07. The true Believer rejoices that he was born again
EXHORTATION.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."—1 Peter, iii. 4.
If any man glory, let him glory in the Lord; and if any rejoice, let it be over that which will make him eternally happy. Now if there is anything in which a true believer may glory and rejoice, it is his being born again, that he was baptized, and thereby became a child of God. We have obtained innumerable blessings by the rite of holy baptism.
1. God is our Father, who will sustain, preserve and care for us as for his children, and will not forsake us.
2. Jesus Christ. All that Jesus has earned by his sufferings and death, has been imparted to us as our own by holy baptism.
3. The pouring out of the Holy Ghost, who will dwell in our hearts to enlighten, sanctify, and direct them. By such indwelling power of the holy spirit, we are daily removed farther from sin, and grow in faith, piety and godliness, as a new born babe increases in years and strength.
4. We shall have a part, after this life, in the
THE TRUE BELIEVER REJOICES bliss of heaven. He who ponders these things, must needs rejoice in God with all his heart. But let the believer also most carefully watch and pray,
1. That he do not lose the grace bestowed upon him.
2 That he walk worthily in his calling.
3. That he do not again love the world, and that he sin not wilfully with unregenerate and worldly people, and become like them.
4. That he be obedient unto God as a loving child, and follow the Lord Jesus, and withstand not the baptism of the holy Spirit. Then he may rest assured that he will enjoy the love, favor, support and assistance of the triune God here in time, and hereafter in eternity.
Great God, and dearly beloved Father, how can I love and praise thee enough, that thou hast had mercy upon my soul, that I might not perish! What honor hast thou shown me in imparting unto me the right of holy baptism, wherein thou hast acknowledged me to be thy child! Do men boast the great happiness derived from their high birth, the possession of dignities, riches and domains; much more do I prize my happiness in being thy child, for if we are children, we also are heirs, that is to say
THAT HE WAS BORN AGAIN.
heirs of God, and brethren of Christ, provided we suffer with him, and are elevated to glory with him. If I am a child of God, my heavenly Father will preserve, govern, guard, and defend me; yea, he will never forsake me in the time of need. If I am a child of God, I have not only an unfailing stay in him in this life, but great cheerfulness in death, for he will refresh me as his child, love me, comfort me, and, after my departure from this world, he will lead me to the life of bliss to come. If I see any one do evil, if I hear evil spoken, let me remember that I am a child of God, to whom such things are not becoming; let me joyfully say, in thy power: World, know that my birthright and my heritage in God, are not to be sold for thy pleasures and thy vanities. Blessed Jesus thou knowest that I love thee, and am greatly distressed when I do not always and in very truth love thee as I should. O, be graciously pleased to take my will for the deed and let me lead a life of faith and piety, holiness, purity, and childlike humility, let me love, honor, fear and obey thee, that I may live and die as thy child, and attain everlasting joys in heaven. I have put on Jesus long ago in holy baptism, therefore did thou love me, and hast adopted me to be thy child, O God! I beg for the sake of the blood of Christ, let my end be well. Amen.
THE TRUE BELIEVER PRAYS GOD