Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-09

ing born OF virgin, - was uidue III Tie ilhehess
of menu 'who, being in the form OF God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God;
but made himself of no reputation, and took up
on him the form of servant" He swas deli.
vered for our offences, and was raised again for
our justification. He ascended on high, he led
captivity captive he received gifts for men, yea.
for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might
duell among them. He "s stitch on the right
hand of God," making intercession for US. He
50 is made unto US of God, wisdom, and righteous
ness, and sanct6catOn, and redempton;" and
unto him we must look as our mediator and adj
vocate with the Father. He emphatically de-
scribes himself as 1.-The good Shepherd" He
is our lawgiver; and solemn indeed is the decla-
| ration, that we must all appear before his judg-
ment seat, to receive our reward, according 10
the deeds done i'll the body, whether they be good
or bad.
| We feel that it il not light matter thus to
advert again to the various Offices OF the Son and
Sent of the Father; and we beseech all whom
we are addressing, to contemplate these solemn
| truths with due reverence; yet frequently to
mediate thereon, seeking for the assistance OF
| the grace of God to direct their understandings
arig6t. As this is done with humble and believ-
ing hearts, the conviction will increase, and ulti
matey become settled, that it is great mercy to
! know individually that we have not High Priest
who cannot be touched with feeling Of our in
hrmities, but who was in all points tempted like
as we are. yet without sin.
But, blessed be God, he has not only provided
the means of reconciliation unto himself, thrO' the
sacrifice of Christ, he hath also, through the same
compassionate Saviour, granted unto us the gilt
of the holy Spirit By this, the patrlarchs, and
the holy men of old who lived under the law,
walked acceptably before God. Its more Plen-
teous effusion, and its powerful and life-giving
effects, were distinctly foretold by the ancient
prophets. Christ himself declared, that it was
expedient that he should 60 away, that he might
send the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who
should guide into all truth; in allusion to whose
coring he also said, :" will not leave you COM
fortress, will come to you" To be guided by his
spirit is the practical application OF the Christian
religion. 1t is the light Of Christ which enllght-
ems the darkness of the heart of man; and, BY
following this light, we are enabled to enjoy and
maintain communion with him. The children OF
God are led BY the Spirit Of God; and this is the
appointed means of bringing US into that state oil
..hoiness, without which no man shall see the
Lord" 1t is not doctrine of mysticism. but
one of practical piety. The great Office of the
holy Spirit, we firmly believe to be, to convince
of sin, to bring the soul to state OF deep and
sincere repentance, and to effect the work OF
sancti6cation. A holy and constant watchfulness
is required, to preserve the mind alive to the
guidance of this divine Teacher; who. If dill
gently sought after and waited for, will be found
to be swift witness for God in the soul, produc-
inn that tenderness of spirit, and that "quck'
ness of understanding in the fear OF the Lord,
which are essential to our growth in grace. 1t
is through him g whom God hath sent forth to be
fa;f in hat
we obtain pardon for sin, and it is throosh the
power of his Spirit working NIGHTLY in US. that
we come eventually to experience freedom from
sin.
You know, beloved friends, that faith in the
help and guidance of the holy Spirit has been an
important part of our Christian profession, from
the origin Of our Society to the present day. And
it is at this time our renewed desire, that, from
early life, an acquaintance with TINS power may
be inculcated and cherished. We affectionately
exhort parents, and all who have the care of chill
dren and of young persons, constantly to bear
in re remembrance the great value of tender con-
science; and to turn their attention to the secret
instructions of divine grace, reprovng tor evil,
and bringing peace for doing well. Be concern
ed, dear friends of this class, early to subject the
wills of those entrusted to your charge; encour-
age them to fix their affections on things which
are eternal: set before them the necessity OF be.
ing converted from the evil of their own hearts,
and kept clean from the sin which abounds in the
world; impress them with sense of the holiness
and purity of God. and Of his righteous law;
and, whilst we would exhort you to continue 70
instruct them in the invaluable truths of the BIZ
Bile, may you lead them to seek after the practi-
cal application Of these precepts and doctrines
under the influence of the holy Spirit. Bv such a
course of religious aud Christian instruction,
carried on in simple. humble dependence upon
God, you will perform the great and incumbent
duty Of bringing them up in the nurture and adj
monition of the Lord.
1t is, in our apprehension, of the highest mo-
ment, that faith in the operation of the Holy
Spirit, and humble reliance on its guidance,
should regulate the lives and conduct Of all who
profess the Christian name. By the power Of the
Spirit of God inwardly revealed and obeyed, we
are raised from our fallen and undone condition,
and prepared to inherit that place in the kingdom
of Christ, to which it is his gracious design that
every one of US should come. We are called to