The change which occurs in the new birth is so great and notable that the vessel marred in the potter's hand is made again, another vessel "

Not long since while in a potter's house I was delighted to see him place a lump of clay on the wheel and "make it a vessel as it pleased him." I enquired, "Is the vessel ever spoiled soon after it is made, and do you sometimes make it another vessel?" "Yes," he replied,    "but a different process is needful to renew the ruined vessel." So man spoiled in the fall, is re­newed by the workmanship of God and made "another man" a "new creature." The man that is generated, or born the first time, is regenerated, or "born again." Jesus said to the man Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again."

This change of man in regeneration, though denied by some, is so real and wonderful that it is called in scripture the "renewing of the Holy Ghost," a being born again, a passing from death unto life." Yes the man is renewed by the Holy Ghost. "Old things are passed away and behold all things are become new." 

 This great change of state and nature in its entire fullness I have thought according to the Scriptures, begins in the renewing of the heart, Spirit or soul of man, and is completed in the re­newing or resurrection of the body. In regen­eration here the man's spirit is renewed, his will and affections are changed by the work of the Holy Spirit alone. And after death just as real a change is wrought in the renewal or resur­rection of the body by the same blessed Spirit. Thus changed by the renewing work of the Holy Ghost, the renewed part never sins any more. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;" for God's seed, "which is Christ," remaineth in him, and keeps his soul pure. Moreover, "Christ in the soul" enables it to curb the sinful appetites, and so the man is led to "walk after the Spirit." Yet his remaining evil dispositions, the unrenewed part called the "old man" or "fleshly lusts," "war against the soul," and bring the man into sin and grief. But every one that now loveth is now born of God--born from above or by God's power, and is enabled by Christ remain­ing. in him, to so keep under and bring these fleshly lusts into subjection, that it is said, "sin shall not have dominion over you."

Viewed as dead, we are changed or resur­rected from death in sins when we hear the life-giving voice of the Son of God, and pass from death unto life. And this resurrection work shall be completed when "our vile body" lain in the grave, shall hear His voice and be changed from natural to spiritual, and come forth from the grave by the power of God's Spirit. 

Considered as corrupt and unholy, in the new birth we are sanctified or set apart by God the Father from the service of satan to the service of God. With the heart made pure by the renewing work of the Spirit we are led in paths of righteousness. The sanctification or holiness of Jesus Christ imputed to us in regen­eration is entirely perfect. But our practical sanctification, holiness or "good Works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them," is imperfect. For the Scriptures says, "Ye cannot do the things that ye would.” So, though we desire, we cannot perform sinless per­fection. "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." And this work of sanctification, begun in the spirit or soul, shall also be completed when this corrupt body shall be fashioned like Jesus, and raised from the grave incorruptible.

Considered as enemies and aliens from God, we bare adopted into the heavenly family by Jesus Christ. So being adopted, we have the "spirit of adoption." We have gratitude and love in our hearts for God, who has adopted such unworthy creatures to himself. This adop­tion, it appears, also begins with the renewing work of the Spirit in heart or soul, and is completed in the adoption or resurrection of our body from the grave. Thus we are "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body," which is its resurrection. "It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

Then praise the Lord, in the glorious resur­rection day in the bright world above, we shall be wholly sanctified, regenerated and adopted, soul, body and spirit. Then "we shall have put on incorruption." Then we shall be perfectly sinless. O, then, with deceased babes and all the redeemed, we shall be perfectly prepared to sing the song of redemption through the blood of Jesus. "Wherefore holy brethren," in view of this heavenly bliss through the suffering and blood of Jesus, Oh! let us "be careful to main­tain good works."

In bonds and much love.

Paradise, Tex.         M.D. DENMAN