But how shall I know that I am born again?

an excerpt from a John Bunyan article titled Some Gospel Truths Opened.
It was written in the 1600's, I chose to leave it in the old english, but I'm sure you will get his point.

But how shall I know that I am born again?

1) Why, if thou art born again, then thou knowest that thou wast not born a Christian at first.

Eph 2:1-3 "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."



2) Thou knowest that once thou hadst no faith in the Lord Jesus; and wert convinced of sin because thou didst not believe in the Son of Mary.

John 16:9 "Of sin, because they believe not on me."



3) Thou seest all true joy through the blood and righteousness of the Son of Mary.

1 Cor. 15:57 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ro. 7:25a "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "



4) Art thou born again? Then thou canst not be quiet till thou seest God smile, and lift up the light of His countenance upon thee, and that through the face of the Son of Mary, the Son of God.

2 Cor. 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Ps. 4:6 "There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us."



5) Thou knowest that God hath given thee thy faith.

Phil. 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

Eph. 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."



6) Art thou born again? Then thou knowest that the doctrine of the Son of Mary the Virgin, is a right doctrine.

2 Jn 9 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."



7) Then also thou lookest for the personal appearing of the Son of Mary from heaven in the clouds, the second time.

He 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Rev 1:7 "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen."