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, at tended by his disciples, who were neither rich or mighty. 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 firm He chose the company where he could do the most good, let it be at a marriage feast, or eating with despised publicans and sin.ners. He was among his disciples as one that served, and did not disdain even to wash their feet, although he was theirness, least they appear low, dasLord 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. tardly 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 one that D served, he went about doing 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. world? As a parent do I walk 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 forgive 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 CON- GAZINE. It has been a question, What are the comforts of the Holy Ghost? T is conceived the comforts of IT 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 fol- the Holy Ghost, are much lowing: Do I possess the hum- the same as joy in the Holy ble, benevolent and forgiving Ghost, or joy and peace in bespirit of the meek and lowly lieving, produced by the power Jesus, as the governing principle of the Holy Ghost. This joy in heart and life? Does my light or comfort is spiritual, both in its thus shine in what distinguishes cause and effect, in the heart of a Christian before men, or am I every believer. It hath also spirconformed to the proud and self-itual objects, from which it deish 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 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 believe ing, 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 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 only as they come from God to him, through Christ in the new his father's care. One beam of covenant; and are witnesses 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 conso 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 oppres-sed with distressing trouble.-lation from them. 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 I shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet they will rejoice in 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 kingdom 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, 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. 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 Let the world rage, and Hell spirits enjoy. But they are sat-vent its spite and malice never isfied 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 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 new title, but only to possess what they have secured to them; even that joy or love of complacency which God extends to his own, in which he manifests himself to them as their God, and makes known his purposes of good to them. They have received the first fruits of joy and comfort, and of God's special love to them, which are the earnests of the full harvest they are to gather at reaping time. ness. are so often mourning, doubting, sinking, an at a loss in themselves? To this it may be answered in general, that a sovereign God may dispense his grace in what measure he pleases to his people: And his infinite wisdom proportions those benefits that belong to their journey, as shall best serve to prepare them for, and bring them to glory in the end. And these joys and comforts are such, that they cant bear only 3. We may add, that believ- small degrees of them in this ers delight in their portion.-life, because of human weakThe Holy Ghost gives them comfort in God their portion.-| They are glad in the Lord all the day long. They say with the Psalmist, Return unto thy rest Oh my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. This makes them willing to follow Christ, to endure his cross, and despise the shame. They joy in the Lord, when they have nothing else to rejoice in. And indeed, they want nothing else. Yea, in the midst of all tribulations, they can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Tho' their joy is here assaulted by trials, that which is to be in another world, will be above them. Let this be a comfort to every true child of God, that they are coming to it, as fast as days and nights can pass away. And this is one of the privileges or benefits that belong to those who are chosen of God. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, Oh ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. If it be here asked, why believers have no more of this joy, (or no more of the comforts of the Holy Ghost) and why they But the joy of believers is of another nature, and expresseth itself in a different manner from the worldling's joy. The excellency of a believers joy and consolation cannot be known by a carnal mind. But a soul that hath God for his portion, and knows the preciousness of grace, the vileness and odiousness of sin, can distinguish between the mirth of fools, and the refined joy and comforts of the Holy Ghost. And in this solid rejocing, he grows more and more like God, who is perfect joy and holiness; and so the Christian is fully contented in his portion, his Lord, and his sanctifier, who loves to give refreshment to those that love him. And this he will do, as tokens of that joy which is to come, in the most intimate communion with him, in the highest Heavens, where there is nothing but untainted joy and comfort. The churches of old walked in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. These comforts are the refreshments communicated by the Holy Ghost. The peace, the joy, the delight, the satisfaction and happiness which he |