" begetting us again ;" and forming us, as it were, altogether anew. This he does by the operation of his word upon the hearts and consciences of men, and by the Almighty power of his Spirit working effectually in them. Hence we are said to be " born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for everf." In like manner we are said to be " born of the Spirit8." And this birth is not only distinguished from, but put in direct opposition to, the natural birth of man ; for " to as many as receive Christ, to them gives he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God h." Here, then, the efficient cause of our regenera- tion is distinctly marked : it is not effected by any power which is possessed by the man himself, or by others over him, or by any created being : it must be traced to God himself, to God only, to God entirely, to God exclusively.]
The moving cause of it is his " mercy" —
[Man never merited it ; never asked it ; never of himself desired it. God, who sees us when dead in trespasses and sins, is moved only by his own " mercy" towards us, to impart unto us this transcendent gift. He saw us, like new-born infants, "lying in our blood; and bade us live1." O! who can ever appreciate this blessing aright ? Who can ever estimate the blessing of being "begotten of God," and "born of God?" To be begotten and born of an earthly monarch were nothing in comparison of it ; nothing in respect of honour ; nothing in respect of benefit. That we were created men, was grace; because we might have been of a lower order of beings, like beasts : but to be new-created, after that we were fallen, and by this new creation to be made sons of God, is not only " mercy" but such mercy as never was vouchsafed to the angels that fell: no; it was reserved for us : and " abundant" mercy it was! The very angels in heaven have not in this respect been so highly favoured as we : for they can sing of grace only: whereas we, when we had abused and forfeited all the blessings of grace, had them all restored to us through the tender mercy of our God.]
The instrumental or procuring cause of it was the Lord Jesus Christ —
[In general, the blessings of salvation are traced to the death of Christ, as their procuring cause. And such, no doubt, it was: for by it we are reconciled to God, and obtain the
' 1 Pet. i. 23. See also Jam. i. IS. e John iii. 5, G.
*> John i. 12, 13. * Ezek. xvi. 6.