2. Their exclusive distinction —
[Simple as this is, there is not a creature upon the face of the whole earth of whom it can with truth be predicated, but of one wlio has been "■ begotten of God," and " born again of the Holy Spirit." Others may be very wise and learned, and may be able to descant with accuracy upon all the deep things of God. They may in words and in pro- fession gi'eatly magnify the grace of God : but they have never had a taste of it in their own souls. And the reason is plain : they have never felt their undone state by nature : they have never been sensible of the immense load of guilt which they have contracted by their own actual trans- gressions. Consequently, they have never trembled for fear of God's wrath, nor with strong crying and tears sought deliverance from it through the atoning blood of Jesus. Hence the grace of God has never been extended to them ; and consequently they have never " tasted that the Lord is gracious." They, as I have before said, may descant learn- edly upon the subject of divine grace ; but their discussions proceed from the head only, and not from the heart. As a man who has never tasted honey, however conversant he may be with its qualities, has no just conception of its flavour, so none but he who has experienced the grace of God in his soul can know really what it is. He knows it, because he has tasted it : and others know it not, because they have not tasted it.]
. The Apostle addressing these declares to them,
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