and submissive, ready to yield to every thing that would make him wiser and better.

I shall only add here; that where this is sought for as an evidence of regeneration, we are not to form a judgment, either of ourselves or others, from some particular indispositions of the soul; from its untoward temper at some times, and under extraordinary provocations; but from the general, and most settled disposition of it.

5. The conscience of him that is born again, is tender and faithful.

Natural conscience is neither so soon alarmed upon a miscarriage, nor so easily convinced of a fault, nor so much concerned at what is amiss, nor so hard to forgive and quiet itself after an offence, as the renewed conscience is; so that in all these instances, we may observe a very great difference between the regenerate, and the unregenerate.

Natural conscience is alarmed, only when men are guilty of open and scandalous sins: the renewed conscience takes very great notice even of lesser and secret faults.

When 'natural conscience convicts of sin, it does what it can to colour over and excuse it; and to make it appear in the most favourable manner, upon a representation of it: the renewed conscience is careful to look upon every thing as it really is; and to take in every circumstance of a transgression, whether it make it seem greater, or less, than of itself it might be.

While the natural conscience needs the utmost exciting and awakening, to make it sensible of the great evil there is in sin: the renewed conscience needs no arguments or eloquence to move it, but it is presently filled with a very deep uneasiness and concern, at the thought of what has been amiss.

Natural conscience is soon silenced, or diverted and made easy, by hiding or forgetting the sin that troubled it: but the

but the renewed conscience, when under a sense of guilt, is like the eye which has got a mote in it; restless and rolling itself to and fro, and watering till it has wept it out; never quiet till it has some hope of a renewed pardon.

But this, however, is to be observed; that even the renewed conscience is not equally impressive in all persons; nor in the same person at all times. Those that are of bold and dispassionate tempers are not impressed to such a degree, as those that are timorous and of quick passions: nor does a good man, when under desertion, or in the ebbings of grace, feel either so soon, or so much, as at other times when he has offended. Nevertheless, where a man is become a new creature, I think it may be discovered, by the impressiveness of his conscience, more or less, in all the foregoing respects.

6. The affections of him that is Born again, are prevailingly spiritual and heavenly.

I say prevailingly spiritual, because there are in the best of men, very great mixtures of sensual worldly affections and passions. And there is a very wide difference, amongst those that may be accounted good people, in the exercise of these.

Some have gained a generous contempt of every thing in this world; and, with ardent desires, are continually pressing forward, toward the amiable mansions of the saints above: Whilst others are caring and contriving about the present life; and making, what they think needful provision, for future years, Some there are, who can freely and cheerfully devote their substance and their time, to any religious service and occasion; whilst others are perpetually acting what they call the cautious and the wary part; and are too apt to over-value their outward ease and enjoyments. Some behave themselves, as if they had no other objects of their hatred, and aversion, and shame, and anger, but sin and folly; whilst others find a thousand things, to provoke these several passions in them. Some there are, whose joys, and comforts, in the ways of God, do

greatly abound; others seem to be persons of sad and sorrowful spirits. Some have a mighty zeal for religion, and the interest of Christ in the world; others are more calm and silent, and contracted in their views of things. Some have scarce any fear of calamities or afflictions; others are in perpetual slavery and bondage through the fear of death, or poverty, or some approaching evil. So that very great allowances are to be made, for different capacities, constitutions, and outward circumstances, when we look to the change in our affections, as an evidence of our being born again.

But where any man is become a new creature, his love, his hatred, his desires, his aversions, his hopes, his joys, his anger, his zeal, his fears, his sorrows, his shame, his comforts, his cares, must all be exercised upon new and more deserving objects, or in a new and better manner than they generally are in a natural state. In this, especially, we ought to observe the different exercise of them; that, whereas before they were hasty, irregular, and impetuous; after renovation, they became more subject to restraint and good government.

Thus far you have an account of the inward change that is wrought by regenerating grace.

II. There are other evidences of the new Birth, in the outward behaviour and conversation.

By what is outward and more obvious, we may gain a fuller and surer knowledge of what is inward and more liable to be mistaken. The following things ought therefore to be considered, with those foregoing, before we pass a decisive and determinate judgment upon ourselves, as to our being in a regenerate, or unregenerate state. For certain it is, that if the temper, understanding, will, conscience, and affections, be renewed; both our words and actions will be some way affected thereby; and that in such instances as thesc.

1. He that is born again, is careful to avoid, and to watch against, all sin.

St. John tells us in a text before quoted, He that is born of God doth not commit sin: No, not of any kind, so as to approve of it, and continue in it. A regenerate person hates and strives against sin, as sin: That is, as a thing contrary to the law of God, and displeasing to him; and therefore he strives against every sin; having the same reason to shew a regard to the commands and the pleasure of Almighty God, in one instance, as in another.

Notwithstanding natural inclination, or any outward inviting circumstances; yet still the language of a true convert, to every solicitation that is sinful, is like that of Joseph, How can I do this or the other wickedness, and sin against God? Gen. xxxix. 9.

Again; Renewing grace extends to a striving against secret sins, and such as lie out of the view and observation of others, as well as against public crimes and scandals: and he that makes conscience of these, fearing to offend or sin against God, when he only is the witness of what is done, has an undoubted evidence of true grace.

Farther; Regenerating grace will teach a man to watch against those very sins that, through corruption, may arise from grace itself: Such as spiritual pride, and security. By this we are directed to subdue all conceit of ourselves, and contempt of others, to which our spiritual attainments might prompt us. And we are also instructed not to grow secure, as if our work was done, and we were out of danger, as soon as we find a change wrought in us. The more grace prevails, the more sensible will it make us of our being unprofitable servants.

Nay, what is still more: a principle of grace will make us watchful against the very occasions, and opportunities of sinning. This will put instances, and particular meanings, to the general petition,....Lead us not into temptation. And it will teach us to walk and act circumspectly; so as that our lives and our prayers, may agree, and not contradict one another.

2. He that is born again, has a constant-regard to every duty.

I

A principle of divine life will not suffer a man to rest in negative goodness; but will put him upon shewing a due respect to every positive command, and every institution of the gospel.

The new birth introduces a man into a most busy life: It shews him a great deal necessary to be done which before he was a stranger to. He that had his frequent returns of idle and unemployed hours, now sees work enough for every hour and moment of his life. And he grudges much of that time, that is spent in repairing the strength, and securing the health and good temperament of the body, or in attending to its disorders.

He that has a thorough sense of religion, will devote some part of his time to the service of his God, and the improvement of his mind; and some also to the service of his neighbour, and his relatives: Which, together with the minding of his worldly affairs, must keep him constantly employed. There are many duties both secret and social, with reference to God and man, of which we are insensible, till we are instructed in them, and urged to the performance of them, by the renewing influences of a divine Spirit. This unfolds a vast scheme of things, wrapt up in such a summary of religion, as that,..... What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah vi. 8.

He that is born again, looks without exception, or reserve, to the duties of both tables; and to those of all relations: not contenting himself, in what is low and common; but endeavouring, that his good works may so shine before Matt. v. 16. men, as that they may be induced in like manner, to glorify his Father which is in heaven.

And then, he is careful to hold on in the way of his duty, whatever trials and oppositions he may meet with; excepting in such cases, as disable him from attending to it.

Thus allowing for unavoidable infirmities, and surprizes, (which the best of men are subject to) the general behaviour of him that is renewed, will shew that he is so.

3. He that is born again, is particularly careful of his

words.