THE Aribe at the Fublisher's Office 12 Cents. Those guha become repin12 sets to have a 13th gratis. Payment to be made quarterly. THE profits arifing from the fale of this work are devoted to form permanent fund, the annual intereft of which is to be appropriated, by the Traftees of the Miffionary Society of Connecticut, to the fupport of Miffions in the new American fettlements and among the Heathen. * HARTFORD PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN, FOR THE BUITORS. * The Editors requeft the patrons of the publication and the friends of religion, spee dily to furnish them with a new fupply of matter, agreeable to the proposals. *** * ********* *** * 餮 DESIGNED ESPECIALLY, FOR THE USE OF THE PEOPLE IN 1 TH of contemplation, as extensive as it is pleasing. All, therefore, that can be attempted in the present essay, is but to draw some outlines of the subject, and sketch a few general hints, upon which the reader may profitably enlarge, in his own meditations. But, before we proceed to a direct inquiry into the nature and properties of that peculiar knowledge by which the people of God are distinguished and blest, it is expedient to consider, who, or what is the efficient cause of it. This will discover to us a foundation, upon which the superstructure of the Christian's faith may with safety be reared; a foundation, which, alone, will eventually ensure his pleasing hope of eternal life. By looking into the scriptures of truth, we are taught, that all the infinite provision God hath made in the gospel, by the atonement of his Son-together with all the instruction of his word, and the external calls, offers and | VOL. V. No. 3. invitations of his grace, sepa. rately considered, will not ensure the salvation of a single soul of our lost race. The offers of the gospel, truly are made to all but why do not all accept Why do any accept and not the rest? Why is it that only some of the many who hear, do know the joyful sound of the gospel? Who is it that makes them to differ? They are, by nature, children of wrath, even as others, and as much opposed to the grace of the gospel, as those who finally reject it. Have they, therefore, any thing, in themselves, whereof to glory? Is it owing to any superior virtue or skill in them? Is it brought about and effected by any wisdom or strength of their own? Let the word of God answer these questions. It is abundantly full and conclusive, and all his people will say, Amen. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy Rower. I will give them an heart te know me that I am the Lord. I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with love ing kindness have I drawn thee, 82 On a true knowledge of the Gospel. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the fish, nor of the will of man, but of God. Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. No man can come unto me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him. You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. By grace are ye saved thro' faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ire are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Not for works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saveth us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. But time would fail to recite half the passages of scripture, equally clear and decisive upon the point. This is the uniform language of God's word. It is a foundation stone in the gospel scheme of mercy. It is the finishing display of God's infinite grace to a ruined world. God's peculiar people are redeemed, not only by price, but by power. God doth not only begin, but accomplish the glorious work. He doth not only lay the foundation, but the top stone of our salvation. Christ doth not only save his people from wrath, but he saves them from their sins. He is the author and finisher of their faith. It is owing but to sovereign interposition of divine grace, and the almighty, renewing influences of the spirit of God, that the benefits of Christ's redemption are savingly applied to the | [SEPT. souls of his redeemed; and it is provided for, and promised in the covenant of redemption, that Christ's people shall be drawn to him. "This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God and they shall be my people." We will now particularly, inquire what is directly implied in a true and saving knowledge of the gospel. ture. 1. It necessarily presupposes spiritual life in the soul. This consists in supreme love to God, an heart conformed to his true character, and the whole gospel plan of salvation. It is a communication from the spirit of God, by which the soul is assimilated to the moral perfections of Deity, and hence is called a participation of the Divine na The image of God is en"If any stamped on the heart. man be in Christ, he is a new creature--he is renewed in knowledge and true holiness, after the image of God his creator." He hath the same mind in him which was also in Christ. This disposes him, in imitation of the example of Christ, to that line of conduct, which, by its fruits, is a manifestation of the image of Christ. 'Hence believers are said to receive of his fulness, and grace for grace. His fulness is the source from which we derive the sanctification and perfection of our natures; for he hath the spirit without measure, and it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and so it is grace for grace, or grace in the copy, corresponding to grace in the original; such as love to God, benevolence to men-meekness, humility, forgiveness of injuries, patience under sufferings, resignation to the divine will, and zeal above all things for God's glory. This may lead us to see the propriety of that expression of scripture, Christ formed in you, and Christ in you the hope of glory. His moral character is formed in the heart of every true believer, by the power of the Holy Ghost; as his human nature was conceived, by the same power in the womb of the virgin. a tial difference of moral character, the I would observe further, that knowledge, of whatever kind, is the predicate of some kind of life. The animal and the rational life have each their knowledge, which is peculiar to them; and so too has the spiritual life. This knowledge is so necessary to this life, that it is in some places put for life, as in John xvii. 3. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." To know God, is to love his char-rate and discerning that he canacter, law and government; and to know Jesus Christ, is to acknowledge and embrace him, in his mediatorial character, and experience the power of his resurrection upon our hearts.-isfy him. Nothing but the sinThis is to know God and Jesus Christ, and this knowledge is declared to be eternal life. not be deceived, or imposed on by any counterfeit resemblances. He desires the pure uncorrupted doctrines and truths of the gospel, and nothing else will sat cere milk of the word can please his taste, or administer to his spiritual nourishment and 2. A true knowledge of the growth. A true knowledge of gospel implies a spiritual taste the gospel, therefore, implies a and discernment. This is evi-spiritual discernment, or a realident, as well from the very na-zing, pleasing sense of those ture of the thing itself, as from truths which the gospel conthe many declarations of scrip- tains. ture which may be brought in point. The difference of taste forms the first, and most essen The gracious heart is prepared to receive, and readily embrace every divine truth, as soon as ever the objective knowl |