5. They are a believing people. "He that believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (5:1). It is not merely that they say that Christ is Christ, but they know Him experimentally as the Christ in power. 6. Those who are born of God are an overcoming people. "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (5:4). The evidence, therefore, of being born of God is victory over the world. 7. Those born of God are a preserved people. "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that was begotten of God keepeth him" (5:18, R.V.). Those who have been born of God are kept by the power of God. These are the people who constitute the church of God, and they answer to everything that is said of those who are found faithful, and who escape the things that are coming on the world. The author lingers over the closing word, for he is enamoured of the theme and loath to leave it. No typewriting machine has ground out these pages for the press; the subject has been too sacred for other than his own pen. He covets the love of it for every fellow-member of the body of Christ. He sees the regeneration of the Church in the general adoption of the plan. He sees the sanctification of the ministry. He sees a mighty quickening in the pews. He sees the worldwide revival for which a thousand hearts are praying. He sees the unmasking of a Christianised rationalism, and the utter rout of a rationalised Christianism. He sees the first thing in the world getting the first place in the world. He sees the solution of a score of civic problems. He sees the protection of vested rights against lawlessness, and the labourer receiving the due reward of his hire. He sees the oppressed set free; no longer "Condemned by night, enchained by day, Drowned in the depths of grim despair; While running brooks sing roundelay, And God's green fields are ev'rywhere." He sees the missionary treasuries repleted. He sees the hastening of the day when this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached as a witness to all nations, [1] and when He who is our life shall appear, and we also shall appear together with Him in glory. [2] O brethren of the ministry and the laity, get back to the Bible! Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. [3] Let us preach the preaching that God bids us. [4] Diminish not a word. [5] Let us be as His mouthpieces, nothing more, nothing less, taking forth the precious from the vile, [6] for who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him? [7] [1] Matt. 24:14. [2] Col. 3:4. [3] Col. 3:16. [4] Jonah 3:2. [5] Jer. 26:2. [6] Jer. 15:19. [7] Joel 2:14. _Printed by_ Morrison & Gibb Limited, _Edinburgh_ BY THE SAME AUTHOR. - - - - - SYNTHETIC BIBLE STUDIES. Containing an Outline Study of every Book of the Bible, with Suggestions for Sermons, Addresses, and Bible Exposition. New Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Demy 8vo, price 6s. net.