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natural temper and disposition; this may be the case without any supernatural principle of grace implanted in the heart. A gay and lively temper may be changed into a sober and melancholy one; a choloric spirit may be reduced to apparent meekness; a proud and haughty mind brought down to humility, &c. A thousand changes of this sort may take place, from common provi dences, alteration of worldly circumstances, or some invisible impulses on the mind, which have nothing in them of the nature of the change wrought in regeneration. Persons may have great convictions, and great terrors, and be frighted from evil courses for a time, yet no gracious or radical change in the complexionof their souls. May God ever save us from self-deception, and dispose us to examine and be jealous of ourselves!

Secondly, We infer, there can be no christian good works, or acceptable obedience, until the sinner is regenerated. Without regeneration there can be no saving faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God. While unregenerate is the state of sinners, hear what the scriptures say of all their imaginary goodness. "Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing "pure-being abominable and disobedient, and to every good "work reprobate." Nothing avails until the soul is renewed; "Neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision,. "but the new creature." The tree must be good, before the fruit can be good. Good works, in the view of the heart searching God, must flow from good principles.

Thirdly, We infer, that wherever the principle of regeneration comes into existence, good works will in some measure shine forth in a common, habitual, though not in a perfect way, in the life. Hence they, who are created in Christ Jesus, are created unto good works. Therefore, the spirit and evidence of regeneration is an holy conversation. If a decent, godly, and christian practice does not follow from this supposed change, we should be very guarded against conclusions of comfort.

A Fourth inference, is, that without being born again, no participation of eternal life. "Without holiness, no man shall "see the Lord. There shall in no wise enter into that kingdom, any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomina❝tion, or maketh a lie; but they whose names are written in "the Lamb's book of life."

A Fifth inference, is, that this subject commands peculiar searchings of heart. Principles are only known by their effects. Hence we should enquire, if we have received the principle of regeneration what effects hath it produced? Hath it produced love to God and our neighbour, repentance of sin, faith in the gospel, and holy living?

Those who hope they have been regenerated, their souls ought to be filled with praise and gratitude to God, and with purposes of new and holy obedience.

Those who have reason to apprehend they are not; alarm and terror ought to possess their hearts. Consider your exposure to eternal wrath. Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.

SERMON XXIII.

SOME OF THE FIRST EFFECTS OF REGENERATION.

II. CORINTHIANS V. 17.

Therefor if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

THESE words are a description of a renewed man. They give us an account of the principle regeneration, in its primary exercises and effects. Natural life is the foundation of living actions, so the new birth is the foundation of holy views, new dispositions, and a godly practice. The character here attributed to the man in Christ, is that he is a new creature. This language is strong and emphatical, and must certainly be great in its signification. The Apostle never used swelling words of vanity, nor did he dress up sentiments of small moment in language of high import.

The observation in our text, is plainly an inference from the preceding discourse. The zeal the Apostle had discovered for the interest of Christ, and the salvation of souls, had brought upon him the imputation of enthusiasm, and that he was beside himself. Hence he replies to this groundless charge, "For "whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we "be sober it is for your cause." He begs to be excused, if he appeared peculiarly warm in the cause of the gospel. "For the

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"love of Christ," says he, "constraineth us." Our apprehensions of the importance of divine things, of the love and condescension of the Son of God in our redemption, and our obligations to be devoted to him in all holy service to the utmost, therefore, we cannot but act agreeably to our judgment, and lay out ourselves faithfully for the souls of men, whatever aspect it may have upon our reputation, or temporal advantages. And this, in a measure, is the case with all those who are renewed and in Christ Jesuse "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, ke is a 66 new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." These words express a change of heart and of life. If a man will prove himself to be a christian, he must be a new creature. Not only must they assume a new name, make a new profession, take up a new religion, but they must be new in heart, and of a new nature. And this new creature will manifest itself thus, "old things are passed away." Old views, purposes, principles, and practises are passed away. And "behold, all things are become new." The regenerated man imbibes new views of divine realities, new principles, new purposes, and designs engross his mind, and his determination is to act for new ends.

The intention of the present discourse, is to show some of the immediate effects of the renovating principle, before we enter upon a large description of the particular graces which constitute the christian character.

The immediate effects are in adult persons, an holy illumina tion of the understanding, and a new bias of the will. Some have considered these as essential constituents of regeneration itself. And it is certain, they can in no other way be distinguished from it, but as philosophically we distinguish a principle from its operation, a substratem from its modes and qualities. Operation we experience and feel-but principle we know nothing of but by its effects. No man could know he lived by the mere abstract principle of life, but its operation assures him that

he is a living creature. So here, the effects of regeneration, by feeling and experience, demonstrate a principle of holy and spiritual life.

First, It exists or shows itself in the illumination of the mind. Hence it is termed light, and the subjects of it, "children of "the light and of the day: God's shining into the mind, to give "the knowledge of Christ Jesus," &c, By this illumination, the soul is brought to entertain new apprehensions of God, of the divine law, of itself, of eternity, of Jesus Christ, and the glorious method of saving lost sinners in the gospel.

All these things he beholds in a new and very different manner. Formerly he was in darkness, through the blindness of his mind, but now is he become light in the Lord. He views God as all glorious and transcendently excellent. Every divine perfection in the bible appears with a peculiar and amiable lustre ; his holiness and justice, as well as his goodness and mercy. The soul, as it were, quits itself, and fixes with admiring wonders upon God as altogether lovely. There is now a rectitude and propriety in all the goings and providences of God, which charm and delight his mind.

The law of God is to his contemplation without blemish, exactly what it ought to be, perfect and right. He now feels with a distinguishing sensation, the Apostle's description of it, when he says, "The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and "just and good." He cries out, "All is infinitely holy and "good, come of me what will."

He becomes enlightened with new discoveries of himself. He sees himself a sinner. He had from education under the gospel, been used to make this acknowledgment. But, alas what is a customary and formal acknowledgment, to what it is to have his eyes opened to behold himself in the light of God, and in the mir ror of a perfect law? He sees nothing reflected upon himself but

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