BOOK II: That there are two states or conditions through which God carries the elect: the state of
*** The chapter ends abruptly, and is probably incomplete. In the folio edition there is at the bottom of the page the catchword 'And,' and the following page is left blank in all the copies that we have been able to consult. In other cases we have found pages blank in one copy, but not in another of the same edition, the omission being manifestly caused by the carelessness of the printers. In this case, however, it is probable that the manuscript left by the author was unfinished.—ED.
BOOK II That there are two states or conditions through which God carries the elect: the state of nature, and the state of grace.—That the new birth is the passage between them, which evidenceth the necessity of the new birth, or regeneration.—The reasons why God hath so ordered it, that the generality of the elect, who live in riper years, should for some time remain in the state of nature before he renews them.—The uses of the doctrine.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his gram, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.—TIT.
3:4–7.