You also must be born again
"Truly, truly, I say to you, you also must be born again" (John 3:7). Unless you also are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Lean no more on the staff of that broken reed (Isaiah 36:6), that you were born again in baptism. Who denies that you were then made children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven? But notwithstanding that, you are now children of the devil. Therefore you must be born again.
And do not let Satan put it into your heart to cavil at a word, when the thing is clear. You have heard what the marks of the children of God are. All of you who do not have them on your souls, baptized or unbaptized, must receive them, or without doubt you will perish everlastingly. And if you have been baptized, your only hope is this: that those who were made the children of God by baptism, but are now the children of the devil, may yet again receive power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). That they may receive again what they have lost, even the Spirit of adoption, crying in their hearts, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15).
1771 text
5. Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye also must be born again. Except ye also be born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of God. Lean no more on the staff of that broken reed, that ye were born again in baptism. Who denies that ye were then made “children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven?” But notwithstanding this, ye are now children of the devil. Therefore ye must be born again. And let not Satan put it into your heart, to cavil at a word, when the thing is clear. Ye have heard, what are the marks of the children of God: all ye who have them not on your souls, baptized or unbaptized, must needs receive them, or without doubt ye will perish everlastingly. And if ye have been baptized, your only hope is this, that those who were made the children of God by baptism, but are now the children of the devil, may yet again receive power, to become the sons of God: that they may receive again what they have lost, even the Spirit of adoption, crying in their hearts, Abba, Father!
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.