." He
was treated altogether differently from what he expected; but I
venture to say that was the most blessed night in all his life. To be
"born again" is the greatest blessing that will ever come to us in
this world.

Notice how the Scripture puts it. "Except a man be born again," "born
from above,"[Note: John iii. 3. _Marginal reading_] "born of the
Spirit." From amongst a number of other passages where we find this
word "except," I would just name three. "Except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish." (Luke xiii. 3, 5.) "Except ye be converted, and
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven." (Matt. xviii. 3.) "Except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case
enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. v. 20.) They all really
mean the same thing.

I am so thankful that our Lord spoke of the New Birth to this ruler
of the Jews, this doctor of the law, rather than to the woman at the
well of Samaria, or to Matthew the publican, or to Zaccheus. If He
had reserved his teaching on this great matter for these three, or
such as these, people would have said: "Oh yes, these publicans and
harlots need to be converted: but I am an upright man; I do not need
to be converted." I suppose Nicodemus was one of the best specimens
of the people of Jerusalem: there was nothing on record against him.

I think it is scarcely necessary for me to prove that we need to be
born again before we are meet for heaven. I venture to say that there
is no candid man but would say he is not fit for the kingdom of God,
until he is born of another Spirit. The Bible teaches us that man by
nature is lost and guilty, and our experience confirms this. We know
also that the best and holiest man, if he turn away from God, will
very soon fall into sin.

Now, let me say what Regeneration is not. It is not going to church.
Very often I see people, and ask them if they are Christians. "Yes,
of course I am; at least, I think I am: I go to church every Sunday."
Ah, but this is not Regeneration. Others say, "I am trying to do what
is right--am I not a Christian? Is not that a new birth?" No. What
has that to do with being born again? There is yet another
class--those who have "turned over a new leaf," and think they are
regenerated. No; forming a new resolution is not being born again.

Nor will being baptized do you any good. Yet you hear people say,
"Why, I have been