THE RICHES OF DIVINE GRACE

UNFOLDED

DIALOGUE II.

In Which a Discourse is carried on concerning Regeneration, which subject is opened and explained.

Mr. Enquirer and Mr. Instructor, or Junior and Senior, having afresh interview, the conversation began thus:

Junior. Sir, I address you with pleasure, and would inform you, I have been thinking over the subject concerning sin, with the fall and its consequences. I find it to be most truly an awful and solemn subject indeed! I find I am, as one in the first man, as a descendant from him, as truly in my person and fallen nature, as entirely sinful, corrupted, lost and defiled as he was, when he broke the holy law of God. I think I never fully apprehended and comprehended what sin is, together with what is contained in the fall, as also the consequences of it, than at present. I am a sinner. My fallen nature contains the whole essence of all contained in sin. I see myself in myself, considered wholly and only as I am in Adam, and my old Adam nature, a dead, a lost, a condemned man, who cannot escape the damnation of hell, by any will or power of my own. I desire to bless the Lord for this view and experience of the subject, because it leads me to renounce all hope of deliverance from what I am in myself by any creature acts. I plainly perceive I can be acquitted only from what I am inherently and actually in myself, by the covenant of the Eternal Three. My only hope for salvation is in the will, the council, the acts, and transactions of the Essential Three. I can stand before the Holy Lord God, free from all sin, only upon the footing of their imputing unto my person, the holiness, righteousness, and redemption of Jesus Christ. Whilst this is my sole foundation for expecting eternal life, yet I wish to have some further light into many momentous truths.

Senior. It pleases me that our past conversation hath proved so useful to you, to bring you out of yourself, and to look off yourself, and that it has made way for your professing all your hope in God is founded on Christ alone. Whatsoever you are disposed to make the subject of conversation at this interview, it is for you to name. I am wholly at your service and command.

Junior. Thank you, Sir. I am fully convinced of the truth of what our Lord spoke in the days of his flesh, when he pronounced with a double asseveration to Nicodemus, these words, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. John, 3:3. But I could wish to have the subject clearly opened.

Senior. It is a most important one, and very necessary to be known. I think, in our first conversation, you mentioned it as one of those subjects which were to be discoursed upon.

Junior. I did so: if, therefore, it suits you, I should be thankful if you would treat on it, and give me some scriptural light and insight into it; as the more clearly I am led to understand any truth rightly, the more I conceive I shall prize and esteem Christ.

Senior. Most undoubtedly this is the proper effect which cannot but be produced thereby. But I hope you do not look to receive any spiritual blessing from me.

Junior. No. I do not. Yet I expect to receive spiritual profit and advantage in conversing with you. This I am sure must come from the light and influence with which the Lord himself may be pleased to accompany the same unto my mind.

Senior. So far as you consider me as one like yourself, who cannot receive nor impart any spiritual gift, but as it is given me from heaven, and look and depend wholly and alone upon the Holy Ghost for that unction which teacheth all things, I am truly pleased, and shall be freely willing to impart unto you any knowledge I am capable of.

Junior. Pray, Sir, open, if you please, what the good Lord's meaning and design in these words are, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. The more briefly you do so, it will be to me the more acceptable.

Senior. The doctrine of the New Birth, or Regeneration, is of vast importance: yet, as all other doctrines of the gospel, it is spiritual and simple. Our Lord, in the words you recited, speaks of the necessity of it. He declares there can be no entrance into the kingdom of God without it. He expresses himself very solemnly concerning it. He addresses one single individual on it. He declares there cannot be any sight of the kingdom of God, except this new birth (or being born again, or born from above) take place in the soul. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. You have here these particulars  1st. Christ's solemn asseveration.  2nd The address. It is to an individual, which shows that the truth contained in the words, concerns all: so as that no man can enter into the kingdom of God; no man see God without it. The 3rd particular is an except, without exception: a man must be born again  and, 4th. He, none without it, can enter into heaven.

Junior. Truly, sir, you have made the entrance into this subject very clear. Will you unfold the subject, and inform me what regeneration is?

Senior. Most assuredly. So far as in my power, I will. You know, my good Sir, sin and the fall have entirely corrupted every faculty of the human mind; therefore, except there be a renewing of the mind, it cannot be disposed to receive and apprehend the things of God. Again: you know there can be no entrance into our world, but by birth. We must be born into it, or we cannot be partakers of what of what is in it. Adam was the head of the natural world. Christ is the head of the spiritual world. We cannot enter into his world but by a new birth. We must be born into it. As when we are born naturally, we have then all the faculties, senses, and members we ever shall have, and are thereby fitted for living in this world: so the soul born again, hath every sense, faculty, and affection of the new man it every will have. It is thereby fitted and qualified for living in Christ world.

Like as Adam, when created and brought into existence in our world, had every faculty and affection, temper and disposition, suited to every creature, object, and subject, which the Lord God had made in the world: so a man in Christ, created anew in Christ Jesus, is brought into Christ's world with every grace contained in his new birth, whereby he is exactly fitted to take into his mind, enjoy in his heart, and embrace in his affections, the Lord Jesus Christ, as his head his righteousness  his sacrifice  his glory  his all. Now, without a new, or supernatural birth, he could not have communion with Christ: he could not have his heart and affection set on Christ. There is every thing in the world, which, when created, and Adam was first brought into it, suited his every faculty, sense, perception, and affection: so there is every thing in Christ, to suit the man who is born again  who is born into Christ's world of grace. The new creation is suited to all in Christ, and Christ is suited to every faculty, sense, and perception of the new creature. Do you understand me?

Junior. Sir, I must, and cannot but acknowledge, I perceive a glory, a grandeur, and majesty, in what you have mentioned; but must confess it at present surpasses me: it goes beyond me. I know you will not be offended at my speaking the truth of my own mind.

Senior. No, indeed. It would be very pleasing to me, to convey truth to your mind in the most clear, convincing, and acceptable way; say, therefore, in what way, and what you would further wish me to say on this most important subject of our present conversation, Regeneration.

Junior. Sir, I rather want to know what regeneration is  it is wrought  what follows on it  what are the evidences, fruits, and effects of it. Will you oblige me, by going over these particulars.

Senior. Most undoubtedly I will. In my own view, the whole of this is included and expressed in what hath been stated. However, I am not my own; I am the servant of Christ, and your servant for his sake.

Junior. Sir, you put me to the blush; yet I must heartily thank you for the condescension, and hope to receive benefit there from.

Senior. I cold wish you to state the particulars of this subject, of which you are so desirous of receiving further satisfaction.

Junior. Thank you, Sir; I will. I would request, 1st. To know what regeneration is. 2nd. The necessity of it. 3rd. How I may know, I am the subject of this grace. 4th. What are the fruits and blessings which accompany it. If you will be so kind to admit me, as you may go on with each particulars, to stop, and give me an opportunity of so taking them distinctly into my mind, I shall esteem it an increasing favor and benefit bestowed.

Senior. You are exceedingly welcome to all this; as also to all the advantages the present discourse may afford, of stating objections, or expressing yourself either as satisfied or dissatisfied; whilst it will be my endeavor to speak to you in the clearest manner, and according to my judgment, as received from God's written word; yet. It may be, what appears very clear to me, may not to you; therefore, be as free as you please, it will not be offensive.

Junior. My request is, Ist. To know what Regeneration is, and what it consists in. I want some scriptural light into this. 

Senior. Regeneration is a new creation. The mind is the subject of it. Our Lord styles it a new birth. It is variously denominated in the word. As it is called a new creature the new man the inner man, the hidden man the new creature. I would observe, Adam is the root of generation; Christ is the root of regeneration. If we had not been in Adam by creation, we had never been produced by generation. Such as were not in Christ by eternal election, will never be manifested to have being in Christ by regeneration. Do you understand this? 

Junior. I understand you say it is a supernatural change wrought in the mind of a sinner. Pray does it not then alter the sinful nature and disposition, which were inherent in the sinner when this new birth took place in him? 

Senior. No. It does not. Our Lord himself decides this point. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. John, 3:6. The new birth is a new nature, created in the mind, which never existed in it before. It is conveyed by the Spirit of God. He is the author of it. Hence it is called after his name, Spirit. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. It is contrary to every desire and propensity with the old man. There is no sin in it. Hence the Apostle says, whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. I John, 3:9. 

Junior. I still want a more simple definition of the new birth. Of What it is. 

Senior. You shall have it. This I think will give you a very clear apprehension concerning it. Why, my good friend, it is making a man, who is dead in trespasses and sins, alive to God by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Junior. But you have brought no scripture for the proof of it. 

Senior. I have not: yet it is not because there is not one ready at hand, to be produced to confirm this. The Apostle says, and you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians. 2:1. There can be no Motion without life. And the first act of the Spirit of God upon the mind, is to quicken it with spiritual life. The Holy Ghost is the breath of all spiritual life. He, as the Spirit of Life, enters into a dead sinner, quickens him, and communicates to him life everlasting. What say you to this? Do or can you object to it? Would you not think this sufficient to prove that regeneration is making a dead sinner alive to God, by the power of the Holy Ghost? That's the question now to be determined.  

Junior. I really cannot object against what you say; yet I want the subject to be more simplified. 

Senior. I am sure I have no objection to this, nothing pleases me better. No one is a greater friend to have truth scriptural stated, rightly explained, properly defended, and most simply set forth; yet you will acknowledge, spiritual truth can never be brought down, so as to be properly apprehended by any, but such as are taught of God. Unto you (says our Lord) it is given to know mysteries of the kingdom. 

Junior. Most undoubtedly it is, and must be so. But adduce all in one collection of scripture, you would yourself wish for, to prove regeneration consists in making a dead sinner alive to God. I will then rest Satisfied. 

Senior. I will. The state of the elect before effectual calling takes place in their souls, and how it was  with them to the very moment of their being quickened  with life eternal, is thus set forth by the Apostle:  And you who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein  in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of  the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others. Observe very particularly what follows. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love  wherewith, he loved us,  even, when we were dead  in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Ephesians 2:1,2,3,4,5. Is not this all sufficient proof, that regeneration is making a dead sinner alive to God by the power of the Holy Ghost? 

Junior. Sir, I really cannot deny it. Then, according to this, regeneration consists in turning a sinner from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan to God. 

Senior. Yes. By it we are translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. This is the state which every soul regenerated is brought into. 

Junior. Shew me now the necessity for this. Our Lord says, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Senior. We are all unholy by our first birth. We, have not the least true knowledge and apprehension of the things of God. The Apostle says, The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Cor. 2:14. There must therefore be a necessity for us to have spiritual minds supernaturally illuminated, that we may understand spiritual and supernatural subjects. I hope this is very clear to your mind. If so, then you cannot but understand our Lord's words, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John, 3:3. And again, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit,  he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Verse,5.  

 Junior. But I ask, How am I to know that I am the  subject of this grace? How am I to know that I am born of God? I want this question to be resolved. 

Senior. The Apostle says, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. By which he gives us to know, that regeneration is faith in the habit, and faith on Christ is the same in the act. It is just what Paul says, Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal.3:26. It is to be known by this important question put by Christ himself: What think ye of Christ? If Christ is your object; if he be your hope; if you think, and delight inwardly and spiritually to think on him, this is full proof, and all sufficient evidence, of your being born again. Every act of faith on Christ, gives fresh and full proof of the same. 

Junior. This is very satisfactory; yet I would fain have some scriptural proof of it. 

Senior, You shall. Our Lord says, Verity, verily, I say I say unto you, he that believeth on me, hath everlasting Life. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh, my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. John, 6:47, 54, 56. If you enter into the spiritual meaning of our Lord's words, they carry with them full evidence of the new birth being wrought where Christ thus dwells, and nourishes up the soul in communion with him, unto life eternal. 

Junior, I am satisfied: only say, to complete my request, what are the fruits and blessings, which accompany the new birth. 

Senior. Such as are born of God, have the Spirit of God dwelling in them. He possesses their bodies and minds. They are his temples. He consecrates their hearts for communion with the Father and the Son. He reveals Christ in them and unto them. He exercises their minds on him. He sheds abroad in their hearts the love of God. He is their comforter in all times of distress; yea, even in the article of death. He will dwell In them for ever. And thus he being their leader, He makes it manifest to them and others, that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. Are you satisfied with this scriptural and experimental account of the subject? 

Junior, I really am, and thank you for it; only I wish you to conclude with producing those scriptures which respect the new birth, and the state of the new born. 

Senior. The term new birth, or being born again, is but sparingly mentioned after our Lord's discourse on it. I believe we must get into the Epistle of James before we shall find it. He says, Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh clown front the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first‑fruits of his creatures. Chap. I:17,18. Peter blesseth God for regeneration, as the first act of God upon us and within us, and therefore the next blessing to election, and as the immediate fruit thereof within us. His words are, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. I Peter, I:3,4. At the close of the chapter he addresses them thus: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but Of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. In the next chapter be entitles them new born babes. John uses the expression, born of God. I John, 3:9. as also chap. 5:4. As to what is contained and given us in the new birth, Peter sets before us in. these words: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter I:3. As to the state into which the regenerate are brought, it is thus expressed by John, We know that we have passed from death unto life. Paul, speaking of it, says, Who hath deliver­ed us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the  kingdom of his dear Son. And Peter's account of it is this, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. See IJohn, 3:14, Col.1:13,I Peter, 2:9. Rege­neration is an act wrought instantaneously in us. We are altogether passive. It is an immutable act. Our meetness for heaven and glory is contained in it. It is an act once for all. It is altogether perfect and divine. It admits of no degrees. It is one and the same in all who are the subjects of it. Such are in a state of life: they are passed by it, out of the state they were in, whilst they were unregenerate: they are translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son: they are called out of darkness into his (i. e. God's) marvellous light: they are hereby manifested to be the Lord's. In point of safety they cannot be more secure. I hope I have expressed the subject, in these scriptural proofs, satisfactorily. 

Junior. You have. May the Lord's blessing accompany the same to my mind. 

Senior. I most heartily join you in the same most important request. Amen.