created in righteousness and true holiness.(Eph. 4: 22--24.)

Hence, if the new birth is wrought by the Word and Spirit from above, so that Christ liveth in us, then must old Adam die: for the life of Christ is the death of Adam. Therefore Paul saith, And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life, because of righteousness. (Rom. 8: 10.) Again, For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Col. 3: 3.) Here we see, that the new birth is no small matter: for. where there is a death, there is anguish, sorrow, and pain. Therefore, let every one who thinketh that he is born again of the Word and Spirit of God, prove and examine himself, whether he has crucified and put to death his old adamic nature? - put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts?--and whether he has put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness?-for where this is not found, there is no true regeneration-no new birth that is wrought by the Word and Spirit of God; but is imaginary and fanciful, and will not be able to bear the test.

Farthermore, the true regeneration, which is of God, is prefigured in the law of Moses, by circumcision. For of the uncircumcised manchild, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, it is said, That soul shall be cut off

from his people. (Gen. 17:14.) And of the new birth it is said, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. But here many will say, that infant baptism is instituted in the room of circumcision. But when we truly examine, and attentively weigh what is represented by circumcision, we will find, that it is something of higher importance than infant baptism. For by circumcision was prefigured the circumcision of the heart-the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, which is evident from the word of God. And this was evidently seen by Moses, and the holy men of God, by the Spirit, that circumcision was not intended merely to circumcise the external foreskin of the flesh: but rather, to point out the necessity of inward circumcision-the circumcision of the heart. Therefore Moses saith to Israel, Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked. (Deut. 10: 16.) Also, And the LORD thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (30: 6.) Moreover, Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. (Jer. 4: 4.)

Of this spiritual circumcision, the apostle Paul also testifieth and saith, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3: 3.) For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Rom. 2: 28, 29.) Now, all these scriptures of Moses, the prophets, and the apostles, show clearly, that by the outward circumcision of the flesh, is prefigured the inward and spiritual circumcision of the heart.This is further demonstrated by the apostle Paul, when he saith, And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power; in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Col. 2: 10-12.)Here is evidently shown, that circumcision consists in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh; and that such as are thus circumcised and regenerated, are fit subjects to be baptised for the remission of sins, being buried with Christ, and by faith to rise in newness of life. And this burial consists in, that the old man is put off--is dead and buried, no more to appear and live. And by these words of Paul, we clearly understand, that this is not said of little children, either as it respects this circumcision or this baptism: for this circumcision is made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh; and of this baptism it is said, Wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, neither of which a young child is capable of doing.

Now, we farther find in the words under consideration, that Nicodemus could not understand our Lord, when he spake of this new birth, and thought he was speaking of a natural birth; and so he asked him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? But the following words of Jesus, gave him to understand that he was not speaking of a natural birth, but of a spiritual, when he said to him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.This water and Spirit may be understood as meaning one and the same thing; and the dif ferent names have reference to the different modes of its operation. For the Deity operates in many different ways; and according to the manner of operation is the name ascribed and attributed. The Father has many names; so also has the Son, and likewise the Holy Spirit. The Father is called GOD-JEHOVAH-beause he is eternal, infinite and incomprehensi

ble in his being, and Essence; and in that he is self existing and is therefore worthy of all honor, praise and adoration. He is called FATHER, because he is the Creator, Preserver, and Protector, of all creatures; and principally of those who, as obedient children, call upon him, love, and serve him. Is he not thy Father that bought thee? (Deut. 32: 6.) He is called CREATOR--because he created all things. He is called Almighty-because, by the power of his might he can do all things, and nothing is impossible for him to do. He is called the Omnipresent because he is present in every place. The Omniscient-because he is infinite in knowledge, and knoweth all things.-And of such names and attributes are there yet many ascribed to Him. The Son is called Christ Jesus--because he is the annointed of God, and a Saviour who saveth his people from their sins. He is called the Son of God--because he is the only begotten of the Father, and came forth from him; He is called the Son of man--because he was born of Mary, and became man; He is called Redeemer--because he has redeemed us from sin and death; He is called Mediator-because he is the only peace-maker and intercessor between God and men. His name is also called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6.) The Holy Ghost is called a Comforter-therefore, with his teaching and counsels he administers