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If this subject is indeed unfashionable and neglected we are miserably deceiving ourselves. If a new nature is necessary, to attempt to repair and new-model the old, will be found to be lost labor. If the spring is polluted and continues so, what a vain and fruitless attempt is it to endeavour, by addition or by foreign mixture, to purify the streams. Just so, it is by no means sufficient, or, to speak more properly, it is altogether impossible to reform the irregularities and vicious lives of sinners, and bring them to a real conformity to the law of God, till their hearts are renewed and changed. It is like rearing up an old fabric, adding to its towers, and painting its walls, while the foundation is gone. See what the prophet Ezekiel says of such foolish builders: "Wo to the foolish prophets because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it."

But perhaps the substance of the doctrine is retained, while the language is held in derision. We are told it is but a figurative expression, and the same in its meaning with repentance or reformation. Doubtless it is so. And it were greatly to be wished, that many did thorougly understand what is implied in repentance unto life. But the reader is entreated to observe, that it is a metaphor frequently used in the Holy Scripture. I think also it is a metaphor of peculiar propri ety and force, well adapted to bring into view, both the nature of the change which it describes, and the means by which it is accomplished. If there are any who, in writing or speaking on this subject, have introduced or invented unscriptural phrases, and gone into unintelligible mysticism, this is neither wonderful in itself, nor ought it to be any injury or disparage

ment to the truth, There is no subject, either of divine or human learning, on which some have not written weakly, foolishly, or erroneously; but that ought not to excite any aversion to the doctrine itself which hath been perverted or abused. I pray that God may enable me to write upon this interesting subject, in a clear, intelligible, and convincing manner; to support the truth from the evidence of Scripture and reason; to resolve, in a satisfying manner, any objections that may seem to lie against it; but, above all, to carry it home with a persuasive force upon the conscience and heart. I contend for no phrases of man's invention, but for such as I find in the Holy Scriptures; from these I am resolved, through the grace of God, never to depart. And in the mean time I adopt the words of the eminent and useful Dr. Doddridge; "If this doctrine, in one form or another, be generally taught by my brethren in the ministry, I rejoice in it for their own sakes, as well as for that of the people who are under their care."

The plan of the following treatise is this:

I. To make some general observations upon the metaphor used by the apostle John, "Except a man be born again ;" and the same, or similar expressions, to be found in other parts of the word of God.

II. To show wherein this change doth properly and directly consist, together with some of its principal evidences and effects.

III. To show by what steps, or by what means, it is usually brought about.

IV. In the last place to improve the subject by a few practical addresses to persons of different characters.

CHAPTER I.

Some general observations on the metaphor used by the apostle John, Except a man be born again, and the same or similar expressions, to be found in other parts of the word of God.

Ir deserves the serious attention of every Christian that, as this declaration was made by our Saviour in a very solemn manner, and by a very peculiar metaphor, so this is not the single passage in which the same metaphor is used. We find it in the apostle, Paul's epistle to Titus, "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." We find one perfectly similar to it, in the same apostle's second epistle to the Corinthians, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." It is elsewhere called a new creation, with reference to the power exerted in the production. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." It is still a figure of the same kind that is used when we are exhorted "to put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiTo name no more passages, the real believer is said to be "born of God,” 1 John v. 4. in which the very expression of the text is repeated, and the change attributed to God as his proper work.

ness.

Whoever believes in the perfection of the Scriptures, will readily admit that it is intended we should learn something from this very way of speaking itself.

Let us therefore consider what may be safely deduced from it. And, as I would not willingly strain the metaphor, and draw from it any uncertain conclusion, so it is no part of my design to run it out into an extraordinary length. Many smaller resemblances might easily be formed between the image and the truth, but they would be more fanciful than useful. The reader is only entreated to attend to a few leading truths, which seem naturally to arise from this metaphor, and may be both supported and illustrated from the whole tenor of Scripture doctrine.

SECTION I. From this expression, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, we may learn the GREATNESS of that change which must pass upon every child of Adam, before he can become an heir of life.

No stronger expression could have been chosen to signify a great and remarkable change of state and character, whether we take the metaphor in a stricter or a looser sense. If we take the metaphor in a stricter sense, it may be intended to point out the change of state in an infant newly born, from what it was immediately before the birth. The manner of its existence, of deriving its nourishment, the use and application of its faculties, and its desires and enjoyments, are all entirely different. If we take the metaphor in a looser sense, being born may be considered as the beginning of our existence. To this sense we seem to be directed by the other expressions, of being created in Christ Jesus, and made new creatures. Does not this still teach us the greatness of the change? We must be entirely different from what we were before, as one creature differs from another, or as that which begins to be at any time, is not, nor cannot be the same with what did formerly exist.

CHAPTER L

Some gerra observations on the metophor used by zur avasti: Jobs. Excent a man be born again, One dur spimer or similar expressions, to be found mothe warts of the word of God.

I deserves the serious attention of every Christian the the declaration was made by our Saviour in 2 VENT Sorent manner, and by a very peculiar metawhmt st this is no the single passage in which the Str metanhor is used. We find it in the apostle, Pensil to Tits, not by works of righteousnes which we have done, but according to his mercy ser is, by the washing of regeneration, and renow a the Holy Ghost" We find one perfectly simit te it in the same apostle's second epistle to The Corinthias + Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: nic things are passed away; nebois, all things are become new. It is elsewhere raler a new creation, with reference to the power exerted in the production. For we are his workmship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." It is still a figure of the same kind that is used when we are exhorted "to put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful losts; and to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiTo name no more passages, the real believer 4 in bich the

is said to be born of God. very expression of the attributed to God

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