A new existence

(J. C. Ryle, "Regeneration")

"Truly, truly, I say to you—Unless a man
 is born again, he cannot see the kingdom
 of God." John 3:3

To be born again is, as it were, to enter
upon a new existence, to have . . .
  a new mind,
  a new heart,
  new views,
  new principles,
  new tastes,
  new affections,
  new likings,
  new dislikings,
  new fears,
  new joys,
  new sorrows,
  new love to things once hated,
  new hatred to things once loved,
  new thoughts . . .
    of God,
    of ourselves,
    of the world,
    of the life to come,
    of salvation.

He who has been born again, is a new man, a
new creature—for old things are passed away.
He receives an utterly new bias and direction.
All things have become new! It is the implanting
of a new principle which will surely bear good
fruit. It is . . .
  opening the eyes of the blind;
  unstopping the ears of the deaf;
  loosing the tongue of the dumb;
  giving hands and feet to the maimed and lame
—for he that is born again no longer allows his
members to be instruments and servants of
unrighteousness—but he gives them unto God,
and then only are they properly employed.

"You must be born again." John 3:7

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We have posted a couple of choice
audio sermons by J. C. Ryle:

    The Lord's Garden

    Without Clouds

link