For the answer we turn to Fames 1. 18: "Of his own will begat
dominion over his corporal part that he was denominated a living soul (Gen. ii. 7). But by indulging the appetites of the flesh in eating the forbidden fruit he prostituted the just dominion of the soul to the tyranny of sensual lust and became no longer a living soul but flesh—"' dust thou art"'. The living soul became dead and inactive. Thus in the day he sinned man surely died, and sadly. He became earthy. In this degenerate state "he begat a son in his own likeness". He transmitted the human nature, which had been entirely deposited in his hands, thus corrupted and depraved; and in the same plight it is still propagated. Corruption and sin are woven into our nature. It is not enough to put on a new coat or a new face, but we must put on the new man; we must be new creatures.
4. How 1s Man Born AGaINn?
For the answer we turn to Fames 1. 18: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth." The Gospel is the means, as St. Paul expresses it more plainly (cf. 1 Cor. iv. 5): "I have begotten you in Jesus Christ through the Gospel." This Gospel is indeed the word of truth; or else it could never produce such real, such lasting, such great and noble effects. We may rely upon it, and venture our immortal souls upon it.
This word of God (Heb. iv. 12) is very lively and active in all its efforts in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. They know not the Word of God that call it a dead letter.
(a) It 1s quick, compared to the light—and nothing quicker than light. It is not only quick, but quickening. It is a vital light; it is a living Word. Saints die, and sinners; but the Word of God lives and gives life.
(6) This Word is powerful. It is powerful to batter down Satan's kingdom in the soul of man and to set up the kingdom of Christ on the ruins.
(c) This word is 'sharper than a two-edged sword''. It cuts both ways. It is the "'sword of the Spirit"' (Eph. vi. 17). Those sinful habits which have become, as it were, natural to the soul, and radicated deeply in it, and become in a sense one with it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It cuts off ignorance from the understanding, rebellion from the will, enmity from the mind, which, when carnal, is enmity itself against God.