the functions of the natural life; so necessary is the new birth, before we can perform the funċtions of the spiritual life. And as important and necessary as it is for us to be fitted by training, education, or apprenticeship for that situation in life which we are designed to fill; equally important and necessary must it be, that we should be trained and fitted, by Divine teaching, and religious instruction, and spiritual exercises, for that situation in a heavenly world, for which the regenerated soul is now a candidate. No man, for instance, can undertake the duty, or fill the station of a seaman, till he has been regularly trained to the profession; neither can any one undertake the service of heavenly occupations, till prepared for it by regeneration. But why must this training and qualifying of the soul be accomplished now? Why may not the soul be fitted for heaven after its departure from the body? Because, as the tree falls, there it lies:' just as death overtakes us, judgment finds us. There is no repentance, nor change, there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither we go.' If we die wicked, and before the new birth, we remain so, and, like the rest of the wicked, we must have our miserable portion"in everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" but if we die after having

become regenerate, then we receive the blessed portion of the believer, "a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Though, however, from the very nature of things, the new birth appears to be essentially necessary; yet we are not left, on so vital a subject, to the mere inferences of a rational understanding. No, my brethren; the scriptures, which are above all reason, above all other authority, are abundantly explicit, striking, and unequivocal on the subject. No less than three several times was Nicodemus assured by our Lord of the necessity of regeneration, in the words of the text, and three following verses. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." And in answer to Nicodemus' question, How a man could be born when he is old; he again solemnly said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." And, lastly, in reference to the ruler's astonishment at this new doctrine, he said, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

Whatever, therefore, may be meant by the expression being "born again," and whatever may be intended by "the kingdom of God," it is unquestionably clear that, without the qualification of the new birth, no man living can have a

scriptural hope of obtaining the described blessing. And, thanks be to God, that although learned men have tried to explain away the plain sense of the terms, and wicked men have denied them their obvious meaning; the truth is so clear to him desirous of knowing the truth, that though he be ❝ a fool," as to worldly wisdom, "he shall not err therein." Yea, it is written as plain as by a sun-beam, that he who runneth (if of a teachable mind) may read; and he who readeth, may in some degree understand. The words, no doubt, are figurative: our Lord did not mean that a man should "enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born," for that would be at once impossible and useless: it must be impossible, because contrary to the appointments of God in nature; and it would be useless, because, if born again of the flesh, the man would still, as before, be corrupt, sinful flesh. But he meant that unless a man were born of God, born of the Spirit, created anew in Christ Jesus, (a change in the soul as great and entire as a new birth to the body,) he could not possibly see the kingdom of God, that is, he could not be saved; he could not be admitted into heaven. This doctrine, however, of such vital consequence to every immortal soul, is not left to rest even upon these declarations, satisfactory as they are; but is explained, illustrated, and established by numerous other

scriptures. Take two examples. "Except ye be converted, (alluding to the outward change of conduct arising from an inward change of heart,) and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Again, "Except ye repent, (by repentance meaning the travail of the soul in the new birth,) ye shall all likewise perish."

Such being the necessity of the new birth, we see why the grand subjects of St. Paul's preaching to both Jews and Greeks were, 66 repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Therefore, we conclude, that the two most important doctrines of scripture-the two most momentous subjects that can engage the attention of a rational and immortal being, are, faith in Christ, and the new birth!

IV. If, now, the necessity of the new birth be so essential, and its importance be so vast and vital, how interesting and momentous must the inquiry be, WHAT ARE THE MEANS OR MANNER OF OBTAINING IT?

Brethren! The means are in our own hands; but the work is of God. Whilst, therefore, we exhort you in the words of the apostle Paul, to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," the Lord forbid that we should withhold from you the essential truth, that "it is God

that worketh in you both to will and to do." And though, by Christ helping you, you may do all things; yet in your own strength you will be able to do nothing. Yea, all the power and wisdom of man engaged in any spiritual work, unaided by Divine grace, is perfect weakness. As wise, indeed, were the attempt to warm a sheet of ice without melting it, as to warm the cold heart of a sinner without the melting of Divine grace. As easy were it for the Ethiopian to change his skin, or the leopard his spots, as for the poor helpless sinner to change his own heart! As well might a skeleton of dry bones, or the body of Adam before it was animated by the breath of God, perform all the functions of a living man, as that the soul dead in trespasses and sins should accomplish the work of the new birth!

Yet, though we set before you man's helpless condition in his own strength, it is that we may magnify the great power and love of the Saviour of men, who giveth repentance to sinners, as well as remission of sins. Through him, then, beloved, try your strength in the spiritual race-try the weapons of God in the spiritual warfare. He hath charged you to "enter in at the strait gate," which is the first effort of the new born soul, and to walk in the narrow way, that leadeth unto life. Labour, then, to obey him, trusting in his grace to help, and in his power to save.