we be still but just such as we were before, in our several relations? 2 Cor. v. 17. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold all things are become new." Real godliness will gain a testimony to a man, from the conscience of his nearest relations; though they know more of his sinful infirmities than others do, as we see in that case, 2 Kings iv. 2. "Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord." 3. In the way of his following his worldly business, there is a great change. It appears to be no more his all, as sometimes it was. Though saints apply themselves to worldly business, as well as others; yet their hearts are not swallowed up in it. It is evident they are carrying on a trade with heaven, as well as a trade with earth, Phil. iii. 20. "For our conversation is in heaven." And they go about their employment in the world, as a duty laid upon them by the Lord of all, doing their lawful business as the will of God, Eph. vi. 7. working because he has said, "Thou shalt not steal," 4. They have a special concern for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in the world: they espouse the interests of religion, and " prefer Jerusalem above their chief joy," Psal. cxxxviii. 6. How privately soever they live, grace makes them a public spirit, which will concern itself in the ark and work of God; in the gospel of God; and in the people of God, even these of them whom they never saw in the face. As children of God, they naturally care for these things. They have a new and unwonted concern for the spiritual good of others: and no sooner do they taste of the power of grace themselves, but they are inclined to set up to be agents for Christ and holiness in the world; as appears in the case of the woman of Samaria, who, when Christ had manifested himself to her," went her way into the city, and saith unto men, Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?" John iv. 28, 29. They have seen and felt the evil of sin, and therefore pity the world lying in wickedness. They would fain pluck the brands out of the fire, remembering that they themselves were plucked out of it. They will labour to commend religion to others, both by word and example; and rather deny themselves their liberty in indifferent things, than, by the uncharitable use of it, "destroy others," 1 Cor. viii. 13. "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." In their use of lawful comforts, there is a great change. They rest not in them, as their end; but use them as means to help them in their way. They draw their satisfaction from the higher springs, even while the lower springs are running. Thus Hannah, having obtained a son, rejoiced not so much in the gift, as in the Giver, 1 Sam. ii. 1. "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord." Yea, when the comforts of life are gone, they can subsist without them, and "rejoice in the Lord, although the fig-tree doth not blossom," Hab. iii. 17, 18. Grace teacheth, to use the conveniences of a present life passingly; and to shew a holy moderation in all things. The heart, which formerly immersed itself in these things without fear, is now shy of being overmuch pleased with them; and being apprehensive of danger, uses them warily; as the dogs of Egypt run, while they lap their water out of the river Nile, for fear of the crocodiles that are in it. Lastly, This change shines forth in the man's performance of religious duties. He who lived in the neglect of them will do so no more, if once the grace of God enter into his heart. If a man be new born he will "desire the sincere milk of the word," 1 Pet. ii. 2,3. Whenever the prayerless person gets the spirit of grace, he will be in him "a spirit of supplication,' Zech. xii. 10. It is as natural for one that is born again to fall a praying as for the new-born babe to fall a crying, Acts ix. II. " Behold he prayeth." His heart will be a temple for God, and his house a church. His devotion, which before was superficial and formal, is now spiritual and lively; forasmuch as heart and : tongue are touched with a live coal from heaven and he rests not in the mere performing of duties, as careful only to get his task done; but in every duty seeketh communion with God in Christ, justly considering them as means appointed of God for that end, and reckoning himself disappointed if he miss of it. Thus far of the nature of regeneration. THE RESEMBLANCE BETWIXT NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL II. I come to shew why this change is called regeneration, a being born again. It is so called, because of the resemblance betwixt natural and spiritual generation, which lies in the following particulars. First, Natural generation is a mysterious thing: and so is spiritual generation, John iii. 8. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." The work of the Spirit is felt; but his way of working is a mystery we cannot apprehend. A new light is let into the mind, and the will is renewed; but how that light is conveyed thither, how the will is fettered with cords of love, and how the rebel is made a willing captive, we can no more tell, than we can tell how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child,” Eccl. xi. 5. As a man hears the sound of the wind, and finds it stirring; but knows not where it begins, and where it ends; "so is every one that is born of the Spirit: he finds the change that is made npon him; but how it is produced, he knows not. One thing he may know, that whereas he was blind, now he seeth: but "the seed of grace doth spring and grow up, he knoweth not how," Mark iv. 20, 27. Secondly, In both, the creature comes to a being it had not before. The child is not, till it be generate; and a man has no gracious being, no being in grace, till he be regenerate. Regeneration is not so much the curing of a sick man, "as the quickening of a dead man," Eph. ii. 1, 5. Man in his depraved state is a |