--

and this we are taught, is through says the apostle John, "These things the atonement of Christ. To procure are written, that ye might believe this was one end for which he was ap- that Jesus is the Christ, the soi pointed to the work of redemption. of God, and that believing, je might Gal. iv. 4, 5. "God sent forth his Son, have life through his name." John xx. made under the law, to redeem them 31. Hence we find this exhortation that were under the law, that they to the Christians at Rome-" Reckon might receive the adoption of sons." If ye also yourselves to be dead indeed this was one end, for which Christ un-unto sin, but alive unto God through Jedertook the work of atonement, doubt-sus Christ our Lord," Rom. vi. 11.less, believers receive this blessing, And it is for this reason, doubtless, that through the atonement which he hath Christ is called the believer's life. Col. made. iii. 4. "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory." If the spiritual life of believers is derived through Christ, then all spiritual blessings must be thro' him, for in this life all these blessings are necessarily comprehended. But this is taught, if possible, more directly and unequivocally in the following passages. Eph. i. 3. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly things, in Christ."

Being renewed, justified, and adopted into the holy family of God, believers receive abundant communications of grace, even all the christian virtues, through Christ. This is true of their faith: "Unto you it is given, in behalf of Christ, (says the apostle)" not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake," (Phil. i. 29,) The original words translated in behalf of Christ (uper Christou) literally signify, on the account of, or for the sake of Christ. The same is again taught in 2 Pet. i, 1. "Simon Peter, a servant of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God, and our Savior

Jesus Christ."

Believers are established in the faith and order of the gospel, in or through Christ. 2 Cor. i, 21. "Now, he which established us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us is God." All the joy which Christians experience in the ways of holiness, is through Christ. Rom. v, 11, "We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ." And this is true of every thing, which pertains to their spiritual life. "The gift of God is elernal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. vi, 23. Christ assures us, that to obtain this life for his followers was one end, for which he undertook their redemption. John x, 10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly;" or in greater degrees than Adam had, before the apostacy. Of course, believers receive this life in all the branches and degrees of it, through the atonement which he hath provided. Hence,

Phil. i. 11. “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Hence, it is expressly declared that all spiritual blessings are bestowed upon believers in Christ; and that they are filled with the fruits of righteousness, by Him. The whole work of sanctification is effected through the atonement and mediation of Christ. The sanctification of his people was one great end for which he undertook the work of redemption. Titus. ii 14. "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a pecu. liar people, zealous of good works." Ephes v. 25, 26, 27. "Christ loved the Chruch and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it unto himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but, that it should be holy and without blemish."* As this important end,

* If any should doubt the sufficiency of this evidence, they may find the same truth clear

for which he undertook their redemp-||If all that christians need is granted tion, it is one which he hath actually them in or through Christ,-then accomplished in this work. "We are they doubtless receive temporal as sanctified through the offering of the well as spiritual blessings in this way. body of Jesus Christ, once for all." Again it is written, "There is one Heb. x, 10. By one offering, he hath God, the Father, of whom are all perfected forever, them that are sanctifi-things, and we in him; and one Lord ed." "Jesus, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate." Ch. xiii, 12." When he had, by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of God.”

Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." 1 Cor. viii. 6.The obvious meaning of this passage is that all our enjoyments, of every kind, proceed from the Father, through

Ch. i. 3. It is "the blood of Christ, who the atonement and mediation of the through the eternal spirit offered him-Son. self without spot to God, that purgeth That temporal as well as spiritual our consciences from dead works, to blessings are conferred upon believers serve the living God." Ch. ix. 14. through Christ, is evident from the What can be the meaning of these fact that they are contained in the passages, if the great work of sanctifi- promises, which God hath made to cation be not begun, carried on and his people. "Godliness hath the promperfected in the hearts of sinners thro' ise of the life that now is." 1 Tim. the efficacy of Christ's atonement? ifiv. 8. Believers have a promise that all the blessings, which sanctification all "things shall work together for comprises are not bestowed upon their good;" (Rom. viii. 28.) and that them, for the sake of Christ, through no "good thing" shall be withholdthe merit of his atoning blood ?— en from them. (Ps. Ixxxiv. 11.) But Is not this the obvious meaning of the no promises are made to believers in Apostle in 1 Cor. vi. 11. "But ye are any other way, than through Christ. washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye 2 Cor. i. 20. "All the promises of God are justified in the name of the Lord in him are yea, and in him, amen, unto Jesus, and by the spirit of our God?" the glory of God by us." Of course, And, is it not for this reason, that Christall the blessings, which are contained is said to be "made unto us, wisdom in these promises, whether of a spiritand righteousness, and sanctification,ual or temporal nature, are bestowed and redemption?" 1 Cor. i. 30. But through Christ, through the merit of if all the blessings of sanctification are his atonement. From these considerbestowed upon believers through ations, we should, naturally, be led Christ, for the sake of his obedience to conclude that the blessings, which and sufferings, then all spiritual bles-believers receive through the atonesings without exception are bestowed ment, are not confined to the present through him; for there can be none life ;-most of the promises, to which but such as sanctification necessarily they are entitled, have an ultimate reincludes. ference to a future state; they secure The blessings which believers re-to them a far more exceeding, and ceive through Christ, are not confined eternal weight of glory" beyond the to those of a spiritual nature; they in-grave: And this, we are particularly, clude all the blessings or enjoyments and repeatedly assured, is the fruit of of this life. "My God shall supply Christ's atoning blood.-In Rom. v. all your need," (says the Apostle to the Philippians)" according to his riches in glory, by Jesus Christ." Phil. iv, 19. ly taught by different expressions, in the following passages: Cor. ii 8, 9, Gal. i. 5. 2 Cor. v. 15. 1 Pet. ii, 24. John xxii. 16. Q VOL. 2

17. we read, that "They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life, by one Jesus Christ." By reigning in life, we are doubtless, here to understand, the exaltation and blessed

The following remarks obvionsly result from the subject thus illustra ted-

1. Believers should always come unto God in the name of Christ, and plead for all the blessings that they need, solely for his sake. If all these blessings are purchased by him, and conferred upon them for his sake, it is obvious that they should ask for them only in his name, and through the merits of his atonement; and no other prayers, than those which are offered up in this way, can they reasonably hope, will be heard and accepted. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life," (says the Savior) "no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John xiv. 6.) We see a propriety in the encouragement which is given us in these words." Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (Ver. 13.) “ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (Ver. 14.) "Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (Ch. xvi. 24.)

mess of the saints in glory; and it is expressly declared that they shali receive this by Jesus Christ. Of the same import is the 21st verse," Even so might grace reign through right eousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." This is also implied in Gal. iv. 7. "Thou art no more a servant but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." To be an heir of God, or to have God for an inheritance, is to have the sum of all the blessedness which is enjoy ed in heaven; and this we are assured every child of God will enjoy through Christ. In Eph. i. 14. the happiness of heaven is called a 66 purchased possession." The Holy Spirit is here said to be "the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possesion, unto the praise of his glory." That inheritance which the Holy Spirit is here spoken of as an earnest. was doubtless, still future; it is not enjoyed by christians in this world; it is no other than the unspeakable blessedness which is reserved for them in Heaven. This is called their "purchased possession;" by which we 2. Our subject shows us why all are evidently taught, that this posses- those, who embrace the Savior, heresion was purchased by the blood of by become entitled to all the blessings Christ, and will be conferred upon of the gospel. The moment they bethem, solely for his sake. The Holy come united to Christ, by faith, they Spirit, in his enlightning and sanctify-are interested in all the blessings ing influences, affords believers an which he hath procured for them, by earnest, a pledge, a foretaste of that his sufferings and death; which comglorious inheritance, which is purchas-prise all that they will ever need, or ed for them by the blood of Christ, enjoy, either in time or eternity. which is promised to them, for his" He that spared not his own Son," sake, and which, in due time, they (says the Apostle) "but delivered shall actually enjoy; "that in the ages him up for us all,-how shall he not to come, he might shew the exceed with him, also freely give us all ing riches of his grace, in his kindness things." The argument is this: If all towards us, through Jesus Christ." things that we shall ever need, either in time or eternity, have been procured for us by the sufferings and death of Christ, according to the appointment of his Father: How is it possible that we shall not in due time, possess and enjoy them? If all the blessings, which believers enjoy are not purchased for them by the sufferings and death of Christ, we see no conclusiveness in the Apostle's argument; we

Thus it is abundantly mainifest, that not only the forgiveness of sins, but all other blessings, both of a temporal and spiritual nature, which believers enjoy in this world, together with the unspeakable glory and blessedness to which they are entitled in the world to come, are bestowed upon them through the atonement and mediation of the Divine Redeemer.

not easy to see the force, or even the propriety of these rapturous exclamations.

6. We see from our subject why Christ is said to be" all and in all," to

see no propriety in the course of reasoning, which is here adopted. The conclusion upon which he rests, with such ecstacy of joy, appears to have no reasonable foundation! 3. Our subject shows us the rea-believers. Col. iii. 11. "Where there son why we are to give thanks for all things through Christ.

The Apostle directs the Ephesians to “give thanks, always, for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph. v. 20. If all things are received in the name and through the merits of Christ, there is an obvious and sufficient reason, why we should give thanks for all things in his name ;-but if we receive no other blessings than forgiveness of sins through him, we see no reason, or propriety, in this direction.

4. We learn from our subject, why it is that christians receive all their consolation by Christ. "As the sufferings of Christ abound in us," (says the Apostle)" so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."(2 Cor. i. 5.) The reason why christians abound in consolation by Christ, is that he hath procured for them, by his atonement, all the blessings, which they need, or can reasonably desire. All the promises, by which they are supported and comforted under their distresses are made through him, and confirmed in him, and of course, it is through him that they receive all the consolation that these promises afford.

is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision, nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all." Christ is all to believers, as he is in himself a satisfying portion ; as he hath procured for them, by his sufferings and death, all the temporal and spiritual blessings that they need; and as he intercedes with the Father, for the bestowment of these blessings: And he is in them all, as he applies to them the benefits of this atonement, by the renewing, quickening and sanctifying influences of his spirit," purifying them unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

And the chief end, for which these manifold blessings are bestowed, in this way, is as we are taught by the Apostle Peter, "That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever.-Amen." 1 Peter iv. 11.

We shall close with observing that if believers receive no other blessings through Christ, than the forgiveness of sins, these conclusions will necessarily follow:

1. That Christ doth not intercede with the Father, for any other blessings beside the forgiveness of sins, to be conferred on believers, on account of his obedience and sufferings in their stead.

2. That it is not right for believ ers to ask for any other blessing, through the atonement of Christ, be side forgiveness.

5. Our subject shows us why christians are said to triumph over all their enemies in Christ. "Thanks be unto God," (says the Apostle) “ which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.' (2 Cor. ii. 14.) "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' (Rom. viii. 37.) Aud, "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (1 Cor. xv. 57) Christians triumph over all their enemies in and 4. That there is no foundation through Christ, as they obtain all that laid, by the atonement of Christ, grace, which enables them to do this, ||which secures the sanctification of any through the merit of his atoning blood. of the human race; and consequentBut if no other benefits beside forgive-ly, none which secures their redempness are received through him, it is tion and salvation.

3. That the saints in glory will never praise the Savior for procuring any other blessing for them beside forgiveness, by his sufferings and death.

Whether these conclusions can be on the subject of ardent spirits—it bereconciled with the general Janguageing fully understood, that no valuable of the scriptures upon this subject, is rule of politeness shall be considered submitted to the consideration of as violated, if ardent spirits are not ofevery impartial enquirer,

PHILALETHES.

CONNECTICUT MORAL SOCIETY.

Continued from page 97.

fered at social visits; that, if the example and friendly rebukes of the members prove unavailing with those far sunk in the wretchedness of this vice, the associated withhold from them all needless intimacy; that meas

The Branch Society in the first parish of Lisbon reported, That theures be taken for executing the law members pledged themselves to en- against persons, whose habits of incourage and assist all informing officers temperance shall have become inveteand magistrates in their official duties; rate; and that they refuse, in all cases to discountenance, by example and all to vote for persons known to be viother prudent measures, iminorality in cious. general, and, especially, idleness, Sab- The Branch Society in New-Hartbath breaking, profanity, and the need-ford reported, That they had resolved less use of strong drink. They chose to attempt the prevention of profanity, a Treasurer, to receive donations, ei-Sabbath breaking, idleness, and intemther in money, or books on morality.perance; and to encourage and aid They, likewise, appointed a commit- the civil magistrates and informing oftee of distribution. As to effects al-ficers in their respective duties. The ready perceived, it was evident, that a disregard of the Lord's day had greatreformation had commenced. Vice ly prevailed,and was rapidly increasing. was less open and daring, and there So small was the probability of success was an increasing attention to moral in efforts to restrain the licentious, and duties. especially travellers on that day, that The Branch Society in Salisbury re- the grand jurors had refused to be qualported resolutions to the following ef-ified. The attempt, however, was refect: That they would practice and|| solved on. The committee, by letters encourage industry in the lawful oc-addressed to men of character in cupations of themselves and others; neighboring towns, invited their co-opthat persons habitually idle should not eration. They persuaded the informreceive their support or assistance in ing officers to take their official oaths, any way calculated to encourage per- and promised them whatever assistseverance in that vice; that they wouldance occasions might require. They assist the civil authority in all proper placed notifications in the public housmeasures for enforcing the laws of the es of New-Hartford and its vicinity, Sabbath; that the members would care-warning travellers against exposing fully abstain from the practice of pro-themselves to prosecution and punishfane swearing, would neglect the comment.-The members indulged a hope pany and conversation of the habitual- || that, from these and similar measures, İy profane, advise their friends who are great good to individuals and the guilty of this vice to reform themselves community would ultimately result. thoroughly, checking all persons that The Branch Society in Bristol reswear profanely in their presence, vote ported resolutions, That by their confor no person to a place of honor or versation and example, they would disprofit whom they know to have acqui- countenance the daily and common red a habit of profanity, and inform use of ardent spirits in private families, against those who, after suitable admo-at social visits, and among people of nition, persist in the use of profane every description, whom their influlanguage; that the members would ence could affect; that if any were to cautiously regulate their own practice be so unhappy as to see a person evi