of a Rigid and Implacable Judge, in whom was naturally nothing but Wrath and Severity, till he was appeased by the merciful interpofition of Chrift. For on the contrary, even This very thing, the Coming of Chrift, was itself the Effect of God's effential and eternal Goodness prevailing over his Wrath; and of his original Mercy and Compaffion, in condescending to find out this Method for our Redemption, confiftent with the Sanction of his eternal Laws and with the Wisdom of univerfal Government; and to Send his Son into the World for our Recovery. God Joh.ii, 16. fo Loved the world, that he Gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting Life.

IN the next place, all humble and thankful Acknowledgment is to be made likewife to Our Saviour himself; who was as willing to come and give himself for us, as God was graciously pleased to permit and to appoint him to come. WorRev.v.12. thy is the Lamb that was flain, to receive

Eph. v.2.

Power

Power, and Riches, and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blefing: For thou waft flain, and haft re- ver.9. deemed us to God by thy Blood, out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation.

THE Ground of this Thankfulness to Both, is by St Paul expreffed with the greatest Accuracy and Exactnefs: The Tit.iii.4,6. Kindness and Love of God our Saviour toward Man, which he fhed on us a-' bundantly through Jefus Chrift our Saviour.

IT follows: " And I pray unto God to give me his grace, that I may continue "in the fame unto my Lives end. " Thefe words express, Ift, the Sense we ought to have of our own Frailnefs, and of our continually standing in need of the Divine Affiftance and Support. 2dly, the Neceffity of Perfevering by the Divine Affiftance in that State of Salvation, to which God hath called us. For Baptism and Faith and Refolutions of Obedience are Nothing, unless they produce the real Fruits of a virtuous and good Life. D 3

The

Heb.x. 38:

just

14.

juft fhall live by Faith: But if any man draw back, my Soul shall have no pleasure in him. The Meaning of which, is; not that men, in this frail and mortal ftate, can continue without Sin; but that they Phil.iii. must press toward the Mark, for the prize of the high Calling of God in Christ Jefus; conftantly indeavouring to keep all 2Cor. vii. God's Commandments; cleanfing themfelves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God. And whenfoever they fall into any thing that is amifs, they muft immediately by real Repentance and effectual Amendment, return to the State from whence they were fallen.

I.

PART

88

888888

PART II.

Of the Creed or Belief.

Qu. Rehearse the Articles of thy

Belief.

Anfw. A believe in God the Fa ther Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth: And in Jefus Chilt his only Son our Lozd, who was conceived by the Holy Gholt, Bozn of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, He defcended into Hell; The third Day he rose again from the Dead, he afcended into Heaven, And fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty : From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead. I believe in the Holy Gholt; The holp Catholick Church;

D 4

The

The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of Hins; The Kefurrection of the Body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Qu. What doft thou chiefly learn in thefe Articles of thy Belief?

Anfw. First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me and all the World. Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all Mankind. Thirdly, in God the Holy Gholt, who fanctifieth me, and all the Elect People of God.

THE whole Religion of a Chriftian is briefly comprehended in Three Particu lars; Repentance, Faith, and Obedi

ence.

REPENTANCE is, his renouncing the Works of the Devil, the Vanities of the World, and the Sinful Lufts of the Flesh. Faith is, his firmly believing and embracing the Doctrine of Chrift, as taught

in