IV. 1. Thus have I plainly laid down those marks of the new-birth, which I find laid down in scripture. Thus doth God himself answer that weighty question, What it is to be born of God? Such, if the appeal be made to the oracles of God, is _every one that is born of the Spirit_. This it is, in the judgment of the Spirit of God, to be a son or a child of God. It is, so to believe in God thro’ _Christ_, as _not to commit sin_, and to enjoy at all times and in all places, that _peace of_ God _which passeth all understanding_. It is, so to _hope_ in God ♦through the Son of his love, as to have not only the _testimony of a good conscience_, but also the Spirit of God _bearing witness with your spirits, that ye are the children of_ God; whence cannot but spring, the _rejoicing in him through whom ye have received the atonement_. It is so to _love_ God, who hath thus loved you, as you never did love any creature: so that ye are constrained to love all men as yourselves; with a love not only ever burning in your hearts, but flaming out in all your actions and conversations, and making your whole life one _labour of love_, one continued obedience to those commands, _Be ye merciful, as_ God _is merciful; Be ye holy, as I the_ Lord _am holy; Be ye perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect_. 2. Who then are ye that are thus born of God? Ye _know the things which are given to you of_ God. Ye well know, that ye are the children of God, and _can assure your hearts before him_. And every one of you who has observed these words, cannot but feel and know of a truth, whether at this hour, (answer to God and not to man!) you are thus a child of God or no? The question is not, what you was made in baptism: (do not evade:) but, what you are now? Is the Spirit of adoption now in your heart? To your own heart let the appeal ♦be made. I ask not, whether you _was_ born of water and of the Spirit. *But _are_ you _now_ the temple of the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in you? I allow you _was circumcised with the circumcision of_ Christ, (as St. _Paul_ emphatically terms baptism) but does the Spirit of _Christ_ and of glory _now_ rest upon you? Else _your circumcision is become uncircumcision_. 3. Say not then in your heart, I _was once_ baptized, therefore I _am now_ a child of God? Alas, that consequence will by no means hold. How many are the baptized gluttons and drunkards, the baptized liars and common swearers, the baptized railers and evil-speakers, the baptized whoremongers, thieves, extortioners? What think you? Are these now the children of God? Verily I say unto you, whosoever you are, unto whom any one of the preceding characters belong, _ye are of your father the devil, and the works of your father ye do_. Unto you I call in the name of him whom you crucify afresh, and in his words to your circumcised predecessors, _Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell_?