John Clowes

“ But since you cannot effect all this of yourselves without a divine power, and since there is no divine power but from Jesus Christ, it is further necessary that you apply immediately to this only true God, to receive from him that new life which he came to give you, which is the blessed life of faith and love, of truth and confidence, void of doubt, because uncontaminated by the defilements of sin. ”

“ But do you know, or have you ever seriously considered, what Reformation and Regeneration are? Do you know that these terms imply the making man anew, or, in other words, the forming him into a new creature? ”

“ Sometimes men are fond of novelty, especially in the way of opinion, and are never so happy as in pulling down old, and building up new systems of Faith and Doctrine. Sometimes too, in their enquiries after truth, they do not, proceed, perhaps, with that coolness of dispassionate judgment and careful investigation which are necessary for the discovery of so precious a treasure: in the impetuosity of their quest, they make hasty conclusions ”

“ But further—Salvation, of necessity, implies Reformation and Regeneration, for it is not possible (as the Sacred Scriptures continually testify) , that man can be saved, unless he be first reformed and regenerated. Of consequence, he who is the Saviour of men, must needs be also their previous Reformer and Regenerated, in order, finally, to become their Saviour. ”

“ Nor does it always happen that men of the most celebrated talents, whether natural or acquired, are the best qualified to discover holy truth; for we know, from the highest authority, that something more than natural talents is necessary for this purpose, and that the things of God, therefore, (to use the language of the Redeemer) are hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes, Matt. ”