REGENERATION

In Theology, the new birth of man unto righteousne , following on the abolition of the original corruption of his nature. Similar language was used respecting the admi ion of proselytes to the privilege of Judaism: so, also, in other religions. The Sanskrit name for a Brahmin is said to signify " twice-born;" and TertuUian says that the heathens used baptism in their mysteries," in regenerationem." When our Saviour admonished Nicodemus not to marvel at his words, " Ye must be born again," he added, with reference, doubtle , to the doctrines already taught among the Jews, " Art thou a master of Israel, aud knowest not these things? " (John, iii. 10.) That baptism is "a sign of regeneration," as expre ed in the27th Article of the Church of England, is admitted by nearly all Christians. (Kom. vi. 4. 11.; Tit. iii. a.; John, iii. 5.) But whether the new birth to which allusion is mide in these solemn pa ages actually takes place by and through baptism; whether baptism, duly administered by those authorized, is in itself an " opus operatum," in the language of the schools; or whether the regeneration spoken of as the condition of our salvation takes place after, and independent of baptism, by the operation of the Spirit on the inner man — this is a question on which Protestants have never agreed among themselves, and which divides our church at this day. The former is the commonly received or Catholic doctrine; and has been so from very early times, as far as we can conclude from the language of the fathers aud ancient forms of the church. But it does not appear to be positively declared by the Church of England, though interred from various pa ages in the baptismal service. [s. 1050]