Such is everyone born of the Spirit
Thus I have plainly laid down those marks of the new birth which I find laid down in scripture. Thus God himself answers that weighty question, what it is to be born of God. Such, if the appeal is made to the oracles of God, is everyone who 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 through Christ as not to commit sin, and to enjoy, at all times and in all places, that peace of God which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is so to hope in God through the Son of his love (Colossians 1:13) as to have not only the testimony of a good conscience, but also the Spirit of God bearing witness with your spirits, that you are the children of God. From that there cannot but spring the rejoicing in him through whom you have received the atonement.
It is so to love God, who has thus loved you, as you never loved any creature, so that you 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 conduct, and making your whole life one labor of love, one continued obedience to those commands: "Be merciful, as God is merciful (Luke 6:36). Be holy, as I the Lord am holy (Leviticus 19:2). Be perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
1771 text
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.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 18 in the 1771 Works. John 3:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.