A vast and mighty change
Again, the Scriptures describe the being born of God, which must go before the witness that we are his children, as a vast and mighty change, a change from darkness to light, as well as from the power of Satan to God, as a passing from death to life, a resurrection from the dead. Thus the apostle to the Ephesians: You he has made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1. And again, When we were dead in sins, he has made us alive together with Christ, and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6.
But what does the man of whom we now speak know of any such change as this? He is altogether unacquainted with this whole matter. This is a language which he does not understand. He tells you he always was a Christian. He knows no time when he had need of such a change. By this also, if he gives himself leave to think, he may know that he is not born of the Spirit, that he has never yet known God, but has mistaken the voice of nature for the voice of God.
1771 text
5. Again, the scriptures describe the being born of God, which must precede the witness that we are his children, as a vast and mighty change, a change from darkness to light, as well as from the power of Satan unto God: as a passing from death unto life, a resurrection from the dead. Thus the apostle to the Ephesians; you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins, chap. ii. ver. 1. And again, When we were dead in sins, he hath quickened us together with Christ; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together, in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, ver. 5, 6. But what knoweth he concerning whom we now speak, of any such change as this? He is altogether unacquainted with this whole matter. This is a language which he does not understand. He tells you, “He always was a Christian. He knows no time when he had need of such a change.” By this also, if he give himself leave to think, may he know, that he is not born of the Spirit: that he has never yet known God; but has mistaken the voice of nature for the voice of God.
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 10 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:16. The first discourse on the witness of the Spirit.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.