The Twenty Sixth of April.

THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT --- 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22.

"Now he which stablished us with you in Christ, and hath annointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." --- 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; Ephesians 1:14.

A sensible joy of faith, and great delight in prayer, are not the only evidences of this earnest and sealing of the Spirit: these sometimes are wanting when we know we are sealed by these marks; namely, when we receive Christ in all his offices, and have a sincere desire to do the will of God in all things; when we love the ordinances of Christ, and regard the children with a brotherly affection, and seek to do them good; when we hate sin, and watch and pray against it; and, lastly, when we are poor in spirit, vile in our own eyes, and led into further acquaintance with Christ himself, and with his gospel, by the Spirit.

These are constant marks even for the weakest.

Why should the children of a King
Go mourning all their days?
Great Comforter, descend, and bring
Some tokens of thy grace.

Dost thou not dwell in all thy saints,
And seal the heirs of heaven?
When wilt thou banish my complaints,
And show my sins forgiven?

Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer's blood;
And bear thy witness with my heart
That I am born of God.

Thou art the earnest of his love,
The pledge of joys to come;
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,
Will safe convey me home.