Tuesday, February 5, 2019

John Leland On Means In Rebirth


I have over the years cited from Elder Leland to show that he believed in means and in perseverance and was therefore an Old Baptist. Here is more proof.

Leland wrote (emphasis mine):

"THE BLOOD OF CHRIST alone removes the guilt of sin,—his holy anointing frees us from its reigning dominion. Yes, the religion that saves the soul from sin, guilt, and condemnation, includes a mediator, who died for our sins, a change of heart, or being born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, (of his own will he begets us by the word of truth,) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, he works in us, both to will and to do. This spirit of grace, shed abundantly on the soul, causes it to bring forth the fruits of love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against which there is no law. This immortal seed, which abides with the saints, not only produces the internal fruits, just mentioned, but is a stronger stimulus to prompt to every good work, both religious and human, than the horrid fear of punishment, and the flattering hope of reward."  (Elder John Leland, “A Memorial,” The Writings of Elder John Leland pp. 660-61 (1845)." (see here)

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