The breath of God
But when he is born of God, born of the Spirit, how is the manner of his existence changed? His whole soul is now sensible of God, and he can say by sure experience, "You are about my bed, and about my path (Psalm 139:3). I feel you in all my ways. You beset me behind and before, and lay your hand upon me" (Psalm 139:5). The Spirit, or breath, of God is immediately inspired, breathed into the newborn soul. And the same breath which comes from God returns to God. As it is continually received by faith, so it is continually rendered back by love, by prayer, and praise, and thanksgiving. Love, and praise, and prayer are the breath of every soul which is truly born of God. And by this new kind of spiritual respiration, spiritual life is not only sustained but increased day by day, together with spiritual strength, and motion, and sensation, all the senses of the soul being now awake and capable of discerning spiritual good and evil.
1771 text
8. But when he is born of God, born of the Spirit, how is the manner of his existence changed? His whole soul is now sensible of God, and he can say by sure experience, Thou art about my bed, and about my path; I feel thee in all my ways. Thou besettest me behind and before, and layest thy hand upon me. The Spirit or breath of God is immediately inspired, breathed into the new-born soul. And the same breath, which comes from, returns to God: as it is continually received by faith, so it is continually rendered back by love, by prayer, and praise, and thanksgiving: love and praise and prayer being the breath of every soul which is truly born of God. And by this new kind of spiritual respiration, spiritual life is not only sustained, but increased day by day; together with spiritual strength and motion and sensation. All the senses of the soul being now awake, and capable of discerning spiritual good and evil.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 19 in the 1771 Works. First John 3:9.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.