The Calvinistic Magazine

the neglects to do in private devotion and the more spiritual duties of religion; not so much in outward deformity of character, as in the moral disease that preys upon the inner man; an insensibility to the pollution and guilt of sin, a thinking more highly of himself than he ought to think, a self-righteous spirit, or a presuming on the grace of God while the heart is a stranger to its influence. These characterize a man as dead in trespasses and in sins.

The evidences of a man being born again of the Holy Spirit, are/ now to be considered. These are frequently, if not generally, in the characters referred to, found to consist, not so much in sudden and powerful convictions, alarming fears and deep despondency, followed by lively hope and rapturous joy (which may sometimes attend conversions from open and flagrant wickedness,) as in the gradual understanding and feeling of the truth as it is in Jesus; a mourning over past deficiencies and present insensibility; an habitual desire for scriptural knowledge, faith in Christ, love to God, and holiness of heart and practice; a conscientious attention to secret prayer and the means of grace in general; a watchfulness over the mind and heart; and a self-denial in many things which were once esteemed innocent, or indulged in without remorse. A dependence also on the atonement and intercession of Christ, and on the teaching and other operations of the Holy Spirit, in order to the more satisfactory enjoyments of the blessings promised in the Gospel, and the promotion of the divine glory, will be felt and cherished by the convert, and viewed by all his pious connexions with gratitude and hope.

Let not the young Christian, however, conclude that all these evidences are enjoyed to the same extent and degree in every character, and at all times. Sorrow for sin may be more poignant in some than in others, and more powerful at one time than at another. And spiritual desires, love to God, and the enjoyment of the world and privileges of the Gospel, may vary with circumstances and seasons. The flesh will lust against the spirit, and Satan will suggest doubts and excite fears. Trials will exercise faith and put fortitude and patience to the test; moments of light, and peace, and joy in believing, may be followed by dark seasons of temptation, or painful discoveries of the revival of dispositions which were considered as crucified and dead. As it is in nature, so is it in grace; the germ is often for a time checked in its growth, by the unfavorable soil in which it is placed, and the verdure, and bloom, and fragrance of spring are sometimes overcast by dark clouds, and assailed by wintry storms. Let not the young Christian, however,

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despond, as though some strang - thing hath happened unto him, fer similar trials attend every believer. Neither should he be cast down and write bitter things against himself, because he is conscious of weakness, and cannot understand the whole counsel of God, and frequently feels and profits bat little in reading, and hearing, and praying. Let him remember that he is but a babe in Christ. the present, it will become him to take the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby;" and after years of instruction and experience, his understanding will be better informed, his judgment more mature and correct, his love rooted and grounded in Christ and his salvation; and he will thus gradually come "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." As an antidote to prevent doubts and fears, let him look at the unlimited invitations and gracious promises of the Gospel; in which the Saviour holds out encouragement to every sinner to come unto him, and receive everlasting life. The consciousness of sincere desire to know and do the truth, and "to be found in Christ, not having on his own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, which is unto all and upon all them that believe," may be considered as one of the first effects of divine grace in the heart; and "He that hath begun the good work in you, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ."

Let the young Christian also consider the experience of those "who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises." They were men of like passions with ourselves:

"Once they were mourners here below,

And wet their couch with tears;

They wrestled hard, as we do now,

With sins, and doubts, and fears:"

And say, if he who called, and justified, and placed in glory the once sanguinary Manasseh, the unchaste Magdalen, the persecuting Sul, with a multitude of prejudiced Jews, blaspheming priests, superstitious heathens, and scoffing infidels of every nation, has not given ample proof that he is both able and willing to save all who come to God by him? Religious Magazine.

ERRATUM.

On the first page of the October No. of the present volume, in the 13th line from the bottom, for anathema jit, read anathema sit. The publisher was prevented by sickness from superintending the publication of that number, and this error was overlooked.

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CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

Address, adapted to the monthly concert for prayer,

of the Executive Committee,

American Bible House,

Ancestors, religion of our

Page

147

243

352

326

Anecdotes,