flesh and blood can never enter. For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

We have now pointed out the new birth, and shown that it bears some resemblance to the natural birth, with which Jesus compared it. And how truly sublime and cheering the thought, that the great family of man, who are all born into existence under the certain sentence of death, are to receive a second birth, into an existence entirely new, and that the whole of this dying family are to be made the children of Jesus Christ by adoption. So that he will at last say, here am I and the children thou hast given me.

In our next, we shall notice the change we experience in this life, called in Scripture the new birth, and explain the term, "kingdom of God."

SERMON VII.

THE NEW BIRTH.

[Continued.]

In our last we have shown, that the spiritual birth bears some resemblance to a natural birth, with which Jesus compared it; and as the first introduced us into this world, so the second will introduce us into the future and immortal world, at the resurrection, where we shall be as the angels of God in heaven, "be the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." There, we shall be completely free from sin and pain. There, the gushing tear of sorrow shall cease to flow, and the brow of disconsolate humanity be ruffled no more.

We will now attend to the present effects, that the truth of this birth has upon us here, and notice, at the same time, the phrase, “kingdom of God."

The question now arises; do not some experience the new birth in this life? They do. But in what sense do they experience it? Ans. by faith. In this world we pass from death to life; not that we have actually been in the grave, and brought to life beyond it; but the believer experiences this by faith. And this faith has a

most powerful and happy influence on his affections, and consequently on his life and conduct. All that God has revealed for the salvation of the world; our justification, our sanctification, our new birth, our heaven, our all; yes, all these important and heavenly changes are summed up, and embraced in our immortal resurrection, and will actually take place through death; and while in this world we can embrace them only by faith.

The Scriptures declare, that "we walk by faith and not by sight." Paul says, "the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Paul knew, that he had eternal life given him in Christ, before the world began, and faith in that glorious truth produced a happiness, a divine life in his heart, called the kingdom of God within. Let us notice these several points. First; "Christ rose again, for our justification." Our justification, then, exists in our resurrection state, and will there, in all its reality, take place. But cannot a man be justified here? Yes; he can be justified through faith in that truth. Second; "By the which will, we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all." Our santification, then, by the will of God, will take place through death. But, cannot a man be sanctified while here? Yes; he can be sanctified through faith in that truth.

Third; Christ was "put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." So in his resurrection he passed from death to life, and thus revealed the truth, that we shall also pass from death to life, by the power of God, and be like him who is the "first-fruits." But, cannot a man pass from death to life, while on earth? Yes; he can pass from death to life, through faith in that truth. Jesus says; "He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlastting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." Fourth; our eternal life will be realized beyond death." The things that are not seen are spiritual and eternal." But, can we not enjoy it here? Yes; "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life;" that is, he enjoys it by faith. Fifth; Christ was the "first-born from the dead." So we, also, shall pass the reality of the new birth. But can we not enjoy it here? Yes; John says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory, that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Thus it is evident, that a man may in this life be justified, sanctified, pass from death to life, may enjoy eternal life, and be born again, through faith in these several correspondent truths. His faith, however, can make them no more certain; because they must exist, and be solemn and unal

terable truths, before he can be called upon to believe them. If we are not, in our resurrection, to be justified, sanctified, born again, and obtain eternal life, then we cannot be justified, sanctified, or born again here, through faith in those truths; because there would be no such truths in existence for us to exercise faith in. If the objector will not allow these truths unalterably to exist previous to believing, what then will he call upon us to believe? Will he call upon us to believe, that we have an eternal life in Christ, when no such truth exists, and contend, that our believing this lie will create the truth? This would be the most ridiculous absurdity.

But the truth exists, and the believer by faith enjoys it beforehand. He enjoys it by anticipation, not in reality. It can be brought to his understanding or experience no other way only through the gospel medium of faith. I challenge the objector, to show me, between the lids of the New Testament, any regeneration, new birth, justification, or sanctification, that has already taken place in any other sense than through faith. All these things in their reality, are to take place in our resurrection, when we shall be like the angels of God, and by faith we bring them present to our minds, and enjoy them here. Dr. Watts

says,