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pared to stand before the bar of low in the light and comforting God.

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NEANISKOS.

Humility taught by the example and doctrines of Christ.

HAT man ought to be ΤΗΛ humble, is a doctrine abundantly taught throughout the whole sacred volume. All the descriptions there given of the inconceivable greatness, power, wisdom and holiness of God, and of the infinite distance between him and sinful man, teach us to feel truly humble.

influences of the holy spirit.

The grace of humility is so essentially necessary to the Christian, that the dispensations doubtless be such as tend to of his Heavenly Father will cultivate it in the heart; his happiness will likewise increase or diminish, according as he cherishes or neglects this grace. To assist the Christian to grow him look at the example and atin humility and meekness, let tend to the doctrines of his di

vine Lord.

Great characters are ever set up as patterns of imitation among mankind, and the nearer any approach to their standard, the more honorable they are esteemed. There is a character presented in the Lord Jesus Christ, not only perfect in the moral or holy state of the heart; but one infinitely wise and powerful, one in whom dwells all the fullness of the God-head bodily, who is heir and possessor of all things in Heaven and on earth. This glorious person invites us to learn of him, for he Pride and humility are wholly is meek and lowly in heart. Το opposite to each other. Pride him the Spirit was not given by is the operation of selfishness, measure, and we are in no danhumility of true evangelical be-ger of being led into error, by nevolence. Without a humble his example in any period of his temper there can be no true re- life. ligion; neither will man ever be reconciled to take his proper place, as he stands related to God and creatures. Perhaps there is nothing in which our hearts more deceive us than in the secret windings and operations of pride. Men may be proud of their spiritual gifts, of their religion, and even of their supposed humility. This may be a reason why God sees it best to keep many Christians

The history which we have of the early part of his life is short. His parents were poor, his reputed father was a carpenter; but he, in all dutiful obedience, submitted to them, and it is probable wrought with his father at his occupation. Here we see the amiable fruits of a holy, benevolent and humble temper.--His greatness did not fill him with high ideas of self-importance, render him disobedient, or

make him despise labor as beneath his dignity, or demand the homage and service of others on that account. So far from this, he seems to have forgotten his own personal honors, and his whole heart was engaged in the work for which he came into the world. That God might be glorified, and guilty, ruined and undone sinners saved, was the great object of his mission; therefore, he says, "I seek not mine own glory, but his that sent me." And they that do the will of God and keep his commands, let them be high or low, rich or poor, honorored or despised by the men of this world, are acknowledged as his dearest friends and breth

ren.

He was not allured with the splendor of earthly pomp and greatness, nor did he court the company and favor of those who were possessed of them, or in any measure imitate their manners; but he came to Jerusalem, riding upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass, attended by his disciples, who were neither rich or mighty.

He chose the company where he could do the most good, let it be at a marriage feast, or eating with despised publicans and sinners. He was among his disciples as one that served, and did not disdain even to wash their feet, although he was their Lord and Master. His public teaching was without pomp and ostentation, in all the simplicity and majesty of truth. He reproved, without respect of persons, the sins, hypocrisy and follies of men.

He taught us never to set up ourselves or demand honor from others. That when bidden to a VOL. V. No. 1.

feast, we should express the humble and benevolent feelings of our hearts, by taking the lowest seats; for he that truly acts out an humble heart shall be exalted, but he that proudly exalts himself shall be abased.

He set us an example of kindness to enemies; not to render evil for evil, to bless them that curse, and to pray for them that persecute and treat us despitefully.

Did those who profess to be the disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus, keep his example and doctrines continually before them, how different would be their life and conversation ?— How amiable must they appear, when cloathed with humility, as with a garment? For when the King's daughter is all glorious within, her cloathing is of wrought gold.

The kingdoms of this world have their origin in pride and selfishness. From the same source have arisen innumerable rules and maxims of worldly honor and greatness. The breach of these causes personal and national contentions, wars and blood shed. It is accounted honorable and manlike, by the men of the world, when the proud and selfish feelings of their hearts are crossed, by a fancied or real injury, to resent the same with spirit and firmness, least they appear low, dastardly and mean. But let Christians look unto Jesus, as their their great example and pattern, when they are tempted to exalt or avenge themselves.

When did he ever exalt himself or seek his own glory?When did he resent or revenge personal injuries? Among his disciples he was as D

one that

served, he went about doing, world? As a parent do I walk

good. When abused and ill treated, he patiently suffered. When reviled he reviled not again, but prayed for his persecutors and murderers, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

If we have not the spirit of Christ, let us make ever SO much profession of discipleship, we are none of his, nor will he own us as such. If any man love the world, its ways, maxims and feelings, more than the humiliating doctrines of Christ, the love of the Father is not in him. The light that shines most amiable in the Christian character, is from the ornament of a meek, humble and quiet spirit. This more than all other things distinguishes the Christian from the world in common, and is an evidence to himself and others, that he belongs to that kingdom that is not of this world.

The operation of pride and selfishness appears in so many colors and forms, wearing sometimes the garb of reason, and sometimes of religion, that we cannot too carefully watch and examine our own hearts. With what propriety then, as in the❘ solemn view of judgment and eternity, might we often ask ourselves such questions as the following: Do I possess the humble, benevolent and forgiving spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus, as the governing principle in heart and life? Does my light thus shine in what distinguishes a Christian before men, or am I conformed to the proud and selfish feelings of a sinful world? Am I afraid or ashamed, before scoffing sinners, or formal professors, to do what duty requires, in regard to this or another

circumspectly before my house, not inculcating by example, pride and selfishness? Do I teach my children the meek, humble spirit and doctrines of Jesus, and hold up his example as the most amiable and honorable pattern for them to follow?

Can I, in humble imitation of my divine Lord, pray from the heart, that God would for. give my enemies, who have injured and abused me? Such reflections as these might often remind us of our duty, and lead us to humble repentance for our sinful deficiency.

How lovely is the Christian character, adorned with humility? What a train of graces attend it? It is the humble soul alone that can be truly happy in this world, or that is prepared for the blessedness of Heaven. Such alone will be approved by our Lord, when he comes to judge the world. To the poor in spirit he will give the kingdom of Heaven, but the proud he knoweth afar off. ZETA.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE CONNECTICUT EVANGELICAL MA

GAZINE.

It has been a question, What are the comforts of the Holy Ghost ?

T is conceived the comforts of

the same as joy in the Holy Ghost, or joy and peace in believing, produced by the power of the Holy Ghost. This joy or comfort is spiritual, both in its cause and effect, in the heart of every believer. It hath also spiritual objects, from which it de

rives its consolation.

Joy produced by the Holy Ghost, or the comfort of the Holy Ghost, is heaven begun in the souls of the children of God,

wherein they take present satisfaction in his love. Yea, it is begun glory; for it is the very comfort which the soul enjoys in God, and in his promises.The Holy Ghost leads to God, and to happiness in him; for what else is happiness, but the fruition of, and living upon a happifying object. And such is this joy; for it is Heaven in the soul; a foretaste of the felicities of those who are now in the place of blessedness. But it is only begun glory. There are higher degrees, and more perfect fruitions that remain for the people of God in another world. But these are the beginings and earnest tokens thereof, and come to the soul by acts of believing.

Peter says, whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The children of God only, are the subjects of this joy: no stranger intermeddles therewith. The new name written in the white stone, no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it.

The joy or comfort we are enquiring after, is that which is suited to the soul and thoroughly affects it: as said Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. This affords matter of joy when the outward man is encompassed and oppressed with distressing trouble.For although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet they will rejoice in

the Lord, they will joy in the God of their salvation,

The joy or comforts which the Holy Ghost gives, are such, that the more persons employ their souls in them, the more comfort and sweetness they find in them. Their rejoicing is in the light of God's countenance. The believer seeks after this felicity; and the enjoyment of it is his rejoicing; for he knows his happiness is grounded in the love of God. His favor is life, and his loving kindness is better than life. Hence spiritual joy hath this love, and is that from which it draws all its consolation and refreshment.

The true joy of the child of God, fixes not on the things of this world, and rejoices in them him, through Christ in the new only as they come from God to covenant; and are witnesses of

his father's care. One beam of

his love, darted into his soul, hath more ravishing delight in it, than if he had the whole world in possession. And this is the joy of hope, through the Holy Ghost, as the Apostle calls it.But these are but foretastes of a a glorious fruition, which are very imperfect compared with that of sight, which shall be hereafter. And the reason of this foretasted joy is, because the life of the children of God here, is by faith. And that which nourishes this faith is laid up in the promises, and draws consolation from them.

These are comforts of the Holy Ghost; and are called breasts of consolation; and by faith they give nourishment to Christians. The love of God is shed abroad in their hearts, by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them. And they have the

fatness of his house; which is at present a part of their portion. They are his children, and can cry Abba father. The king

dom of God is secured to them.

These things afford matter for abundant joy; and they have not only the witness of their own hearts, but the testimony of God's spirit to confirm it unto them. And this is joy that is had in communion with God, as all his children have. The Psalmist says, They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. My soul shall be filled with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.

The joy or comfort of the children of God, is but now begun: it shall be perfected in glory. Here we may consider,

1. That one part of the joy and comfort which the Holy Ghost gives the children of God, is satisfaction in their portion. They see enough in it.They look no further for an object that may make them happy. Worldly persons, notwithstanding all their enjoyments, are seeking new objects to fix upon. But believers have found their resting place, and their all; and can feelingly say, that it is good for them to draw near to God.-They are not indeed, satisfied with those measures of enjoyment which they have, but are still reaching forward; and in this respect, they are short of the contentment which the glorified spirits enjoy. But they are satisfied in their object, and resolve it is enough, and will go no where else, because they have eternal life in God. The spirit witnesses with their spirits, that

they are the children of God.— And this affords them unspeakable comfort.

2. Believers are satisfied in their title to this portion. And this is another comfort of the Holy Ghost.

They not only conclude there is enough in God to fill their most enlarged desires, but can say, that God is their God forever. They have a property in him, and can lay claim to all the good he hath made over to them in the promises. They know that the promises are their inheritance; and that they are sure, and cannot fail; and therefore all the happiness that, in them is settled upon the children of God, is theirs; and they shall as certainly enjoy it, as if they were now in full possession of it. For we know, says the Apostle, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.

And this eternal house is made over by an everlasting title, and secured by an obligation that shall stand by the children of God, when the world, and all that is in it, shall be burnt up; for they are become one with, and are under the shadow of the wings of the Almighty; having betaken themselves to Christ, who is the mighty God. And their joy flows from the light of his countenance, the smiles of his favor, and the sealing of his spirit.

Let the world rage, and Hell vent its spite and malice never so much, yet in their title they are securely confident. For they are hidden under the wings of the Almighty, where they are forever safe. They want no

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