Are you this now
Who, then, are you who are thus born of God? You know the things which are given to you by God (1 Corinthians 2:12). You know well that you are the children of God, and can assure your hearts before him (1 John 3:19). 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 not.
The question is not what you were made in baptism. Do not evade it. The question is what you are now. Is the Spirit of adoption now in your heart? Let the appeal be made to your own heart. I do not ask whether you were born of water and of the Spirit. But are you now the temple of the Holy Ghost who dwells in you (1 Corinthians 6:19)? I allow that you were circumcised with the circumcision of Christ (Colossians 2:11), as Saint Paul emphatically calls baptism. But does the Spirit of Christ and of glory now rest upon you (1 Peter 4:14)? Else your circumcision has become uncircumcision (Romans 2:25).
1771 text
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.
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.