be_v like_a to_o be_v lose_v that_o have_v no_o better_a witness_n than_o a_o ignorant_a nicodemus_n and_o we_o may_v suppose_v the_o anabaptist_n at_o a_o loss_n when_o the_o able_a and_o most_o learned_a among_o they_o be_v force_v to_o summons_n in_o nicodemus_n as_o a_o witness_n for_o though_o they_o must_v own_v he_o to_o be_v a_o poor_a evidence_n if_o they_o will_v believe_v christ_n verse_n 10._o be_v thou_o a_o master_n in_o israel_n and_o know_v not_o these_o thing_n and_o they_o that_o do_v not_o know_v thing_n be_v unmeet_a to_o prove_v they_o but_o either_o this_o person_n put_v more_o confidence_n in_o nicodemus_n than_o christ_n or_o else_o know_v his_o cause_n be_v almost_o go_v will_v rather_o cite_v nicodemus_n concern_v which_o he_o know_v neither_o what_o he_o say_v nor_o whereof_o he_o affirm_v rather_o than_o have_v no_o witness_n but_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n to_o see_v the_o most_o learned_a of_o the_o anabaptist_n run_v into_o such_o gross_a absurdity_n and_o to_o be_v at_o such_o a_o loss_n in_o such_o mystery_n for_o if_o learning_n can_v teach_v a_o man_n the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n nicodemus_n have_v not_o be_v so_o gross_o ignorant_a of_o christ_n meaning_n and_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o judicious_a person_n to_o determine_v whether_o we_o have_v not_o as_o good_a ground_n and_o better_o to_o judge_v that_o this_o objecter_n be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n of_o nicodemus_n in_o understand_v it_o to_o be_v a_o natural_a birth_n then_o to_o conclude_v that_o because_o he_o understand_v it_o as_o speak_v of_o adult_n only_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v so_o for_o we_o may_v suppose_v have_v not_o this_o doctor_n have_v great_a confidence_n in_o the_o infallibility_n of_o nicodemus_n he_o will_v never_o have_v venture_v that_o cause_n which_o be_v as_o dear_a to_o he_o as_o his_o life_n upon_o his_o single_a evidence_n and_o especial_o in_o such_o a_o cause_n wherein_o he_o have_v so_o many_o hundred_o oppose_v he_o and_o sure_a have_v he_o judge_v he_o in_o a_o gross_a mistake_n as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o new_a birth_n he_o will_v never_o have_v put_v such_o confidence_n in_o what_o he_o say_v with_o the_o same_o breath_n as_o to_o the_o subject_a and_o as_o we_o have_v infallible_a ground_n to_o conclude_v from_o his_o own_o word_n that_o this_o objecter_n be_v far_o from_o believe_v any_o necessity_n or_o possibility_n for_o infant_n to_o be_v regenerate_v so_o i_o think_v i_o do_v he_o no_o wrong_n if_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v his_o judgement_n that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o necessity_n for_o grow_v person_n to_o be_v regenerate_v for_o of_o this_o judgement_n be_v his_o trusty_a and_o well-beloved_a friend_n nicodemus_n for_o have_v nicodemus_n once_o suppose_v that_o grow_v person_n any_o more_o than_o infant_n must_v be_v bear_v again_o spiritual_o he_o will_v never_o have_v mention_v such_o a_o gross_a absurdity_n as_o to_o be_v bear_v again_o carnal_o but_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o adult_n to_o give_v the_o object_a his_o sense_n can_v not_o be_v bear_v again_o spiritual_o absurd_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v mean_v a_o carnal_a birth_n and_o why_o we_o may_v not_o suppose_v the_o object_a to_o be_v of_o his_o judgement_n in_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o especial_o since_o he_o put_v such_o confidence_n in_o he_o i_o see_v not_o and_o now_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o my_o understand_a reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o we_o have_v not_o better_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o under_o the_o word_n man_n child_n be_v comprehend_v because_o the_o word_n signify_v both_o than_o to_o conclude_v christ_n only_o mean_v grow_v man_n because_o nicodemus_n understand_v he_o so_o since_o it_o be_v pass_v all_o dispute_n the_o word_n signify_v so_o but_o whether_o nicodemus_n do_v right_o understand_v christ_n meaning_n may_v just_o admit_v of_o a_o debate_n nay_o it_o seem_v almost_o past_a all_o dispute_n he_o do_v not_o by_o his_o gross_a mistake_n about_o other_o passage_n relate_v hereunto_o thus_o i_o have_v i_o hope_v sufficient_o prove_v a_o necessity_n for_o infant_n to_o have_v faith_n if_o they_o get_v to_o heaven_n from_o god_n appointment_n and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o cogent_a to_o confirm_v any_o point_n than_o the_o express_a mind_n of_o god_n and_o i_o be_o certain_a have_v the_o anabaptist_n such-clear_a proof_n that_o no_o infant_n ought_v to_o be_v baptise_a as_o i_o have_v give_v to_o prove_v that_o all_o infant_n that_o get_v to_o heaven_n must_v have_v faith_n they_o will_v soon_o cry_v victory_n nor_o shall_v i_o ever_o hold_v up_o my_o weapon_n against_o they_o be_v it_o so_o lest_o haply_o by_o so_o do_v i_o be_v find_v fight_v against_o god_n himself_o second_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o faith_n in_o infant_n if_o they_o get_v to_o heaven_n arise_v from_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n which_o though_o the_o anabaptist_n may_v probable_o deny_v yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o confirm_v this_o also_o from_o scripture_n when_o adam_n have_v sin_v by_o eat_v the_o forbid_v fruit_n he_o be_v immediate_o seize_v with_o a_o spiritual_a death_n according_a to_o the_o commination_n in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v and_o adam_n be_v a_o public_a head_n and_o representative_a of_o all_o mankind_n this_o spiritual_a death_n be_v entail_v on_o all_o his_o posterity_n hence_o we_o be_v say_v to_o bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o earthly_a nor_o be_v this_o true_a of_o adult_n only_o but_o of_o all_o his_o posterity_n 1_o cor._n 15.22_o as_o in_o adam_n all_o die_n mind_n all_o die_n infant_n as_o well_o as_o grow_v person_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v further_o prove_v from_o most_o express_a scripture_n eph._n 2.3_o and_o be_v by_o nature_n the_o child_n of_o wrath_n even_o as_o other_o gen._n 8.21_o for_o the_o imagination_n of_o man_n heart_n be_v evil_a from_o his_o youth_n the_o evil_a in_o our_o heart_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o the_o evil_a in_o our_o life_n hence_o foolishness_n be_v say_v to_o be_v bind_v up_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o child_n prov._n 22.15_o it_o be_v so_o bind_v up_o that_o for_o a_o while_o it_o may_v not_o discover_v itself_o yet_o be_v in_o his_o heart_n see_v psal_n 58.3_o the_o wicked_a be_v estrange_v from_o the_o womb_n they_o go_v astray_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v bear_v speak_v lie_n that_o be_v they_o have_v a_o stray_a principle_n as_o soon_o as_o bear_v once_o more_o psal_n 51.5_o behold_v i_o be_v shape_v in_o iniquity_n and_o in_o sin_n do_v my_o mother_n conceive_v i_o so_o that_o by_o nature_n we_o not_o only_o want_v a_o title_n to_o heaven_n but_o a_o meetness_n also_o col._n 1.12_o give_v thanks_o unto_o the_o father_n who_o have_v make_v we_o meet_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o that_o inheritance_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o light_n imply_v that_o by_o nature_n they_o be_v unmeet_a and_o if_o child_n be_v not_o thus_o corrupt_a by_o nature_n how_o come_v they_o to_o die_v since_o the_o wage_n of_o sin_n be_v death_n now_o if_o death_n reign_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v from_o adam_n to_o moses_n even_o over_o they_o that_o have_v not_o sin_v after_o the_o similitude_n of_o adam_n transgression_n that_o be_v infant_n that_o have_v not_o sin_v actual_o than_o it_o must_v be_v because_o they_o be_v sinner_n in_o adam_n and_o have_v the_o seed_n of_o sin_n in_o themselves_o habitual_o for_o the_o gild_n of_o adam_n act_n be_v not_o transfer_v to_o any_o of_o the_o mere_a son_n of_o man_n but_o such_o as_o partake_v of_o his_o image_n also_o and_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v and_o can_v abundant_o from_o scripture_n prove_v that_o the_o seed_n and_o spawn_n of_o all_o our_o actual_a sin_n be_v in_o our_o heart_n before_o we_o commit_v one_o of_o they_o for_o as_o in_o grace_n there_o must_v first_o be_v the_o habit_n and_o then_o the_o act_n so_o in_o sin_n the_o heart_n be_v first_o wicked_a than_o the_o life_n the_o tree_n be_v first_o evil_n before_o the_o fruit_n be_v so_o mat._n 12.33,35_o now_o if_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o be_v so_o corrupt_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v then_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o thus_o corrupt_a to_o get_v to_o heaven_n without_o a_o inward_a change_n for_o what_o will_v heaven_n be_v to_o a_o unregenerate_a soul_n what_o will_v the_o work_n of_o praise_v god_n be_v to_o one_o that_o hate_v god_n or_o what_o will_v holy_a company_n be_v to_o such_o as_o be_v dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n and_o to_o every_o good_a word_n and_o work_v reprobate_a but_o least_o this_o shall_v not_o suffice_v i_o shall_v prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o such_o can_v get_v to_o heaven_n in_o a_o unchanged_a state_n 1_o cor._n 15.50_o now_o this_o i_o
our_o consent_n to_o christ_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o consent_n to_o we_o i_o must_v leave_v it_o to_o my_o reader_n to_o judge_v or_o the_o substance_n of_o this_o question_n be_v this_o whether_o the_o soul_n be_v first_o active_a or_o passive_a they_o that_o affirm_v that_o the_o soul_n come_v to_o christ_n in_o its_o sin_n unrenewed_a make_v the_o soul_n first_o active_a they_o who_o say_v the_o soul_n act_v as_o a_o renew_a soul_n make_v it_o first_o passive_a which_o be_v such_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o i_o dare_v venture_v my_o salvation_n on_o it_o and_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v clear_a scripture_n on_o my_o side_n john_n 5.25_o very_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o the_o hour_n be_v come_v and_o now_o be_v when_o the_o dead_a shall_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o they_o that_o hear_v shall_v live_v which_o can_v be_v mean_v only_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n because_o it_o be_v say_v the_o hour_n now_o be_v but_o it_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o quicken_a of_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o death_n in_o sin_n and_o it_o clear_o prove_v that_o christ_n find_v the_o soul_n dead_a when_o he_o come_v to_o put_v forth_o this_o quicken_a voice_n for_o look_v as_o with_o lazarus_n christ_n call_v he_o while_o dead_a lazarus_n come_v forth_o and_o by_o this_o call_n infuse_v life_n into_o he_o and_o so_o enable_v he_o to_o come_v forth_o have_v another_o call_v he_o may_v have_v waste_v his_o lung_n in_o calling_n before_o he_o will_v have_v stir_v so_o christ_n call_v we_o when_o dead_a in_o sin_n and_o with_o the_o call_n put_v life_n into_o we_o and_o so_o enable_v we_o to_o hear_v and_o obey_v his_o voice_n ephes_n 2.1_o you_o have_v he_o quicken_v etc._n etc._n then_o it_o seem_v christ_n quicken_v they_o and_o indeed_o if_o he_o do_v not_o we_o can_v and_o as_o gahazi_n can_v only_o lay_v the_o staff_n on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o child_n but_o can_v not_o put_v life_n into_o he_o till_o the_o prophet_n come_v 2_o king_n 4.31,32,33_o so_o till_o christ_n the_o great_a prophet_n bring_v home_o the_o word_n to_o the_o heart_n we_o call_v and_o cry_v in_o vain_a we_o can_v but_o prophecy_n over_o dry_a bone_n but_o that_o breath_n that_o quicken_v they_o be_v from_o the_o lord_n ezek._n 37.5_o hence_o christ_n the_o second_o adam_n be_v call_v a_o quicken_a spirit_n 1_o cor._n 15.45_o and_o to_o prove_v yet_o further_o that_o the_o soul_n be_v first_o passive_a before_o it_o be_v active_a we_o have_v another_o most_o clear_a text_n eph._n 2.10_o for_o we_o be_v his_o workmanship_n create_v in_o christ_n jesus_n etc._n etc._n mind_n we_o be_v create_v now_o you_o know_v that_o in_o creation_n we_o be_v passive_a as_o the_o clay_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o potter_n man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v any_o hand_n in_o create_v of_o himself_o so_o that_o as_o man_n be_v first_o pure_o passive_a in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o must_v receive_v a_o natural_a life_n before_o he_o can_v perform_v a_o natural_a action_n so_o be_v the_o soul_n as_o pure_o passive_a while_o god_n infuse_v the_o first_o grace_n whereby_o the_o soul_n be_v enable_v to_o put_v forth_o that_o vital_a act_n of_o come_v to_o christ_n so_o rom._n 10.20_o i_o be_v find_v of_o they_o that_o seek_v i_o not_o i_o be_v make_v manifest_a unto_o they_o that_o ask_v not_o after_o i_o i_o can_v but_o pity_v such_o delude_a soul_n as_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n i_o be_o confute_v for_o a_o doctrine_n of_o freegrace_n who_o be_v ever_o learning_n and_o never_o able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o sore_a judgement_n to_o be_v give_v over_o to_o believe_v a_o lie_n and_o to_o be_v leave_v to_o feed_v on_o a_o stone_n instead_o of_o bread_n and_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v between_o a_o fish_n to_o nourish_v we_o and_o a_o scorpion_n to_o sting_v we_o i_o have_v observe_v one_o great_a difference_n in_o doctrine_n among_o some_o dissenter_n whereby_o meeting_n be_v set_v up_o against_o meet_v in_o the_o same_o town_n to_o the_o great_a dishonour_n of_o god_n and_o hindrance_n to_o religion_n lie_v in_o this_o some_o affirm_v what_o i_o have_v prove_v and_o be_v therefore_o term_v dark_a legal_a muddy_a preacher_n the_o other_o look_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v the_o only_a gospel_n preacher_n because_o they_o cry_v down_o all_o qualification_n in_o the_o soul_n when_o it_o come_v to_o christ_n gracious_a one_o not_o except_v but_o who_o will_v be_v best_o able_a to_o defend_v their_o doctrine_n at_o the_o great_a day_n i_o hope_v by_o what_o have_v be_v speak_v you_o will_v be_v able_a to_o judge_n if_o they_o mean_v what_o they_o say_v or_o indeed_o know_v what_o they_o say_v the_o difference_n between_o we_o be_v this_o they_o own_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o purchaser_n of_o all_o our_o benefit_n so_o do_v i_o but_o here_o we_o differ_v they_o say_v we_o must_v go_v to_o he_o in_o all_o our_o sin_n for_o they_o i_o say_v he_o that_o purchase_v they_o do_v enable_v we_o to_o come_v to_o he_o and_o so_o i_o attribute_v the_o application_n to_o he_o also_o and_o now_o judge_v who_o preach_v free_a grace_n most_o clear_o i_o make_v christ_n the_o alpha_n and_o omega_n the_o beginning_n and_o the_o end_n they_o make_v he_o only_o the_o beginning_n and_o affirm_v that_o if_o sinner_n do_v not_o come_v as_o they_o be_v they_o must_v be_v damn_v if_o christ_n save_v none_o but_o such_o as_o come_v to_o he_o thus_o in_o their_o sin_n that_o be_v by_o their_o own_o power_n for_o if_o sinner_n be_v act_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n than_o they_o do_v not_o come_v as_o they_o be_v what_o a_o remnant_n will_v be_v save_v a_o remnant_n do_v i_o say_v nay_o i_o dare_v affirm_v if_o that_o be_v true_a not_o one_o soul_n shall_v be_v save_v man_n be_v natural_o unwilling_a to_o come_v to_o christ_n john_n 5.40_o and_o you_o will_v not_o come_v to_o i_o that_o you_o may_v have_v life_n which_o text_n only_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o will_n in_o man_n not_o to_o come_v to_o christ_n though_o it_o be_v for_o life_n they_o will_v die_v rather_o and_o how_o hard_o a_o thing_n do_v minister_n find_v it_o to_o persuade_v soul_n to_o come_v to_o christ_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o than_o those_o who_o will_n be_v not_o change_v will_v never_o come_v and_o if_o their_o will_n be_v change_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o they_o so_o enable_v to_o come_v than_o they_o do_v not_o come_v in_o their_o sin_n in_o a_o unchanged_a state_n only_a god_n can_v change_v the_o will_n as_o in_o psal_n 110.3_o they_o shall_v be_v a_o willing_a people_n in_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o power_n how_o little_a be_v christ_n behold_v to_o such_o who_o will_v frustrate_v his_o design_n in_o die_v he_o expect_v a_o seed_n for_o to_o serve_v he_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o suffering_n but_o at_o this_o rate_n he_o must_v have_v none_o unless_o they_o come_v to_o he_o upon_o the_o weak_a leg_n of_o their_o own_o freewill_n they_o will_v give_v christ_n the_o honour_n to_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o the_o sheep_n but_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v he_o which_o go_v into_o the_o wilderness_n to_o seek_v they_o or_o that_o it_o be_v he_o that_o bring_v the_o lose_a sheep_n home_o upon_o his_o shoulder_n no_o say_v they_o the_o lose_a sheep_n must_v come_v home_o of_o itself_o or_o perish_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v come_v to_o seek_v and_o to_o save_v that_o which_o be_v lose_v luke_n 19.10_o and_o they_o who_o own_o he_o to_o be_v a_o saviour_n and_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o seeker_n do_v virtual_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o saviour_n for_o as_o it_o be_v observe_v of_o sheep_n when_o once_o they_o stray_v from_o the_o fold_n they_o never_o return_v again_o of_o themselves_o so_o now_o we_o be_v go_v astray_o from_o god_n if_o he_o will_v save_o we_o he_o must_v seek_v we_o hence_o jeremiah_n 2.24_o man_n be_v compare_v to_o the_o wild_a ass_n to_o denote_v i_o conceive_v thus_o much_o that_o as_o that_o creature_n will_v never_o come_v to_o hand_n till_o such_o time_n as_o she_o be_v in_o pain_n to_o bring_v forth_o so_o man_n will_v never_o return_v from_o his_o wilderness_n state_n till_o he_o feel_v the_o pang_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n in_o his_o soul_n now_o though_o i_o can_v but_o hope_v many_o that_o differ_v from_o i_o in_o this_o point_n be_v dear_a to_o god_n hold_v this_o notion_n out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o blind_a zeal_n and_o that_o they_o be_v upon_o a_o good_a foundation_n yet_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v this_o doctrine_n they_o defend_v will_v