duty. A chapter then read at a time, will go through the whole in a month. Or if that be thought too much to read at once, each chapter may be divided into two parts, being so contrived that the matter will very well allow for it. And by this means, some persons may be engaged to hear, what they would not be persuaded, otherwise to look into, or to read by themselves. I was going, after all, to apologize for myself, in publishing a treatise from one set of SERMONS which might have been much better done, by taking in some things delivered in other SERMONS on the like subjects: but I was immediately checked by considering,....... That it is the blessing of God alone to which all success is owing, even in the best attempts of this nature: and therefore, since it hath pleased Him to own the following discourses already, in such a manner as to You; I shall, without any more words, join with you in hoping they may be blest to the good of others. What Almighty God sees fit to set his seal upon, I shall never affect to make apologies for, whatever may be its after-reception. [xx] To him, therefore, I humbly commit thi treatise; and to your service I devote it in a particular manner, as a testimony of my being, Your respectful friend, and servant, BERRY-COURT, S. WRIGHT. TO THE EIGHTH EDITION of Wright on the New Birth. IT was with very little expectation of acceptance, that this treatise was first sent into the world. But as it often happens, that we meet with least, where we expected most; so it is sometimes ordered by a kind providence, that we should meet with most, where we had the least expectation. The many letters and accounts I have had, from those of different communions, upon each foregoing impression of this book, (many thousands of which are now spread), led me to think, that the way to an hap-, py AGREEMENT among christians, is something vastly different from the schemes of politicians about the outward forms of religion; and from the laboured decisions of learned men, in matters of controversy. I cannot otherwise account for it, that so plain and unartful a performance as this, should be so well entertained, and frequently recommended by people of all parties, in a nation so divided as ours, and at a time when we have fallen in so many new squabbles, and prejudices against one another. This hath led me to conclude more strongly than ever, that to preach up true piety, and to acquaint men more with the spirit of holiness and regeneration, is the surest and shortest way to unity. This would more effectually lay our heats and animosities, than the insisting on any other expedients for peace which can be contrived. And after many other fruitless attempts, we shall find this the concurrent sense of good men in all ages. THE OUR SAVIOUR'S conference with Nicode- A distinct account of this, under five general heads; PAGE. Hence it follows; that a mere alteration of a man's course of life is not to be born again, 40. And III. The change is so great in our being born again, that we do as truly become new creatures, as if we could, in a natural sense, be born afresh, 41. Although the distinc- tion between the regenerate, and unregenerate, is not Hence it follows; that a pretended honouring the grace of God, whilst men go on in their sins, will not prove that they are born again, IV. This being born again is, in some respect, instan- taneous and perfect (like our being born at first;) but in other respects, it is gradual and progressive, Therefore, there can be no state betwixt the regene- rate and the unregenerate, 46. But there may be V. This change, which is called the new birth, may be, and commonly is, effected by the outward means of From hence it follows, that men ought to apply themsleves, with great diligence, to those appoint- To be born again, indispensibly necessary to salvation |