Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-12-28

is remarkable with what precision
the inspired writers select terms to
make known at once the nature of
the work, the energy by which it is
effected, and its thoroughness as the
work of God. 1t lisa regeneration"
a RENEWAL" transformation" a
"creation," a resurrection" or a
passing "from death unto life"
Theories of regeneration are numer-
Gus, differing mainly as they empha-
size one or another of the features OF
this wonderful work. The essential
fact is the production of new life in
the soul that was dead; but this fact
has its conditions, its Implications,
its manifestations and results. 1t
does not occur without the convic>
tion of sin, the sense of condemna-
ton, and such turning away from
sin in Cody sorrow as constituted
genuine repentance. 1t never occurs
without the exercise Of faith--the
faith of the heart that apprehcnds
Christ as the living Redeemer, the
sufficient Savior, the only refuge for
the sinner. 1t, therefore, always im>
plies the occurrence of justification,
which is the removal of guilt and
condemnation by gracious pardon
of past sins. Justification changes
the relation of the sinner to the
divine law, and regenera-
ton changes his inward nature so as
to conform to the divine will. In the
order of thought, justification is an
tecedent; in the order of time the dis
tinction is inappreciable. The man.
Hesitation of regeneration is in its evil
dences. These are inward and out
ward. The inward evidences affect
the consciousness. They come neces-
sarily from the Holy Spirit, with i'm
mediate impressions and mediate dis
closures. The Spirit testifies in the
innermOst consciousness. He also con-
firms this inward testimony or wit
ness by the fruits of the Spirit in the
heart and life. The new heart be-
comes the fountain of new and holy
affections and emotions. 1t pours
forth cepious stream of love, joy,
peace, gentleness, and all the graces,
refreshing and identifying the life,
and declaring the praises of God. The
mind observes these fruits of the
Spirit, and traces them to their source,
and nationally infers the change
wrought, aided by the memory of
former states and of the old govern
ing passions. These inward eviden-
ces of regeneration appeal to personal
consciousness. Hence the verify of
regeneration as a matter of knowl-
edge depends upon the verify of hui
man consciousness. And the last
and supreme appeal of any fact of ex-
perience is to consciousness.
Regeneration! This is a fundamen-
tally radical change. 1t touches the
foundations of character. The Scrip
lures indicate that all the powers of
our being-body, soul, and spirit
have been affected by sin, and must
also be sharer5 in the salvation the
Gospel brings. Nothing short of fun
damental regeneration can reach
mans deepest, most essential needs.
New life is the souls innermOst, deep
est need. The life regeneration
brings gives vitality to the sensible
ties, quickens the emotions, and re-
fines the very texture of the soul. 1t
turns the current of our affections
from sin to holiness. 1t delivers us
from the power Of darkness, and
translates us into the kingdom OF
Gods dear Son. 1t plants within Us
the germ Of the divine life, and II.
adjusts and harmOnizes our passions,
and energies the essential attributes
of our being, 50 as to turn every fac,
ulty into the line of obedience, and
to cast upon our whole pathway the
blessed radiance Of purity, peace and
love.
Regeneration is therefore the fun
damental fact of life, because it breaks
the reigning power of sin, makes us
the children of God, and gives Us
power to walk in the light of holi
ness. But there is much beyond
regeneration. Though complete in
itself as, regeneration, it is not com
plete in regard to the development
of the character it creates. 1t is only
the beginning Of the new life. He
who is "born of GOd'' is yet "babe
in Christ" The elements of charac
ter in the new life are germinal. At
ter regeneration the fullest meaning