Our business, however, is not with Mr. E. but with the truth of the matter. Mr. Groves' remarks refer to the _nature_ of regeneration, and to the _necessity_ of a change in the affections, in order to man's appreciating the object presented to him in the Gospel: these he considers as objections to the doctrine that the simple knowledge and belief of that object are "the cause of spiritual life in the unregenerate;" and he uses the analogy of food, which he says, is not the cause of life, although it be the support of it. Certainly the contemplation of Jesus is not the cause, but it is the commencement and exercise of spiritual life, which needs no commencement of a distinct kind from its subsequent functions. As to the analogy of food, it will be seen whether the language of Scripture bears us out in making the same distinction between the source and the sustenance of spiritual, as of natural life. What, indeed, is meant to be asserted? Is it, that men have life in them _first_, to capacitate them to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man? This seems to be said: but Himself hath said, "Except ye eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, ye have _no_ life in you." Not life then without the food, or before the food, but _by_ the food. This banquet _is_ to be spread before the dead. Thus only shall any live. Is spirit and life in men first from another source, and then do they take and profit by his words? But "the entrance of his words _giveth_ light," and that light is life. "The words that I speak unto you," says the Lord, "_they_ are spirit, and they are life": and that spirit, the spirit of his words, he tells us it is that "quickeneth" or produceth life. Is there, then, no need for regeneration? Surely there is: but it does not follow that the principle of regeneration is one, and that of faith another to be superadded to it. "We are born," says Peter, "not of corruptible seed, but of the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever;" adding, in very remarkable language, "This is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you." An explanation which removes all doubt as to the meaning of James, when he says, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth," that is, according to Peter, with the Gospel preached. John, in like manner, tells us, that "whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world," and if we ask, what is born of God? Is it a principle antecedent and necessary to faith? He answers, It is faith itself. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." NOTE C, page 104.