear discerning, what they are by Nature, and what they are made by the Grace of Christ; how they ought to live in this world, and what their duties are, the workings of their own lusts, and the Temptations of the Devil and World; the proneness and incli∣nation of the heart to sin, and close up with Temptations, and the continual need they have of Divine assistance and protection;

what need they have of the Mercy of God, and of the Blood and Righteousness of Christ.

Moreover, their new light directs and leads them to Jesus Christ, to own, receive, and ac∣cept him for their Lord and Saviour, for their King, Priest, and Prophet; for their Head and Ruler, their Teacher and Lawgiver: and it is powerful to lead and perswade them out of themselves, to take up in Christ only, Col. 2.6. Joh. 1.12. Psal. 73.25, 26. Phil. 3.7.8. and it is powerful to take off their hearts and hands from sin, self-righteousness, and self-ability, from self-boasting, or glorying in self, and from the enticing objects of this world. This new Divine Spiritual Light, sees such a transcen∣dent and singular beauty, excellency, and loveliness in the person, love and Grace of Christ, as to draw the Mind, Affections, and whole Soul to him, to lodge them in him, take up with him, greatly to love him, and cleave unto him; to desire him and his Grace, and to chuse and apply it to them∣selves. To adore and admire him, to honour and exalt him, to live and dye with him and for him; to live to him, and make it their work and business to please him; to speak well of him, and to commend him, his Love and Grace to the acceptance and admiration of o∣thers, Cant. 5.9 ult. so likewise they see a de∣sirable excellency and loveliness in the wills and commands of Christ, in their duty and Gospel obedience to him, so as to fall in love with them and it; so as to observe and do what he commands, and that because it is his holy

Will, Gracious and Soveraign Pleasure and Appointment that they should so do: yea, and they can in measure discern when they please him, and when they do not, Heb. 11.5. Besides, Regenerate persons have an experi∣mental knowledge; they taste, feel, and enjoy a part of the Heavenly matters which they see; they have the earnest, and first Fruits of them in their hands; they have a part in possession, namely, of Christ, his Grace, Spirit, Truth, and Heaven; and they begin to see those things more distinctly and particularly; they can dis∣cern one thing from another, and more and more look into the nature, property, use, and end of them, and how to use and improve them to the glory and praise of God, and to the comfort and edification of their own Souls.

Secondly, another of these new spiritual senses, is Tasting. The natural Man hath the senses of seeing, and tasting things that are suit∣able to him, so hath the spiritual man or new creature. O taste and see that the Lord is graci∣ous, Psal. 34.8. And if you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, 1 Pet. 2.3. It is a spiritual sense or taste, and they are spiritual things that it can taste and relish. I shall briefly name some of them, to help you in your tryal, or in the proving and examining your state and condi∣tions by them.

1. The word of God, Gospel Precepts and Promises. The one declaring what God and Christ the Mediator, and holy Ghost, hath and will do for us: the other, what is our Duty, and what we should do for God. These words

of God are exceeding sweet and pleasant to the spiritual taste of new Creatures, Psal. 19.10. They are (says David) sweeter than the honey, or honey Comb. So in the 119. Psal. And Jeremy tells us the same Chap. 15.16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart. So is the word of God to thee if thou art a new Crea∣ture, especially at sometimes, but it is not so to others. Christ calls his Fathers will, his food. My Meat (says he) is to do the will of him that sent me; and man liveth not by bread onely, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Matth. 4. Well, what canst thou say of and to this for thy self?

2. The good Counsels, Exhortations, Admonitions, and Reproofs of Christian friends, and Resolutions, are sweet to thy taste also, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. verses, compared with the foregoing verses; And David said, blessed be thou of the Lord, and blessed be thy advice. Oh! how sweet was a Womans Counsel and Admonition unto David, although he was much her Superiour. It is the same (in measure) with thee, if thou art a Rege∣nerate person. Oh! thou wilt receive, relish, and eat such friendly words of Counsel and Advice, and bless God for them, and not quar∣rel and censure thy friends for what they do, but receive and eat it as sweet and wholesome food for thy Soul, and give God and them thanks.

3. Ordinances. The Gospel Ordinances, and holy Appointments of Christ, will be, and are indeed sweeter to thy Taste than any worldly

thing. The Ordinances of Preaching, and hearing the Gospel, are as the Gospel to thee, sweeter than hony to thy mouth, Psal. 119.103. So are the other Ordinances to, the Lords Supper, Baptism, Prayer, singing of Psalms, and Church-Fellow-ship. The Order and Discipline of Christ in the Church, and all other his Gospel appoint∣ments.

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is most Sweet unto their Tasts. As he is the fairest of ten Thousands, and altogether Lovely, Cant. 5.10. ult. so he is the sweetest and most pleasant of all things to the Tast; yea, altogether sweet; if his fruit be so, much more is he himself; But his fruit, the dropping of his Grace, is so, Cant. 2.3. How much more sweet must him∣self be unto Believers, who is the Root and fountain of all those drops or friuts, Zach. 13.1. Revel. 22.16. Christ is the desire of all these new senses, as he is said to be of all Nations; Habak. 2.7. And he is most desirable to the Tast; He is the bread of Life, that came down from Heaven; Which is meat indeed: for he that eateth of this bread, shall live for ever, Joh. 6.48.50.51.55. Christ is the most pretious, desi∣rable, sweet bread, that ever any did eat; It hath such a pleasant relish, savour, and com∣forting quality, it doth so refresh and cherish the Soul of a Child of God, as that he greatly disires it, longs after it, Covets to get and keep it, and (as it were) impatiently seeks and waits for it: It is so good as that it will never surfeit him; all other things how good and pleasant soever they be, are nothing to him

without this. This is the great dish that makes the Word, Ordinances, and all other dishes, a feast indeed; 'Tis that which relish∣es and makes all other food sweet, nourish∣ing, excellent, and delightful. Hence they cry out in the fullnesse of all other things (if they find not Christ there) Oh! where is Christ, let him come into my Garden, my Soul, the best and only dish that should feast us and satisfy us, is not here, till he come, I cannot eat, nor be Satisfyed, Cant. 4. ult. Saith a gracious heart. Let Christ be my bread, and I shall be fully satisfyed, he is my all, in all things, Coll. 3.11. and without him I cannot, may not, will not be satisfyed. Oh! give me Christ in all, or I dye, for my Soul will Wither and famish, whatever else I have, whatever else I feed upon. But Christ alone (if it so please him) will satisfy me, though he give me no∣thing else.

5. Experiences are sweet and pleasant to the Taste; They are invaluable mercies: when new Creatures can bring forth out of their Treasures new and old experiences, and say this and that I have found; This Assistance I have found in such a duty, and that comfort I have found in that duty; In such a strait I found such and such seasonable helps, supports and deliverances; When I was sad, I found God comforting me; In doubt of my state, I found God saying to me, be of good chear, thy Sins are forgiven thee. When my heart was hardened by Sin, he melted it, and when much straitened and shut up, he enlarged it; when the guilt

of my Sins lay heavy on my Conscience, he applyed the blood of the everlasting Cove∣nant, Heb. 13.20 and so relieved and eased me, and when I thought he was angry with me, and had shut out my Prayers, he answered them. Oh how sweet are these and such like experiences to the Tast of new creatures. I could give you an account of many more had I time.

This spiritual sense hath a thirsting appetite. It is always with accompanied a hungering and thirsting Appetite after all Spiritual and Hea∣venly things that he knows, or thinks may be good for him; he hungers and thirsts after Christ, his Blood, Grace, Righteousness, Ordinances, Word, Experiences, Heaven, and the presence of Christ; and when he findes them, Oh how sweet, comfortable and plea∣sing are they? Then he saith, now is my Soul satisfyed as with marrow and fatness, my Soul shall praise thee with joyful Lips, Psal. 63.5.

2. As he Tasts, and hath a hungring and thirsting appetite after Spiritual things; so it loaths and nausiates the Sins, vanities and follies that he once delighted in, and fed himself withal: he can neither tast nor digest them; they are no waies toothsome to him, but odious, hateful, and abominable; They are now as filthy poyson to him; As meat wherwith a man hath surfeited himself, is to him, so are these Sins and vanities unto a new Creature; They are all like nasty stink∣ing Carrion to him; he abhorrs the sight, smell and taste of them, and cannot endure

they should be nigh him. The very thoughts of them are grievous to him, Psal. 119. Ro••. 7. They shall be no more his food, but loath∣ing: They were never so sweet, as now they are bitter to him, 1 Jer. 2.19. They were once his pleasant Bread, but now his bitter Poyson; They were his Suger and Honey, wherewith he was delighted, but now they are Gall and Wormwood to him; His stomack raises up against them and he can no more endure them, nor be reconciled to them.

Thirdly, Feeling. Feeling is another Sense of the new Creature; For as the natural man hath the Sense of feeling what doth touch, or burden it, so hath the new Creature the like Sense too. The new creatures feeling sense is sensible of, and burdened with many evils, weights and oppressions, that he is afflicted withal. But first, not with the Yoke and Service of Christ. The Old man indeed is greatly burde∣ned with it, and complaines sadly of the tedi∣ousness and wearisomness of it, Mal. 1.13. and when will the Sabboth be gone, Amos 8.5. But the new Creature is not afflicted with, nor weary of it; but findes it and accounts it as the Scripture reports it to be, namely, an Easy and light Yoke, Math. 11. ult. And her way are ways of pleasantness, Pro. 3.17. And his com∣mandments are not grievous, 1 Joh. 5.3. Yea, they find that in keeping of them, or the right observing of them, is great reward, Psal. 19.

2. Neither is the Chastising and afflicting will of God, as such, their burden, or the real bur∣den

of the new Creature. For that is swal∣lowed up in the will of God, and that over∣ballances all, because it is the will of God who loves him, and he loves God. It is mat∣ter of joy to him that the will of God is done, although he suffer under it. And the new crea∣ture knows that it is but a Fatherly chastise∣ment; The fruit of great love, Care, wisdom and Faithfulness; not to hurt him, but profit him; not to wound, but to heal the man; not to destroy, but to save him, Rom. 8.28. Heb. 12. Isa. 27.

2. But in the second place, the new Crea∣ture is sensible of, afflicted, burdened and oppressed with other matters. As 1. his Lusts and Sins. These are the heavy burdens that presse him down, and makes him cry out (with Paul and David) O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death, Rom. 7.24. And with Da∣vid, There is no rest in my Bones, by reason of my Sin, Psal. 38. and who can understand his errors, Cleans thou me from my Sins, Psal. 19. and Psal. 51. There are many of them of his unbelief, earthly-mindedness, covetousness, desires af∣ter worldly things, hypocrisy, formality, and too often indifferency and lukewarmness of Spirit in the worship of God. His deadness and carelesness. Robbing God and his soul of their due. Aptness and Proness of heart to close up and fall in with temptation to Sin. His Passion, Anger, Wrath, Peevishness, Va∣nity, Frothyness, Carnal Security, depart∣ing of the heart from God and Duty, and an a∣versness to it; to envy and grudge at others

prosperity, and to revenge wrongs or injuries received from men, and whatever other evils 〈◊〉〈◊〉 finds the heart enclined to; so likewise its want of spiritualness of heart, freedom and cheerful∣ness in the worship and service of God. Also its hardness of heart, & unprofitableness under the means of Grace, and unusefulness in the world. These and many other lusts and sins are its bur∣dens, they oppress & press him down. These are the Mountains that lay on the back of the new Creature, and it earnestly longs for, and desires deliverance from them all. Moreover, they are greatly burdened with the Treachery, and deceitfulness of their hearts; their fears, doubts, and distractions in duty, their want of heavenly mindedness, love to God, delight∣ing in him, and his service. They are bur∣dened, and smart under the sense of the im∣purity of their hearts, and great insensibility of Mercies, and because God is not honoured and glorified by them as he should be. They are burdened, because their Lusts are so strong and powerful, as that when they would do good, they cannot; And as they are burden∣ed with these and many other Evils of their own, so they feel a great weight in others sins likewise. Rivers of waters run down their Eyes, because other men are Transgressors of Gods I am, Psal. 119.136. And (says Paul) who is weak, and I am nor weak, 2 Cor. 11.29. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather Mourned, 1 Cor. 5.2. You should have been afflicted in Spirit for your Brothers sin, because God was disho∣noured, and his Gospel Blasphemed, his Peo∣ple

shamed, and the world stumbled by reason of it. Now they are burdened, wounded, and bleed under the sense of wicked mens pro∣phaneness, debauchery, and contempt of the Gospel of Christ. But they are mostly wounded with the evils and miscarriages of Professours, and such as they hope are the People of God. Their Pride, Worldliness, Frothyness, Back-bitings, negligence and carelesness in the matters of God, their censorious and rash Judgings of one another, their want of Love, Kindness, and Charity to each other, and their brawlings and conten∣tions one with another, and their coldness and lukewarmness in Religion, with other their sins, do deeply wound and pierce them to the heart, and that because they are a shame and dishonour to their Father, Husband, and Head, his Name and People, and because him whom they love and honour, is not glorifyed in and by them. And further, as they are burdened and wounded with other sins and miscarriages, so likewise, with the Reproaches and other suf∣ferings of good Men. Who is afflicted and I burn not, (says Paul) 2 Cor. 11.29. Their Brethrens Bonds are their Bonds, Heb. 13.3. their Re∣proaches, Pains, Losses, Poverty, Weaknesses, and Persecutions, are their own. They are in Pain, Bonds, Poverty, &c. with them; They have Spirits to rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep, Rom. 12.15, 16. And it must needs be so, because they are Fellow-Members of the same Spiritual Body, joyned to Christ their Head; and if they are not sym∣pathizers with, and Fellow-feelers of each

others Afflictions, it is certain they are not living, but dead Members, whatever they profess themselves to be, or pretend to, 1 Cor. 12.25, 26, 27. (read and ponder that Scrip∣ture.)

New Creatures have a feeling of many other Burdens also. The Temptations of the Devil, snares and allurements of the world, are their heavy and grievous Burdens. They grown under them, and earnestly desire to be deliver∣ed from them. They find by woful experi∣ence, that the Devil shoots his Fiery Darts at them, and labours Night and Day by his Wiles, to draw them from God, and to en∣tangle them in Sin, Eph. 6. They know that he hath his Devices, or Methods, 2 Cor. 2.11. and that he doth like a Lyon, walk up and down, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. and therefore are fain to be always on their guard to keep Watch and Ward against him Nigh•• and Day, that he surprize them not, and dra•• or tempt them to Sin. They know that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a subtle and strong Enemy, and how he ha•••• prevailed over good men, and caused them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sin. As David, Peter, and others, and therefore they are afraid of him, knowing their dange•• and the evils he may stir and move them unto if he should prevail. The World likewise namely, the good things of it, are in so•• sense burthensome to him; not as they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good things, but as they are powerful to S••∣duce and insnare the mind and affections, draw them from God and Heavenly thing To carnalize the Mind, deaden or cool 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Affections, and take off the Spiritual taste, fa∣vour, and relish of Heavenly things; the heart from duty, and serious striving to enter is at the straight Gate, Luk. 13.24. The world is like Pitch to our evil natures, we can hard∣ly touch it without being defiled with it; like coals of fire in the bosome, that will burn us, and like a hedge of Thorns that will prick and tear us, as experience shews. The Lord Jesus knows how dangerous and pernicious the good things of this world would be to his disciples Souls, and therefore charges them to take heed, and beware of them, lest at any time, (Mark it) lest at any time you be insnared with them, Luk. 21.34.

2. As the feeling sense is sensible of smarts, and cries out under the burdens and weights of these evils, so, it is deeply sensible of the great love and Grace of Christ to him; he is heartily affected with his Rich mercy, Eph: 2.••. and the unsearchable Riches of Gods Grace to him. Evil and good, Grace and Sin, affect him; he is not onely deeply sensible of what he is, and hath done to God, but what God is to, and hath done for him; he is affected with the best things as well as the worst; with matters of joy, as well as sorrow; he hath his Eye as well on the bright side of the Cloud, as on the dark side of it; and he is impressed with Gods goodness and holyness, as well as with his own badness and vileness; he takes in one as well as another, and both make powerful impression on his feeling Sense. The same Sense is capable of joy and

Sorrow, and there are in his view, suitable objects and matters for both; and he is real∣ly sensible of both. But I hasten.

Fourthly, Hearing. New Creatures have a new Sense of Hearing. The hearing Sense is appointed and given to men, to receive and take in words spoken, without which they know not what is spoken to them. Now as men have the natural sense of hearing, so Regenerate Per∣sons have a new spiritual sense of hearing given them in Regeneration; until then they are said to be Deaf, Psal. 58.4. Isa. 42.18, 19. al∣though they had not lost their natural Sense of hearing; yet the Scripture saith, they were Deaf; why, because they had not Spiritual Ears to hear; hence the Lord Jesus (speaking to the Asian Churches) bids such as had Eares to hear, what the Spirit spake unto them; Revel. 2. and 3. Chapters. Clearly im∣plying that there were some among them, that had not this Spiritual Sense of hearing the Voice of the holy Spirit, but that there were others that had it. And the Prophet tells the Jews that there were some that had Eares, but were Deaf, Isa. 43.8. that is, they had the natural, but not the Spiritual sense of hearing the voice of God by his Prophets. This Spiri∣tual hearing sense imports, not onely a hear∣ing and taking in the words or matters they hear, but also understanding them, and re∣ceiving them into the understanding, will, and affection, Ezek. 40.3.4. 2 Thes. 2.10. Pro. 7.1. Pro. 10 14. They are ready and swift to hear, Jam. 1.19.21. Let Christ speak to

them what he will, they can and will hear him; Speak Lord, for thy servant heares, 1 Sam. 3.2. is the language of his heart; and Lord what wilt thou have me to do, Acts. 9. doth God or good men, instruct, admonish, exhort, reprove, charge, rebuke them, their Eares and hearts are open and ready to hear and receive it, to love and understand it; to keep and practice it, or to improve all to the will of God. Re∣generate Persons are the good ground hearers; Luk. 8.15. Math. 13. They have Eares to hear, hearts to receive and understand what is re∣vealed to them; yea, to keep and hold it fast; convert the word into profit, and turn all in∣to the practice of Godlyness. They, and they only have learnt the mystery and Spiritual Art of hearing: They are the only Wise, Seri∣ous, Humble, Diligent, Circumspect, Careful, Reverend, Watchful, Sincere, Profitable and good Hearers. They are taught to please and honour God better, and advantage their own Souls in and by hearing. They are the Persons (and none but they) who hear in hearing; who do truely and faithfully endea∣vour to hear Christ, in hearing of men; and to hear that voice behind them, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it; which is promised in Isa: 30.20.21. They are the men who do indeed make blessed earnings of hearing, and who do unfainedly intend, design and carry on right, high and holy ends in hearing, namely, to know Christ, his Will, Grace, Spirit, Benefits, Covenant, and Promises; to know themselves, their Sins, Deceits, and Errors; their increase

or decrease in Grace and practical Godliness, and to know how they ought to believe and carry themselves towards God and men in all conditions, States and Relations, better, more clearly and Spiritually, that so they may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all well-pleasing, and be fruitful in every good work; adorn the Gospel of Christ, and beautify their holy profession. These are the men who hear, that they may be cleansed and washed, that they may be quickened to, and strengthened in their duty, and that their lusts may be destroyed by the word of Grace, Joh. 15.3. Joh. 17.17. Eph. 5.25.26. 2 Cor. 10.4.5. And that they may, as in the Lords own way and appointment, meet with Christ, and Christ with them, to express their dependance on, and subjection to him, and that they may be filled with all the fulness of God, Eph. 3.19. This is the hearing Ear, and understanding heart, that is rarely to be found in the world.

Fifthly, Smelling. In the natural body there is the Sense of Smelling, so there is in the new Creature also; Christ is full of sweet smells and Savours, fitted and suited to a believers new sense; and Christ hath provided for, and given them a sense capable of receive∣ing and resenting it, which adds much to their strength and Comfort, and renders the Lord Jesus more sweet, lovely, and acceptable to them. For the more senses they have to draw and take in of Christs Person, Grace, and lovelyness to themselves, the more they get from Christ, and the more pleasing and

desirable he must needs be to them; had the patural man only two or three senses, to ap∣prehend and take in objects, and the good of them, his life would not be so comfortable; because as then, many of the Creatures would be vain and useless to him, so he would live without the use and comfort of them that are suited to the senses he wants, and which he cannot receive nor take comfort and delight in, without them. And men are naturally best pleased, and most satisfyed with variety of ob∣jects and matters. It is much more so in Spiri∣tual and heavenly matters and things, Spiri∣tual men, love and delight much in heaven∣ly varieties, and therefore to delight and sa∣tisfy them, to endear their Souls to Christ, and incourage them in their Duty to him, he hath given them many senses or subjects ca∣pable of apprehending and taking in variety of heavenly matters and things; and that is not all, but he hath also graciously provided all suitable varieties for them, and presents them freely to their acceptance. Thus Christ is to them, a sweet smelling Savour, Eph. 5.2. his death was so to God, and his Person, Gra∣ces, and Benefits, are so to them, Cant. 5.13.2.13. Their Persons love and obedience are a sweet smelling savour to Christ, Cant. 4.10.11. And so is Christ unto them, Cant. 1.3. and it is powerful to excite and draw forth their strongest and dearest love to Christ, Because of the savour of this good Oyntments; therefore do the Virgins love thee. And as it excites and draws forth their love to Christ, so it gladdens and

refreshes the hearts of new Creatures. Psal. 45.8. All thy Garments smell of Myrth, &c. whereby they have made thee glad. Thus I have briefly run over, and presented you a few considera∣tions of the New Creature, his spiritual sen∣ses, what they are, and of their nature, work, use, and end; to help you to make a true Judgment of your selves, whether you are new Creatures indeed, or only in name and pretence.

And be assured of this, that if thou art in∣deed a Regenerate person, thou mayest in some degree, (especially at sometimes) find these spiritual senses in thee. And if thou canst find them in any degree in thee, thou mayest conclude, that thou art a Child of God, and really Regenerate. For it is cer∣tain that unregenerate persons have them not in them, but are real strangers, if not Ene∣mies to them; and such as regard them not, neither do they find them in any degree or measure in themselves, they are in an unrege∣nerate state and condition. And that they have not these senses, is evident; for they are dead, blind, hard, and wholly carnal, as hath been shewed already. And so much of the first Mark or Character of a new Creature, I shall briefly dispatch the rest, and then pro∣ceed to other heads propounded.

Secondly, If thou art a new Creature indeed, thou hast been brought forth, and born again in pain, and with grief and trouble of Soul. Every natu∣ral Child is brought forth with sorrow and pain, Joh. 16. and every n••w-born Babe is brought

forth with sorrow and pain. The Lord Je∣sus hath been in Travail, Sorrow, and Pain for them that are and shall be regenerated, to purchase their new Birth, Isa. 53.3.11. he had the hardest labour and strugling for thee; he was in the greatest and most dreadful Agony and anguish of Soul that could be, to procure thy Regeneration and new State; he had many a woful and grievous throw; many a sigh and groan, and he sweat many drops of Blood for thee, when he was Sacrificing his life to Divine Justice for thy Redemption and Sanctification, to Redeem thee from thy old state of Sin and Misery, Luk. 22.44. Math. 26. and to make thee one of his peculiar people, Tit. 2.14. Eph. 5. And as he hath been in Pain and Travail for thee, so (if thou art Re∣generated) he hath given thee a small Taste of his Pains and Sorrows in thy birth. Thou hast not been brought forth without sighs, groans, throws, Pains and Sorrows, no, but thou hast found much Strugling, and many pangs of heart. It is true, that all Children are not born with the same degree and mea∣sure of pains and sorrows. Some Women feel more, some less, in their Travail, but all have some. In Sorrow thou shalt bring forth Children, says God, Gen. 3.16. so he says of all sinners that he will Regenerate, (if grown persons) in sorrow shalt thou be Regenerated, and made a New Creature. Thou shalt taste and feel what an evil and bitter thing it is to be a sinner, and under my Wrath, the dominion of Lusts and the Devil; That thou hast forsaken

me the Fountain of living Waters, Jer. 2. Rebel∣led against me, thrown off my Yoke, and o∣beyed the Devil rather than me. Thou shalt know that I have observed all thy contemp∣tuous slightings of my Son, my Grace and Mercy, and causing me to stand, wait, and knock for thee, and thoud'st not hearken to me. When God Regenerates men, he lets loose Sin, Guilt, Devil, his Law and Venge∣ance on the Souls and Consciences of such for a time, and the Spirit of God, who is the great Agent in Regenerating them, Joh. 3.5. makes himself as a Spirit of Bondage to them, and seemingly to their own sense, puts them into, and leaves them in a far worse case and condition than they were in before, Rom. 8.15. so that now their sinful peace, carnal security, vain and foolish hopes and confidences are all broken and shattered, and they are left to the wide world to shift for themselves, and that when they are encompassed about with fears and miseries, and have none to comfort them, but are like men shut up in doubts, fears, and distractions, not knowing what to do, nor what to think of their conditions. They are condemned by the Law, and their own Consciences, and they see themselves bound over to answer for all their Trans∣gressions at the Judgment Seat of God. They see themselves in straits and miseries, and know not how to help themselves, neither can they find any that will or can; for they look upon God as their Enemy, and are afraid of him. This makes them cry out, O, What

shall we do to be saved? How, or by whom shall we be delivered? Acts 2.37. Acts 16.29, 30. Now their Hearts, Heads, and Souls are in travelling pains and pangs, greatly longing to be delivered, like men that are sinking into the bottom of the Sea, and never like to be saved. Thus they are brought forth in pain and Sorrow. And God hath many wise and grati∣ous ends in dealing thus with them, which in due time they shall see, and bless him for. For by bringing forth the new Creature, thus he greatly imbitters Sin to them, shews them their own vileness, weakness, and wretchedness, and causes them to loath themselves, and hate their Sin, endears and commends Jesus Christ, his Grace and love to them, and stirs them up to seek after him, and cleave to him the more se∣riously and heartily.

Thirdly, The new Creature is of a humble, meek and lowly nature; it is like the Father and Au∣thour of it, the Lord Jesus; he was meek and lowly in heart and life, Math. 11.29. Christ was of a Lamb-like, Dove-like nature, Spirit and Carriage in his life and Death. In his life, Joh. 1.29. Behold the Lamb of God. In his death, un∣der exceeding great contemps, & innumerable Injuries; he was as a Lamb, Acts. 8.32. so his Saints are often called his Sheep and Lambs; My sheep hear my voice, Joh. 10.27. and his Lambs, Joh. 21.15. so he calls them his Doves, C••nt. 2.14. Cant. 5.2. and so they call Christ, Cant. 5.12. now, who knows not these Crea∣tures to be meek, lowly, and humble; and because they are generally known so to be and

are so in their own nature, the Lord Jesus sets out and shews us what his new Creatures are in their natures and carriages by them; and they are such indeed, or they are not the real Sheep, Lambs, and Doves of the Lord Jesus; for all his People participate of his nature; they are of Poor, Meek, Humble, and lowly Spirits, Words, and Carriages, in measure like their head Christ, how Proud and Lofty so e∣ver they were before. Christs Regenerating Grace is certainly Soul-humbling, Spirit-meekening, and Heart-debasing Grace where∣ever it is. It Turns Lyons into Lambs, Wolves into Sheep, and Ravenous Birds into sweet Doves; For they are Regenerated with the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. and by the Spirit of Christ, Rom. 8.9. and they are said to be, as he is, in the world, 1 Joh. 4.17.

And as they are so by nature, or there new birth, so likewise by their Light and conside∣ration. Their habits are improved and strength∣ened by their own endeavours, as by Gods own Proper means. 1. They see so much of their own Vileness, Wretchedness, Nakedness, and Impotency, as to make them loath them∣selves; and they see so much of their former and past Transgressions and Sins, as to cause them to abhor and condemn themselves, Job. 42. They do now see themselves and ways, with another kind of light and judgment than they did before, so that now their Self-justifying is turn'd into Self-condemning; and their high thoughts, into low and Self-de∣basing thoughts of themselves. They were ne∣ver

so high in their own Eyes, as now they are low; and never so worthy and sufficient, as now they are unworthy, and nothing, Phill. 3.7.2. They see (in measure) the holyness and Righteousness of God and his Laws, and the great unsuitableness of their hearts and wayes unto them; and the sight and Sense thereof, greatly humbles and debases them, Isa. 6.5. Job. 42.5.6. And as they are hum∣bled and debased at the sight and knowledg of these things, so also their serious pondering and considering them doth further shame, humble, and abuse them. They do consider, and lay these things to heart; and do not content themselves with the bare knowing and apprehending them as true; no, but they search into them, and apply them to themselves; Thus and thus am I; This and this have I done, and this and that is my Sin and wicked∣ness, my evil and misery; and this and much more have I merrited, of the wrath and dread∣ful vengeance of God, by my wickedness and rebellion, by my often refusing his Yoke, and rejecting his grace and favour proferred to me in and by the Gospel; so likewise the con∣sideration of the holyness and Righteousness of God, and his Laws and ways, which I have despised, slighted and set at nought, Pro. 1.24.25. and which I find I cannot close up with, nor conform unto. Oh I have robbed him of his due, and am likely to do so still, be∣cause of the naughtiness of my heart, and wickedness of my nature, which is most loath∣some and abominable throughout, Ezek. 16.

Rom. 3. 1 Cor. 6. Tit. 3. I have been vile and abo∣minable in the pure Eyes of God, and di•• love to have it so. I would not believe that God and his Lawes were so holy and righte∣ous, nor that I was so vile and hateful, as now I see I am. By these and other such consi∣derations, their meek and humble natures are strengthned and improved against the surg∣ing Waves of Pride, and self-exalting that is in them, and that strives to overcome and conquer them.

And as Regenerate persons are meek, hum∣ble and lowly, by their Spiritual birth or new nature, and by their divine light and conside∣ration, do improve and augment it, as hath been shewed; so this truth may further ap∣pear, (namely, that Regenerate men are such as hath been said) by the Names and Titles the Holy Ghost gives them in Scripture. They are called the Meek of the Earth, Zeph. 2.3. that is, the onely meek men that live in this world, and that from their new nature and heavenly birth, their thoughts of themselves, and their singular carriages and walkings before and towards God and men. This Appellation is often given them in Scripture, to distinguish them from other men, how good natur'd soe∣ver they are; and to declare and shew forth their new natures and singular frames, carria∣ges and dispositions; to manifest how God looks on and accounts them, and to provoke them to carry themselves accordingly before all men, Psal. 22.26. The meek shall eat and be satisfyed: and the meek will he guide in judgment;

the meek will he teach his way, Psal. 25.9. so in Psal. 37.11. Psal. 76.9. Psal. 149.4. Isa. 11.4. A••os 2.7. Math. 5.5. so they are named humble persons, Job. 22.29. Psal. 9.12. Psal. 10.12.17. Psal. 69.32. Pro. 29.23. Isa. 57.15. Jam. 4.6. They are low and vile in their own Eyes; they are nothing, yea, worser than nothing in their own apprehensions, and so are all their works and best performances also. Wherefore you, who think your selves new Creatures, or to be Regenerated and born a∣gain, should examine your selves whether or no you are indeed under this Character, if you have this certain and undeniable Mark of Christs sheep on you? For if you have it not, you are not as yet Regenerated, you are not the real sheep of Christ, but you are still in your old sinful states and conditions, and you shall certainly perish except you be born again. There are very many Persons, who have gotten light in their Heads, many con∣victions and much trouble of Spirit; have reformed their lives, and walk with the Peo∣ple of God: who are so far from being more sweet, humble and meek, in and by their light, Reformation, and supposed change of state, as that they are more high and lofty then they were. In this Sense they are Changed from less to more Pride, from Sin to Sin in a higher degree. They are greater in their own Eyes, and more haughty in their words and deport∣ments than they were before their Reformati∣on; which clearly and infallably shews that they are not as yet partakers of the Divine na∣ture,

or Spirit of Christ: but though they have put on sheeps cloathing, yet they are ravening wolves within. I have known many who took up a seeming true profession and practice of Godliness, with much Pride and high thoughts of themselves, and a low and base esteem of others, (possibly better then themselves) but none of them proved sound, and Regenerate persons, but at long run, they withered away and came to nothing, or worse than nothing. And when I find per∣sons (especially young ones) under convicti∣ons of, and trouble for sin (as they say) en∣quiring after the way to Heaven, and reform∣ing their lives, without evident humble hearts, words, carriages and deportments: I cannot but fear what their ends will be. But know, that if you are Regenerate indeed, your Re∣generation hath greatly, (though not per∣fectly) meekned, humbled and made you lowly minded.

Fourthly, The frame and disposition of the new Creature is set upon, and Resolved to exalt and mag∣nify God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Men are prone to adore, exalt, and greaten something or person, and because they do not (by Nature) know or find any one Person or thing of bet∣ter account and esteem with them, then their carnal Self, they do make it their business to exalt, serve, and advance that, and take much delight in their so doing; but to exalt, serve and magnify God, they have no mind or de∣light. And therefore all their care and en∣deavours are exercised and lade out about

that, namely, to keep a Good Opinion of them∣selves, secure, and sence themselves against all Convictions of a contrary import, and to com∣mend themselves by some good behaviour un∣to men, that they may think well of them, honour and exalt them: to obtain their good thoughts and words, and get their applause and renown; and in this they glory and please themselves, and that when they know them∣selves not to be the persons within doors that they seem to be without; For they value and e••teem the praise of men, more than the praise of God, Joh. 12.43. But as Regeneration humbles men, and makes them vile in their one eies, so it greatly magnifies and exalts God the Father, and Jesus Christ Mediator. It is not fained in or by them, but it is their very make, their frame, bent, and disposition; It is natural to the new Creature to honour and magnify God, as it was before to the natural man to honour and magnify Self; Now they can be nothing, that Christ may be all, and in all things, Coll. 3.11. they can upon choice, be base and vile, that Christ many be honoured and exalted thereby. They can freely become the Foot∣stool of Christ, that he may be lifted up on high; they can be any thing (but sinners) for the greatning of Christ, and setting him (as it were) on his Throne, Phil. 1.20.

The new Creature being of a heavenly make and Constitution, is wholly taken up with, and Swallowed up in Christ and his Interests. Car∣nal self is become a vile thing to that man who is indeed regenerated, in comparison of Jesus

Christ, his Gospel, Names, and Glory. Self∣denial, and Christ exalting, is one of the first Lessons he Learns, and the first work and concern he is busied about. Assoon as Paul was regenerated, his heart was raised up to this duty, bent, and resolvedly set upon it, and without delay prosecuted it. Lord (says he) what wilt thou have me to do, Acts. 9.6. and he tels us, that assoon as he knew his Lords will, he consulted not with flesh and blood, (that is, with self ease and safety) no, but presently fell to work, namely, to exalt Christ, save Souls, and enlarge his Masters kingdome, Gal. 1.15, 16. Paul did immediately joyn Issues with Christ, and free∣ly and fully closed up with his Terms, pro∣pounded by himself to all that will be his disciples, Mark. 8.34. Luk. 14.26, 27. Luk. 18. and believe it, so it is with you, if you are his Disciples indeed, Joh. 8.31. if you are born again of the Spirit, Joh. 3.5. Christ Jesus the Lord, is pretious in your Eies, and high in your e∣steem; your Lives, Estates, Honours, Liber∣ties, Dignities and Relations are small matters to you, in comparison of Christ, his name, Gos∣pel, and Interests. And therefore your desire, choice, design, aime, scope, and endeavours are all to greaten, magnify, and exalt him. As he is the fairest of ten thousands unto you, so you desire, chuse, and labour that he may be so by you. It is a fixed principle in your hearts, a stated Case in your Judgments and Consciences, and a setled frame and bent of your Souls. There is nothing in the World more pleasing and acceptable to you, and there

is not any thing that more refreshes your mindes, and delights your hearts then this, that you have a Christ to Glorify, and that you may Glorify and Honour him. The new Creature is formed for Christ, to be, and live 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the praise of his Glorious Grace, Eph. 1.6.12. They see and acknowledge (when Regenera∣ted) that they are no more their own, but born again, that they might Glorify God with their ••odies and Spirits, which are the Lords, 1 Cor. 6.19.20. and that they that live, should live wholly to him who hath Created them in Christ Jesus unto good workes, 2 Cor. 5.15. Eph. 2.10. One of the first questions or enquiries of the new Crea∣ture is, how and wherein he may live to God, please and honour him, and bring forth fruit whereby he may be glorifyed, Joh. 15.8. it is the great case and interest their hearts and souls are concerned in, and they are grieved when they cannot reach it, but receive or count it matter of joy when he is really loved, honoured and exalted by any, especially when they can do it themselves. It is so natural to new Creatures, or Regenerate men, and they are so interessed in and with Jesus Christ his concerns, as that they take and account what is done to or against him, is done to or against themselves. They are like the Lord Jesus their head in this too, Namely, that what i•• Christs Indignity, is theirs, and what is Christs glory and honour, is theirs also. His reproach and honour lays nearer their hearts then any or all their own Earthly and Bodily concern∣ments. The Lord Jesus accounts his Peoples

Reproaches, Indignities, Prosperity and Hap∣piness, his own, such is his great love and re∣spects to, and care of them, Isa. 63.9. Acts 9.5. Math. 10.42. Math. 25.40. Zach. 2.8. If they be honoured, he is so; if they be abused, he is abu∣sed; and if they suffer, he doth so to; In all their Afflictions he is afflicted. And as it is with Christ in their concerns, so it is (in measure) with them in Christs concerns. Is his Name, Gospel and Worship, under a cloud of contempt and reproach, it is matter of grief and mourning to them, and when they are loved, exalted, and dignifyed, it is their glory and joy, Phil. 5.17. Psal. 119. And that it is so indeed, may farther be evidenced.

1. From their near Relations. New Creatures or Regenerate men are the Children of God. He hath begotten them by his Grace and Gospel; Jam. 1.18. 1. Pet. 1.3.14. and all ingenious Children will concern themselves in and with their Fathers honour and indignity, and naturally seek to advance and exalt them all they can, or ought to do. How much more doth the Divine nature and Spirit of God in Believers prompt and instigate them to do so to their heavenly Father, and that by all the wayes and means they may.

2. They are the Spouses of the Lord Jesus, and he is their Husband, Cant. 2.16. 2 Cor. 11.2. Jer. 3.14. Christ hath chosen and taken them to himself, Hosea 3.2, 3. to be his loving and affectionate Brides, Joh. 15.16. and they have chosen and taken him to be their Husband, and become one with himself. The Lord

Jesus Regenerates men, to make them capable of chosing him for theirs, and to make them meet for this Conjugal Relation. And they have in their hearts the love and respects (in part) that are due to such a Relation as Christ is.

3. They are related to Christ as members to the head. He is their head, and they are his members, Eph. 5.23.30. And therefore they must needs have his nature and spirit, to desire and natu∣rally design, intend and indeavour to exalt and honour him. The members of the natural body do naturally honour their head, and the head doth the same to the members, 1 Cor. 12.26. So it is in the mystical head and body. And it cannot but be so, because of the one∣ness and mutual simpathy that is between them. So then, if you are new Creatures, you are members of Christ, and if members of Christ, then you simpathize with Christ. His reproach is yours, and his honour is yours, and you have a natural frame, bent, and disposition of heart, to honour, exalt, and magnify him all you can, and it is your delight & joy to do it.

2. Love, esteem and respects, that are in these Relations, and flow from them to Christ, do prompt and stir you up to Desire, Chuse, Design and endeavour to honour and exalt him. Their strong and endeared love to, and high esteem of him, provokes and moves them to study, project, watch and labour all they can to please, honour, and exalt him. The love of so many near and great Relations, as they stand in to him, must needs be very strong and fervent, being in one subject. They love

and esteem him as their loving, sweet, and kind Head, Father, Husband, as their Redeemer, Teacher, Comforter, Crowner, and Eternal Savi∣our, and therefore they cannot but seek, and endeavour his honour and exaltation. They have eyes enlightned, to see a transcendent Worth, and glorious Excellency, Beauty, and Majesty in Christ, and they see him, As worthy of all Acceptation, 1 Tim. 1.15. so of all glory and exaltation. Neither Christ or his Excel∣lencies are hid from them; but the Glory of them do so shine into their hearts, as greatly to draw forth their Hearts, Tongues, and Souls, to magnify and honour him, Psal. 103.1.2. Cant. 5.10.—ult. They lay a Charge on themselves, and command (as it were) their all to bless and glorify him. Now, what can you say to this mark, Can you say it is so with you? do you find it in you? and do you experience it indeed, or do you not? can you say in deed and in Truth, that whatever the performance be, yet the frame, bent, choice, inclination, and disposition of your hearts, and endevours of your hands, are fully and frequently set, and resolved to exalt, serve, please and magnify the great God, and Jesus Christ, your Lord and King, your Glory and Crown?

Fifthly. The new Creature hath a hungring and thursting desire, and earnest longing after Jesus Christ; after Interest in and Communion with him; after a clearer and more distinct know∣ledge of him and acquaintance with him, and whatsoever is his: as his Lawes, Promises,

Blood Graces, or what ever else they hear is in him or hath relation to, or proceeds from him. The new Creature is like Noahs Dove, that can rest the sole of its foot only on, and in this Ark of the Everlasting Covenant; All o∣ther Foundations are but broken Reeds, and Ropes of Sand to him. Christ and the Cove∣nant of Grace, the faithfulness and All-suffi∣ciency of God, are his only Anchor Holds, and Rocky Grounds, upon which he can rest him∣self, and on which he casts and roles himself. The New Man is the only wise Builder, for he chuses the Rock of Ages to Build upon, and none else, Math. 7.25. Math. 16.18. Phil. 3.7, 8. The Foundation which God hath laid in the Covenant of Grace for men to Build themselves, their Faith and Hope upon, that they desire, chuse, hunger, and seek after, and cannot be satisfied without, 1 Cor. 3.11. Psal. 73.25, 26. The Regenerate persons take up in rest, build, and stay themselves; The Lord is my Rock (says David) Psal. 18.2. so says every New Creature, the Lord Jesus Christ shall be my only Rock and Foundation; my hopes, notions, self-righteousness, good works and performances, my self-supposed abilities, Professions, Priviledges, and Reformations, shall no more be my Foundations as they have been; No, but Christ and the Covenant of Grace, the Faithfulness and All-sufficiency of God, shall be my Foundation and resting Place: I will build my self, and all my hopes, confidences, and expectations, wholly and altogether on them; for they, and they only,

can bare the weight of my Soul, and eternal Salvation, which I must build upon them. But unregenerate men have other bottoms and foundations to rest and build themselves upon; they little or nothing at all concern themselves in good earnest, with the Foun∣dation God hath laid, but form a great many to themselves, and build all their confidences, hopes, and expectations on them, and say, they are safe and secure, no evil shall come to them, Math. 7.26. Thus did the foolish Virgins, Math. 25.1.— and thus did Paul before his Regene∣ration, Phil. 3.6, 7. But it was otherwise after his Regeneration, then his whole Soul and mind was carried forth to Christ, with all pos∣sible earnestness and importunity, Phil. 3.8. Their thousand of Rams, and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl, now, are nothing to them, as once they were, Micah. 6.7. no, but now ten thousand of worlds for a sure and certain bottom or foundation to rest and build my poor shaken and tossed Soul upon, is the voice and cry of all Regenerate men, before they clearly find Christ, so as to build upon him, and commit all their present and everlasting concerns on him.

And as they have a hungering and thirst∣ing desire, &c. after Christ for their foun∣dation to build upon; so also to have him in their armes and hearts, to have more and clearer knowledg of, and intimate acquain∣tance and communion with him. His absence is grievous to them, but his presence and favour, his smiles and acquaintance is better to

them then Life, Psal. 30.5. Psal 4.6. They greatly desire to see and know their glorious King arrayed with all his Royal Robes, ap∣proaching and comeing neare unto, and opening himselfe unto them; to impart the secrets of his Love and Grace unto them, and thereby allure and draw them unto himself. Psal. 63.1.2. Cant. 4. ult. Psal. 25.14.

Sixthly, A new Creature hath all holy Spiritual passions and affections. The natu∣ral man (you know) hath many natural passi∣ons and affections, so the new man hath many Spiritual and heavenly passions and affections. The naturall man hath many evil and sinful affections and passions, and the Spiritual man hath many divine and holy affections and passions. I shall name some, and but a few of them.

1. Love. As Regeneration makes men love∣ly, acceptable and desirable to God, Men and Angels, Ezek. 16. so it makes them ex∣ceeding loveing and affectionate men, to God and men. Before regeneration they are Self-lovers, Sin-lovers, and World-lovers, but by the new Nature and Spirit they have re∣ceived from Heaven, they are no more such, but God-lovers, Christ-lovers, Grace-lovers, Duty-lovers, and Saint-lovers. Now they have new affections for new objects and mat∣ters. They have operating Affections to and for God. They single out God, Christ, and Holyness: they chuse and single out from o∣ther objects and things, the Grace and Spirit, the Laws, Promises, People, and Ordinances

of Christ, for their Love, and to set their strongest, warmest, and heavenly Affections upon. The affections or passion of love in them, is stirred, Moved, Warmed, and En∣flamed by the Love of God, the Grace and Loveliness of Christ, that is declared and re∣presented to them in and by the Gospel. Oh how doth this passion somtimes work and act in them towards these objects and things. It is so full as that they are not able to vent or express it, especially when Christ appears to them, and puts in his hand (as it were) by the hole of the door (the heart) as that they can but sigh and sob, cry and weep out a lit∣tle of this strong and working affection. This did Mary Magdalen, Luk. 7.38. she stood at his Feet weeping, and washed the feet of Christ with her Tears: but what was the ground of her so doing? see Verse 47. why it was her ardent love and affection to Christ: she did so, for she loved much, namely Christ. Oh! what a strong passion of love was she in. How did her Affection work towards Christ? so likewise did Peters too, Joh. 12. Lord (saith he) thou knowest that I love thee; but how much or how strong his love and affection to Christ was, he could not express: David also gives us ano∣ther Testimony of it, Psal. 119.97. Oh! how I Love thy Law: and elsewhere (sayes he) I love them exceedingly. I do love them with a great∣er and more affectionate love than I can ex∣press; and so was his love moved and drawn out to good men, Psal. 16.3.

2. Hatred. These are opposite and contrary passions in men, namely, Love and Hatred. In our unregenerate States we do Love what we should hate, and hate what we should Love. We Love Gods enemies, and hate his friends; we hate his Laws, Rods, Yoke, Waies, & People, and love our Lusts, the World, Self, and the Service of sin. But Regeneration sets holy and God Pleasing Love and hatred in us. So that now, by the power of his Regenerating Grace; we love that which we should love, and hate that we should hate; that which was our duty to have done before, now we can do. Now we can and do love holiness, and hate, loath, and abhor our lusts and sins. Now we hate the workes of the flesh, and love the workes of the Spirit. And as the passion of love is strong and intense on its Objects, so is this of hatred likewise. The man in whom this new holy hatred is, did never more really, heartily, and fervently love his lusts, and the fulfilling of them, than he doth now hate, abominate, and endeavour to destroy them, 1. Cor. 9. ult. Gal. 5.24. They that are Christs (namely, by Regeneration) have Crucified the flesh with the Affections and Lusts. David tells us, that this Affection or Passion was strong in him, as well as that of love, Psal. 119.104.113. I hate every false way; and I hate vain thoughts, but thy Law do I love. Blessed Paul Speaks likewise to the same purpose of himself, Rom. 7.15. But what I hate, that do I. I do sin, its true; But I can say, that my sin is the great and only Object of my hatred, that's as true also. God hates all

Iniquity in all men, Psal. 45.8. Ja. 44.4. and he puts the same Affection or passion into his people in Regeneration, that they may hate it also. All sin is exceeding sinful, loathsome, and abominable to the new creature for its own sake, in its own nature, and as it is hateful to God. The evil and pernitious effects and Consequences of it makes or renders it the ob∣ject of their constant hatred also. They that are Spiritual minded, and are in the pursuit af∣ter Grace, Christ, and Holyness, to perfect it is the fear of God, as Commanded, 2. Cor. 7.1. do hate their sin, because it hath deprived them of, and spotted the Image of God, in which they were created, Gen. 1.26. (2) Because it hath robbed God of his due Worship and Service for which he Created them. (3) Because it hath occasioned the great debasement and Suffering of the Lord Jesus. For had not men Sinned, Christ had not Suf∣fered. (4) Because it grieves and vexes the holy Spirit of God, Isa. 63. Eph: 4.30. (5) Because sin devides and separates between God and them, Isa. 59.1.2. (6) Because it doth defile and pollute all their holy things, and would quite marr and spoyl them, did not their great High Priest appear for them to puri∣fie their Offerings, Exod. 28.38. (7) Because Sin doth clog and burden them, so as that they cannot Run their Race, nor do that good they desire, and are resolved to do in this world, Heb. 12.1. Rom. 7. (8) Because their sinful hearts draw them off from God, and indispo∣ses them to, and for their walking with God.

(9) Because it betrays them into the hand of their great Adversary the Devil, and strength∣ens him against them. (10) Because by sin God is dishonoured, and his holy Name blas∣phemed, his Truths despised, and his blessed ways rejected. These and such like conside∣rations of sin, greatly provokes and stirs up the holy hatred of sin in all Regenerate men, as they can experience. There is in them a universal, perpetual, and irreconcilable hatred of all sin, especially such of their own sins as do more easily beset them, Heb. 12.1. They hate the very name and appearance of sin; all the Germents spotted with the flesh, Jude 23. They dare not knowingly parly, or hold correspon∣dency with sin, because the thought or consi∣deration of it is most hateful and abomina∣ble.

3. Fear. New Creatures are the only real fearers of God. The all-seeing Eye, the Holi∣ness, Righteousness, Goodness, and Authority of God, do awe them, and cause them to fear and tremble before him, Hosea 3.5. Isa. 66.1.2. Jer. 32.39, 40. They do now approach nigh to God, and worship him with a holy and God∣ly fear, and are enabled to walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long, Psal. 2.11. Heb. 12.28. Prov. 23.17. They are afraid of sin, and temp∣tations to it, and dare not knowingly and de∣liberately come nean them, but avoid and eschew the appearances and occasions of evil. They are more afraid of the cause, then the effects; the sin, then the punishment. The thoughts of their danger they are always in,

and their aptness and proneness to transgress, by reason of the deceitfulness and treachery of their hearts, the strength and power of Lusts, snares of the World, and Satans fi•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Darts, do make them jealous, fearful, circum∣spect, and watchful. They see such a Majesty, Excellency, and glorious Presence in the holy God, and Jesus Christ, in his Names, Offices, Obedience, Blood, Love, and Grace: in his Laws, Promises, Ways, and Ordinances, which causes them to fear and reverence them er∣ceedingly, Psal. 89.7.

4. Hope. Hope is another holy Passion or Affection in the New Creature. Their hope is set on God the Father, and Christ his Son, Psal. 78.7. Tit. 2.13. and on all the good things held out to them in the Promises, called the blessed Hope, Tit. 2.13. They have Christ in them, the hope of Glory, Col. 1.27. and they have Christ without them, with all his fulness, in the Covenant and Promises, and in Heaven for them, as their hope. Every man hath the na∣tural passion of hope, but gracious men have the spiritual hope. They hope for all the good of the covenant of grace, fullness of Christs Grace, and whatever may make them holy hear and happy hereafter. The natural hope of unregenerate men is a groundless hope, and the great things it is exercised about, are but vain, perishing, worldly things, and groundless hopes for a happiness heareafter. Job. 8.13.14 hence they are said to be with•••••• hope in the world, because they want the real, spiritual, and well grounded hope, Eph. 2.12

1 Thes. 4.13. But Regenerate men have a holy, spiritual, and well grounded hope; and they by out and cast the Anchor of their hope on ••••••ings that are sure, and unmovable; on spi∣ritual, heavenly, Soul-saving and eternal mat∣••••s, and their hope is impressed, provoked, ••••eng thened and quickned by them, to hope more strongly, steadily and constantly for the enjoyment of them. They hope to obtain eternal Life in the Lords own way; Tit. 1.2. not in the wayes of their own evil hearts, as other men do. They hope for the coming of Christ, the exaltation and setting up of his Kingdome, themselves to be like him, and to see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as be is, 1 Joh. 3.2.3. Tit. 2.13. They hope for more light, life, and holiness from Christ, and for greater measures of his Spirit to be poured out upon them in this world; and they hope for more and more joy and peace in Believing, Rom. 15.13. That they may great∣ly rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God, 1 Rom. 5.2. and for that glorious resurrection that is promised. To this hope they are called in their Regeneration, Eph. 1.18.44. and this is one of the fruits of the spirit in their hearts, e∣ver after.

5. Joy. Joy is another holy passion in good men. There is the natural passion of joy in all men, and there is the Spiritual passion of joy in Regenerate men. There is the object or matter of joy, and there is the joy it self, and also the faculty or subject of joy. The ob∣ject or matters of joy and rejoycing to good men are Christ, Grace, and heavenly things,

Phill. 3.1.3. Phil. 44. Psal. 4.4. Psal. 32. ult. (2) the joy its self which flows forth from these objects or matters of joy into their hearts. For experience shews, that sometimes the objects of joy are shut up and yield no joy at all to us when we do eye and mind them, and would fain draw it out of them, but they are like Clouds that give down no rain at all sometimes, or as a Fountaine shut up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sealed, Cant. 4.12. But at other times they are opened to us, and then the joy of the Lord refreshes and chears, strengthens and warmes our Souls. This is given us of God the Father, Christ and the holy Spirit, as a special expressi∣on of his Love and Grace to us. The objects of joy will not afford it until he give it, or command them to hand it out to us, Psal. 133.3. Rom. 14.17. Rom. 15.13. Gall. 5.22. Joh. 14. Job. 15.11. Joh. 6.20. (3) There is the faculty or subject of joy, that is, that which is onely capable of receiving the impressions of the joy of the Lord in the Soul, and improving it aright. This is that we call the affection or passion of joy, and this is given to men namely, as it is a Spiritual or new passion in Regeneration. For thereby God makes them subjects capable of receiving and rightly em∣bracing, valuing, and useing the heavenly joy he intends for, and hath promised to give unto them, in their walking with him in their Regenerate states. Now they can and do rejoice in Christ Jesus, Phill. 3.3. in his love and Grace, and in his will and their duty, Rom. 7.22. Psal. 40. now they praise God with

joyful lips, Psal. 63.5. and shout for joy of heart, Psal. 32. ult. Now they rejoyce and work righte∣ousness, and walk on in their way rejoycing, Acts 8.39. Isa. 64.5. Their hearts are full of great and unspeakable joy, at some seasons, so as that their Vessels can now hold no more, 1 Pet. 1.8. With this Holy Joy in their hearts, they can run, and not be weary, walk, and not faint, Isa. 40. ult. Neh. 8.10.

6. Sorrow. This is in a sense a contrary pas∣sion or affection to that of Joy. There is a natural and carnal sorrow, and a holy and spiritual sorrow, or grief of heart; the first is common to all men, the second is only found in Regenerate men. Sorrow in a natu∣ral sense is an evil, but in a spiritual sense it is a good passion. Joy and sorrow are strong and vehement working passions in men, when strongly imprest, and deeply affected with re∣al or supposed evil or good. There is a worldly, and there is a godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7.10. Regeneration brings into, and sets up the godly sorrow in men, and thereby they are enabled to sorrow after a godly manner, 2 Cor. 7.9. This passion is moved and imprest, and the acts of godly sorrow are produced by seve∣ral, and these different objects and matters. First their own lusts, sins, and God-provoking abominations, their vileness and filthiness, and their former contempts of Christ, and despising, slighting, and rejecting his Love, Grace, Yoke, Promises and Kindnesses. These, and many other evils, and the serious thoughts and considerations of them, do break and

wound their hearts, and cause much inward grief, anguish, and sorrow of heart, and make them cry out, unclean, unclean, what shall we do, or how shall we appear before the holy and righteous God, Acts 2.35, 36, 37, Acts 16. This causes them to sigh and mourn, and er∣ercise revengeful thoughts against them∣selves, and to take indignation of them∣selves, condemn, abhor, and loath themselves, Ezek. 36.31. 2 Cor. 7.11. And secondly, the serious thoughts and considerations of the God, Christ, Grace, Love and Kindness they have sinned against: They see, know, and lay to heart who they have grieved, wounded, and dishonoured, namely, their God who had thoughts of love and peace for them, when they were in their blood, Ezek. 16. Jer. 29. They hope they had an interest in his heart, and that he loved them before they loved God; yea, when they hated him, and would have none of his counsel, 1 Joh. 4.19. Pro. 1. They likewise see and consider the great Love and Grace of Christ, and what great things he hath done and suffered for them, to sa•••• them from the wrath that is to come, 1 Thes. 1. ult. The thoughts of the exceeding great pati∣ence and long-suffering of God towards them, his pittying them, and waiting on and for them, that he might be gracious to them, Isa. 30.18. Rom. 2.4, 5. Rom. 10. ult. his standing at the door and knocking for them, to have admis∣sion into their hearts, Rev. 3.20. and how willing and importunate he was to be at peace and in friendship with them; how base∣ly

and unworthily they carried themselves towards him, and how they turned a deaf ear to his Calls and Invitations, and made him wait so long for their acceptance of him, e∣ven until his Locks were wet with the dew of the right, Cant. 5. This works grief, and raises great sorrow in their hearts. So when they consider how their sins have stabb'd and mur∣dred the Lord Jesus, and put him to open shame, Heb. 6 6. how they pulled down the wrath and Curse of God on him, Gal. 3.12. and how he poured out sighs, tears, yea, his precious Blood and Soul for them, Isa. 53. and like∣wise how their sins were imputed to, and laid on him, and how he was Crucified and killed for them, and all to save them, and instate them in his own Glory and Eternal Blessed∣ness, 2 Cor. 5. ult. Joh. 10. Joh. 17. and how ungratefully they have demeaned themselves to him. Oh! how doth this work on them? how do these things irritate, and cause sor∣row and bitterness of Soul in them? Now they can indeed look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn, and be in real bitter∣ness of Soul, as for their First-born, Zach. 12.10. These, and many other things, (which I can∣not now mention) do greatly melt them, and provoke holy Sorrow, and Repentance unto Life; for as Christ his Love, Grace, and Suf∣ferings, do work on their passion of Joy, irri∣tates and provokes it, so they do work on, and cause much sorrow and grief of heart (through the helps of the Spirit) likewise. The same objects and matters do work sa∣vingly

and effectually on both, namely, to cause joy and sorrow in the same New Crea∣ture. These are some of the holy, spiritual affections and passions, which are formed in the Soul in Regeneration; and if you are in∣deed Regenerate persons, you can (in some degree) experience them in your hearts; therefore try and examine your selves by them, if you are in a Regenerate state and condition.

Seventhly, The New Creature is full of spiri∣tual and heavenly desires after Divine Matters and Concernments, Isa. 26.8. Psal. 10.17. 2 Chron. 15.15. Pro. 11.23. Unregenerate men are full of carnal worldly desires, Eph. 2.3. of which they make their boast, Psal. 10.3. But the New Creatures heart is full of spiritual desires; their desires are ascending, not de∣scending; they came from Heaven, and like Fire, they do naturally bend and ascend thi∣ther from whence they came; they greatly desire to be holy and conformable in heart and life to the Will of God; they greatly desire to know and see Jesus Christ, and to have intimate and constant Communion with him, Psal. 63.1, 2. Exod. 33. They that are Regenerated, desire the death and destructi∣on of all their Lusts, and the thorough clean∣sing of their hearts of all sin, Psal. 51. Rom. 7. They desire to love God as he is to be loved, to fear him as he is to be feared, to trust him as he is to be trusted, to serve and please him as he ought to be served and pleased, and to honour and glorifie him as he ought to be honoured and glorified. They desire that

Christ may rule in their hearts, and that he will pull down all his Enemies there, that so he may Reign alone, so as that they may not serve sin, or carnal Self any more; they de∣fire to have their hearts always in Heaven, and to be spiritually-minded continually; they desire the coming of Christ, and that his Kingdom may be established above the tops of the Mountains, and be exalted above the Hills, Isa. 2.2, 3. Rev. 22. ult. They desire that his Name may be great among the Gentiles, and find ac∣ceptance among the Jews. They desire that the Gospel may run and be glorified, and find acceptance among all sorts of men; and they desire to see a great Spirit of Humility, Zeal, and Gospel-Holiness, upon Professors of the good ways of Jesus Christ. In a word, they desire whatever God tells them he desires of, or for them. Doth God desire them to be ho∣ly in all manner of Conversation, and to be fruit∣ful in every good work; why, they desire the same too? Doth God will and desire that they should love the Brethren, 1 Pet. 1.22. be good and charitable to the poor, simpathize with, and help them in their afflictions, Mat. 25. why, they desire the same also? Would God have them single and sincere hearted to himself, and all men, and do to all men as they would have them do to themselves, why, they do will and desire the same likewise? Would God have them seek his glory in all their ways, watch and guard their hearts; render good for evil, be in his fear all the day long, Pro. 23.17. not de∣part from God, but give him their hearts, walk with him, and perfect holiness in his fear, 2 Cor. 7.1.

why, the same they greatly will and desire also. So that as Daniel was said to be a man of desires, Dan. 9.23. (margin) so all Regenerate persons, are men of desires. They are fuller of heavenly desires after divine things, than of all other good things. They desire to have what they cannot get, as yet, and to do that which they cannot do. But they are (as it were) made up of desires after the doing and obtainment of them. Regenerate mens desires are good and great desires; they shew what a man is, and by them they may know their States, whether they be Regenerate or unregenerate persons. If the desires of a man be wholly or mostly after the things of the flesh, there is a carnal man: if after holyness, Christ and hea∣venly things, there is a Spiritual man indeed; For as the flood of thy desires are, so art thou, Performanes are short, but desires are long, ob∣tainments are few, but desires are many in all reall Regenerate persons. To will and desire they find, when they find not how to perform and act their desires.

Eightly, New Creatures, or Regenerate Persons, are born to, and imployed in great, special, and pe∣culiar works and services; namely, such as other men, and they themselves were strangers to before. They loathed the very names of them, and would by no means be perswaded to mind or consider them before. But now they are their works, their chosen, desired, loved, and highly esteemed works and services. They are their acceptable and most delightful works now, because they are the works of God, and

for God their Father; and also because their hearts and Souls are by the Grace of Regene∣ration suited to them. The Laws of them are written in their hearts, and in all the faculties of their Souls, Jer. 3.33. Heb. 8.10. Heb. 10.16. so that they are natural, to and in them. Now all natural works or actions, are plea∣sant and delightful to men; and so are New Creatures acts, works, and services, to them. I delight to do thy will, O God, (says David) how so? why, the Law of God was written in his heart, Psal. 40.8. Heb. 10. so Paul, Rom. 7.22. They are born to and for them, and they are created with and in them, Ephes. 2.10. For we are his work-manship, Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath ordained, that we should walk in them; so Rom. 7.4.6. First, they were Elected, Chosen, and Ordained to and for them, Eph. 2.10. Eph. 1.4. 1 Pet. 2.9.2. we are Redeemed to and for them, Tit. 2.14. 1 Pet. 2.9. 2 Cor. 14.15. (3) we are called and Re∣generated to and for them. 1 Pet. 1.15. 1 Pet. 2.9. Eph: 2.10. They are by Election, Re∣demption, and Regeneration, made a Special and peculiar People unto God, and for holy and special works: in which works and Ser∣vices they are ever exercised after their Re∣generation. God ever imploys them, and they walk and excercise themselves in them, as their great Trade and businesse, Phil: 3.20. These Special and peculiar works and Services of Regenerate men, are many. I shall name but a few of them to you at this time.

They are Born again, as with the Love of God

in their hearts, so to Love God withall their heart, all their daies, Deut. 30.6. Rom. 5.5. This is their care, worke and excercise; and that not only to love God simply, but to love him Sincerly, Heartily, Strongly, Purely. Fervently, and Constantly and Obediently. To love God as God, and as their God, as their great and everlasting, and as their Gracious, Kind, and Loving God; to love him in the Superlative de∣gree, as their chiefest and only good. This work they love and delight in; they contrive and project it, study and endeavour to do it as they ought, and this they resolve on, and use all means to obtain it. They charg their hearts with it, and lay bonds on themselves to do it, Psal: 18.1. Psal. 116.1. Cant. 1.4. They use Gods means to help and enable them to do it. They read, hear, and Contemplate; they meditate on, consider and apply to themselves the great love of God to them, and his exceed∣ing great Lovelinesse, to stir up and inflame their love to him againe. They pray impor∣tunately and frequently to him, to shed abroad more of his love into their hearts, and to re∣veal himself in his Love and Grace unto their Souls, that they may thereby be quickened, moved, and enabled to love him more Cordial∣ly and ardently. They are so set upon it, and so greedy after it, and they do so desire and co∣vet it, as that they are never satisfied with the degree and excercise of their love to God: But are unregenerate men imployed so in this work; no not in the least, For they have not the love of God in their hearts, Joh. 5.42. Their

hearts are not circumcised to love God, be∣cause they are not Regenerated, neither do they love or desire to have it so; for when God proffers them his Spirit to do it, they refuse and reject him, and will not have him to concern himself with them in that matter, Pro. 1.23.24. Isa. 63. Gen. 6. Well then, try your selves by this; what can you say to it? Is this special work of Regenerate men your work, or is it not? Be you sure of it, that if you be Regenerated, or born again, it is your work and business? But if it be not, you are yet in your old and unregenerate states.

2. They are exercised and imployed about the good work, of searching out their own ini∣quities, and to find out the Plagues, Errours, and deceits of their own hearts and ways, that they may repent of their sins, and mend what they find amiss. To reform what ought to be reformed, and to remove whatever is hurtful to their Souls, or displeasing to God; that they may see more cause of Self-abasement, and be excited and provoked to walk more circumspectly and hum∣bly with their God, Micah 6.8. Eph. 5.15. This is not the work that Regenerate men are ex∣ercised about; no, but on the contrary, they labour to hide their sins, Pro. 28.13. Joh. 3.20. and to live in continual ignorance of their hearts, states, and ways, that so they may live in peace and quietness at home, and not be troubled at the sight of them. They love and delight in their iniquities, and they work and practise what they love, Psal. 62.4. Isa. 66.3. They let their own sins alone, they neither

desire nor endeavour to know them, but they are (especially some of them) great enquirers after, and searchers into others transgressions; which clearly demonstrates, that whatever they do profess to be, yet they are hypocrites, Psal. 64.6. Mark 32. Luke 6.7. Luke 20.20. Greater and more certain sign of a Hypocrite can∣not be found than this, namely, for a man that professes godliness, to be willingly igno∣rant of his own state and sins, and to be a Pryer and Searcher into other mens, without a clear Call from God so to do. This the Hy∣pocrites deal with Christ and Paul, that they might find occasion to Charge, Censure, and Judge them, as the aforesaid Scriptures shew, and in 2 Cor. 11.12. But it is otherwise with Regenerate men; they hate and abhor that filthy odious wickedness of others, and make it one part of their business to know them∣selves, and the evils of their own hearts and ways, Job 13.23. Psal. 77.6. 1 Sam. 21.1. They cry and pray, they call and wait on God to shew them all their lusts and sins, such is the desire and fervency of their hearts in this matter, Job 34.32. This is their work, and this they do conscientiously, seriously, fervently, heartily, and frequently; and that as their duty, work, and business, in all states, tryals, and conditions whatsoever: For they are jealous and suspitious, not of others, but of their own deceitful hearts. Thus they do; and when they have made any new discovery of their sins, they bless God for their suc∣cess; and then they fall to another work.

3. To subdue and mortifie such unmortified Lusts as they find in their hearts, to purifie themselves, and rectifie such errours and mistakes, as upon search do appear and come to light. This they are in∣joyned to do as their duty, and this they do exercise and imploy themselves in, in obe∣dience to the Will of God, because it is his Holy Will, Col. 3.5. Mortifie therefore your mem∣bers, 2 Cor. 7.1. Let us cleanse our selves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit. And the Gospel assures us, that this is the work and business of the Children of God. In 1 Joh. 3.1-3. Be∣hold (saith the Apostle) what manner of love is this, that we should be called the Children of God. This is a great and high priviledge indeed. Well, but what are they imployed about, and exercised in? Is it in making provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof, as unregene∣rate men do? Rom. 13. ult. no, but the clean contrary; namely, to purifie themselves, 1 John 3.3. Every man that hath this hope in him, purifies himself, even as he is pure. The like we have mentioned, Gal. 5.24. And they that are Christs, have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. That is, they have not fully done and effected it, but they are seriously, dili∣gently, and sincerely imploying and exerci∣sing themselves in and about that work and great concern of theirs.

This is another of their peculiar and speci∣al works, and this they do and prosecute with servent prayer to God, Psal. 51.7. O purge and wash me, that I may be clean: And O wretched man that I am (says Paul) who shall deliver me from

the body of this death? Rom. 7.24. And as they pray for it frequently and fervently, so they do meditate on, and apply the Blood and Death of Christ to themselves, for the effect∣ing of it, and that as Gods Ordinance and ap∣pointment for that end, Tit. 2.14. Who gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity, and to puri∣fie unto himself a peculiar people. They apply themselves unto, and use all Gods means for the accomplishment of it; as Fasting, the Lords Supper, and hearing the Gospel preached, which God hath appointed to mortifie their lusts, and to purifie and clean their hearts, Eph. 5.25, 26. John 15.3. John 17.17. Every word of God is pure; and the sincere preaching and hearing of it, is a powerful means to kill our lusts, and purifie our hearts, when heard and recei∣ved in Faith for that end, as Gods Ordinance, Acts 15.9. Heb. 4.2. This they know, and therefore they use them, or for that end and purpose, as well as for light and comfort.

But what is the work and business of un∣regenerate men, or what do they in this mat∣ter? Truly nothing at all; They do neither understand, or like it; but are perfect stran∣gers and enemies to it; there is no principle in them to do it withal, neither do they de∣sire there should be; their minds and thoughts are wholly taken up about making provision for their Pride, Covetousness, Carnal Secu∣rity, Vain Glory, Good Opinion of them∣selves, and other filthy Lusts: and they make themselves their Drudges, and humble servants, Rom. 13. ult. And hence they are said to serve

sin, Rom. 6.6.17.20. But new Creatures know and account their Lusts their greatest Enemies, and prosecute them with implacu∣ble enmity and hatred. They know either they must destroy their Lusts, or they will destroy them. They know that they have trucifyed the Son of God, and put him to o∣pen shame; and they know that they have greatly wronged their own Souls, Pro. 8. ult. And therefore they will give them no Quarter, but stab them to the heart, whatever it cost them to do it.

4. Watching. They are called to, and im∣ployed in the work of watching and guarding themselves, against all their enemies. This is another of their Special and peculiar works and businesses. It is spetial and pe∣culiar to new or regenerate men, (though it is the duty of all men) yet none but they are conscientiously, and dutifully imploy∣ing and exercising themselves in it. But good men are, 1 Joh. 5.18. But he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself. That is, they do watch, a••me, and guard themselves, so David did, Psal. 102.7. Psal. 130.6. and the Scrip∣ture makes it one of the Special properties of good servants, as well as their workes; Habak. 2.1. which Christ pronounces Blessed, Revel. 16.15. 2 Cor. 11.27. Luk. 12.37. Regenerate men are beset with enemies, which watch their opportunities to assault and betray them, and that they know. They know that Satan watches them, and Lusts watch, and the world watches to hurt and mischief their

Souls, and therefore they watch them, and prepare against them. It is true, that good men are apt to be too negligent in this duty, and need stirings up to it, and it is as true, that they do ordinarily practice this duty and worke. They are moved to it (1) by the will and command of God. God requires them to watch & guard themselves, Mark 13.33, 34, 37. (1) Their own hearts, Pro. 4.23. Keep thy heart with all diligence. (2) the Devil, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be Sober, be Vigilant, for your adversary the Devil as a Roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (3) The World, Luk. 21.34.36. (4) To watch unto prayer and all other duties, Col. 4. and Acts 20.31. (1) The Calls to, and opportunities for them, that through heed∣lesness and inadvertency we let them not slip away from us, without imbracing and im∣proving them to the Glory of God and our Souls profit, or advantage of others. (2) That we may close in, and joyn Issues with God and his designes in giving them to us, and that in the time and season of them, and that freely and readily. (2) They are moved to a fervent attendance on this work and duty, by and from their dangers. They are in conti∣nual danger of assaults and surprizalls from them, and therefore they must be always upon their watch; to prevent their designs, discover their plots, and foyl them in their Attempts. (3) From their own security and comfort, they are moved to this worke. It is easier keeping an Enemy out of the Garison of the

heart, then dealing with, and driving him out ••hen admitted in. Their own (as well as Christs) honour, safety and happiness, is much concerned in their so doing. God hath (1) committed themselves to their own keeping, and given them the care and charge of themselves, 1 Joh. 5.21. Pro. 4.23. Jam. 1. ult. 'Tis true ••••at God doth watch over and keep them in especially manner also, Isa. 27.3. 1 Pet. ••5. and that when they are most careful to ••eep themselves (2) God hath intrusted them with power, light, will, and abilities to keep themselves; and in their doing of it, in obe∣dience to his will, he hath promised to keep and secure them from Sin and danger like∣wise, 1 Pet. 5.7.2. Tim. 4.18. They watch and keep themselves dutifully, in order to their safety; and God keeps and watches them powerfully and effectually, so as that the s••es of Hell, shall not prevaile against them, Math. 16.18. But they cannot so keep and secure themselves, with their utmost diligence. This I say is the work and imployment of re∣generate persons; they, and they only, live in the practice of it. Unregenerate persons do no way concern themselves in this great and special work. They know it not, they love it not, neither have they hearts to do it withal. They think it a work of supererogation, and that such as are busied about it, are more strict and precise than they should be. They fear neither God, Sin, World, nor Devil, neither are they sensible of the danger they are in of destruction; but go on securely in the wayes

of their own hearts, and speak peace unto themselves, presuming that no evil shall come to them.

5 They are employing and exercising themselves in worshiping God according to his own will and Appointment: namely, to worship God in Spirit and Truth, and that with his own worship. We are they (sayes Paul of himself and other Saints) who worship God in Spirit, Psal. 3.3. They are convinced that they must, and that God will so be worshiped of them, Joh. 4.24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. For this self-same thing (though not onely) doth God Regenerate men, and thereby lays in, and sets up a principle of divine worship in them, that so they may rea∣dily do it according to the will of God. For (sayes Christ) the Father seeketh such to worship him, Joh. 4.23. that is, that the Father doth by Christs Gospel and the holy Ghost, call and regenerate, teach and Spirit some to worship him. It is their desire, choice, care, and study to draw nigh to God in all parts of his worship with true hearts; Heb. 10.22. and to worship God sincerely and Spiritually. To please and honour him; to sanctify his name and holy worship, and to give unto the Lord the hon•••••• due unto his name, to comply with his holy will and ends, to make his praise glorious, Psal. 29.1. 2. Psal. 66.2. This is also one of their high and noble works, holy and Spiritual imploy∣ments, and that wherein their Souls delight, to this they are called; for this they are (in part) fitted and qualified in their Regenerati∣on,

and this is their work and business ever ••••er. Thus it is with you, and so is your ••ractice, if you are Regenerated. Unregene∣••••te men are strangers and adversaries to this peculiar work and duty of new Creatures; they know it not, they do it not, neither con∣••••rn themselves with it. They take up in, and are satisfied with the Letter without the Spirit, with the form without the Truth, and ••••er of Godliness, and they imagine that they have done God good service, when they have spent some time in external duties and ordi∣••ances, without the great and onely necessa∣ry things, that God requires in them. But good men cry, watch and pray, and do all they can to worship God in Spirit and Truth, from their new Natures Root and spring within, and the holy Ghost his assistance; and without this they cannot be satisfied. This is the mark they have in their Eye, in all their addresses to God.

6 Trusting in, and liveing on Christ. This is a special and peculiar work and duty, which none can do but new Creatures. But it is their work and business, 2 Cor. 5.7. Heb. 10 38. R••••. 1.17. It is a duty that lies with power in their hearts, and 'tis of great account in their Souls. They are commanded to live by faith, and make God their onely Trust, and in o∣bedience thereunto they do it, Isa. 26.4. Psal. 37.3.5. 1 Pet. 5.7. Psal. 62.8. They are called to live the life of faith and pure de∣pendance on God for all things, and they are furnished with abilities so to do. The faith

of Christ is written in their hearts, and they have a kind of a natural Genious and disposition to it. Thus we find Abraham, David, Paul, and other Saints of God had and did. It is a Li•••• far above and beyond the reach of nature and natural Reason, and God works some to and for it by his Grace in Regeneration, and pre∣sents unto them suitable grounds and objects, for their faith to rest and live upon; as his bonds or promises; his covenant and oath, his truth and faithfulness, and his all sufficiency and immutability. God presents to them his S••••s blood, Death and Resurrection, his natures and offices, his intercession and potency with God, to prevaile for them in Heaven, and procure mercies for them, and the fulness of Christ, as furnished and filled with all Grace for them. And upon these grounds and objects they re•••• and bear themselves. There they fly for Refuge, Pro. 18.10. and there, and on them they live, and wait for all supplies of Grace, Phill. 4.19. And that when the Figtree doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blossome, nor any herds are in the stall, Habuck. 3.17, 18, 19. For what ever God hath promised to his people, they claim a share in, and can trust him to give it to them in his own time and way. To instance in some particulars. (1) God hath promised to pardon them, Isa. 55.••. they can and do believe him, and rest upon his for it. (2) Hath God promised to give Repe••∣tance, they can believe and trust him. (3) To heal their Back-slidings, and love them freely, Hose•• 14.4. They can believe and trust him. (4) To pour out more of the spirit, and abundance

〈◊〉〈◊〉 grace, Acts. 2. Joh. 10. they can trust him. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hath God promised to give grace and ••••y, and to supply all their wants, Psal. 84.11. ••••on. 4.8. and never to leave them nor forsake 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Heb. 13.5. they can and do believe and ••••st him. (6) Hath God promised to subdue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lusts and sanctify their hearts, Ezek. 36.25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Micah. 7.18.19. they can and do believe a••d trust him. (7) Hath God promised to hear ••eir prayers, Psal. 50.15. Help their infirmitites, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8.26. Accept their offerings, Isa. 56.7. ••eward their Services, 2 Cron. 15.7. and to ••••ep them by his power through faith unto salvati∣••••; 1 Pet 1.5. they can and do believe and trust him upon his word. They do commit ••eir all to, and leave their all with him, and are ••••isfied in their so doing. They believe all is ••afe and sure that is entrusted in his hand, and glad they are that they have themselves and their all in his custody. It is true they have ••heir fits of unbelief, and do too often distrust God, and in measure let go their Anchor hold; but they recover themselves, and what they ••ave lost again, when the Tempest is over, and they are in a Calm. It is one of their great works and employments, notwithstanding to trust God, and live the life of faith, and that upon choice, and with their whole desire; and in the general course of their Lives, they are enabled by Grace to reach and live it, whate∣••er oppositions are in their way. Therefore it is, that they are called Believers and Trusters of God, by the holy Ghost in Scripture, name∣ly, because it is their proper Life to which

they are called in Regeneration, and that which they do choose and endeavour to Live: But unregenerate persons do not live this Life at all. They have no acquaintance with it, neither know they what it means, experi∣mentally, but onely upon hear-say, they are not regenerated, and therefore are still in a state of unbelief and impenitency. They have no living faith at all, neither do they heartily desire it. They are called unbelievers, 2 Cor. 6.14, 15. Revel. 21.8. because they have no special faith to trust God withal, and do not live the Life of faith.

7 They are called to, regenerated for, and exer∣cised about all sorts of holy duties and heavenly things. They live in Heaven and Trade in Heaven, Revel. 13, 6. Phil. 3, 20. In a word, their business is to acquaint themselves with their Fathers and Husbands Laws, and their d••∣ties, and to love and obey them, with their promises, and the good of them, that they may believe them, and hope upon them, and to suck out the hony and sweetness of them, for their consolation and peace; and to encou∣rage them in their duty and walking with God; and they acquaint themselves with their God and Saviour, and the great things, of another world. These are their good things, and they allure and draw their minds and affections to them. In them, and the contem∣plation of them, do they delight. They feel, taste, and see the Goodness of them, and are greatly enamored with them. They have their hearts, and that causes them so much to con∣verse

with them, and Trade in them and with them. They know it is their duty to live and converse with them, because God hath so commanded, Coll. 3.1.2.3. and they do it in obedience thereunto. But that is not all the Reason of their so doing, no, but they do it because these things and matters are their Spiritual and everlasting Treasures. In them lies all their durable riches, honour, comfort, and happiness. They are sweet to their tast, and pleasant to the eye, and they are the onely Good and Portion of their souls, Math. 6.21. Coll. 2.3. They have nothing else to trust to, nor any thing besides that can satisfy the wants and craving desires of their Souls. For these ends and purposes are they born again, and set here in this world, and for these ends and purposes are they kept and maintained, their hearts have chosen all; they love all, and their desires and endeavours to go out after, to reach them all. About them, their minds, judgments, understandings, consciences, wills, affections, and their all are busied and im∣ployed, and that, as in and about their own proper and constant work and business. But other men do wholly mind, work, and imploy themselves in other matters, not at all in these. They onely mind and follow the things of the Flesh, whilst others do mostly mind the things of the Spirit, Rom. 8.5.6. Phil. 3.19, 20. Rege∣rate men do mostly mind how to please God: Carnal men how to please them elves. Rege∣nerate men do mind and endeavour to honour the will of God and obey it: Carnal men do

mind and endeavour to know their carnal Interests, and obey the will of the flesh. Re∣generate men do live in Heaven, converse with, delight in, and set their minds and affections on things above: Carnal men do onely converse with, live in, delight in, and set their mindes and affections on things here below. Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to be rich in grace and good works, Carnal men how to get, and keep the good things of this world. Regenerate men do make Religion their business: Carnal men do make sin their profits, and pleasures their business: Regenerate men do live in the Spirit, and walk in and after the Spirit: Carnal men do live in, and walk in the flesh, and the things thereof. These are some of the many diffe∣rences and contrarieties of regenerate and unregenerate men, which have now been pre∣sented to you, to help you to try your selves, and to make a right judgment of your states and conditions. Therefore, do you prove and examin your selves by them, whether you are in a regenerate or unregenerate state, yea or no. For as suredly, if you be regenerated and born againe, you may find many, if not all these marks and characters of regenerate per∣sons in and on you. You are indeed such persons (in measure) within and without, in heart and life, as you have heard regenerate persons are. And know, that if it be other∣wise with you, and you care not to know or find such real signes of regeneration in you, nor any other of like import; that then you

ought to fear and tremble, judge your selves, and conclude that you are (as yet) in an un∣regenerate state and condition, and under the curse and wrath of God. And if so, let me in the name of Christ, exhort and perswade you to go to God the Father, in Christ his name; and tell him how it is with you. Fall down before him; pray and beseech him to pitty you, and give regenerating Grace; and with all Importunity and Constancy cry to him, and wait for him, to come and give you new hearts, stamp his Image and divine na∣ture on you; and now with all possible speed to convert and make you new Creatures in∣deed.