PREFACE. NCOURAGED by the liberal patronage given to the first volume of the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, the Editors are induced to enter on the publication of a fecond. The fame general plan will be purfued, and it will be their aim to render the work interesting and useful. To communicate inftruction upon the great truths and doctrines of religion, to comfort and edify the people of God, and to intereft the pious mind by exhibiting difplays of the grace and mercy of God, rather than to amufe the fpeculatift and entertain the curious, are the objects of this work. For the accomplishment of these purposes, it will be feen that Effays written in a fbort, interefting manner, judicious narratives of revivals of religion, accounts of remarkable Providences, and biographical sketches are better adapted, than labored difquifitions on speculative points. To the fuccefs of a work of this kind variety is effential; the Editors therefore hope their brethren in the miniftry, and others who wish to promote the caufe of truth and piety, will cheerfully communicate original pieces on the various fubjects mentioned in the plan of the Magazine. 66 The prefent is not a period for indolence or indifference in the cause of the great Redeemer. Such are the figns of the times, as to call for the moft vigorous exertions. The Prince of darkness is more than ufually active; and at the fame time the Lord of glory appears to be ereding a fandard against him. Profligacy of manners abounds; and infidelity "affumes a formidable appearance, walking through the earth with gigan"tic ftrides, and threatning the deftruction of every virtuous principle. Religion, on the other hand, gradually prevails; and the Son of God "feems to be preparing the courfe of events for her final triumph." The late revivals of religion in fo many parts of our land; an increasing spirit of piety among the ferious people in various parts of Europe; and the engagednefs manifefted by fo many, both in America and Europe, to fend Miffionaries to places where the gospel is not at all or but imperfectly enjoyed, lead to the animating confideration that the Redeemer ftill fits as king apon the holy hill of Sion, and that the gates of hell will not be fuffered to prevail against his church. In a word, fuch are the prefent appearances of things, that it may be faid, there is much to excite hope, to alarm fear, to encourage the Saints and fervants of God to the utmoft diligence, and to induce all to addrefs. the father of mercies, in fervent prayer and humble fupplication for the effufions of his fpirit, and for a bleffing upon any efforts which may be made to advance the kingdom of his dear Son. Thefe confiderations induce the Editors to folicit the friends of Chrift to encourage a work defigned to diffufe religious knowledge and to raise a fund for continuing the light of the gospel among the inhabitants of the new and fcattered fettlements in the United States, and to spread this light among tribes of Savages now perishing for lack of vifion. The following is the plan of this work. TO CONTAIN Effays on the doctrines of Chriftianity, and on religious, experimental and moral subjects :-Occasional remarks on the fulfilment of fcripture prophecies in the prefent day, and expofitions of difficult and doubtful paffages of fcripture ;-Religious intelligence concerning the ftate of Chrift's kingdom, throughout the Chriftian world, and sketches of the original ecclefiaftical concerns of this country :-Information refpecting Miffions to the new fettlements in the United States and among Heathen nations -Narratives of revivals of religion in particu lar places together with the diftinguishing marks of true and falfe religionAccounts of remarkable difpenfations of divine Providence: Biographical sketches of perfons eminent for piety :-Original hymns on evangelical fubjects :-Together with whatever elfe on the fubject of religion and morals may contribute to the advancement of genuine piety and pure morality. This work will confift of original pieces and of extracts from the best European and American publications. As the Magazine is defigned for the promotion of vital Chriftianity, and of a knowledge of the great and effential truths of the gofpel, Effays which are merely controverfial or deeply metaphyfical, it will be feen, come not within the object of this publication; nevertheless, fhould any fuch be fent which, in the opinion of the Editors, are highly meritorious, they will be admitted. The Magazine will be open to receive communications from all denominations of Chriftians who believe in the peculiar principles of Chriftianity; but if written upon the diftinguishing tenets of their refpective fects, they will be excluded. The profits arifing from the fale of this publication will be appropriated to the fupport of Miffionaries to the Heathen or among the inhabitants of the new fettle. ments. Abort differtation on the Communion of the Holy Ghost. communion of the HoTHE ly Ghoft is an expreffion uled by the apostle Paul in 2 Cor. xii. 14. The fame word in the original, which is there tranflated Communion, is frequently rendered fellowship. It is derived from a word which fignifies common; and the word itself feems primarily to import a common intereft-poffeffing, enjoying or sharing a thing in common; or a joint participation in the fame thing. Hence, when feveral perfons are joint-partakers of the Holy Ghoft, whether in equal, or in different degrees, the communion of the Holy Ghoft is with them; or they have communion one with another in the tural to fay, they have communion orfellowship WITH the Holy Ghost The communion of the Holy Ghoft, is a fcriptural expreffion : but communion WITH the Holy Ghoft, is not a fcriptural expreffion, and perhaps, not fuited to convey a fcriptural idea. is apprehended, are founded on The following obfervations, it the reprefentations contained in the fcriptures, viz. it of the Father, and of his Son 1. The Holy Ghost is the SpirJefus Chrift. This will be admitted by all who read the New-Tef tament with attention. If we confider the Son merely as God, or in his original ftate, previous to his actual affumption of the human nature, the Holy SpirHoly Ghoft. This joint-partici-er's, and in the fame fenfe and it is as truly his Spirit as the Fathpation of the Holy Ghoft, as a good or enjoyment, in a greater or less degree, common to them all, is the communion of the Holy Ghoft. It is agreeable to fcripture to fay, Chriftians have fellowship [communion] with the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift. John i. 3. But it is not fcrip And if the Son is confidered in his in- it without measure. the children of God-to all true 2. The Holy Spirit is given to believers, to abide in them as a vi- | common intereft. And this is untal principle, like a well or foun-doubtedly included in the com munion of Chriftians with the . Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift. God and Jefus Chrift communicate the Holy Spirit to believers; and they, under the influence of this Spirit, commu tain of water, fpringing up into everlasting life. John iv. 14. He is given by the Father. Luke i. 13. Gal. iv. 6. And he is given by Christ. John xvi. 7. He dwells in Chriftians as the Spirit of God, and as the Spirit of Chrift.nicate or devote their hearts and Rom. viii. 9, 10, 11. The Ho- their whole perfons to Jefus Chrift, ly Spirit, abiding in Chriftians as and to God through him. The the Spirit of adoption and of prom- Spirit communicated to them, proife, is the earneft of their inheri- duces a return of communications, tance; and by him they are fealed in the exercifes of love, gratitude unto the day of redemption. He and praife, felf-dedication, truft is the internal fource and fupport of and dependence, joy and rejoicing, their fpiritual life and holinefs, and in acts of worship and obedicomfort and joy. Hereby they ence, inclufive of all those spiritare partakers of a divine na-ual facrifices, which are acceptable ture. According to the measure of the Spirit communicated to them, they have the fame Spirit with God and Jefus Chrift the fame difpofition or affection, in kind, towards the fame objects the fame intereft at heart-the fame ultimate object of purfuit. Thus they have communion-a common intereft, with the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift, and jointly partake or fhare, though in a different manner, and in an infinitely lower degree, in the fame things. The principal thing, in which the Father and the Son and all true believers, have communion or a common intereft, and which is the fource of their fellowship or joint-participation in the fame affection, intereft and end, is the Holy Ghoft. Therefore, this communion is, with propriety, termed, not communion WITH, but, the communion of the Holy Ghost. 3. The word communion, though it may primarily import a common intereft or joint-participation, is alfo ufed to figaify mutual communication; which is generally implied in, or the natural refult of, a to God by Jefus Chrift. Such mutual intercourfe and communications, between God and his people, exift and are maintained by the Holy Spirit; though, ordinarily, not without the inftrumentality of external means. God communicates himself to them, by giving them his Holy Spirit; and they give themselves to him. He fheds abroad his love in their hearts by the Holy Ghost; and they love and obey him with filial affection, joy and confidence. He comes to them, and makes his abode with them, by his Spirit : and they under the influence of this Spirit, draw nigh to him in prayer and praise, and other religious exercifes and actions, and meet with a gracious acceptance. Hence, the communion confifting in fuch mutual communications, may, with propriety, be termed, the communion of the Holy Ghost -the Holy Spirit being the great and comprehenfive good on God's part, communicated by him, producing all their holiness and fpiritual joy and happiness; and the great agent in, or fource of all holy and acceptable communi, |