New Birth

When Christ was born, all Jerusalem was troubled: so when this new birth is, we must look that much commotion and much division of heart will be. The devil could not be cast out of the possessed person, but he would tear and torment him. We cannot expect that Christ should expel sat an from the dominion he hath over us, but he will be sure to put us to great fear and terror. Besides, not only the evil spirit, but God's Spirit is for a while a spirit of bondage. There are many pretenders to the grace of God in Christ, but they cannot abide to hear of any pains in this new birth. Oh, this is legal! But I pray thee tell me, dost thou, know any woman bring forth in her sleep, or in a dream, without feeling any pain? And how then should the heart of man be thus new changed and moulded without several pangs and troubles: In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children; so it is, and must be in our spiritual birth; there is usually (I will not say always, to such or such a degree) many pangs and troubles, there is many a throb, and many a heart-ache ere Christ can be formed in us. 10, vol. II. B 7. Isaac Ambrose

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