Dearly beloved -- We shall address you upon an important, and interesting doctrine of the New Testament, to wit: that of regeneration, or being born again. -- John 3d and 3d -- "Verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" -- consequently cannot enter therein. In order therefore, in a methodical manner, to investigate the subject, we shall in the first place, consider the necessity of regeneration -- 2d, enquire what it is, or where it doth consist -- 3dly the causes or means that effect the same.

First, then, in order, the necessity thereof, viz: that we cannot enter into, or inherit the kingdom of God -- secondly, the reasons annexed, that we, by nature, stand connected with our own first sinful and depraved head and representative -- and, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned. Note; this is not to be understood by way of metonymy, or in consequence of Adam's depravity, and their's as his descendants or progeny; but for and in consideration of original guilt, and the imputation thereof unto them, as having a radical existence in him -- and therefore, with some propriety as it is said of Levi, that he paid tithes in loins of Abraham; so it may be said, we all sinned in the loins of our father Adam --

Romans 5th, and 19th -- for as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, or constituted such; and as Adam, by his transgression became divested of all righteousness, so he became depraved in his soul, defiled and polluted in all his powers, and his mind and conscience defiled; insomuch, that the whole human race is considered as dead in trespasses and sin; see Ephesians 2d and 1st -- gone out of the way -- Psalms 4th -- destruction and misery are in their way, and the way of peace they have not known -- children of wrath, saith the apostle, without God in the world, having enmity in their hearts against God, being not only enveloped in the blackness of darkness, but darkness itself; and all the concomitants, ignorance, blindness, infatuation and spiritual apathy.

From the impartial view of these things premised, it will appear to every unprejudiced mind, that a change of circumstance, and disposition is essentially necessary, in order to constitute man in a capacity to serve God, the ultimate end of his being; or to enjoy Him as the centre of perfection, and exhaustless source of blessedness, which leads us to consider what regeneration is, and agreeably to Jesus Christ -- John 5th and 7th -- it is a being born of the Spirit; whereas by natural generation, (wherein we were passive) we were conceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity -- see Psalm 51st -- so in regeneration, wherein also we were passive, we partake of a new and spiritual birth -- being quickened together with Christ; created anew in Christ Jesus. Thus this great work is ascribed unto God, who effects the same by His infallible, efficacious grace.

Secondly, regeneration is expressed, as a renovation of our spiritual powers -- a planting of divine law in the heart, and engraving it in the mind -- yea, a putting off the image of God on us, or an assimilation into the divine likeness. And Paul to Titus speaks of it as a washing and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Thirdly, regeneration constitutes the subjects thereof as children of God -- heirs and joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. So that they who were servants of sin, drudges to iniquity, are now made free in Christ, and servants of righteousness -- the spouse of Christ, His love, His dove, His undefiled one. O! what a glorious change -- sons of God, having His spirit sent down into their hearts, whereby they say, Abba, Father. -- Now, lastly, the cause or means that effect this divine change. God is the only efficient cause -- His love the moving cause -- His spirit and His word the ministering cause. Thus we are said to be begotten by the word of His truth through the gospel, born again to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away; reserved in Heaven for you; who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation. Oh, brethren! what a rich display of infinite wisdom, sovereign power and unmerited love, in devising and accomplishing such a glorious system of redemption and deliverance for the wretched self-ruined race, that they may partake of this divine blessing here in time, and receive precious faith, and precious promises, all flowing from the more precious Christ! O, beloved brethren! what infinite obligations are we under unto the adorable Jehovah, who hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, from the dead. O let us prize that blessed gospel, that reveals such a glorious hope -- that accomplishes such divine purposes -- and turns from darkness to light, from the power of sin and Satan, to serve the living God. Let us manifest in our lives, that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, and that by the power of the Holy Ghost. So, farewell. Yours in Christian love.

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[From William Fristoe, The History of the Ketocton Baptist Association, 1766-1808, pp. 54-56. The grammar and spelling are unchanged. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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