new birth! as totally ignorant of the Scriptural acceptation of being "born again," as was Nicodemus, the marvelling "master in Israel."

The operation of the new birth (" being born again") is the grand commission which the Holy Ghost the Comforter sent to effect. For this, Christ, the Son of God gave up his life upon the Cross! Let its importance therefore be estimated by the means taken to cause it! Proportionate to the means must be the end. The End is, that millions the human race have felt this renewal

and

in the arts by spiritual tokens, so

certain, that had there been no Bible revelation, they would not have been the less certain of their communion and fellowship with God by his spirit. This is strange doctrine to the unbeliever, all of whom we may ask without expectation of answer, "who hath believed our report?" The truth, is, " Spiritual things are Spiritually discerned," and those who have "eyes which see not, and ears that hear not," are as preposterous in their endeavours at spiritual dis cernments, as would be the blind at setting themselves up for judges of colours. So sure it is, that "the world, by (its) wisdom, knows not God." But, God has imparted this sure and certain testimony to the really good and great in every nation in Christendom and the End which we would now wish to make of this gracious means is to avail ourselves of the evidence which the manifestation affords, of offering certain and rational assurance to the understand. ing of Deists in general, and Jews in particular, that Christ has really risen, and that the Comforter has actually come! The witnesses for this truth, are nume rous, and ever at hand! Yea, they are actually living throughout Christendom, and will be living on the earth to the end of time. They are to be found in almost every society naming the name of Jesus! sure, certain, witnesses are they, to whom the evidence im

:

parted has been so great, that they would not cease to believe, were the same manner of internal evidence perpetuated, though there should be no Bible! These are truths which every Christian " knows," because he has "the witness of the Spirit, testifying with his Spirit, that he has passed from death unto life." This then is the vital doctrine to charge home most upon unbelievers; but how shall they believe who have no spiritual faculties with which to appre hend? There is certainly an impediment on their part. But there is yet ample means for preliminary convincement, if they will be governed by such rules as prevail in every other kind of received testimony. The evidences then, are such, as may be found in every objectors city, village, or neighbourhood. There many have borne testimony to all around, that a sensible preternatural change has been wrought upon their heart. That they know that all their former sinful affections and desires have been totally changed for those that are pure and holy-indeed, the world itself acknowledges the change of their manners and conduct; they see and confess the reform of a notorious debauchee and drunkard-When challenged with these obvious facts, the answer of the unbeliever is, it is mere enthusiasm! On other Occasions they perhaps witness the tears and cries of" penitential sorrow,' or the "joy unspeak able" of the soul "delivered from the burthen of sin too intolerable to be borne" (both of which, the Scriptures continually teach,) and they cry out shear enthusiasm! This is a word, which having no known derivation, is well adapted to so vague a use; since it is evident those who use it, never consider its import, even in their own use of it. They offer it as an explication of the cause, when in fact they have at most but named the effect. The cause is still a mystery to all but the christian, to whom the Bible and the Spirit have revealed it, Cries and tears, let it

be well considered, are not voluntary emotions: neither are the opposite emotions of joy: they must therefore be affected by some powerful agency or cause. This therefore brings us to the original subject under consideration, to wit: the certain manifestation of the Spirit.

Where then shall we look for the explication of the mystery, but to the possessors of this "change of heart," and to the concurrence of Scripture? On what pretext could the testimony of these witnesses be. rejected, but by taking out a statute of lunacy a-" gainst them; and who would be so hardy and absurd as to either ask it, or to grant it! They would tell you? with Saint Paul, "I am not mad, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness:" Yea, you yourselves do know that all of these persons are at least rational in all their other concerns in life-And you yourselves also know, they make better members of Society-Perhaps many of these witnesses are members of your own families; perhaps your parents, your husbands, your wives, or your brethren-These you may have seen surprisingly transformed from gross wickedness to exemplary piety. In this state they continue uniform for their whole lives, during all which time they testify their certain, perceptible, communication with the holy Spirit-nay, many have scaled this truth with their blood; and many whom you may now familiarly know are still ready to offer their bodies as a witness-These are not maniacs, but as discreet, sober men, as you perhaps esteem yourselves to be. In short, if the case could be settled by judicial judgment, it would forever be put at rest: for competent,rational, good and great witnesses, would come even from the ends of the earth, to testify on oath, the certain, sensible, perceptible manifestations of God to their several souls; and what would be still more confirmatory, diversity of languages

and nations, would all have one spirit to speak of and to glorify?*

Reader, is it strange, that God who is a Spirit, and whom no man hath seen at any time, should have a sure and certain means of imparting a knowledge of himself to his creatures; or rather would it not be stranger if he could not, or even would not? Any thing contrary to this scriptural, and even necessary means of keeping up the intercourse between God,and his creatures, since spirit must communicate with spirit, would be making the christian dispensation less welcome and less "glorious," (which is the reverse of the promise) than it was under the Mosaic Era. Then Christ came in person and revealed himself: but now that he has risen, we have only the means of beholding him, in letters cast at the foundery and impressed at the printer's! And how many are they of us who cannot avail ourselves even of these helps; some have no money, and some cannot read. Alas! if there be no manifestation of the Spirit, who does not say, "Lord we beseech thee, bring us back to the times of Moses, whence thou didst converse with thy people : they beheld thy glory, and received thy answers from between the cherubim; but we, alas, can neither see thee, feel thee, nor communicate with thee !"

Reader be not self-willed and obstinate; but prepare thy heart for the reception of the truth as it will be offered in the following pages, which was written for one, who, like you, could not believe that, God's spirit could dwell in the hearts of men!

* If objectors will still obstinately persist in unbe lief, we will ask such, even on their own view of things, to discover some cause for the effects thus exhibited, which philosophy (which is never contrary to religion) may sanction. Surely we know of ne delusion (if it be such) in any manner analogous : Men both sane and insane, at the same time!