but_o according_a to_o a_o candid_a construction_n very_o true_a but_o this_o i_o think_v may_v at_o least_o be_v infer_v from_o they_o that_o without_o revelation_n we_o can_v not_o have_v know_v that_o the_o spirit_n operate_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o order_n to_o their_o regeneration_n and_o consequent_o that_o his_o operation_n be_v imperceptible_a by_o we_o now_o for_o if_o we_o be_v sensible_a that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n move_v we_o we_o may_v argue_v from_o our_o own_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o from_o revelation_n that_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v to_o we_o wherefore_o the_o best_a rule_n we_o can_v have_v to_o know_v when_o we_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n must_v be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o his_o operation_n when_o we_o find_v ourselves_o incline_v to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a when_o we_o be_v bend_v upon_o the_o do_n of_o god_n will_n when_o we_o perform_v our_o duty_n and_o govern_v our_o action_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o we_o be_v act_v by_o a_o divine_a spirit_n and_o that_o therefore_o we_o have_v occasion_n give_v we_o of_o humble_a and_o thankful_a praise_n but_o if_o we_o forsake_v the_o steady_a rule_n of_o our_o duty_n write_v upon_o our_o heart_n in_o our_o creation_n or_o in_o the_o bible_n by_o the_o inspire_a messenger_n of_o god_n and_o take_v every_o violent_a impulse_n that_o we_o feel_v within_o we_o for_o a_o suggestion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n we_o may_v easy_o mistake_v a_o brutish_a inclination_n or_o a_o suggestion_n of_o the_o devil_n for_o divine_a direction_n since_o no_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v act_v with_o a_o more_o sensible_a and_o impetuous_a zeal_n than_o they_o that_o be_v strong_o lead_v by_o the_o devil_n and_o their_o own_o corrupt_a affection_n therefore_o unless_o we_o will_v expose_v ourselves_o to_o fanatical_a and_o diabolical_a delusion_n we_o must_v keep_v close_o to_o reason_n and_o scripture_n and_o try_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o impulse_n and_o motion_n of_o our_o mind_n by_o they_o we_o must_v not_o pretend_v that_o the_o spirit_n incit_v we_o to_o such_o a_o action_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v warrant_v by_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v in_o themselves_o imperceptible_a but_o we_o must_v first_o see_v what_o the_o scripture_n will_v have_v we_o do_v and_o then_o if_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o that_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o spirit_n have_v move_v we_o to_o it_o for_o the_o spirit_n incline_v we_o only_o to_o what_o be_v good_a and_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o steady_a and_o unalterable_a rule_n of_o that_o these_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o evident_a truth_n and_o yet_o we_o can_v hardly_o say_v too_o much_o to_o possess_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o the_o apprehension_n of_o they_o since_o we_o can_v remember_v what_o infinite_a dishonour_n have_v be_v do_v to_o god_n in_o the_o late_a time_n by_o man_n profess_v godliness_n and_o pretend_v to_o the_o special_a guidance_n of_o the_o spirit_n how_o they_o ask_v counsel_n of_o god_n whether_o they_o shall_v commit_v murder_n and_o treason_n rebellion_n and_o sacrilege_n how_o they_o think_v to_o justify_v the_o most_o execrable_a parricide_n as_o the_o doctor_n know_v who_o do_v that_o be_v ever_o hear_v of_o in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o how_o blasphemous_o they_o pretend_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v put_v these_o thing_n into_o their_o heart_n god_n do_v not_o now_o give_v the_o spirit_n to_o justify_v the_o action_n of_o man_n but_o to_o assist_v they_o in_o those_o that_o be_v good_a and_o he_o have_v show_v we_o what_o be_v good_a partly_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o man_n and_o complete_o by_o the_o public_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n wherefore_o since_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v imperceptible_a by_o we_o and_o mere_o a_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n we_o have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o assure_v ourselves_o that_o we_o follow_v the_o guidance_n of_o the_o spirit_n but_o by_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o word_n spirit_n do_v sometime_o signify_v the_o gospel_n as_o several_a divine_n have_v prove_v and_o particular_o when_o st._n paul_n do_v oppose_v the_o spirit_n to_o the_o flesh_n as_o in_o gal._n 3.3_o we_o be_v the_o circumcision_n which_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o spirit_n and_o have_v no_o confidence_n in_o the_o flesh_n i._n e._n we_o be_v the_o true_a child_n of_o abraham_n who_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o the_o gospel_n place_v no_o confidence_n in_o the_o observation_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o in_o gal._n 5.16_o walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o you_o shall_v not_o fulfil_v the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n i._n e._n walk_v according_a to_o that_o law_n of_o love_n vers_n 14._o which_o the_o gospel_n so_o strict_o prescribe_v and_o do_v not_o yield_v to_o inclination_n of_o revenge_n hatred_n variance_n etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 20._o but_o at_o least_o in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a place_n it_o be_v indifferent_a whether_o by_o the_o word_n spirit_n you_o understand_v the_o gospel_n or_o the_o holy_a ghost_n because_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o obey_v the_o gospel_n thus_o when_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 8._o so_o often_o note_v the_o difference_n between_o those_o that_o walk_v after_o the_o flesh_n and_o those_o that_o walk_v after_o the_o spirit_n we_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o walk_v after_o the_o spirit_n may_v indifferent_o be_v interpret_v either_o by_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o by_o follow_v the_o persuasion_n of_o a_o well-instructed_n mind_n or_o conscience_n or_o by_o obey_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n for_o to_o do_v one_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o do_v they_o all_o since_o they_o be_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o the_o conscience_n ought_v to_o be_v direct_v by_o and_o it_o be_v the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v move_v and_o incite_v we_o we_o may_v observe_v also_o that_o in_o this_o chapter_n these_o follow_a expression_n be_v equivalent_a viz._n to_o walk_v after_o the_o spirit_n v_o 1._o to_o be_v free_v from_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n v_o 2._o to_o mind_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n v_o 5._o to_o be_v spiritual_o mind_v v_o 6._o to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n v_o 7._o to_o please_v god_n v_o 8._o to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n v_o 9_o christ_n be_v in_o we_o v_o 10._o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o v_o 11._o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n by_o the_o spirit_n v_o 13._o and_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n v_o 14._o these_o several_a phrase_n i_o say_v do_v all_o express_v the_o same_o state_n viz._n our_o be_v the_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n only_o they_o conspire_v to_o express_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o different_a respect_n that_o of_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n respect_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o life_n as_o that_o of_o mind_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n regard_v that_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o dispose_v we_o to_o walk_v according_a to_o that_o rule_n to_o be_v free_v from_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n note_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o respect_n to_o our_o former_a condition_n not_o to_o be_v carnal_o but_o spiritual_o mind_v not_o to_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n but_o to_o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n the_o spirit_n be_v expression_n that_o principal_o regard_v the_o prevalency_n of_o our_o conscience_n over_o our_o sensual_a appetite_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o be_v a_o expression_n of_o that_o constant_a readiness_n in_o good_a man_n to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v cherish_v in_o they_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o our_o have_a 〈◊〉_d the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n seem_v principal_o to_o regard_v that_o likeness_n to_o he_o which_o we_o gain_v by_o become_v such_o person_n final_o to_o walk_v after_o the_o spirit_n or_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v phrase_n which_o seem_v to_o take_v in_o all_o these_o respect_n indifferent_o now_o because_o it_o be_v real_o one_o and_o the_o same_o state_n and_o disposition_n that_o be_v signify_v by_o these_o phrase_n there_o can_v be_v no_o dangerous_a mistake_n incur_v if_o a_o man_n shall_v understand_v any_o one_o of_o they_o under_o a_o respect_n which_o perhaps_o be_v not_o principal_o intend_v as_o for_o instance_n if_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o he_o shall_v
god_n we_o be_v not_o to_o ask_v they_o so_o particular_o or_o if_o we_o do_v not_o so_o absolute_o as_o the_o former_a i_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o pray_v for_o they_o in_o general_a and_o particular_o for_o those_o degree_n of_o they_o which_o be_v proper_a for_o my_o condition_n if_o i_o govern_v a_o family_n for_o so_o much_o knowledge_n as_o may_v well_o serve_v i_o to_o bring_v up_o those_o that_o be_v under_o i_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n or_o if_o i_o be_o a_o minister_n for_o that_o underderstanding_n in_o religion_n which_o may_v best_o fit_v i_o to_o discharge_v that_o duty_n i_o owe_v to_o god_n of_o guide_v those_o soul_n to_o heaven_n that_o be_v commit_v to_o my_o trust_n but_o if_o i_o pray_v more_o particular_o for_o the_o understanding_n of_o such_o a_o difficult_a point_n in_o religion_n which_o i_o will_v satisfy_v myself_o or_o other_o about_o i_o must_v not_o do_v it_o absolute_o but_o with_o submission_n to_o god_n wisdom_n and_o pleasure_n thus_o have_v i_o endeavour_v to_o show_v what_o qualification_n of_o mind_n we_o be_v to_o pray_v for_o under_o this_o notion_n of_o their_o be_v needful_a to_o salvation_n and_o consequent_o what_o those_o effect_n be_v for_o the_o produce_v of_o which_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v promise_v to_o believer_n in_o luke_n 11.13_o dr._n owen_n indeed_o think_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a change_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n from_o any_o that_o i_o have_v name_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o he_o make_v to_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v long_o before_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v what_o reason_n he_o have_v for_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o observe_v what_o conclusion_n may_v be_v make_v from_o this_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o we_o have_v begin_v with_o the_o consideration_n of_o and_o the_o first_o be_v sect_n 3._o 1._o that_o we_o ask_v the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o lord_n prayer_n which_o as_o it_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o the_o perfection_n of_o that_o form_n in_o general_a so_o more_o particular_o from_o the_o coherence_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n in_o this_o place_n upon_o occasion_n of_o that_o request_n make_v by_o one_o of_o his_o disciple_n that_o he_o will_v teach_v they_o to_o pray_v for_o to_o satisfy_v the_o request_n full_o he_o do_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o he_o teach_v they_o what_o thing_n to_o pray_v for_o by_o prescribe_v to_o they_o the_o use_n of_o this_o form_n our_o father_n who_o be_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n 2._o he_o teach_v they_o in_o what_o manner_n to_o pray_v for_o these_o thing_n that_o they_o may_v obtain_v they_o viz._n to_o pray_v importunate_o and_o fervent_o for_o they_o as_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o vers_n 9_o compare_v with_o vers_n 8._o and_o one_o reason_n give_v by_o he_o upon_o which_o they_o may_v conclude_v god_n will_v grant_v their_o request_n be_v this_o that_o they_o ask_v only_o needful_a thing_n now_o it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v have_v leave_v out_o so_o needful_a a_o request_n as_o that_o of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o that_o prayer_n which_o he_o have_v teach_v they_o for_o than_o he_o do_v not_o instruct_v they_o so_o full_o what_o needful_a thing_n to_o pray_v for_o by_o prescribe_v that_o form_n as_o he_o do_v in_o what_o manner_n they_o shall_v pray_v for_o those_o thing_n by_o the_o follow_a direction_n but_o much_o more_o improbable_a be_v it_o that_o he_o leave_v that_o request_n out_o of_o this_o form_n consider_v that_o he_o choose_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o a_o instance_n of_o what_o may_v be_v obtain_v by_o prayer_n so_o soon_o after_o he_o have_v command_v his_o disciple_n to_o use_v the_o form_n of_o his_o prescribe_v for_o this_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o great_a blessing_n that_o be_v now_o to_o be_v obtain_v under_o heaven_n and_o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o he_o shall_v immediate_o as_o it_o be_v tax_v his_o own_o form_n of_o so_o much_o imperfection_n as_o the_o want_n of_o that_o request_n must_v suppose_v in_o it_o or_o that_o he_o shall_v let_v his_o disciple_n know_v there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o obtain_v the_o holy_a spirit_n but_o by_o ask_v though_o he_o have_v not_o before_o teach_v they_o to_o ask_v it_o in_o the_o prayer_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o but_o last_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o infer_v this_o conclusion_n from_o the_o coherence_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n since_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n comprehend_v the_o gift_n of_o all_o those_o heavenly_a grace_n which_o we_o ask_v in_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o therefore_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n god_n will_v give_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o be_v this_o god_n will_v give_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n such_o needful_a grace_n as_o he_o have_v teach_v they_o to_o ask_v in_o that_o excellent_a form_n which_o he_o give_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o this_o indeed_o make_v the_o coherence_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n most_o clear_a and_o accurate_a for_o upon_o this_o supposition_n you_o see_v that_o he_o do_v at_o last_o instance_n in_o such_o a_o request_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o be_v a_o brief_a summary_n of_o all_o the_o most_o considerable_a matter_n that_o he_o have_v teach_v they_o to_o pray_v for_o before_o wherefore_o observe_v that_o 2._o we_o pray_v for_o the_o holy_a spirit_n when_o we_o pray_v for_o any_o grace_n or_o virtue_n or_o for_o any_o disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v needful_a to_o qualify_v we_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o lord_n prayer_n wherein_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v ask_v the_o petition_n be_v not_o formal_o express_v but_o contain_v under_o other_o word_n for_o instance_n under_o these_o among_o other_o thy_o will_v be_v do_v as_o in_o heaven_n so_o in_o earth_n for_o in_o this_o petition_n we_o pray_v that_o till_o we_o come_v to_o the_o perfect_a heavenly_a state_n we_o may_v by_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v dispose_v to_o such_o a_o submissive_a and_o cheerful_a performance_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n upon_o earth_n as_o may_v bear_v some_o resemblance_n and_o carry_v some_o proportion_n to_o that_o absolute_a readiness_n of_o mind_n wherewith_o the_o angel_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a and_o wherewith_o we_o ourselves_o do_v hope_n ere_o long_o to_o perform_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n i_o say_v although_o in_o that_o petition_n we_o do_v not_o express_o ask_v the_o holy_a spirit_n yet_o in_o effect_n we_o do_v because_o we_o pray_v for_o such_o a_o temper_n of_o mind_n as_o may_v qualify_v we_o for_o the_o heavenly_a life_n hereafter_o and_o to_o ask_v of_o god_n so_o needful_a a_o grace_n as_o this_o be_v be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v by_o the_o plain_a scope_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n the_o same_o thing_n with_o ask_v the_o holy_a spirit_n now_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n in_o every_o petition_n wherein_o we_o beg_v of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o subdue_v any_o lust_n that_o we_o may_v be_v endue_v with_o any_o christian_a virtue_n or_o grow_v in_o any_o grace_n in_o every_o such_o petition_n i_o say_v we_o ask_v the_o holy_a spirit_n because_o this_o be_v to_o ask_v those_o needful_a thing_n for_o which_o his_o operation_n be_v promise_v to_o we_o therefore_o those_o prayer_n of_o our_o church_n that_o god_n will_v make_v we_o to_o have_v a_o perpetual_a fear_n and_o love_n of_o his_o holy_a name_n that_o he_o will_v give_v unto_o we_o the_o increase_n of_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n that_o he_o will_v keep_v we_o from_o all_o thing_n hurtful_a and_o lead_v we_o to_o all_o thing_n profitable_a for_o our_o salvation_n together_o with_o all_o the_o yearly_a collect_v be_v prayer_n for_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n i._n e._n for_o the_o several_a grace_n of_o the_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v express_o ascribe_v to_o the_o spirit_n in_o that_o prayer_n that_o god_n will_v grant_v to_o we_o his_o spirit_n to_o think_v and_o to_o do_v always_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v rightful_a that_o we_o who_o can_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a without_o he_o may_v by_o he_o be_v enable_v to_o live_v according_a to_o his_o will_n and_o this_o i_o have_v by_o the_o way_n observe_v that_o you_o may_v see_v how_o full_o our_o public_a prayer_n agree_v to_o that_o rule_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v what_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v for_o viz._n that_o we_o
the_o jew_n will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o willing_a to_o be_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o meanness_n of_o his_o outward_a appearance_n and_o his_o ignominious_a death_n afterward_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o probable_a interpretation_n of_o this_o difficult_a place_n but_o i_o do_v not_o think_v every_o body_n be_v bind_v present_o to_o believe_v it_o or_o to_o yield_v to_o it_o any_o further_a than_o he_o judge_v those_o reason_n to_o be_v of_o weight_n which_o i_o have_v offer_v for_o it_o and_o if_o dr._n owen_n or_o any_o other_o divine_a can_v show_v i_o a_o more_o probable_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n or_o of_o any_o difficult_a passage_n in_o this_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n than_o what_o i_o have_v propound_v i_o shall_v make_v no_o difficulty_n to_o forsake_v my_o own_o and_o come_v over_o to_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v safe_o suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n if_o i_o have_v prove_v to_o you_o by_o those_o miracle_n which_o you_o acknowledge_v that_o i_o be_o the_o messiah_n and_o consequent_o that_o you_o ought_v to_o be_v my_o disciple_n and_o yet_o you_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o and_o become_v my_o disciple_n how_o much_o more_o unlikely_a be_v it_o that_o you_o will_v be_v so_o after_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o who_o be_o your_o messiah_n must_v be_v lift_v up_o upon_o a_o cross_n and_o die_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n this_o will_v go_v down_o more_o hardly_o with_o you_o than_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v tell_v you_o hitherto_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o purpose_n of_o god_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o know_v and_o be_o come_v to_o tell_v you_o who_o have_v ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o be_o acquaint_v with_o these_o heavenly_a thing_n these_o secret_a counsel_n of_o god_n which_o so_o far_o transcend_v all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n and_o this_o be_v that_o too_o which_o be_v prefigure_v by_o moses_n lift_v up_o the_o serpent_n in_o the_o wilderness_n etc._n etc._n our_o saviour_n thereupon_o proceed_v show_v it_o to_o be_v the_o purpose_n of_o god_n to_o save_v mankind_n this_o way_n viz._n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n to_o be_v expect_v but_o by_o become_v his_o disciple_n and_o that_o they_o who_o will_v not_o be_v so_o be_v inexcusible_a as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v and_o now_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o the_o paraphrase_n which_o i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o former_a part_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n to_o nicodemus_n do_v not_o make_v the_o connexion_n between_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o very_o clear_a and_o also_o whether_o our_o understanding_n the_o regenerate_v man_n to_o be_v a_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o notion_n this_o paraphrase_n do_v proceed_v upon_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o scope_n of_o our_o saviour_n whole_a discourse_n in_o this_o place_n sect_n ii_o i_o come_v at_o last_o to_o answer_v the_o doctor_n be_v objection_n against_o our_o notion_n of_o regeneration_n which_o as_o he_o say_v we_o suppose_v to_o be_v a_o metaphorical_a expression_n of_o reformation_n of_o life_n his_o objection_n be_v this_o nicodemus_n know_v the_o necessity_n of_o reformation_n of_o life_n well_o enough_o if_o he_o have_v ever_o read_v moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n and_o to_o suppose_v that_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n propose_v unto_o he_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o know_v perfect_o well_o only_o under_o a_o new_a name_n or_o notion_n which_o he_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o so_o to_o take_v a_o advantage_n of_o charge_v he_o with_o be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o indeed_o he_o full_a well_o know_v and_o understand_v be_v a_o blasphemous_a imagination_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o reformation_n of_o life_n which_o we_o say_v our_o saviour_n mean_v by_o regeneration_n nicodemus_n do_v not_o understand_v so_o perfect_o well_o as_o our_o author_n imagine_v for_o though_o he_o understand_v well_o enough_o that_o reformation_n of_o life_n which_o be_v require_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n he_o do_v not_o yet_o understand_v the_o necessity_n of_o that_o reformation_n which_o be_v require_v by_o our_o saviour_n under_o which_o be_v suppose_v the_o believe_v of_o jesus_n to_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o become_a of_o his_o disciple_n and_o the_o keep_n of_o his_o law_n which_o be_v better_o than_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n now_o as_o i_o have_v already_o tell_v the_o doctor_n none_o of_o those_o conformable_a divine_n who_o he_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v as_o odious_o as_o he_o can_v do_v mean_v any_o thing_n less_o by_o that_o reformation_n of_o life_n which_o they_o affirm_v regeneration_n to_o consist_v in_o than_o such_o a_o reformation_n as_o suppose_v faith_n in_o christ_n and_o be_v his_o disciple_n and_o a_o sincere_a change_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o the_o love_n and_o obedience_n of_o god_n and_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n this_o be_v what_o we_o mean_v by_o that_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o plain_a out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o those_o man_n who_o the_o doctor_n so_o tragical_o complain_v of_o that_o they_o mean_v nothing_o less_o by_o it_o and_o i_o be_o confident_a so_o well_o do_v i_o know_v they_o that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o they_o who_o will_v not_o with_o all_o their_o heart_n forbear_v this_o use_n of_o that_o expression_n of_o reformation_n and_o amendment_n of_o life_n if_o they_o either_o think_v it_o dangerous_a or_o offensive_a which_o hitherto_o they_o have_v not_o because_o the_o state_n of_o regeneration_n be_v thus_o describe_v in_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o he_o that_o do_v righteousness_n be_v bear_v of_o god_n and_o he_o that_o do_v the_o will_n of_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n he_o be_v my_o brother_n etc._n etc._n now_o this_o be_v my_o first_o answer_n to_o the_o doctor_n that_o that_o reformation_n of_o life_n which_o his_o adversary_n mean_v which_o namely_o imply_v be_v a_o sincere_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n nicodemus_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o necessity_n of_o but_o be_v that_o very_a thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n design_v to_o make_v he_o understand_v 2._o so_o mistake_v be_v the_o doctor_n every_o way_n this_o thing_n be_v propose_v unto_o nicodemus_n not_o under_o a_o new_a but_o under_o a_o old_a name_n or_o notion_n for_o 1._o the_o name_n and_o notion_n of_o be_v bear_v again_o be_v not_o new_a since_o the_o jew_n count_v their_o proselyte_n recens_fw-la nati_n newborn_a man_n and_o as_o such_o to_o have_v quit_v their_o relation_n to_o their_o former_a country_n kindred_n and_o parent_n and_o become_v the_o child_n of_o abraham_n 2._o to_o be_v bear_v of_o water_n be_v no_o new_a notion_n neither_o since_o purify_n by_o water_n or_o baptism_n be_v one_o of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o this_o regeneration_n by_o proselytism_n 3._o neither_o be_v it_o a_o new_a notion_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o spirit_n 174._o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o doctor_n himself_o find_v it_o there_o in_o those_o word_n where_o god_n promise_v to_o circumcise_v the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n to_o take_v away_o their_o heart_n of_o stone_n and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n with_o his_o law_n write_v in_o it_o have_v nicodemus_n therefore_o talk_v like_o himself_o when_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o he_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o be_v bear_v again_o of_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n than_o instead_o of_o ask_v that_o strange_a question_n can_v a_o man_n when_o he_o be_v old_a etc._n etc._n and_o afterward_o how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v he_o shall_v either_o have_v offer_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o proselyte_n or_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o submit_v to_o his_o divine_a law_n which_o he_o that_o observe_v be_v bear_v of_o god_n have_v a_o new_a heart_n etc._n etc._n or_o offer_v some_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n thus_o than_o i_o answer_v the_o doctor_n that_o suppose_v regeneration_n to_o be_v a_o metaphorical_a expression_n of_o become_v a_o true_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n our_o saviour_n do_v not_o propose_v a_o old_a thing_n to_o nicodemus_n under_o a_o new_a name_n and_o notion_n to_o puzzle_v he_o as_o the_o doctor_n pretend_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o propose_v a_o new_a thing_n to_o he_o under_o old_a and_o familiar_a expression_n and_o thus_o though_o the_o doctor_n know_v not_o how_o we_o can_v do_v it_o i_o hope_v we_o have_v free_v ourselves_o from_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o blasphemous_a imagination_n he_o will_v fain_o fasten_v upon_o we_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v this_o that_o regeneration_n which_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n consist_v in_o be_v a_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n i._n e._n