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very different from the natural life. We were born of earthly parents. to a mortal life; but we are born of God to a life which never need to die. It is a life which begins in grace, and ends in glory.

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2. To be born again implies a renewal of the soul. "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.' Our views of things are new; for the light of heaven shines upon us. "The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth." Our feelings and enjoyments are new; for having received a new nature, we are born into a new world. Our hopes are new; for we are become heirs of heavenly glory. Our conduct is new; "for whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." Here we may remark how fitly water-baptism is used as an emblem of regeneration. Water washes and purifies the body; regeneration is the washing and purifying of the soul. દ Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." This passage proves the necessity of water-baptism, as a symbol, where it can be administered; but it makes an important distinction between the baptism of water and the baptism of the Spirit. Let us carefully attend to the distinction, lest by mistaking the one for the other, we should shut the door of the kingdom against ourselves. Nothing short of a thorough change

of heart can be admitted as the new birth. He who is born again has received a new and heavenly nature. The image of God, which was defaced by sin, is again stamped upon the soul; and God, who had withdrawn, returns with his light and glory to inhabit the renewed mind. "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you."

II. THE NECESSITY OF BEING BORN AGAIN.

The necessity of this great change is urged by our Lord upon this ground,

namely, that without it we cannot see the kingdom of God.

1. By the kingdom of God we may understand either the church on earth, or the church in heaven. The church is called a kingdom; because God is its absolute ruler and gover

nor.

The church on earth, in this respect, is like the church in heaven. Both acknowledge the Lord as king: both can join in the song of Moses and the Lamb: "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Churches, so called, have been formed by men, who have ruled with a rod of iron; but the church of Christ, including believers of every sect, is a spiritual kingdom set up on earth, under the immediate government of Heaven.

2. We cannot see this kingdom without regeneration. The baptism of water may admit us into an outward church; but he who enters into the true church, the kingdom of believers, must be born again. The kingdom of God is holy; but all men in a state of nature are unholy. While they remain so, they can neither see, enjoy, nor enter into his kingdom. They may have a profession, a name, a place amongst the saints; but nothing short of a saving change can make them subjects of this great King. If men cannot be subjects of this great King, in the kingdom of his grace, without regeneration, how can they be his subjects in the kingdom of glory? That kingdom is perfectly pure, and impure spirits cannot enter. Indeed, heaven would not be a place of happiness to them, could they even enter its sacred gates; as it is the state rather than the place, which is a source of real happiness. But all the unholy will be shut out for ever. "There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."

3. Hence we may see the folly of our false hopes. We hope to see the kingdom of God without a sound conversion. We vainly imagine that a few formal prayers, and a formal profession, will fully qualify us for

the inheritance of the saints in light; but we may say prayers, attend religious worship, and make a profession before men, and after all be damned. O let us be in earnest to obtain this necessary change! We are in earnest in our worldly pursuits, and shall we neglect that on which our all depends? Our time is short: Our time is short: our opportunities are passing away: and, before we are aware, we shall find ourselves in a world of spirits. Let us then set about this work immediately; and may God in mercy point out our way, and bless the means we use!

III. THE MEANS TO BE USED THAT WE MAY BE BORN AGAIN.

1. We must see and feel a need of being born again. Serious reflection, and an attentive perusal of the word of God, will soon convince us that we must be born again. Suppose we argue thus: The kingdom of God is spiritual; but we are carnal. The kingdom of God is pure; but we are polluted. The kingdom of God is under the government of God; but we are under the government of the devil. How then can we see that kingdom, without regeneration? Remaining as we are, we are fit for no society but that of wicked men and wicked spirits; and in whatever way a God of justice may punish them, we must share their punish

ment.

2. We must pray to God that we may be born again. Regeneration is a work of God, and therefore we should pray that he would bare his mighty arm, and form our souls anew. To be born of the Spirit is to be born by the mighty energy and influence of the Spirit; and to be born from above is to be born by that heavenly power which only can bring us into spiritual life. Pray then for the Spirit of your God, that he may work in you this saving change. "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him."

3. We must forsake our sins. "He that committeth sin is of the devil." Sin brought death into our souls, and while we follow it we must remain in death. Every sin must be renounced before we can be born again; for sin blinds our eyes, stops our ears, hardens our hearts, and effectually prevents the renewing operations of the holy Spirit.

4. We must attend the public worship of God. He is present in the assemblies of his people. His word is preached with mighty power, and many have been converted under the word. In public worship we wait up-on God for the renewing influences of his grace; and if our hearts are sincere, we shall feel the power of the word. I am not

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