III. 1. It is not difficult for any who has considered these things, to see the necessity of the new birth, and to answer the _third_ question, wherefore, to what ends is it necessary that we should be born again? It is very easily discerned, that this is necessary, first, in order to holiness. For what is holiness, according to the oracles of God? Not a bare external religion, a round of outward duties, how many soever they be, and how exactly soever performed. No: gospel-holiness is no less than the image of God stamped upon the heart. It is no other than the whole mind which was in Christ Jesus. It consists of all heavenly affections and tempers mingled together in one. It implies such a continual, thankful love, to him who hath not with-held from us his Son, his only Son, as makes it natural and in a manner necessary, to us, to love every child of man; as fills us with _bowels of mercies, kindness, gentleness, long-suffering_. It is such a love of God as teaches us to be blameless in all manner of conversation; as enables us to present our souls and bodies, all we are, and all we have, all our thoughts, words and actions, a continual sacrifice to God, acceptable through Christ Jesus. Now this holiness can have no existence, ’till we are renewed in the image of our mind. It cannot commence in the soul, ’till that change be wrought, ’till by the power of the highest overshadowing us we are _brought from darkness to light, from the power of_ Satan _unto_ God: that is, ’till we are born again; which therefore is absolutely necessary in order to holiness. 2. But _without holiness no man shall see the_ Lord, shall see the face of God in glory. Of consequence the new birth is absolutely necessary, in order to eternal salvation. Men may indeed flatter themselves (so desperately wicked and so deceitful is the heart of man!) that they may live in their sins ’till they come to the last gasp, and yet afterwards live with God. And thousands do really believe, that they have found a _broad way which leadeth_ not _to destruction_. What danger, say they, can a woman be in, that is so _harmless_ and so _virtuous_? What fear is there that so _honest_ a man, one of so strict _morality_, should miss of heaven? Especially, if over and above all this, they constantly attend on church and sacrament. One of these will ask with all assurance, “What, shall not I do as well as my neighbours?” Yes, as well as your unholy neighbours; as well as your neighbours that die in their sins. For you will all drop into the pit together, into the nethermost hell. You will all lie together in the lake of fire, _the lake of fire burning with brimstone_. Then, at length you will see (but God grant you may see it before!) the necessity of holiness in order to glory: and consequently, of the new birth, since none can be holy, except he be born again.