by Robert Barclay

“ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe in me through their Word: That they all may be One; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be One in us, that the World may believe it, that thou hast sent me. And the Glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be One, even as we are One; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in One, and that the World may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me [John 17:20-23] .
Q. What saith the Apostle Paul to this Purpose? ”

“ Q. What speaketh Christ himself of the Necessity of this New Birth?
A. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God [John 3:3] . ”

“ A. Examine your selves, whether ye be in the Faith, prove your own selves; Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates [2 Cor. 13:5] .
Q. Was the Apostle earnest that this Inward Birth of Christ should be brought forth in any?
A. My little Children, of whom I travel in Birth again, until Christ be formed in you [Gal. 4:19] .
Q. What saith the same Apostle of the Necessity of this inward Knowledge of Christ, and of the New Creature beyond the Outward?
A. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the Flesh ”