Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/186

176 New Birth is in us, or in Christ?" He, who is born of God, sinneth not. But if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. He, who is born of God, is a new creature; all old things are passed away, and all things are become new: a good man, out of the good treasury of his heart, bringeth not forth good and evil, but good, only good. I conceive, therefore, that to be born again, or, as it may be rendered, to be born anew, or born from above, alludes to the birth of the human family in the person of Christ Jesus, we being members of his body. Hence the sacred record decidedly pronounces: Created anew in Christ Jesus. "Well, that is scripture, to be sure." Are we Christ Jesus? "No, certainly." Then, can being created anew, in Christ Jesus, be understood as being created anew in ourselves? A part of the company discovered great bitterness; others were more calm. I requested them to observe, that, if they reported me as a heretic, they must remember they smote me through Paul's skirts, for I had delivered no sentiments of my own fabrication; I had merely rehearsed in their ears the unadulterated language of revelation: I therefore begged, I might be honestly reported. One gentleman declared, that, whether I deemed it honest, or not, he should report me as a heretic. I then insisted, he should declare, what heresy was. He said, I was against the gospel. I requested, he would say, what gospel was? He replied, it was whatever was found in the new testament. I appealed to the company, whether this was either fair, or true? whether there were not many particulars in the new testament, which were not gospel? and whether the gospel was not preached to Abraham? or whether the gospel was not God's good sayings, or glad tidings to all people? Whether I had said any thing contrary to this, or proposed any way of salvation, beside Christ Jesus? or whether I had privily strove to bring in such a damnable doctrine, as to deny the Lord who bought them? They were all dumb. At length Mr. Snow said: "Well, my friends, you know the reason of my calling you together, and you can now determine respecting Mr. Murray's again entering our pulpit. I would have you freely deliver your sentiments. One said, the people wished to hear, and there was no house so convenient as theirs; he could see no reason why I should not preach. Another objected. His conscience would not allow him to consent. A third remarked, the people would go to hear me, preach where I would; suppose I was wrong, I could not contaminate the house; for his part, he did not see that I had said any thing, which had been proved erroneous; that he most devoutly blessed God he had been present, for he had received more light, than he had