May 23

"Which were born of God." — John 1:13.

MANY boast of their honorable descent, birth, and parentage, and the dignity and wealth of their ancestors; but who among the great and mighty of the earth can be compared with the believer who is descended from the Father of lights, and is an heir of immortal glory? Note

THE NATURE OF THE NEW BIRTH. An amazing change is produced, which extends to all the powers and faculties of the soul; there is the impression of the Divine image, the implantation of a Divine principle, and a restoration to the Divine favor.

They are born to a state of pilgrimage. Previous to conversion, they were pilgrims in condition, in common with all mankind, who are on a journey from time to eternity; but now they have the heart of a stranger, and the feelings and dispositions of heavenly travellers.

They are born to sorrows. And these are of a peculiar nature, and arise from various sources; such as, sin dwelling in them, and abounding in the world, the withdrawn of the Divine presence and favor. If they are sowers, they sow in tears; if they are companions, they are "companions in tribulation."

They are born to joys. They now rejoice in those things in which they felt no interest before; the person, work, cross, word, and ordinances of Christ; and not only in the anticipations of hope, but in tribulations also, knowing that though it may afflict the mind, it cannot affect the state. Romans 8:35.

They are born to high honors — to be prophets, priests, and kings; as prophets, they know God's will, for "the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;" they are a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices; as kings they have a kingdom within them, they are attended with royal guards, the angels of the Lord. They are born to an inheritance free in its reception, unbounded in its joys, and eternal in its duration. Remember, before you can realize these honors you must be born again; —

"Born in the image of his Son, A new peculiar race."