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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2007 with funding from 
 
 Microsoft Corporation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/bibleclasstextboOOwilbrich 
 
THE 
 
 BIBLE CLASS TEXT BOOK ; 
 
 OR 
 
 BIBLICAL CATECHISM, 
 
 CONTAINING QUESTIONS 
 
 HISTORICAL, DOCTRINAL, PRACTICAL, 
 AND EXPERIMENTAL. 
 
 DESIGNED 
 TO PROMOTE AN INTIMATE ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE 
 
 BY HERVEY WILBUR, A. M. 
 
 " Search the Scriptures." Jesus Christ. 
 
 " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all 
 wisdom." — Rom. 15. 4 Paul. 
 
 EIGHTEENTH EDITION. 
 
 revised, improved, enlarged, and stereotyped, 
 with practical questions annexed 
 JJRTthe answersW'J'I 
 
 PUBLISHED BY CROCKER AND BREWSTER, 
 47, Washington-street. 
 
 1838'.' 
 
PREFACE TO THE EIGHTEENTH EDITION 1 , ^-x^ 
 
 The impression exists to some extent that parents, teachers and 
 even ministers, impart less sound doctrinal knowledge to the young 
 now, than they did fifteen or twenty years ago. If this impression 
 be correct, the interests of vital religion are in danger and a change 
 of measures is most assuredly needed. It was once believed that 
 the Bible Class Text Book, was eminently well adapted to indoc- 
 trinate the young in a scriptural and unobjectionable manner. The 
 author believes that none of the good books which have been 
 recently published, fill the place for which this was designed, or 
 render its use unnecessary. He hopes it is not egotism which indu- 
 ces him to encourage the continued use of a work which the lamented 
 Payson used for the instruction of his youth till he closed his labors. 
 And that year which terminated his invaluable life added fifty-six to 
 his Church from his Bible Class. 
 
 The preface to the Eleventh Edition, still retained j — the Adver- 
 tisement on the 7th and 8th pages, and the Notes A and B in the 
 Appendix, will make known the manner in which this book was 
 intended to be used ; and names\in it are good authority for its use. 
 
 But without prescribing the details of the manner in which Bible 
 Classes shall be conducted, we ftel justified in saying that, aside 
 from divinely appointed ordinances, the institution of Bible Classes 
 is second in importance to no pw»f^neans of grace. To all the 
 benevolent institutions and efforpurow existing, which are the glory 
 of our age, we say, God speed. VjUrtj their energies be increased a 
 thousandfold, and exert more influence, than present patrons ever 
 anticipated. But that these glofctous results may be attained, let the 
 enterprising and ardent youth wfco n«^v have access to the inspired 
 volume, become intimately acquainted with its truths, and be 
 habitually governed by its motives jand their energies and their all, 
 will be consecrated to God. Ler^lJiVle Classes be organized in 
 every paTt of Christendom, and be watered with showers of heavenly 
 influence, and innumerable sprimps^oK life will burst forth. These 
 will collect and accumulate in s^eaWL till the present pure, but 
 shallow rivulet of Christian benevolencelis swelled to a mighty river, 
 overflowing and fertilizing the earth with the waters of salvation. 
 
 And now, if it be desirable and practicable to form associations 
 of youth for improvement in Scriptural knowledge in our congrega- 
 tions, and if the blessing of God has almost uniformly attended such 
 associations where they have been formed, we ask, shall any pastor, 
 will an}' pious pastor, neglect so important a means of extending the 
 kingdom of Christ 1 By the interests of the Church in succeeding 
 generations 5 by the love they bear to their country, whose unequalled 
 privileges can be perpetuated only by the diffusion, among our 
 rapidly increasing population, of the influence of vital religion 5 by 
 the value of the souls of the young in their congregations, and of 
 the thousands and millions who will be affected by the character 
 they form; by their own responsibility to him who has said to his 
 ministers " feed my lambs 3 ,; we call upon all pastors to engage 
 and persevere in special and systematic efforts for the religious 
 instruction of the youth committed to their charge. 
 
PREFACE TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION. 
 
 IN presenting the Public with this revised edition of the 
 Bible Class Text Book, or Biblical Catechism, the Author re- 
 news his grateful acknowledgments for that patronage of this 
 work, which has already circulated about thirty thousand copies. 
 He is much pleased in knowing that it is approved, and used 
 by the evangelical of different denominations. It was his 
 intention to give a systematic classification of Scripture doc- 
 trines, precepts, warnings, and promises, which have the impress 
 of the footsteps of the flock. It was never his design to quote 
 all the passages which relate to a particular doctrine or duty, 
 but only to use some apposite texts, and such as would give the 
 most connected answer in the language which the Holy Ghost 
 teacheth, and thus encourage and aid the young to classify the 
 Scriptures for themselves, as they peruse them. Some passa- 
 ges which it might have been expected, would have been in- 
 serted under one question, will be found under another or in 
 the notes, and it was thought not advisable to print them twice. 
 A regard for the interests of Zion will justify the remark, 
 that in many places where associations of youth have been 
 formed for the systematic study of the Scriptures in the man- 
 ner recommended in this work, there has been a deep and gen- 
 eral seriousness among the young presently manifested. The 
 - Holy Spirit has blessed the social study of eternal truth 
 for giving more efficiency to a preached Gospel. Besides it 
 ought to be known that wherever the attempt has been made 
 to form such classes, a large proportion of the young have been 
 -easily collected for this purpose. In single Congregations from 
 one to two hundred youths are not unfrequently engaged. The 
 very circumstance of bringing his youth in direct contact with 
 a serious and judicious Pastor, who tenderly loves their souls, 
 may be a great blessing to them. The recent formation of Bi- 
 ble classes on conspicuous parts of Zion's walls, with the bles- 
 sing of Heaven which has attended them, it is hoped will give 
 a new impulse to their formation in other sections of the coun- 
 try. And as a new Edition of the Manual which has so gene- 
 rally been used in them, was needed, it has been carefully re- 
 vised, with some enlargement. That it might be afforded in 
 good half-binding, as low as it had before been sold, in marble 
 covers, notwithstanding the additional amount of matter, inclu- 
 
IV RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 ding nearly four hundred practical questions, now annexed to 
 the answers, it wa« thought advisable to stereotype the work, 
 believing that the same reasons which have induced the Chris- 
 tian Public to patronize it where it has been known, will in- 
 crease its circulation still more extensively, and thus indemnify 
 the expense of stereotyping. It is believed that the older pu- 
 pils in Sabbath schools, would be profited by a classification 
 of the portions of Scripture which they commit to memory, and 
 that the practical questions now attached to the work will aid 
 Sabbath school Teachers in enforcing and applying religious 
 truths. 
 
 That HE with whom is the residue of the Spirit would cause 
 it to subserve his glory, and the welfare of Zion's hopes, is the 
 desire of the 
 
 AUTHOR. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS by the rev. clergy. 
 Having examined Mr. Wilbur's plan for a Biblical Cat- 
 echism, we think it judicious ; the portion which is completed, 
 we entirely approve, and have no doubt, the whole will make 
 a useful publication, highly deserving the attention of private 
 families, of schools, and such societies of young persons as may 
 be formed for the important purposes of religious instruction and 
 improvement. 
 
 Samuel Spring, D. D. Newburyport. 
 
 Edward D. Griffin, D. D. Boston. 
 
 Wm. F. Rowland, Exeter. 
 
 John H. Church, Pelham, N. H. 
 
 Josiah Webster, Hampton. 
 
 James Miltimore, Newbury. 
 
 Jonathan Allen, Bradford. 
 
 Daniel Dow, Thompson, Conn. 
 
 Walter Harris, Dunbarton, N. H. 
 
 Vinson Gould, S. Hampton, Mass. 
 
 Sylvester Dana, Orford, N. H 
 
 John Smith, Salem, N. H. 
 
 Having attended to Mr. Wilbur's Biblical Catechism, 
 we think the questions most important ; and the texts in the 
 answers judiciously selected. The work in our view is well 
 calculated to produce serious impressions on the minds of chil- 
 dren and youth : and to give them rational and scriptural 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS. V 
 
 views of the doctrines and duties of our holy Religion. We, 
 therefore, freely recommend it to Parents, to the Teachers of 
 Schools, and Ministers of the gospel as a useful Tract to aid 
 them in the religious culture of children and youth under their 
 care. 
 
 Elijah Parish, D. D. Byefield. 
 
 James P. Wilson, D. D. Philadelphia. 
 
 William Balch, Salisbury. 
 
 Isaac Tompkins, Haverhill. 
 
 Tho. A. Merrill, Middlebury, Vt. 
 
 Walter Chapin, Woodstock, Vt. 
 
 Newbury port, Sept. 26, 1812. 
 
 Dear Sir 1 have examined as far as practicable your 
 
 Biblical Catechism. The design I think highly interesting • 
 and the execution generally judicious. Whatever tends to 
 attract the attention of children and youth to the sacred vol- 
 ume, must be beneficial. Nor can any form of religious in- 
 struction be either so useful, or so unexceptionable, as that 
 wh : ch leads the pupil to draw all his sentiments from a perfect 
 and infallible source- 
 Wishing that your intended publication may meet the pat- 
 ronage of the public, and be crowned with the divine blessing. 
 I am sincerely yours, DANIEL DANA. 
 
 West-Springjield, Nov. 19, 1812. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I thank you for your Biblical Catechism. On a perusal of 
 it, I think it a valuable and useful Tract, well adapted to the 
 instruction and edification of such youths as are capable of un- 
 derstanding the questions and applying the references. The 
 questions are important, and plainly stated, and the references 
 pertinent. Your method of instruction, while it leads to an ac- 
 quaintance with the doctrines of religion, tends to improvement 
 in ecriptural knowledge. I am, sir, your obliged 
 
 Humble servant, 
 
 JOSEPH LATHROP. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 31, 1813. 
 Having examined Mr. Wilbur's Biblical Catechism, I think 
 the plan interesting, and well adapted to promote an acquaint- 
 A2 
 
V 1 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 ancc with the Scriptures. The questions are well selected and 
 arranged to impress on the minds of youth the leading doctrines 
 of the Bible. Parents will find it useful in the education of 
 their children. Societies formed on this plan must be highly 
 beneficial to youth, and promise much good to the church. I 
 freely recommend it to the patronage of the pious. 
 
 EZRA FISK. 
 
 Princeton, June 1, 1813. 
 
 I cheerfully add my testimony to that of others, in favour of 
 Mr. Wilbur's m Biblical Catechism" as an excellent manual 
 in the religious instruction of children and youth. 
 
 ASHBEL GREEN. 
 
 Extract from a review in the Panophst for April, 1813. 
 
 Mr. Wilbur has executed his plan in such a manner, as to 
 
 deserve the approbation of the Christian public. The 
 
 questions are important, the texts referred to generally apposite 
 and suited to impress the true answer on the mind, and the ef- 
 fect of teaching this catechism to the young, or rather inducing 
 the young to teach themselves by the use of it, can hardly be 
 otherwise than good. We have examined all the references 
 which are intended to be committed to memory. They form a 
 precious treasury of jewels taken from the inexhaustible mine 
 of Scripture. To have them deposited in the memories of 
 young persons, must be a most desirable reward for the labour 
 of collecting and arranging them. 
 
 The principal design of the author in composing this Cate- 
 chism, was to benefit young persons, associated for the purpose 
 of studying the Scriptures together in Catechetical Societies, a 
 constitution for which is prefixed to the work. Twenty such 
 societies have been formed we are told, and have experienced 
 essential advantage by consulting this little manual. A large 
 portion of the members have produced answers to questions, 
 selected for the purpose, in the form of written compositions. 
 The manifest tendency of such a course is to make the learner 
 familiar with the Holy Scriptures ; and while his memory is 
 strengthened, and his mind expanded, by studying the mo- 
 mentous truths there revealed, his conscience may be awak 
 ene<l, and, by a Divine blessing, his heart renewed. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. VII 
 
 Dear Sir, Salem, JLugust 15, 1816. 
 
 Nothing" can be of higher importance, than that the minds of 
 young persons be early and deeply imbued with the Holy 
 Scriptures. For this interesting purpose, I know of no general 
 plan which promises more, than the one set forth in your "Bib- 
 lical Catechism," and illustrated and enforced in your M Dis- 
 course on the Religious Education of Youth." Portions of the 
 Scriptures, judiciously selected and arranged under general 
 and particular heads, comprising the leading doctrines and pre 
 cepts, warnings and encouragements of religion, must enrich 
 the young mind vastly more when committed to memory, than 
 equal quantities of scripture, taken either promiscuously, or in 
 course. The catechetical form has also very evident advantages ; 
 and associations for catechetical exercises must eminently serve 
 to engage attention, to excite interest, to quicken the faculties, 
 and to promote improvement. May the Lord prosper your 
 endeavours, for the everlasting benefit of the generation now 
 rising, and of generations to come. 
 
 Very affectionately yours, S. WORCESTER. 
 
 While the united, laudable, and increasing exertions to cir- 
 culate the BIBLE among the destitute, rejoice the hearts oi 
 Zion's friends, they, doubtless, will not despise a humble at 
 tempt to promote among those who possess this invaluable 
 treasure, a more intimate acquaintance with u the holy Scrip- 
 tures, which are able to make" us, w wise unto salvation through 
 faith which is in Christ Jesus." The subsequent Catechism 
 was designed particularly for the use of the young, formed in 
 associations for the laudable purpose of replenishing their minds 
 with a knowledge of the doctrines, duties, v/arnings, promises, 
 and consolations of our holy religion. Regular Society meet- 
 ings of young people, for religious mental improvement, might 
 be rendered deeply interesting and highly useful. They would 
 be cheap, safe, honourable, and profitable substitutes for par- 
 ties entirely devoted to vanity.* 
 
 Such as are disposed to write answers to questions, which 
 constitute the lessons of the Class, may consult the references 
 connected with the questions, and " search the Scriptures" for 
 other appropriate passages. Thus they would improve them- 
 selves in composition and religious knowledge by digesting, 
 and committing their ideas to paper, and improve others by 
 
 * Dear immortals : " Doth not WISDOM cry ? " Jonah 2. 
 8. Prov. 8. 10, 11, 32—36. and 3. 1—18. 
 
Vlll ADDRESS. 
 
 communicating them. Society members who choose not to 
 write may commit to memory the references which precede 
 the parallel, and thus answer the questions by storing their 
 minds with scriptural truths in the language of inspiration. The 
 first sets of references are selected to form in scripture language, 
 connected appropriate answers to the questions, and may be 
 committed to memory as such. Children in families and schools 
 may successfully and profitably adopt this method of using the 
 Biblical Catechism. The proposed exercises, tend to strength- 
 en the memories, enlarge and invigorate the understandings, 
 correct and improve the taste, and to affect the hearts of 
 the young. Persons of more mature age whose leisure and 
 inclination permit, may be highly useful to the young by writ- 
 ing judicious answers to such questions as they please to select, 
 and admitting their answers to be read before a Bible Class, or 
 before their domestic circles. By Preceptors it has been sug- 
 gested that beginners in composition at academies might de- 
 rive particular assistance from this Work. The question would 
 serve to fix their attention to one point. The references would 
 furnish them with ideas which they might easily clothe in their 
 own language, while their attention to scripture truths would 
 enrich their minds with important knowledge. It has likewise 
 been suggested by learned Fathers in the ministry, that this 
 Work, with a Divine blessing, would have a tendency to arouse 
 the attention of all classes to the written and dispensed word 
 of God, and might be profitably used in religious Conferences, 
 or as a Common-place text book. Finally if it prove but one 
 mite in the treasury of useful, knowledge, if it bo 
 made instrumental of assisting any in drawing M the water of 
 life from the wells of salvation," it will furnish occasion for 
 lively gratitude both in the Reader and in the AUTHOR. 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 TO A BIBLE CLASS. 
 
 Ye dear Youth, 
 
 I congratulate you on exchanging the vain empty pursuits 
 which so commonly engross the attention of the young, for the 
 cultivation of your minds in moral and religious knowledge; — 
 knowledge calculated to render you amiable, honourable, use- 
 ful, and happy through life : — knoweldge which will endure 
 when human science shall be no more. 
 
 Ye dear members of this Biblical Association, Thus far 
 you have done well. Persevere in welldoing. " Dearly 
 beloved," " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all 
 
ADDRESS. IX 
 
 wisdom." Continue to M Search the Scriptures." They are able 
 to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 
 
 Search them. Never peruse them so carelessly as to leave 
 no ideas in the understanding, — no impressions on the heart. 
 
 Search them daily. Not content with having drank y ester 
 day; slake your thirst each day at the streams of that river 
 which makes glad the city of God. 
 
 Search them carefully. By comparing spiritual things with spi 
 ritual you may clearly ascertain what is truth and what is duty. 
 
 Search them with candour. Do not seek support from the 
 Scriptures for sentiments, merely because they are pleasing to 
 you ; but repair to the oracles of God, determined to adopt no 
 sentiments but what the Scriptures inculcate : — no sentiments 
 displeasing to God and ruinous to souls. 
 
 Search them with confidence in their authenticity and inspira- 
 tion. If you view them as M cunningly devised fables" they 
 will profit you nothing. 
 
 Search them with the deepest interest. The mathematician 
 collects and binds his wandering thoughts merely to solve a 
 problem in Euclid. How much more profound attention the 
 Scriptures demand. They contain the charter of the Saints'* 
 inheritance, and the death warrant of impenitent Sinners. 
 
 Search them with pray erj ulness. Without prayer, the Bible 
 will prove a sealed book. Human wisdom knows not God. 
 But if the illuminating inlluences of the Holy Spirit beam on the 
 page of inspiration, you will understand the truths and discover 
 the beauties of the Sacred Volume. 
 
 Search the Scriptures with self -application. Ever bear in 
 mind when perusing the word of God, that Jehovah, whose char- 
 acter is there revealed is your Maker, your daily Benefactor, 
 your Redeemer, and your Judge. Let your mind ever be ten- 
 derly alive to the Scriptural exhibition of human depravity,— the 
 requirements and denunciations of God 1 s law, — the invitations 
 and promises of the Gospel. Remember that immutable truths 
 are revealed in the Scriptures in which you as individuals are 
 deeply and eternally concerned. 
 
 Need I spread before you motives to stimulate you, rightly and 
 devoutly to study your Bible. Thus to " Search the Scriptures is 
 honourable, is useful, is conducive to happiness, and is a com- 
 mand of God." 
 
 The study of the Scriptures is honourable. In them the 
 Supreme Ruler of the universe has dictated by his Spirit, and 
 written as with his own hand, epistles of love in characters of 
 blood, offering to the penitent and believing an interest in his 
 holy favour, an adoption into the family of heaven and immor- 
 tal crowns of righteousness and glory ; and are not your honour, 
 
X ADDRESS. 
 
 your wisdom, and your interest, concerned that they should 
 daily meet your eyes, affect your hearts, and regulate your lives ? 
 
 It is highly useful rightly to search the Scriptures. It en- 
 livens the imagination, corrects the taste, enriches the under 
 standing, keeps the heart and mends the life. It will humble 
 you in prosperity, support you in adversity, disarm death of his 
 sting, and the grave of its terrors. And from the armoury of 
 heaven you may replenish your minds with weapons to subdue 
 every inbred corrupt propensity. The u sword of the Spirit 1 ' 
 ensures the victory. 
 
 Devoutly to study the Scriptures is conducive to happiness. 
 Wisdom's ways are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 
 The consolations of God's word are abundant and suited to 
 every circumstance in which the humble believer can be placed. 
 
 Finally, Starch the Scriptures is a command of Christ. He 
 that knows his Lord's will and does it not shall be beaten, shall 
 be beaten with many stripes. 
 
 My young friends, Is it illusion or are your countenances ex- 
 pressive of a determination devoutly to study your Bibles. I 
 rejoice that the most of you are engaged to become acquainted 
 with the letter of the Scriptures. I more rejoice in the belief 
 that some of you are acquainted with the power and consolation 
 of God's word. I believe that some of you do, and will con- 
 tinue devoutly to search the Scriptures. Through love and 
 obedience to them, I hope to see such shine as the brightness 
 of the firmament for ever. 
 
 My fears distress me lest the faint resolutions of some this 
 evening will prove but momentary. I almost tremble lest many 
 of you will never search the Scriptures with faith, self-applica- 
 tion, and prayerfulness. The seriousness, the solemnity, which 
 has been manifested by you, my dear young friends, has raised 
 hopes that God was about to pluck more of you as brands 
 from everlasting burnings, and put songs of deliverance into 
 your mouths. Must these fond hopes be blasted ? By the worth 
 of your immortal souls, by the solemnities of a hastening judg- 
 ment — by the joys of heaven and the miseries of hell, I beseech 
 you immediately to make your peace with God. By the ago- 
 nies, the groans, and the death of the Son of God, — by his abil- 
 ity and readiness to save penitent sinners, and his power and 
 determination to punish the impenitent, I conjure you to flee 
 from impending wrath, and embrace the hope of the Gospel. 
 
 Do any of you weep in view of your guilty, wretched, help- 
 less condition. God grant that the tears of penitence may flow 
 from your eyes, and the consolation of the Gospel be poured 
 into your bosoms. Ye dear youth, It is my heart's desire and 
 prayer to God for you all, that you may be saver 1 - 
 
A 
 
 BIBLICAL CATECHISM. 
 
 While the creature is committing the sacred Scriptures 
 to memory, who knows but the CREATOR may 
 renew the heart? 
 
 2 Tim. 3. 14, 15. But continue thou in the things 
 which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, 
 knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; And that 
 from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which 
 are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith 
 which is in Jesus Christ. 
 
 EccL 11. 6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
 the evening withhold not thine hand ; for thou know- 
 est not whether shall prosper ; either this or that, or 
 whether they both shall be alike good. 
 
 Deut. 11. 18, 19. Therefore shall ye lay up these 
 my words in your heart, and in your soul, and bind 
 them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as 
 frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them 
 your children speaking of them when thou sittest in 
 thine house, and when thou walkestby the way, when 
 thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 
 
 Ps. 34. 11. Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I 
 will teach you the fear of the Lord, (a) 
 
 Question 1. What END should regulate all our conduct ? 
 
 Ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel.- Whether there- 
 fore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory 
 of God.- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the 
 Lord, and not unto men.- For of him, and through him, and 
 to him, are all things : to whom be glory forever, Amen. 1 
 Sam. 6. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 31. Col. 3. 23. Rom. 11. 36. (b) || Is. 
 48. 11. Ps. 29. 2. Mai. 2. 2. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Rom. 12. 1, 2. 1 
 Cor. 6. 20. Rev. 4. 11. 
 
 (a) See Appendix, Note A. (b) See Appendix, Note B. 
 
12 
 
 Is it wise or sale to disregard this k.\i> ? Have vol regarded, 
 or disregarded it ? Why will you not daily regard it ? 
 
 2. How can feeble, polluted worms, promote the declarative 
 glory of God ? 
 
 \\ hoso oifereth praise glorifieth me.- Give unto the Lord the 
 glory due unto his name ; worship the Lord in the beauty of 
 holiness.- Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of 
 God the Father.- Let your light so shine before men, that 
 they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which 
 is in heaven.- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much 
 fruit. Ps. 50. 23. and 29. 2. Phil. 2. 11. Mat. 5. 16. John. 15. 8. 
 || 1 Chron. 16. 28. Phil. 1. 11. Rom. 15. 5, 6. 2 Cor. 4. 15. 
 
 Have you attempted, or even desired, thus to glorify God ? 
 Or have you sought only your own selfish honour, interest, and 
 pleasure ? 
 
 3. How do you prove from the light of nature that there is 
 a God? 
 
 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament 
 sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and 
 night unto night sheweth knoweldge. There is no speech nor 
 language, where their voice is not heard. — Because that which 
 may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath 
 shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the 
 creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the 
 things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so 
 that tney are without excuse. Ps. 19. 1 — 3. Rom. 1. 19, 20, 
 II Ps. 8. 3, 4. and 33. 5—9. and 104. 24—31. || Is. 40. 26. Jer. 
 10. 10—13. 
 
 Have you traced the perfections of God in creation and 
 providence? Have you loved this employment? 
 
 4 What general duties are obvious from the light of nature? 
 
 Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. — Praise him according^ 
 his excellent greatness. — Fear before him, all the earth. — He 
 that planted the ear., shall he not hear ? he that formed the eye, 
 shall he not see ? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not 
 he know ? — O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom 
 hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches. — 
 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall 
 understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. Deut. 32. 3. Ps. 
 150. 2. 1 Chron. 16. 30. Ps. 94. 9, 10. and 104. 24. and 107. 43. 
 II 1 Chron. 16. 25. Ps. 145. 3. and 107. 31. 
 
 Have you been led by the works of God, to adore, fear, and 
 praise him ? Where have any sinful beings been induced by the 
 light of nature alone to exercise any truly devout affections ? 
 
13 
 
 5. By whom, and for what purpose, were the Scriptures 
 given ? 
 
 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable 
 for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righte- 
 ousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly 
 furnished unto all good works.- Knowing this first, that no 
 prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For 
 the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man ; but 
 holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy 
 Ghost.- But these are written, that ye might believe that Je- 
 sus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye 
 might have life through his name, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. 2 Pet. 1. 
 20, 21. John 20. 31. || Ps. 119. 105. Heb. 1. 1, 2. Acts 20. 
 32. John 17, 26. 
 
 Have you treated the Bible as a message from God to you ? 
 Has it made you wise unto salvation ? 
 
 6. What are the internal evidences that the Scriptures are 
 the word of God ? 
 
 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, the tes- 
 timony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The 
 statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the "heart : The com- 
 mandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear 
 of the Lord is clean, enduring forever ; the judgments of the 
 Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired 
 are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : Sweeter also 
 than honey, and the honey-comb.- Thy testimonies are won- 
 derful : therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of 
 thy words giveth light ; it giveth understanding unto the sim- 
 ple. This is my comfort in my affliction ; for thy word hath 
 quickened me. Ps. 19. 7—10. and 119, 129, 130, 50. || and 
 119. 103 — 105. Evidences may be drawn from the effects pro- 
 duced by Divine truth. Heb. 4. 12. Jer. 5. 14. and 23. 29. 
 Ps. 119. 98, 99. The unrivalled sublimity of their language, 
 harmony of their doctrines, and purity of their precepts, prove 
 them of Divine origin. Deut. 4. 8. 
 
 Have you felt that you have a soul which needs convert- 
 ing grace ? Have you esteemed the word of God precious, be- 
 cause it is pure, and purifying ? 
 
 7.^ Have we external evidence that the Scriptures were giv- 
 en by inspiration of God ? 
 
 1. We have prophecy and its fulfilment. 
 
 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of 
 the prophet cometh to pass, then shall the prophet be known 
 B 
 
14 
 
 that the Lord hath truly sent him.- When a prophet speaketh 
 in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to 
 pass, that is the thing- which the Lord hath not spoken, but 
 the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously ; thou shalt not be 
 afraid of him.— Seventy weeks are determined upon thy peo- 
 ple, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to 
 make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, 
 and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the 
 vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. He was 
 oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth : 
 he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before 
 her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.- He was 
 taken from prison and from judgment : and who shall declare 
 his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: 
 for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he 
 made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death ; 
 because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his 
 mouth. 
 
 Compared with gal. 4. 4, 5, &c. 
 
 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth 
 his Sojv, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem 
 them that were under the law, that we might receive the adop- 
 tion of sons.- And the chief priests accused him of many 
 things ; but he answered nothing. And when they had mock- 
 ed him, they took off the purple robe from him, and put his 
 own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And 
 with him they crucify two thieves ; the one on the right hand T 
 and the other on the left. And now when the even was come, 
 Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also 
 waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly un- 
 to Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And he bought fine 
 linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and 
 laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and 
 rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. Jer. 28. 9. 
 Deut. 18. 22. Dan. 9. 24. Is. 53. 7—9. Compared with Gal. 4, 
 4, 5. Mark 15. 3, 20, 27, 42, 43, 46. || Deut. 18. 15. Is. 40. 3, 
 and 7. 14. and 61. 1, 2. and 35. 5, 6. Zech. 9. 9. fs. 2. 2. and 
 
 22. 7, 8, 18. and 16. 10. Compared with John 6. 14. Mat. 3. 3. 
 and 1. 22. 23. Luke 4. 18, 19, 21. and 7. 20—22. John 12 
 14—16. Acts 4. 25—28. Mat. 27. 35, 39—43. Acts 2. 25—32 
 || Deut. 28. 45, 49—57. Luke 21. 5—24. Compared with Jo- 
 sephus' wars of the Jews. John 5. 36. Acts 2. 22, 32. 
 
 2ndly. We have the miracles of Christ. 
 
 To notice a few of them. Christ healed the sick, Mat. 4 
 
 23, 24. cured blindness, Mark 10. 52. deafness, Mark 7. 32. 
 
15 
 
 lameness, John 5. 7 — 9. leprosy, Luke 17. 14. and palsy., Luke 
 5. 18 — 25. He cast out evil spirits, Mark 1. 34. calmed the tem- 
 pest, Luke 8. 23, 24. and raised the dead to life. John 11. 
 43, 44. 
 
 3dly. We have the miracles or Christ's servants. 
 
 Moses, Joshua, and other prophets, wrought an astonishing 
 series of miracles in the presence of thousands of competent 
 witnesses. The same may be said of the Apostles. Heb. 2. 
 4. Acts 5. 12 — 16. The truth of Scripture history is confirm 
 ed by commemorative institutions. Ex. 13. 8—10. 1 Cor. 11 
 26. Existing facts corroborate the Scripture history. Marine 
 productions on the tops of mountains corroborate the history 
 of the flood : variety of languages, — the confusion of tongues, 
 — the putrid waters of the Dead Sea, — the destruction ol 
 Sodom and Gomorrah, &c. 
 
 How can any be speculative infidels? How dare any of 
 you be practical infidels ? Does either of these characters be- 
 long to you? Let conscience be faithful. 
 
 8. What is God, and what is the duration of his existence ? 
 
 God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship 
 him in spirit and in truth.- How great are his signs ! and how 
 mighty are his wonders ! his kingdom is an everlasting king- 
 dom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.- Now 
 unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, 
 be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. John 4. 24. 
 Dan. 4. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 17. || Ps. 90. 2. Mai. 3. 2. 1 Kings 8. 27. 
 Rom. 16. 27. Ex. 34. 6, 7. 1 John 1. 5. and 4. 16. 
 
 Do you realize how little you can know of God while in the 
 body ? Does the desire and hope of knowing more of him in 
 eternity, tend to reconcile you to death ? 
 
 9. How is divine knowledge described in the Scriptures ? 
 
 O Lord thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou 
 knowest my downsitting and mine uprising ! thou understand- 
 est my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my 
 lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there 
 is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it 
 altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid 
 thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for 
 me ; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go 
 from thy Spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? If 
 I ascend up into heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed in 
 hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the 
 morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even 
 there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold 
 
16 
 
 me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me ; even the 
 night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not 
 from thee ; but the night shineth as the day : the darkness and 
 the light are both alike to thee.- Known unto God are all his 
 works from the beginning of the world.- Neither is there are 
 any creature that is not manifest in his sight : but all things 
 are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we 
 have to do. Ps. 139. 1—12. Acts 15. 18. Heb. 4. 13. || Ps. 17. 
 3. and 44. 21. Job 34. 21, 22. Prov. 15. 3. Jer. 23. 24. 
 
 Do you habitually realize, " Thou God seest me ?" Has 
 this truth a purifying influence on your heart and on your life ? 
 
 Does not Omniscience behold you as now living,- now dy- 
 ing,— now buried,- now rising and receiving your final doom ? 
 
 10. Does God declare himself unchangeable in his nature, and 
 immutable in his counsels ? 
 
 For I am the Lord, I change not ; therefore ye sons of Jacob 
 are not consumed.— Declaring the end from the beginning, and 
 from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my 
 counsel shall stand,and I will do all my pleasure.- There are ma- 
 ny devices in a man's heart ; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord 
 that shall stand.- The counsel of the Lord s-tandeth forever, 
 the thoughts of his heart to all generations.- Every good gift, 
 and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from 
 the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither 
 shadow of turning. Mai. 3. 6. Is. 46. 10. Prov. 19. 21. Ps. 33. 
 11. Jam. 1. 17. || Num. 23. 19. Acts 4. 27, 28. and 2.23. Heb. 
 6. 17. Job 23. 13. Is. 46. 9, 10. Josh. 23. 14, 15. 
 
 Have you considered that the moral aifections of God, to- 
 ward holiness and sin, are unchangeable ? Are your hearts re- 
 conciled to the eternal and immutable counsels of God ? 
 
 11. Is God of purer eyes than to behold evil, or look upon ini- 
 quity but with abhorreitce ? 
 
 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is 
 like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing won- 
 ders ?- For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wicked- 
 ness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall 
 not stand in thy sight, thou hatest all workers of iniquity .- 
 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for 
 thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and worship be- 
 fore thee ; for thy judgments are made manifest.- But thou 
 art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.- And one 
 cried unto another, and said, holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of 
 hosts : the whole earth is full of his glory.- And the four beasts 
 had each of them six wings about him ; and they were full of 
 
17 
 
 eyes within : and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, 
 holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to 
 come. Ex. 15. 11. Ps. 5. 4, 5. Rev. 15. 4. Ps. 22. 3. Is. 6. 3. 
 Rev. 4. 8. I) Job 4. 17, 18. Is. 63. 15. Hab. 1. 12, 13. 
 
 Has infinite purity never beheld you with abhorrence ? Do 
 not the leper's cry, and the publican's prayer well become 
 your lips? Without holiness what communion can you ever 
 have with God ? 
 
 12. Though clouds and darkness are sometimes round about 
 Jehovah in the dispensations of his providence, are not justice 
 and judgment forever the habitation of his throne ? 
 
 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his 
 works. He is the Rock, his work is perfect ; for all his ways 
 are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and 
 right is he.- Yea surely God will not do wickedly, neither will 
 the Almighty pervert judgment. Touching the Almighty, we 
 cannot find him out : he is excellent in power, and in judg- 
 ment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. For the 
 righteous Lord loveth righteousness : his countenance doth 
 behold the upright.- Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright 
 are thy judgments. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righte- 
 ousness, and thy law is the truth.- My tongue shall speak of thy 
 word : for all thy commandments are righteousness.- That be 
 far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with 
 Ihe wicked ; and that the righteous should be as the wicked 
 that be far from thee. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do 
 right ?- Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne : 
 mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Ps. 145. 17. Deut. 
 32. 4. Job 34. 12. and 37* 23. Ps. 11. 7. and 119. 137, 142, 
 172. Gen. 18. 25. Ps. 89. 14. || Dan. 9. 7. Neh. 9. 33. Ps. 36. 
 6. Is. 55. 8, 9. 
 
 Do you feel that God is wise and just and good in his deal- 
 ings with you ? Can you habitually confide in him ? 
 
 13. What directions and examples enforce the duty of submi*- 
 *ion to God, and of enh> e resignation to his will ? 
 
 Now be ye not stiffnecked as your fathers were, but yield 
 yourselves unto the Lord, and enter his sanctuary, which he 
 hath sanctified forever : and serve the Lord your God, that the 
 fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.- Wo unto 
 him that striveth with his Maker ! Let the potsherd strive with 
 the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that 
 fashioneth it, what makest thou ? or thy work, he hath no 
 hands ?- Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the 
 punishment of his sins ? Let us search and try our ways, and 
 turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our 
 B2 
 
18 
 
 hands unto God in the heavens. When thou with rebukes 
 dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to con- 
 sume away like a moth : surely every man is vanity. Selah. I 
 was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; because thou didst it. Then 
 cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and 
 saith unto the disciples, sit ye here, while I go and pray yon- 
 der. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and 
 prayed, saying-, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass 
 from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 2 Chron. 
 30. 8. Is. 45. 9. Lam. 3. 39—41. Ps. 39. 11, 9. Mat. 26. 36, 39. 
 H Jud. 10. 15. 1 Sam. 3. 13. 2 Sam. 15. 26. Job 1. 20, 21. 
 2 Kings 20. 19. Acts 21. 13, 14. 
 
 How base, how criminal, how impotent the contest of worms 
 with their Maker ! Have your hearts submitted ? Could you 
 ever say ? u not my will" — but the will of the Lord be done ? 
 
 14. How does God manifest his great power ? 
 
 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hang 
 eth the earth upon nothing. He causeth the vapours to as- 
 cend from the ends of the earth ; he maketh lightnings for the 
 rain ; he bringeth the wind out of his treasures. God thun- 
 dereth marvellously with his voice ; great things doeth he, 
 which we cannot comprehend- For he saith to the snow, be 
 thou on the earth ; likewise to the small rain, and to the great 
 rain of his strength. The Lord thundereth from heaven, and 
 the Most High uttered his voice. And the channels of the sea 
 appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the 
 rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. 
 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : a lire shall 
 devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round 
 about him. Job 26. 7. Ps. 135. 7. Job 37. 5, 6. 2 Sam. 22. 
 14, 16. Ps. 50. 3. || 1 Kings 19. 11—13. Job 38. 8—11, 35. 
 and 40. 9. Ps. 29. 3—8. Ex. 9. 28, 33. and 15. 1. 4—10. Is. 
 40. 15, 22—26. Luke 12. 4, 5. 
 
 Dare you contend with Omnipotence ? How vain resistance 
 to him ! How safe are his friends ! 
 
 15. What language sublimely describes an appearance of the 
 Divine majesty ? 
 
 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Pa- 
 ran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth 
 was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the light ; he 
 had horns coming out of his hand, and there was the hiding of 
 his power. Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals 
 went forth at his feet. He stood and measured the earth : he 
 beheld and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting 
 mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his 
 
19 
 
 ways are everlasting. The mountains saw thee, and they 
 trembled : the overflowing of the waters passed by : the deep 
 uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun 
 and moon stood still in their habitations : at the light of thine 
 arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. 
 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst 
 thresh the heathen in anger. Hab. 3. 3—6, 10—12. || Ps. 18. 
 7—15. 
 
 Have uninspired men ever written so sublimely ? How mean 
 is earthly majesty compared with divine ! 
 
 16. What are we taught respecting the invisibility oj trie 
 Godhead t 
 
 No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, 
 which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 
 And the Father himself which hath sent me, hath borne wit- 
 ness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor 
 seen his shape. John 1. 18. and 5. 37. || Col. 2. 9. Heb. 11. 
 27. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Deut. 4. 12, 15*. 
 
 Will any visible, tangible form of the Deity ever be perceiv- 
 ed ? Can you see the spirit in man ? What form — what dimen- 
 sions has it ? Is not its existence known by its operations ? Is 
 not the existence of an unseen God much more manifest ? 
 
 17. Is there more than one God ? 
 
 Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord. For though 
 there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, 
 (as there be gods many and lords many.) But to us there is 
 but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in 
 him ; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and 
 we by him.- But the Lord is the true God, he is the living 
 God, and an everlasting King : at his wrath the earth shall 
 tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indigna- 
 tion. Deut. 6. 4. 1 Cor. 8. 5, 6. Jer. 10. 10. || Heb. 3. 4. 
 Eph. 4. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Deut. 4. 35. Is. 45. 5—7, 21, 22. 
 
 18 Is the doctrine of the Trinity clearly revealed in the Scrip- 
 tures? (c) 
 
 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, 
 the Word, and the Holy Ghost : and these three are one. 
 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and 
 the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 
 1 John 5. 7- Mat. 28. 19. 2 Cor. 13. 14. || Gen. 1. 26. and 11. 
 
 (c) See Appendix, Note C. 
 
20 
 
 7. Num. 6.23—26. Ps, 110. 1. Is. 48. 16. Zech. 2.8—11. 
 Mat. 3. 16, 17. Luke 4. 18. John 10. 30. and 14. 26. and 15 
 26. and 16. 13—15. 
 
 Shall the doctrine of the adoraHe Trinity be discredited 
 because it cannot be comprehended ? 
 
 19. What evidence do the Scriptures afford that Christ is the 
 true God ? 
 
 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 
 and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with 
 God. All things were made by him ; and without him was not 
 any thing made that was made. And the Word was made 
 flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory 
 as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.- 
 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and 
 that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, 
 or dominions, or principalities, or powers : all things were cre- 
 ated by him and for him : Arid he is before all things, and by 
 him all things consist.- For every house is builded by some man ; 
 but he that built all things is God.- And we know that the Son 
 of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we 
 may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, 
 even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eter- 
 nal life. John 1. 1—3, 14. Col. 1. 16, 17. Heb. 3. 4. 1 John 
 5. 20. || Is. 9. 6. and 44. 24. Heb. 1. 8, 10—12. Rom. 9. 5. 
 John 8. 58. Gen. 48. 15, 16. Ex. 3. 2—6. Jud. 2. 1. Rev. 1. 8. 
 17. and 2. 8. and 22. 13. Is. 43. 10. and 48. 12. Rev. 19. U— 
 13, 16. Dan. 7. 13, 14. John 14. 6—11. 1 Tim. 3. 16. 
 
 Is there any danger in adoring, loving, and serving Christ as 
 tiuly God ? Have you done this ? 
 
 20. Have we evidence from, Scripture precepts and examples^ 
 that we ought to worship Christ as God ? 
 
 For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all 
 judgment to his Son : that all men should honour the Son, even 
 as they honour the Father.- Again when he bringeth in the first 
 Degotten into the world, he saith, Let all the angels of God wor- 
 ship him.- With all that in every place, call on the name of Je- 
 sus Christ our Lord.- To whom be glory forever and ever.- 
 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord 
 Jesus receive my spirit. John 5. 22, 23. Heb. 1. 6. 1 Cor. 1. 
 2. Gal. 1. 5. Acts 7. 59. || Ps. 2. 12. Mat. 2. 2. Phil. 2. 9. 
 Rev. 7. 9, 10. and 5. 11, 12. 
 
 Can we possess the moral affections of apostles, martyrs, and 
 glorified spirits, and not render Divine worship to Christ ? 
 
21 
 
 21. How does it appear that the Holy Ghost is very God? 
 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart 
 
 to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price oi 
 the land ? Whilst it remained was it not thine own ? and after 
 it was sold was it not in thine own power ? Why hast thou con- 
 ceived this thing in thine heart ? thou hast not lied unto men, 
 but unto God.- For what man knoweth the things of a man, 
 save the spirit of man which is in him ? even so the things of 
 God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.- For the Holy 
 Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. 
 Acts 5. 3, 4. 1 Cor. 2. 11. Luke 12. 12. || Gen. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 
 13. 14. Acts 13. 2. and 15. 28. and 16. 6, 7. 1 Cor. 3. 16, 17. 
 Isa. 6. 8—10. Acts 28. 25—27. and 13. 2, 4. and 15. 28. 
 
 Have you felt infinite obligations to the Holy Ghost ? Have 
 you never resisted nor grieved him ? 
 
 22. What is said of the Holy Spirits direct agency in the 
 sanctification of sinful hearts ? 
 
 God hath sealed us, and given to us the earnest of the Spirit 
 in our hearts.- For we know not what to pray for as we ought, 
 but the Spirit helpeth our infirmities.- Verily, verily, I say un- 
 to you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he can- 
 not enter into the kingdom of heaven. That which is born of 
 the flesh is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 
 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound 
 thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it go- 
 eth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 2 Cor. 1 . 22. 
 Rom. 8. 26. John 3. 5, 6, 8. || and 14. 16, 26. and 16. 7, 13. 
 Acts 4. 8, 31. Rom. 8. 5, 9, 13. 1 Pet. 1. 22. 
 
 Have you desired and experienced the sanctifying agency of 
 the Holy Spirit ? What other blessing is so important as this ? 
 
 23. Does God execute his own will or purposes in all things ? 
 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him ? and what his 
 
 soul desireth, even that he doeth.- And all the inhabitants of 
 the earth are reputed as nothing : and he doeth according to 
 his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of 
 the earth ; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what 
 doest thou ?- In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, 
 being predestinated according to the purpose of him who work- 
 eth all things after the counsel of his own will. Job 23. 13. 
 Dan. 4. 35. Eph. 1. 11. || Rom. 9. 11, 12. Jude 3, 4. 2 Tim. 
 1. 7, 9. (d) Ps. 135. 6. Amos 3. 6. Acts 4. 27, 28. Luke 10. 21. 
 Is it not immensely desirable that the controlling agency of 
 Infinite Wisdom and Benevolence should extend to all worlds 
 (d) See Appendix, Note D« 
 
'22 
 
 and all creatures ? Do you believe and love the doctrine of 
 God's universal efficiency ? What is the real cause of opposition 
 to this doctrine ? Eccl. 9. 3. 
 
 24. What is a summary of the history of creation ? 
 
 Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the 
 word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of 
 things which do appear.- In the beginning God created the 
 heaven and the earth. And God created great whales and 
 every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought 
 forth abundantly after their kind, and every winged fowl after 
 his kind : and God saw that it was good. And God made the 
 beast of the earth after his kind, and the cattle after their kind, 
 and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after their kind : 
 and God saw that it was good. And God said, let us make man 
 in our image, after our likeness ; and let them have dominion 
 over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over 
 the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping 
 thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man 
 in his own image, in the image of God created he him ; male 
 and female created he them.- Lo, this only have I found, that 
 God hath made man upright, but they have sought out many 
 inventions. Heb. 11. 3. Gen. 1. 1, 21, 24, 26,27. Eccl. 7. 29. 
 || Heb. 1. 10. Fs. 74. 16. Rev. 16. 4. Jer. 10. 12. Rev. 4. 11. 
 Ps. 33. 6. 
 
 What obligations does creating goodness impose on you ? 
 Have you felt and yielded to these obligations ? 
 
 25. What is the nature of the covenant of works, and with 
 whom was such a covenant made ? 
 
 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every 
 tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat ; But of the tree of 
 knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it ; for in the 
 day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.- Behold, all souls 
 are mine as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is 
 mine : the soul that sinneth, it shall die.- For as many as are 
 of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, 
 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are 
 written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is 
 justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident ; for the 
 just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith : but the 
 man that doeth them shall live in them.- Cursed be he that 
 confirmeth not all the words of this law, to do them ; and all 
 the people shall say, Amen. Gen.. 2. 16, 17. Ez. 18. 4. Gal. 
 3. 10—12. Deut. 27. 26. || and 10. 12, 13. and 28. 2, 6. 15, 
 19. Jer. 11. 3. 
 
23 
 
 Can any sinner be justified by this covenant of works ? Do 
 you renounce all dependance on it ? 
 
 26. What is a summary of the history of the fall. 
 
 Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field 
 which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, 
 yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the gar- 
 den ? And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the 
 fruit of the trees of the garden : But of the fruit of the tree which 
 is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of 
 it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said 
 unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die ; for God doth know, 
 that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened ; 
 and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when 
 the woman saw, that the tree was good for food, and that it was 
 pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, 
 she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and gave also unto her 
 husband with her, and he did eat.- Wherefore, as by one man 
 sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death 
 passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Gen. 3. 1 — 6 
 Rom. 5. 12. || Gen. 3. 9—19. 
 
 To what evils has the apostacy exposjed you ? How can thee 
 evils be averted or mitigated ? 
 
 27. What is the character and state of all mankind b$ na- 
 ture ? 
 
 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not «M\e , 
 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh 
 after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are togeth- 
 er become unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, not 
 one. Their throat is an open sepulchre ; with their tongues 
 they have used deceit ; the poison of asps is under their lips : 
 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness : Their feet are 
 swift to shed blood : Destruction and misery are in their ways • 
 And the way of peace have they not known : There is no fear 
 of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things so- 
 ever the law saith it saith to them who are under the law ; 
 that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be- 
 come guilty before God. For all have sinned, and come short 
 of the glory of God. Rom. 3. 10—19. 23. || and 1. 28—32. 
 Eph. 2. 1—3. Tit. 3. 3. 1 John 5. 19. Gen. 8. 21. Job 15. 
 14—16. 
 
 Have you felt that naturally this character and state is 
 yours ? Has this consideration abased you before God ? 
 
24 
 
 28. What is a correct description of the unrenewed heart ? (e) 
 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wick- 
 ed ; who can know it ?- And God saw that the wickedness of 
 man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the 
 thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.- Because the 
 carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the 
 law of God, neither indeed can be.- For out of the heart pro- 
 ceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false 
 witness, blasphemies.- Who can say, I have made my heart 
 clean, 1 am pure from sin. Jer. 17. 9. Gen. 6. 5. Rom. 8. 7. 
 Mat. 15. 19. Prov. 20. 9. || Ps. 51. 5. Prov. 27. 19. 
 
 How vile and odious to God must the unrenewed heart ap- 
 pear ? Have you such a heart ? 
 
 29. What is the language of the unsanctified heart 7 
 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us ; for we desire 
 
 not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty that 
 we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we 
 pray unto him ?- Ye have said, it is vain to serve God : and 
 what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances, and that we 
 have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts ? And now 
 we call the proud happy ; yea, they that work wickedness are 
 set up ; yea, they that.tempt God are delivered. Job 21. 14, 15. 
 Mai 3. 14, 15. || Job 22. 17. Ps. 10. 3, 6, 11. Luke 8. 37. Rom. 
 1.28.1s. 30. 10, 11. 4 - _ ... 
 
 Does your practice speak this language, or not? What li 
 you should be judicially left of God ? 
 
 30. Is the wrath of God revealed from heaven against all un- 
 godliness and unrighteousness of men? 
 
 The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not 
 at all acquit the wicked : the Lord hath his way in the whirl- 
 wind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of h* fee^ 
 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt an d the earth 
 is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell 
 therein! Who can stand before his indignation ? and who can 
 abide in the fierceness of his anger ? his fury is poured out 1 ke 
 fire and the rocks are thrown down by him.- For, behold, the 
 Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirl- 
 wind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebukes wi h 
 flames of fire. For by fire, and by his sword will the Lord 
 S with all flesh : and the slain of the Lord shall be many - 
 ¥hey£at sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the 
 Widens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh and 
 Se abomLron, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, 
 (e) See Appendix, Note E. 
 
25 
 
 saith the Lord.- But unto them that are contentious, and do 
 not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousnes, indignation, and 
 wrath ; Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that 
 doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. Nah. 1. 3, 
 5, 6. Is. 66. 15—17. Rom. 2. 8, 9; || Ps. 7. 11, 12. Rev. 6. 
 15_17. Deut. 29. 19, 20. and 32. 18—23, 40—42. 
 
 In your own characters are you not exposed to God^ wrath ? 
 Will you not flee from the wrath to come ? 
 
 31. Is perfect holiness in the creature required by the Creator ? 
 And he answering said, thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
 
 with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
 strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as thy- 
 self.- Be ye therefore perfect : even, as your Father which is 
 in heaven, is perfect.- But as he which hath called you is holy, 
 so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ; Because it is 
 written, Be ye holy ; for I am holy. Luke 10. 27. Mat. 5. 48. 
 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. || Heb. 12. 14. Eph. 4. 22—24. 2 Pet. 3. 11, 
 14. 2 Cor. 13. 11. 
 
 Have you ever been perfectly holy ? Can you ever be jus- 
 tified by that law, whose commandment is so exceeding 
 broad ? 
 
 32. What is sin, and how manifested ? 
 
 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law ; for 
 sin is the transgression of the law.- Now the works of the flesh 
 are manifest, which are these ; adultery, fornication, unclean- 
 ness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emu- 
 lations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, 
 drunkenness, revellings, and such like ; of the which I tell 
 you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they 
 which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.- 
 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I 
 had not known sin but by the law ; for I had not known lust, 
 except the law had said, thou shalt not covet. But sin taking 
 occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of 
 concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was 
 alive without the law once : but when the commandment 
 came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which 
 was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 1 John 3. 4. Gal. 
 5. 19—21. Rom. 7. 7—10. || Jam. 1. 14, 15. Mat. 15. 19. 
 
 Does sin appear exceeding sinful to you ? Or do you live in 
 the allowed indulgence of it ? 
 
 33. w Have all the workers of iniquity no" true M knowledge 
 of God?" 
 
 The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not 
 C 
 
26 
 
 seek after God : God is not in all his thoughts.- They know not, 
 neither will they understand ; they walk on in darkness ; all 
 the foundations of the earth are out of course.- Hear the word 
 of the Lord, ye children of Israel : For the Lord hath a contro- 
 versy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no 
 truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.- For my 
 people is foolish, they have not known me ; they are sottish 
 children, and they have none understanding- : they are wise to 
 do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. And they 
 bend their tongues like their bow for lies : but they are not 
 valiant for the truth upon the earth ; for they proceed from evil 
 to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.- And this is 
 the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men 
 loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 
 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh 
 to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. Fs. 10. 4. and 
 82. 5. Hos. 4. 1. Jer. 4. 22. and 9. 3. John 3. 19, 20. || Is. 1. 
 
 3. Rom. 1. 28. John 8. 19. and 17. 25. 1 John 4. 8. and 3. 6. 
 Job 21. 14. 
 
 Are you among those that are wise to do evil ? Has not God 
 a controversy with you ? 
 
 34. Are all commanded savingly to know " the only wise God 
 and our Saviour .?" 
 
 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that 
 the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth be- 
 neath : there is none else.- Know ye that the Lord he is God : it 
 is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves ; we are his people, 
 and the sheep of his pasture.- For if these things be in you and 
 abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor 
 unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.- Thus 
 saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nei- 
 ther let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich 
 man glory in his riches : But let him that glorieth glory in this, 
 that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord 
 which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in 
 the earth : for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Deut. 
 
 4. 39. Ps. 100. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 8. Jer. 9. 23, 24. || Job 22. 21. 
 Hos. 13. 4. Col. 3. 10. || 1 Tim. 2. 4. 1 Chron. 28. 9. Ps. 46. 
 10. Hos. 6. 6. 
 
 Have you had experimental knowledge of God, of Christ, 
 and of holiness? 
 
 35. In what does the true knowledge of God consist, and how 
 is it obtained ? 
 
 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the 
 
27 
 
 place thereof. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the 
 Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil is understand- 
 ing.- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth 
 to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given 
 him.- And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the 
 Lord : and they shall be my people, and I will be their God : 
 for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.- But this 
 shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel ; 
 after those days saith the Lord, I will put my law in their in- 
 ward parts, and write it in their hearts ; and will be their God, 
 and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more 
 every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, 
 Know the Lord : for they shall all know me from the least ot 
 them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord ; for I will for- 
 give their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Job 
 28. 23, 23. Jam. 1. 5. Jer. 24. 7. and 31. 33, 34. || Hos. 2. 19, 
 20. and b. 1, 3. John 17. 3, 6—8. Ps. 119. 73. 2 Cor. 4. 6. 
 1 John 4. 7. 
 
 Do you fear to pollute your soul, and thus dishonour, and dis- 
 please God ? Have you sought heavenly wisdom by humble 
 prayer ? 
 
 36. Jlre not the teachings of the Holy Spirit indispensably 
 necessary for the discernment of spiritual things ? 
 
 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
 neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which 
 God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath re- 
 vealed them unto us by his Spirit : for the Spirit searcheth all 
 things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth 
 the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him ? 
 even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of 
 God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but 
 the Spirit which is of God ; that we might know the things that 
 are freely given us of God. Which things also we speak, not 
 in the words which raan 1 s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy 
 Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But 
 the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God : 
 for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them 
 because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2. 9 — 14. || Rom. 
 8. 7. Jude 19. John 3. 27. Eph. 3. 5. and 1. 16—19. (f ) 
 
 Have you felt your entire dependance on the Holy Spirit for 
 divine teaching ? Has he taught and sanctified, and comforted 
 you? 
 
 37. What are the present consequences of impenitence ? 
 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the 
 
 (f ) See Appendix, Note F. 
 
28 
 
 number of years is hidden to the oppressor. A dreadful sound 
 is in his ears : in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.- 
 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the 
 life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of 
 the blindness of their heart.- But the wicked are like the trou- 
 bled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and 
 dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Job 
 
 15. 20, 21. Eph. 4. 18. Is. 57. 20, 21. || Tit. 1. 15. Deut. 28. 
 15—17. Job 20. 23—29. 
 
 Can you love the present consequences of sin ? Why have 
 you rolled it as a sweet morsel under your tongue ? 
 
 38. What are the consequences of sin in the world to come ? 
 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish : and 
 
 the hope of unjust men perisheth.- The wicked shall be turned 
 into hell, and all the nations that forget God.- Upon the wick- 
 ed he shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and a horrible 
 tempest. This shall be the portion of their cup.- Therefore 
 shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with 
 their own devices.- And the smoke of their torment ascendeth 
 up forever and ever : and they have no rest day nor night, who 
 worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the 
 mark of his name. Prov. 11. 7. Ps. 9. 17. and 11. 6. Prov. 1. 
 31. Rev. 14. 11. || Mat. 10. 28. Mark 9. 45, 46. Luke 16. 23, 
 24. 2 Thes. 2. 11, 12. Rom. 2. 5. Is. 33. 14. 
 
 If this language be figurative, has it not some meaning? Is 
 not that meaning more dreadful than words can describe ? 
 
 39. What are we required to do, that we may be saved from 
 sin and its awful consequences ? 
 
 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou 
 shalt be saved, and thy house.- For with the heart man be- 
 lieveth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is 
 made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, whosoever be- 
 lieveth on him shall not be ashamed.- He that believeth and 
 is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not 
 shall be damned. Acts 16. 31. Rom. 10. 10, 11. Mark 16. 
 
 16. || Acts 2. 37, 38. and 3. 19. and 20. 21. Jer. 3. 22. and 31. 
 18, 19, Mark 1. 15. Luke 13. 23—27. 
 
 Have you truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ ? Or are 
 you yet condemned ? 
 
 40. What is repentance towards God, and how is it mani- 
 fested ? (g) 
 
 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with 
 
 (g) See Appendix, Note G. 
 
29 
 
 all your heart, and with Tasting-, and with weeping 1 , and with 
 mourning. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and 
 turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, 
 slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the 
 evil.- Wash you, make you clean ; put away the evil of your 
 doings from before mine eyes : cease to do evil •, Learn to do 
 well ; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed ; Judge the father- 
 less ; plead for the widow.- Then shall ye remember your own 
 evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe 
 yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your 
 abominations.- For behold this self-same thing, that ye sorrow- 
 ed after a godly sort ; what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, 
 what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what 
 fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what 
 revenge ! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear 
 in this matter. Joel 2. 12, 13. Is. 1. 16, 17. Ex. 36. 31. 2 Cor. 
 7. 11. || Acts 2. 37, 38. Jer. 7. 2—7. 
 
 Have you exercised that sorrow which is after a godly sort ? 
 Have you brought forth fruits meet for repentance ? 
 
 41. Is the humble and contrite heart peculiarly acceptable in 
 the sight of God ? 
 
 The sacrifices of God, are a broken spirit: a broken and a 
 contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.- The Lord is 
 nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as 
 be of a contrite spirit.- He healeth the broken in heart, and 
 bindeth up their wounds.- For thus saith the high and lofty 
 One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy ; I dwell in 
 the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and 
 humble spirit, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.- 
 For all those things hath mine hands made, and all those thing's 
 have been, saith the Lord : but to this man will I look, even to 
 him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my 
 word. Ps. 51. 17. and 34. 18. and 147. 3. Is. 57. 15. and 66. 
 2. || and 61. 1—3. Luke 18. 9 — 14. 
 
 Has your heart been broken for sin and healed by the mercy 
 of the Gospel ? 
 
 42. What promises are connected with weeping for sin ? 
 
 But to the king of Judah, which sent you to inquire of the 
 Lord, thus shall ye say to him, thus saith the Lord God of 
 Israel, as touching the words which thou hast heard ; Because 
 thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before 
 the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, 
 and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a 
 desolation, and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept 
 before me ; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.- They that 
 C 2 
 
30 
 
 sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weep- 
 eth, bearing- precious seed, shall doubtless come again with re- 
 joicing, bringing his sheaves with him. 2 Kin. 22. 18, 19. 
 Ps. 126. 5, 6. || Jer. 50. 4, 5. and 31. 9. Luke 6. 21—25. 
 Can you plead these promises ? Is sin your grief? 
 
 43. What is faith, " the faith of God's elect ? » (h) 
 
 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence 
 of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the 
 worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which 
 are seen were not made of things which do appear. But with- 
 out faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to 
 God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them 
 that diligently seek him.- Let not your heart be troubled ; ye 
 believe in God, believe also in me. Trust ye in the Lord for- 
 ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Heb. 
 11. 1, 3, 6. John 14. 1. Is. 26. 4. || Heb. 11. 32—34, 39, 40, 13 
 —16. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Mat. 8. 8—10. 
 
 Do you live by faith on the Son of God ? Does your faith 
 purify your heart and life ? 
 
 44. Are we justified in the sight of God by works, or by 
 faith ? 
 
 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be jus- 
 tified in the sight of God : for by the law is the knowledge of 
 sin. Where is boasting then ? It is excluded. By what law ? 
 of works ? Nay, but by the law of faith. Therefore we con- 
 clude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the 
 law. Do we make void the law through faith ? God forbid : 
 yea, we establish the law. Rom. 3. 20, 27, 28, 31. || Gal. 2. 16. 
 Rom. 4. 2—8. 
 
 How do you expect to be justified before God ? 
 
 45. Are not good works commanded ? 
 
 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou af- 
 firm constantly, that they which have believed in God, might 
 be careful to maintain good works : these things are good and 
 profitable unto men.- For we are his workmanship, created in 
 Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordain- 
 ed that we should walk in them.- But wilt thou know, O vain 
 man, that faith without works is dead ? Was not Abraham our 
 father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son up- 
 on the altar ? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, 
 and by works was faith made perfect ? And the scripture was 
 fulfilled which- saith, Abraham believed God, and it was impu- 
 
 (h) See Appendix, Note H. 
 
31 
 
 ted unto him for righteousness : and he was called the friend of 
 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and 
 not by faith only. Tit. 3. 8. Eph. 2. 10. Jam. 2. 20—24. 
 jl 2 Tim. 2. 21. Mat. 5. 16. Col. 1. 10. John 15. 8. Heb. 10. 
 24. 2 Pet. 1. 5—11. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 
 
 Have you felt good works to be both your duty and privi- 
 lege ? Have you experienced their profitableness ? 
 
 46 Will works be brought into Judgment ? 
 
 For we must Ai.i. appear before the judgment seat of Christ ; 
 that every one may receive the things done in his body, ac- 
 cording to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.- For 
 God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret 
 tiling, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.- And I saw 
 the dead, small and great, stand before God ; and the books 
 were opened : and another book was opened, which is the 
 book of life : and the dead were judged out of those things 
 which were written in the books, according to their works. 
 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it ; and death and 
 hell delivered up the dead which were in them ; and they were 
 judged every man according to their works. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Eccl. 
 12. 14. Rev. 20. 12, 13. || Job 34. 10, 11. Is. 3. 10, 11. Mat. 
 16. 27. 
 
 What works have you to be brought into judgment ? Are you 
 labouring for God ? 
 
 47. Does not God estimate works by the state of the. heart 
 from which they proceed ? 
 
 Every way of a man i?. right in his own eyes : but the Lord 
 pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more ac- 
 ceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. A high look, and a proud 
 heart, and the ploughing of the wicked, is sin.- I the Lord 
 search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man ac- 
 cording to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 
 Frov. 21. 2—4. Jer. 17. 10. || 1 Sam. 16. 7. 1 Chron. 29. 17. 
 Rev. 2. 23. 
 
 Is your heart right in the sight of God ? Have you frequent- 
 ly inquired how your heart appears to God ? 
 
 48. Is salvation of debt or of Grace ? (i) 
 
 For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of 
 yourselves ; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man 
 should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ 
 Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that 
 we should walk in them.- Not by works of righteousness, which 
 
 (i) See Appendix, Note I. 
 
32 
 
 we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the 
 washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; 
 which he shed on us abundantly ; through Jesus Christ our 
 Saviour : That being justified by his grace, we should be made 
 heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Eph. 2. 8 — 10. Tit. 
 3. 5—7. || Eph. 1. 7. and 2. 5—7. Rom. 5. 20, 21. 
 
 Do you love the soul-humbling doctrines of salvation by 
 grace ? 
 
 49. Are not all who enjoy the light of the glorious Gospel, 
 called, invited, and entreated, freely and cordially to accept of sal- 
 vation ? 
 
 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth : 
 for I am God, and there is none else.- Ho, every one that 
 thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money ; 
 come ye, buy, and eat ; yea, come, buy wine, and milk with- 
 out money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money 
 for that which is not bread ? and your labour for that which satis- 
 fieth not ? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is 
 good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.- And the Spirit 
 and the bride say, come, and let him that heareth say, come, 
 and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let 
 him take the water of life freely. Is. 45. 22. and 55. 1, 2. 
 Rev. 22. 27. || Ez. 18. 21, 22. Is. 1. 18—20. and 2. 10. 
 
 How inexcusable must you be if you fail of salvation ? 
 
 50. Has God any pleasure in the misery and destruction of 
 the wicked, in itself considered ? 
 
 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men 
 count slackness ; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing 
 that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.- 
 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die ? 
 saith the Lord God ; and not that he should return from his 
 ways and live.- Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, 
 and forbearance, and long-suffering ; not knowing that the 
 goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance ?- Say unto them, 
 as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death 
 of the wicked ; but that the wicked turn from his way and live ; 
 turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways ; for why will ye die, O 
 house of Israel ? 2 Pet. 3. 9. Ez. 18. 23. Rom. 2. 4. Ez. 33. 11. 
 || Is. 30, 18. 1 Tim. 2—4. and 1. 14, 15. Ez. 18. 32. 
 
 The purposes of God are the rule of his conduct, his com- 
 mands the rule of ours. Do you approve the secret will of 
 God ? Are you in any measure conformed to his revealed will ? 
 
 51. What is the tenor of the covenant of grace ? 
 
 Incline your ear, and come unto me ; hear, and your soul 
 
33 
 
 shall live ; and 1 will make an everlasting covenant with you, 
 even the sure mercies of David.- For this is the covenant that 
 I will make with the house of Israel, After those days, saith 
 the Lord, I will put my laws into their mind, and write them 
 in their hearts : and I will be to them a God, and they shall be 
 to me a people. Is. 55. 3. Heb. 8. 10. || Jer. 31. 33. and 50. 
 5. Gen. 17. 7. Ps. 103. 17, 18. 
 
 Have you by faith embraced the precious covenant in which 
 God engages I will, and ye shall ? Have you a stable hope 
 in it? 
 
 52. Who is the Mediator of the new covenant, or covenant of 
 grace ? 
 
 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: 
 We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of 
 the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. But now hath he 
 obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the 
 Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon bet- 
 ter promises. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, 
 the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new cove- 
 nant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. 
 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins 
 and their iniquities will I remember no more. For there is one 
 God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ 
 Jesus ; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due 
 time. Heb. 8. 1, 6, 8, 12. 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. J| Gal. 3. 19, 20. 
 Heb. 7. 22. and 12. 24, 25. Is. 42. 6. 
 
 Do you look to God for blessings, only through this glorious 
 Mediator ? Do your prayers and praises ascend in his name ? 
 
 53. Is Christ both able, and willing to save penitent sinners of 
 every description i 
 
 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that 
 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ; of whom 1 
 am chief.- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the utter- 
 most that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make 
 intercession for them.- For such a high priest became us, who 
 is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made 
 higher than the heavens.- For in him dwelleth all the fulness 
 of the Godhead bodily.- Whom God hath set forth to be a 
 propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteous- 
 ness for the remission of sins that are past, through the for- 
 bearance of God. 1 Tim. 1. 15. Heb. 7. 26,26. Col. 2. 0. 
 Rom. 3. 25. || John 1. 1, 14. and 10. 25, 30. Is. 45. 22, 23. 
 Rom. 3. 24—26. Phil. 2. 9—11. 
 
34 
 
 Have you felt yourself the chief of sinners ? Are you peni- 
 tent and believing ? 
 
 54. Why was it necessary, that the Mediator between the 
 Father and sinners should be man ? 
 
 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and 
 blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same ; that 
 through death he might destroy him that had the power of 
 death, that is, the devil.- But we see Jesus, who was made a 
 little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned 
 with glory and honour ; that he by the grace of God should 
 taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom 
 are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many 
 sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect 
 through sufferings. And for this cause he is the Mediator of 
 the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption 
 of the transgressions that were under the first testament, thev 
 which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheri- 
 tance. Heb. 2. 14, 9, 10. and 9. 13—15. || Gal. 4. 4, 5. Heb 
 2. 16. and 4. 14—16. 
 
 Do you discern the admirable wisdom of God in the incarna 
 tion of Christ ? Can you glory in his cross ? 
 
 55. What is the Scripture doctrine of the Atonement ? 
 
 But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, 
 by a greater and' more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, 
 that is to say, not of this building ; Neither by the blood of 
 goats and calves, but by his own blood ; he entered once into 
 the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 
 For if the blood of bulls, and of goats, and the ashes of a 
 heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the 
 flesh : how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through 
 the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge 
 your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God.- 
 Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows : yet 
 we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But 
 he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our 
 iniquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and 
 with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone 
 astray ; we have turned every one to his own way ; and the 
 Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.- My little chil- 
 dren ; these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if 
 any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus 
 Christ the righteous : For he is the propitiation for our sins ; and 
 not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 
 
35 
 
 Heb. 9. 11—14. Is. 53. 4—6. 1 John 2. 1,2. || John 1. 29. Heb. 
 10. 19—24. 1 Pet. 2. 24. and 3. 18. 
 
 Can you renounce all dependance on your own doings for 
 justification, and rely on the atonement? Do you build your 
 hopes of heaven exclusively on this ? 
 
 56. Was the humiliation of Christ designed to display the 
 glory of God, in the sanctijication and salvation of j)erishing 
 sinners ? 
 
 And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we 
 beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the 
 Father, full of grace and truth.- And Jesus answered them, 
 saying, the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glori- 
 fied. Now is my soul troubled ; and what shall I say ? Father, 
 save me from this hour : but for this cause came I unto this 
 hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice 
 from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it. 
 again.- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; 
 so shall ye be my disciples.- Looking unto Jesus the author and 
 the finisher of our faith ; who for the joy that was set before 
 him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at 
 the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that 
 endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye 
 be wearied and faint in your minds.- For ye know the grace 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for 
 your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might 
 be rich. John 1. 14. and 12. 23, 27, 28. and 15. 8. Heb. 12. 
 2, 3. 2 Cor. 8. 9. || Mat. 5. 17. Rom. 5. 19. Heb. 2. 17. Rom. 
 4. 25. Phil. 2. 5—8. 
 
 Have you beheld the glory of divine grace in the humilia- 
 tion of Christ ? Does it fill you with admiration and gratitude ? 
 
 57. Is Christ King in Zion .? 
 
 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and 
 a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of 
 sins.- Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given 
 him a name which is above every name. That at the name 
 of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and 
 things in earth, and things under the earth ; and that every 
 tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory oi 
 God the Father. For he must reign, till he hath put all ene- 
 mies under his feet.- The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at 
 my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The 
 Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion ; rule thou 
 in the midst of thine enemies. Yet have I set my king upon 
 my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree : The Lord 
 
36 
 
 hath said unto me, thou art my son ; this day have I begotten 
 thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine 
 inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy pos- 
 session. Acts 5. 31. Phil. 2. 9—11. 1 Cor. 15. 25. Ps. 110. 1, 
 2. and 2. 6—8. || Rev. 14. 11—16. and 1. 8. and 3. 21. || Ps. 
 2. 12. 
 
 Do you rejoice that the King- of Zion is now extending his 
 conquests in our world ? Have you submitted to him ? Are you 
 governed by him and aiding his conquests ? 
 
 58. Are any of the human race given to Christ in the cove- 
 nant of redemption? 
 
 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he hath put him to 
 grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he 
 shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure 
 of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the tra- 
 vail of his soul and shall be satisfied : by his knowledge shall 
 my righteous servant justify many ; for he shall bear their ini- 
 quities.- And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life ; he 
 that cometh to me shall never hunger ; and he that belie veth 
 on me shall never thirst. All that the Father giveth me shall 
 come to me : and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast 
 out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, 
 but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will 
 which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I 
 should lose nothing : but should raise it up at the last day. 
 No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent 
 me draw him ; and I will raise him up at the last day. Is. 53. 
 10, 11. John 6. 35, 37, 39, 44. || and 10. 14—16 26—28. and 
 17. 6—11. Is. 42. 5—7. 
 
 Are you pleased that some are given to Christ ? Do you rely 
 on sanctification as the only sure evidence of being given to 
 him ? 
 
 59. Are some of mankind adopted as children and heirs of 
 God? 
 
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord JesurtDhrist, 
 who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly 
 places in Christ : According as he hath chosen us in him before 
 the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and with- 
 out blame before him in love ; having predestinated us unto 
 the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according 
 to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of 
 his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.- 
 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon 
 us, that we should be called the suns of God: therefore the 
 
37 
 
 world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, 
 now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we 
 shall be : but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall 
 be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. And every man 
 that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure.- 
 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons 
 of God. And if children, then heirs : heirs of God, and joint 
 heirs with Christ ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we 
 may be also glorified together. Eph. 1. 3 — 6. 1 John 3. 1 — 3. 
 Rom. 8. 14, 17. || John 1. 12. Gal. 4. 4—6. 2 Cor. 6. 18. Prov. 
 3. 12. Ps. 103. 13. Prov. 14. 26. Mat. 6. 32. Eph. 2. 19—22. 
 
 How great the condescension of God in adopting worms 
 of the dust ! What evidence have you that you are a child oi 
 God? 
 
 60. Are those whom " God hath from the beginning chosen to 
 salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the 
 truth," called with an internal holy calling ? 
 
 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to 
 them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved 
 in Jesus Christ, and called : Mercy unto you, and peace, and 
 love, be multiplied.- Wherefore I also, after I heard of your 
 faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not 
 to give thanks for you, making mention ol you in my prayers. 
 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, 
 may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the 
 knowledge of him. The eyes of your understanding being en- 
 lightened ; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, 
 and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. 
 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not ac- 
 cording to our works, but according to his own purpose and 
 grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world 
 began. According as his divine power hath given unto us all 
 things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the know- 
 ledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.- And we 
 know that all things work together for good, to them that love 
 God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
 Jude 1. 2. Eph. 1. 15—18. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 2 Pet. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 
 28. || Heb. 3. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 9, 26, 27. Rom. 8. 30. Eph. 4. 1, 2. 
 2 Thes. 1, 11, 12. 
 
 Have you experienced this internal calling? What effects 
 nas it produced ? 
 
 61. What is REGENERATION? (k) 
 
 Jesus answered^, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a 
 
 (k) See Appendix, Note K. 
 D 
 
38 
 
 man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into 
 the kingdom of God.- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is 
 a new creature : old things are passed away ; behold, all things 
 are become new.- And they that are Christ's have crucified 
 the flesh, with the affections and lusts.- But God forbid that I 
 should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by 
 whom the worjd is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.- 
 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by hiin, 
 as the truth is in Jesus. That ye put off, concerning the for- 
 mer conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to 
 the deceitful lusts ; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. 
 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created 
 in righteousness and true holiness. John 3. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 17. 
 Gal. 5. 24. and 6. 14. Eph. 4. 21—24. || Rom 8. 9, 10. and 6. 
 4—6. Phil. 3. 7—9. Col. 3. 1, 2, 9, 10. Ps. 51. 10. 2 Cor. 4. 6. 
 and 3. 18. Ez. 36. 26. 
 
 Have you new and holy views, affections and pursuits ? Do 
 you love holiness and hate sin ? 
 
 62. Is Regeneration indispensably necessary to salvation ? 
 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto 
 
 thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom 
 of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh ; and that 
 which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. As it is written, there is 
 none righteous, no, not one : There is none that understandeth, 
 there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out 
 of the way, they are together become unprofitable : there is 
 none that doeth good, no, not one.- The heart is deceitful above 
 all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it ? As in 
 water, face answereth to face ; so the heart of man to man.- 
 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming 
 down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned 
 for her husband. And there shall in no wise enter into it any 
 thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, 
 or maketh a lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb's 
 book of life.- Follow peace with all men, and holiness, with 
 out which no man shall see the Lord. John 3. 3, 6. Rom. 3. 
 10—12. Jer. 17. 9. Prov. 27. 19. Rev. 21. 2, 27. Heb. 12. 14. 
 || Mat 5. 20. and 18. 3. Luke 13. 2, 3, 24. 
 
 Have you felt the necessity of this radical, moral change of 
 the heart ? Have you experienced it ? 
 
 63. As Christians in themselves hare no strength for perse- 
 verance, does the unchangeable love, (1) and covenant grace of 
 God stand pledged that saints shall in the strength of the Lord 
 persevere ? 
 
 (1) See Appendix, Note L. 
 
39 
 
 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have 
 loved thee with an everlasting love ; therefore with loving- 
 kindness have I drawn thee.- Who shall also confirm you un- 
 to the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto 
 the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.- Although my 
 house be not so with God ; yet, he hath made with me an ever- 
 lasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure ; for this is all 
 my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to 
 grow.- Neverftieless, the foundation of God standeth sure, 
 having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And 
 let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from ini- 
 quity.- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again 
 unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the 
 dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undenled, and that 
 fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept 
 by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be 
 revealed in the last time. Jer. 31. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 8, 9. 2 Sam. 23. 
 5. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Pet. 1. 3—5. || Jer. 32. 40. 1 John 2. 27, 28. 
 Heb. 13. 20, 21. 
 
 Does your hope excite in you desires and efforts to persevere ? 
 Is any other hope safe ? 
 
 64. What directions and promises respect trusting in God ? 
 
 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the 
 Lord.- Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shaft thou dwell iu 
 the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself, also 
 in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
 Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him and he shall 
 bring it to pass. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver 
 them : he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, 
 because they trust in him. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, 
 and he shall sustain thee : he shall never suffer the righteous 
 to be moved.- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind 
 is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee.- Trust ye in the 
 Lord forever ; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.- 
 Blessed is the man that trUsteth in the Lord, and whose hope 
 the Lord is.- For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, 
 and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see 
 when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be 
 careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease 'from yielding 
 fruit. Ps. 4. 5. and 37. 3—5, 40. and 55. 22. Is. 26. 3, 4. Jer. 
 17. 7, 8. || Ps. 25. 2. and 31. 19, 20. and 56. 3, 4. Eph. 1. 12, 13. 
 
 Can you repose entire confidence in God ? Can you commit 
 your all to him ? 
 
40 
 
 $5. How is love to God manifested ? 
 
 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to 
 us. God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in 
 God, and God in him.- There is no fear in love ; but perfect 
 love casteth out .fear : because fear hath torment. He that 
 feareth is not made perfect in love : Whosoever believeth that 
 Jesus is the Christ, is born of God ; and every one that loveth 
 him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. By 
 this we know that we love the children of God, when we love 
 God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of 
 God, that we keep his commandments ; and his commandments 
 are not grievous.- Charity suffereth long, and is kind ; charity 
 envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 
 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not 
 easily provoked, thinketh no evil ; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, 
 but rejoiceth in the truth ; Beareth all things, believeth all 
 things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.- Love worketh 
 no ill to his neighbour ; therefore love is the fulfilling of the 
 law. 1 John 4. 16, 18. and 5. 1—3. 1 Cor. 13. 4—7. Rom. 
 13. 10. || 1 Tim. 1. 5. 1 John 2. 5, 15. and 4. 20, 21. Its priv- 
 ileges. Ps. 145. 20. Rom. 8. 28. 1 Cor. 2. 9. 
 
 Is your love for God scriptural ? Is it manifested by keeping 
 his commandments ? 
 
 66. What are signs of self deception and hypocrisy ? 
 
 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and 
 yet is not washed from their filthiness. Which say, stand by 
 thyself, come not near to me ; for I am holier than thou. 
 These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.- 
 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in them- 
 selves that they were righteous, and despised others. Two 
 men went up into the temple to pray ; the one a Pharisee, and 
 the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus 
 with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men 
 are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 
 I fact twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And 
 the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his 
 eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be 
 merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to 
 his house justified rather than the other : for every one that 
 exalteth himself shall be abased ; and he that humbleth him- 
 self shall be exalted.- But wo unto you, Pharisees ! for ye 
 tithe mint, and rue, and all mariner of herbs, and pass over 
 judgment and the love of God : these ought ye to have done, 
 and not to leave the other undone. Prov. 30. 12. Is. 65. 5. 
 
41 
 
 Luke 18. 9—14. and 11. 42. || Mat, 23. 25, 27, 28, 33. and 
 15. 7—9. Job 27. 10. (m) 
 
 Do you think highly of your own moral goodness ? Are you 
 more solicitous how you shall appear to men than how you ap 
 pear to God ? 
 
 67. What is the character and destination of those that fear 
 the Lord ? 
 
 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another ; 
 and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remem- 
 brance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, 
 and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, 
 saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jew- 
 els ; and I will spare them, as a man spare th his own son that 
 serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the 
 righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and 
 him that serveth him not. Mai. 3. 16—18. || Prov. 22. 4. Is. 
 50. 10. Ps. 147. 11. 
 
 How wonderful that redeemed sinners should be the chief 
 treasure of Jehovah ! Are you prepared by grace to be a gem in 
 the New Jerusalem ? 
 
 68. What is the language of those who glorify God in their 
 bodies and in their spirits ? 
 
 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward re- 
 ceive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and 
 there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh 
 and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my heart, 
 and my portion forever.- I have set the Lord always before me : 
 because he is on my right hand, I shall not be moved.- Be glad 
 in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous : and shout for joy, all 
 ye that are upright in heart.- Cause me to hear thy loving- 
 kindness in the morning ; for in thee do I trust : cause me to 
 know the way wherein I should walk : for I lift up my soul 
 unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies : I flee 
 unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art 
 my God : thy Spirit is good ; lead me into the land of upright- 
 ness. Ps, 73. 24—26. and 16. 8. and 32. 11. and 143. 8—10. 
 || Ps. 62. 7. and 63. 1—4. and 92. 1, 2, 4. and 118. 23, 24. 
 and 119. 5, 14—16, 32, 64, 111, 128, 133, 166. and 145. 1, 2. 
 and 146. 2. and 116. 12. and 139. 17, 18. Hab. 3. 17, 18. 
 
 Do you habitually look to God as your guide ? Have you 
 chosen him for your portion ? 
 
 69. What was' St. Paul's manner of lift, before he became a 
 Christian, as described by himself? 
 
 (m) See Appendix, Note M. 
 I) 2 
 
42 
 
 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first 
 among" mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, 
 Which knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify) that 
 after the most straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. 
 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things 
 contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also 
 did in Jerusalem : and many of the saints did I shut up in pri- 
 son, having received authority from the chief priests ; and when 
 they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I 
 punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to 
 blaspheme ; and being exceedingly mad against them, I perse- 
 cuted them even unto strange cities. Acts 26. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11. 
 || Phil. 3.4—6. 1 Tim. 1. 12—16. Gal. 1. 13, 14. 
 
 Did sincerity justify Paul when doing wrong? Will sin- 
 cerity justify you in error, if you have means of knowing the 
 truth ? 
 
 70. What was PauPs manner of life after he became -a Chris- 
 tian ? 
 
 But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection : lest 
 that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself 
 should be a cast-away.- For we are the circumcision, which 
 worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have 
 no confidence in the flesh. But what things were gain to me, 
 those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all 
 things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 
 Jesus my Lord : for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, 
 and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be 
 found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of 
 the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the 
 righteousness which is of God by faith : That I may know him, 
 and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his 
 sufferings, being made conformable unto his death ; If by any 
 means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not 
 as though I had already attained, either were already perfect * 
 but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also 
 I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not my 
 self to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, forgetting 
 those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those 
 things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize 
 of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I can do all things 
 through Christ which strengthened me. 1 Cor. 9. 27. Phil 3. 3, 
 7—14. and 4. 13. || Acts 24. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 
 
 Was not St. Paul a new man when he became a Christian : 
 Like him do you keep your body under? 
 
43 
 
 71. What was the Apostle' 1 s language in view of sufferings, 
 especially for ChrisVs sake ? 
 
 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound : 
 every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full 
 and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.- And now 
 behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the 
 things that shall befall me there : Save that the Holy Ghost 
 witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide 
 me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my 
 life dear unto myself, so that 1 might finish my course with joy, 
 and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to 
 testify the gospel of the grace of God. Phil. 4. 12. Acts 20. 
 22—24. || and 21. 11—14. Rom. 5. 3—5. 2 Cor. 4. 8—18. 
 
 Could you remain unmoved by persecution for attachment to 
 Christ ? Is his cause dearer to you than life ? 
 
 72. What was PauVs language in view of death ? 
 
 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my depart- 
 ure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my 
 course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is laid up for 
 me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
 Judge, shall give me at that day : and not to me only, but unto 
 all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4. 6 — 8. || and 4. 
 18. Phil. 1. 20—24. 
 
 Were you dying could you look back and say, a I have kept 
 the faith ?" Could your hopes securely fasten on the crown 
 of righteousness ? If you wish to die like the apostle, must you 
 not live like him ? 
 
 73. What blessings are promised to ct the poor in spirit 7* 
 For the needy shall not always be forgotten : the expecta- 
 tion of the poor shall not perish for ever.- He will regard the 
 prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.- For thus 
 saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose 
 name is Holy ; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him 
 also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit 
 of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.- 
 But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a 
 contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.- Blessed are the poor 
 in spirit : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Ps. 9. 18. and 
 102. 17. Is. 57. 15. and 66. 2. Mat. 5. 3. ]| Ps. 72. 2, 12.' Jer. 
 20, 13. Job 5. 15, 16. 
 
 Are you poor in spirit ? How happy must the contrite be \ 
 
 74. What blessings are promised to mourners in Zion ? 
 Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted*- 
 
44 
 
 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; because the Lord hath 
 anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek : he hath 
 sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty 
 to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that 
 are bound ; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, 
 and the day of vengeance of our God ; to comfort all that 
 mourn ; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give un- 
 to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the gar- 
 ment of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might be 
 called Trees of Righteousness, The Planting of the Lord, that 
 he might be glorified. Mat- 5. 4. Is. 61. 1—3. || Is. 57- 18. and 
 35. 10. 
 
 Do you mourn for sin ? Is this your greatest grief? 
 
 75. WJiat blessings are promised to the meek ? 
 
 Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth.- The 
 meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach 
 his way.- But the meek shall inherit the earth ; and shall de- 
 light themselves in the abundance of peace.- But let it be the 
 hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even 
 the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight 
 of God of great price.- For the Lord taketh pleasure in his 
 people : he will beautify the meek with salvation. Mat. 5. 5. 
 Ps. 25. 9. and 37. 11. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Ps. 149. 4. || and 147. 6. 
 Zeph. 2. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 15. 
 
 Are you patient under injuries ? Do you desire to be more so ? 
 
 76. Wliat blessings are promised those ivho M hunger and thirst 
 after righteousness ?" 
 
 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, 
 and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, 
 Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, 
 I am the bread of life : he that cometh to me, shall never hunger ; 
 and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.- In the last day, 
 that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If 
 any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Blessed are 
 they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they 
 shall be filled. John 6. 33—35. and 7. 37. Mat. 5. 6. I! John 
 4. 13, 14. Rev. 21. 6. 
 
 Which do you most desire, wealth, honour*, earthly plea- 
 sures r or holiness ? Do you pray and strive to be holy ? 
 
 77. What blessings are promised to the merciful and charita- 
 ble man ? 
 
 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; and there is 
 that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty .- 
 The liberal soul shall be made fat : and he that watereth shall 
 
4b 
 
 be watered also himself.- He that despiseth his neighbour sin- 
 neth : but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.- 
 Blessed is he that considereth the poor : the Lord will deliver 
 him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep 
 him alive: and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou 
 wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord 
 will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing : thou wilt 
 make all his bed in his sickness.- Blessed are the merciful : 
 for they shall obtain mercy. Prov. 11. 24, 25. and 14. 21. Ps. 
 41. 1—3. Mat. 5. 7. || Ps. 41. 2, 3. Acts 10. 2, 4. Is. 58. 6—11. 
 Jam. 2. 13. Ps. 112.4,6, 9. 
 
 Is it your study to be merciful ? Are your heart and hands 
 opened wide for religious charities ? 
 
 78. What blessings are promised to the "pure in heart P* 
 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? and who shall 
 
 stand in his holy place ? He that hath clean hands, and a pure 
 heart ; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn 
 deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and 
 righteousness from the God of his salvation.- Truly God is good 
 to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.- Blessed are the 
 pure in heart : for they shall see God. Ps. 24. 3 — 5. and 73. 1. 
 Mat. 5. 8. || Ps. 7. 10. and 97. 11. Luke 8. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 
 Job 11. 13—15. 
 
 Is thine heart right in the sight of God ? Do you cherish no 
 impure thoughts and desires ? 
 
 79. What blessings are promised to u peace-makers ?" 
 
 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with 
 all men.- Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good 
 comfort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of love and 
 peace shall be with you.- Blessed are the peace-makers : for 
 they shall be called the children of God. Rom. 12. 18. 2 Cor. 
 
 13. 11. Mat. 5. 9. || Rom. 12. 17, 19. and 14. 16—19. Eph. 2. 
 14—18. 
 
 Do you habitually study the things which make for peace ? 
 Can you make great sacrifices for the peace of others ? 
 
 80. What blessings are promised to those who u suffer for 
 righteousness^ sake . ? " 
 
 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake : 
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men 
 shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of 
 evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceed- 
 ing glad : for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted 
 they the prophets which were before you. Mat. 5. 10 — 12 
 |] Luke 6. 22, 23. 1 Pet. 3, 13—18. 2 Tim. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 4. 12- 
 
 14. Jam. 1. 2—4, 12. 
 
46 
 
 Could you calmly meet reproaches for Christ's sake ? Have 
 you any portion of the spirit of the martyrs ? 
 
 81. Will God perform all, his promises ? 
 
 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faith- 
 ful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that 
 love him, and keep his commandments, to a thousand genera- 
 tions.- God is not a man, that he should lie ; neither the son of 
 man, that he should repent : hath he said, and shall he not do 
 it ? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ?- And 
 ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one 
 thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your 
 God spake concerning you ; all are come to pass unto you, and 
 not one thing hath failed thereof. Deut. 7. 9. Num. 23. 19. 
 Josh. 23. 14. || Ps. 18. 30. and 89. 34. and 105. 8. and 119. 89, 
 90. Is. 25. 1. and 46. 11. Heb. 6. 18. and 10. 23. 
 
 How little confidence any one of us reposes in the promises 
 of God ! Have you never regarded them less, than the promises 
 of some, fellow worm ? How base thus to treat Infinite ve- 
 racity ! 
 
 82. JLre Christians directed to maintain firm confidence in 
 God? 
 
 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? 
 It is God that justifieth : Who is he that condemneth ? It is 
 Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at 
 the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.- 
 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ : By whom also we have access 
 by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope 
 of the glory of God.- My little children, . these things write 
 I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an 
 advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : And he 
 is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also 
 for the sins of the whole world. Let us therefore come boldly 
 unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find 
 grace to help in time of need, Rom. 8. 33, 34. and 5. 1,2. 
 1 John 2. 1, 2. Heb. 4. 16. || Rom. 8. 14—18. Eph. 2. 18—22. 
 
 Are the atonement and intercession of Christ the ground of 
 your confidence ? May not Christians be cheerful ? 
 
 83. What is the language of the believer under the hidings of 
 God^s countenance ? 
 
 I opened to my beloved ; but my beloved had withdrawn 
 himself, and was gone : my soul failed when he spake ; I sought 
 him, but I could not find him ; I called him, but he gave me no 
 anwser.- I remembered God, and was troubled : I complained, 
 and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. I call to remem- 
 
47 
 
 brance my song in the night : I commune with mine own heart, 
 and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off 
 for ever? and will he be favourable no more ? Is his mercy clean 
 gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for evermore ? Hath God 
 forgotten to be gracious ? hath he in anger shut up his tender 
 mercies ? Selah.- O Lord, open thou my lips ; and my mouth 
 shall shew forth thy praise. Make me to hear joy and glad- 
 ness ; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 
 Cast me not away from thy presence ; and take not thy holy 
 Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; 
 and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Cant. 5. 6. Ps. 77. 3, 6 
 —9. and 51. 15, 8, 11, 12. || and 88. 9, 14—17. and 86. 16, 17. 
 Jer. 14. 7, 8. Job 23. 3, 8, 9. 
 
 Do you ever mourn because the Comforter is far from your 
 soul. 
 
 84. What are suitable directions and promises for a believer, 
 when in darkness and distress of mind ? 
 
 Who is among you that feareth th . L#ord, that obeyeth the 
 voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no 
 light ? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon 
 his God.- Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand 
 of God, that he may exalt you in due time : Casting all your 
 care upon him ; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant ; 
 because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh 
 about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast 
 in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished 
 in your brethren that are in the world.- Let not your heart 
 be troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in me.- Peace I 
 leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world 
 giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, 
 neither let it be afraid.- These things I have spoken unto you, 
 that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have 
 tribulation, but be of good cheer : I have overcome the world. 
 Is. 50. 10. 1 Pet. 5. 6—9. John 14. 1, 27. and 16. 33. || Ps. 
 44. 8—11. Is. 43. 1, 20. and 41. 10, 13, 14. and 40. 30, 31. 
 Deut. 33. 27. 
 
 If in darkness should you not cry to God for light ? Will you 
 not cast your cares on him ? 
 
 85. Does God particularly observe the religious principles and 
 practices of his people ? 
 
 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and 
 thy patience, and thy works ; and the last to be more than the 
 first.- But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 
 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon 
 
48 
 
 them that hope in hi9 mercy ; To deliver their soul from death, 
 and to keep them alive m famine.- The Lord is good, a strong 
 hold in the day of trouble ; and he knoweth them that trust in 
 him.- And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in 
 your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 
 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and 
 unblamable, and unreprovable, in his sight. Rev. 2. 19. 1 
 Cor. 8. 3. Ps. 33. 18, 19. Nah. 1. 7., Col. 1. 21, 22. || Job 33. 
 27—30. Jer. 6. 15, 16. 
 
 How much fruit God has reason to expect from you ? What 
 fruit has he found ? 
 
 86. What are the privileges, in this life, of those who obey tht 
 requirements of God ? 
 
 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that 
 fear him, and delivereth them. The eyes of the Lord are 
 upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.- For 
 the Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord will give grace and 
 glory ; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk up- 
 rightly.- And we know that all things work together for good, 
 to them that love God, to them who are the called according 
 to his purpose. Ps. 34. 7, 15. and 84. 11. Rom. 8. 28. || Job 
 5. 17, 18. Ps. 5. 12. and 58. 11. 
 
 How safe and happy is the true Christian ! Can you be indif- 
 ferent to such privileges ? 
 
 87. What ordinances are to be administered under the Gospel 
 dispensation ? 
 
 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; 
 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- 
 manded you : and lo, 1 am with you always, even unto the end 
 of the world. Amen.- For I have received of the Lord, that 
 which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same 
 night in which he was betrayed, took bread : And when he had 
 given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat : this is my 
 body, which is broken for you : this do in remembrance of me. 
 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had sup- 
 ped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do 
 ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as 
 ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's 
 death till he come. Mat. 28. 19, 30. 1 Cor. 11. 23— 26. || 1 
 Pet. 3. 20, 21. Acts 2. 38, 39, 41. and 8. 12. 
 
 Have you a right understanding of Gospel ordinances ? Do 
 you highly prize them ? 
 
49 
 
 88. Is it not a highly important duly publicly to profess the 
 Gospel, and attend the ordinance of the Lord's Supper ? 
 
 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will 
 I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But who- 
 soever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before 
 my Father which is in heaven.- But what saith it ? The word 
 is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart : that is, the 
 word of faith, which we preach: That if thou shalt confess with 
 thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that 
 God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For 
 with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the 
 mouth, confession is made unto salvation.- And he took bread, 
 and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, 
 This is my body which is given for you : this do in remem- 
 brance of me. And h^ took the cup, and gave thanks, and 
 gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it ; For this is my blood 
 of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remis- 
 sion of sins.- For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this 
 cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Mat. 10. 32, 
 33. Rom. 10. 8—10. Luke 22. 19. Mat. 26. 27, 28. 1 Cor. 11. 
 26. || Is. 45. 24, 25. and 44. 4, 5. Acts 2. 41, 42, 46, 47. and 
 5. 14. 
 
 "What excuse have you for neglecting it ? Is it one which will 
 answer you in the Great Day ? 
 
 89. What preparation is requisite to the acceptable receiving 
 the Lord's Supper ? (n) 
 
 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new 
 lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is 
 sacrificed for us : Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old 
 leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness ; but 
 with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. The cup 
 of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood 
 of Christ ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion 
 of the body of Christ ? For we being many are one bread, and 
 one body : for we are all partakers of that one bread. Wheth- 
 er therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the 
 glory of God.- Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and 
 drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the 
 body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, 
 and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. And 
 if any man hunger, let him eat at home : that ye come not to- 
 gether unto condemnation. 1 Cor. 5. 7, 8. and 10. 16, 17, 31. 
 and 11. 27, 28, 34. || Mai. 1. 7. 1 Cor. 10. 1—6. 2 Cor. 13. 6. 
 
 (n) See Appendix, Note N. 
 E 
 
50 
 
 Have you examined yourself impartially ? Have you come 
 to the table of the Lord with sincerity, penitence, faith, and joy ? 
 
 90. Wiiat are suitable meditations at, before, and after the 
 communion ? 
 
 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward 
 me ? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name 
 of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the 
 presence of all his people.- And Jesus said unto them, I am the 
 bread of life : he that cometh to me, shall never hunger ; and 
 he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. I am that bread of 
 life. I am the living bread which came down from heaven : 
 if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever : and the 
 bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life 
 of the world. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, 
 hath eternal life ; and I will raise him up at the last day. Foi 
 my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He 
 that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, 
 and I him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by 
 the Father : so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 
 This is that bread which came down from heaven : not as your 
 fathers did eat manna, and are dead : he that eateth of this 
 bread shall live for ever. Ps. 116. 12—14. John 6. 35, 48, 51, 
 54__58. || Cant. 2. 3, 4. and 5. J . Is. 25. 6, 9. and 55. 1. Rev. 
 
 21. .6. John 4. 14. (o) 
 
 Have you found this ordinance a feast to the soul ? Has it 
 quickened you? 
 
 91. How is an offending brother in the Lord to be treated? 
 Moreovei, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and 
 
 TELL HIM HIS FAULT BETWEEN THEE AND HIM ALONE: if he 
 
 shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Then came 
 Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin 
 against me, and I forgive him ? till seven times ? Jesus saith 
 unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times : but, Until sev- 
 enty times seven. But if he will not hear thee, then take with 
 thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witness- 
 es every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to 
 hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglect to hear 
 the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a 
 publican.- But now I have written unto you notlo keep com- 
 pany, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or 
 covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an ex- 
 tortioner: with such a one no not to eat. Mat. 18. 15,21, 
 
 22, 16, 17. 1 Cor. 5. 11. || Luke 17. 3, 4. Ps. 141. 5. John 13. 
 35. Jam. 5. 16, 19, 20. 
 
 (o) See Appendix, Note O. 
 
51 
 
 Have you never spread the faults of a brother ? Can you 
 meekly receive a Christian rebuke ? 
 
 92. What are some of the consolations for the truly pious in 
 old age ? 
 
 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth : and hitherto 
 have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am 
 old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not ; until I have 
 shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to 
 every one that is to come.- Thou, which hast shewed me great 
 and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shalt bring me 
 up again from the depths of the earth. And even to your old 
 age I am he ; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you : I have 
 made, and I will bear ; even I will carry, and will deliver you. 
 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of 
 corn cometh in in his season. Ps. 71. 17, 18, 20. Is. 46. 4. Job 5. 
 26. If Eccl. 12. 3—7. Ps. 73. 26. 
 
 Will not the Scriptures treasured in memory in youth be 
 useful in old age ? Would they not then be comforting to the 
 truly pious ? 
 
 93. What are the privileges of the righteous in the trying 
 hour of death ? 
 
 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness : but the right- 
 eous hath hope in his death.- Mark the perfect man, and be- 
 hold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.- Yea, 
 though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 
 fear no evil : for thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they com- 
 fort me.- O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy 
 victory ? The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the 
 law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ. Prov. 14. 32. Ps. 37. 37. and 
 23. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 55—57. || Ps. 116. 15. and 73. 26. 2 Cor. 4. 
 16. Acts 7. 55, 56, 59, 60. 
 
 How desirable to die the death of the righteous ! Will you 
 not seek to live like them ? 
 
 94. Are the spirits of the just active, perfected in holiness and 
 happiness, in the interim between their death and the resurrect 
 Hon of their bodies ? 
 
 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was : and the 
 spirit shall return unto God who gave it.- For we know that if 
 our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a 
 building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, 
 whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the 
 
52 
 
 Lord. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be ab 
 sent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.- Whom 
 the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all 
 things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy pro- 
 phets since the world began. Eccl. 12. 7. 2 Cor. 5. 1, 6, 8. 
 Acts 3. 21. || Luke 23. 43. Phil. 1. 23. Heb. 12. 23. 1 Cor. 
 13. 12. 
 
 What conceptions can you form of the souPs knowledge,, 
 separate from the body ? How will you think and feel them ? 
 
 95. To what society are the righteous admitted in eternity ? 
 But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the 
 
 living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable 
 company of angels, (p.) To the general assembly and church 
 of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the 
 Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And 
 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of 
 sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb. 
 12. 22—24. || Rev. 21. 2, 21—27. and 22. 14, 15. and 5. 8—11. 
 How glorious that society ! How soon you will be there if a 
 Christian ! How irremediable your loss if you are not gathered 
 there ! 
 
 96. What is the portion of the righteous beyond the grave? 
 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, 
 
 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : 
 Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and 
 their works do follow them. Therefore are they before the 
 throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple : and 
 he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.- They 
 shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall 
 the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is 
 in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them 
 unto living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all 
 tears from their eyes. Rev. 14. 13. and 7. 15—17. || Ps. 73. 
 24. 1 Pet. L 4. 
 
 Is not this portion worth all the toils and sacrifices which 
 religion demands ? Are you often thinking of this portion ? 
 
 ' 97. What is the song of the redeemed? 
 
 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and 
 power : for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure 
 they are and were created.- And they sung a new song, say- 
 ing, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals 
 thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by 
 (p) See Appendix, Note P. 
 
53 
 
 thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and 
 nation ; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests : 
 and we shall reign on the earth. And every creature which is 
 in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as 
 are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, 
 and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth up- 
 on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Rev. 4. 
 11. and 5. 9, 10, 13. || and 1. 4—6. Ps. 115. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 31. 
 
 Do you sing praises to God ? Have you learned the song of 
 heaven ? 
 
 98. Will the cause of Christ finally prevail throughout the 
 earth? 
 
 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheri- 
 tance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.- 
 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river 
 unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness 
 shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 
 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents : the 
 kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall 
 fall down before him : all nations shall serve him.- And it shall 
 come to pass in the last days-, that the mountain of the Lord's 
 house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall 
 be exalted above the hills ; and all nations shall flow unto it.- 
 For from the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the 
 same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles ; and in 
 every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure 
 offering : for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith 
 the Lord of hosts. Ps. 2. 8. and 72. 8—11. Is. 2. 2. Mai. 1. 
 11. || Is. 49. 6. and 42. 4. and 60. 1—12. and 62. 2. Mat. 24. 
 14. Rev. 20. 2—4. 
 
 Which will you do ? aid its triumphs, or be crushed by them ? 
 There is no alternative between these. 
 
 99. What is the character and doom of Antichrist ? 
 
 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come 
 in the flesh, is not of God : and this is that spirit of antichrist, 
 whereof ye have heard that it should come ; and even now al- 
 ready is it in the world.- Who is a liar but he that denieth that 
 Jesus is the Christ ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father 
 and the Son.- And he shall speak great words against the 
 Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, 
 -and think to change times and laws : and they shall be given 
 nto his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.- 
 And the king shall do according to his will ; and he shall exalt 
 himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak 
 E2 
 
54 
 
 maiTellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper 
 till the indignation be accomplished : for that that is determined 
 shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, 
 nor the desire of women, nor regard any god : for he shall mag- 
 nify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the 
 god of forces : and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he 
 honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and 
 pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds 
 with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase 
 with glory : and he shall cause them to rule over many, and 
 shall divide the land for gain. And he shall plant the taberna- 
 cles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy moun- 
 tain : yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. - 
 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his do- 
 minion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the 
 kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom un- 
 der the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the 
 saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting king- 
 dom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 1 John 4. 3. 
 and 2. 22. Dan. 7, 25. and 11. 36—39, 45. and 7. 26, 27. 
 j| Rev. 13. 3—8. and 19—21. 
 
 What evidence have you that you do not belong to the king* 
 dom of antichrist ? 
 
 100. What is St. PauVs description of the Christian Jlrmour? 
 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye 
 
 may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, 
 to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with 
 truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness ; And 
 ycfcir feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace ; 
 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be 
 able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take 
 the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is 
 the word of God : Praying always with all prayer and suppli- 
 cation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseve- 
 rance and supplication for all saints. Eph. 6. 13 — 18. || and 
 6. 10—12. Rom. 13. 12—14. 
 
 Are you fighting the fight of faith ? Are you clad in the 
 Christian's whole armour ? 
 
 101. What doth the Lord, our God, require of us individu- 
 ally ? 
 
 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good ; and what doth 
 the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, 
 and to walk humbly with chy God ?- For the grace of God 
 that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us, 
 that, denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live 
 
55 
 
 soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ; Looking 
 for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great 
 God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ ; Who gave himself for us, 
 that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto him- 
 self a peculiar people, zealous of good works.- See then that 
 ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming 
 the time, because the days are evil. Mic. 6. 8. Tit. 2. 11 — 14. 
 Eph. 5. 15, 16. || Let us devoutly search the scriptures 
 
 DAILY AND LEARN OUR DUTY. 
 
 Have you rendered to man the things that are man's ? and 
 unto God the things that are God's ? 
 
 102. Is not the Moral Law binding upon all mankind ? 
 Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye holy : for I am the 
 
 Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them : 
 I am the Lord which sanctify you.- Render to Cesar the things 
 that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's.- And 
 the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes — and it shall be 
 our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments 
 before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.- Now 
 we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith 
 to them who are under the law : that every mouth may be stop- 
 ped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Lev. 
 20. 7, 8. Mark 12. 17. Deut. 6. 24, 25. Rom. 3. 19. || Jam. 2. 
 8—10. Rom. 7. 7—12. and 13. 7. Deut. 10. 12, 13. 
 
 What more or what less could the rightful Governor ol 
 the universe require of any moral agent, than to render to God 
 <his due, and to creatures their dues ? Have you felt ycur obli- 
 gations to obey God's law ? Have you been abased in the dust 
 for violating them ? 
 
 103. Does not a conviction of the purity, extent, and spirlu- 
 rality of the Divine law, tend to endear Christ (who " is the end 
 of the law for righteousness) to every one who believelh .?" 
 
 For I delight in the law of God, after the inward man . 
 But I see another law in my members warring against the law 
 of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin 
 which is in my members. O wretched man that I am ! who 
 shall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God, 
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind I my- 
 self serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.- 
 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in 
 Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me 
 free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could 
 not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his 
 <©wn Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned 
 
56 
 
 sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be ful- 
 filled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.— 
 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious : but unto 
 them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disal- 
 lowed, the same is made the head of the corner. Rom. 7. 22 — 
 25. and 8. 1—4. 1 Pet. 2. 7. || Mat. 9. 12. Gal. 3. 13, 14, 24. 
 
 Has Christ been esteemed infinitely precious by you ? Do all 
 your hopes of justification centre in him ? 
 
 104. What sublime and impressive scenes preceded and at- 
 tended the promulgation of the moral law ? 
 
 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that 
 there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon 
 the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud ; so 
 that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And mount 
 Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended 
 upon it in fire ; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke 
 of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when 
 the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and 
 louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.- 
 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, 
 and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking : and 
 when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And 
 they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear : 
 but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said 
 unto the people, Fear not : for God is come to prove you, and 
 that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.- See 
 that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not 
 who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we 
 escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven : 
 Whose voice then shook the earth : but now he hath promised, 
 saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also 
 heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing 
 of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, 
 that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Ex. 
 19. 16, 18, 19. and 20. 18—20. Heb. 12.25—27. || Deut. 5.22. 
 —27. Ex. 15. 11. Ps. 77. 18. 
 
 Would those scenes have been terrible to your sight ? Will 
 you not another day witness still more tremendous scenes ? Are 
 you prepared, not merely to behold a mountain covered with 
 flames ; but to stand with composure, amidst the flames of a 
 burning world ? What emotions will that blast of an Archangel's 
 trumpet, whose sound shall wake the slumbers of every grave, 
 give you ? 
 
 105. Is idolatry forbidden, and are awful threatenings de- 
 nounced against it in the word of God ? 
 
57 
 
 Thou shalt not have no other gods before me.- Trust ye in 
 the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting' 
 strength.- Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the 
 people which are round about you ; (For the Lord thy God is 
 a jealous God among you ;) lest the anger of the Lord thy 
 God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face 
 of the earth.- And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord 
 thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and wor- 
 ship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely 
 perish. Ex. 20. 3. Is. 26. 4. Deut. 6. 14, 15. and 8. 19. || Jer. 
 25. 4_7. Josh. 24. 20. Eph. 5. 5. Col 3. 5. 
 
 Little children have you kept yourselves from idols ? Have 
 you loved nothing better than you have God ? What have been 
 the nature and the degree of your attachments to yourselves, 
 your relatives, your possessions, or pursuits ? 
 
 106. Is image worship forbidden by Jehovah? 
 
 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any 
 likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the 
 earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou 
 shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them : for I the 
 Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the 
 fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation 
 of them that hate me ; And shewing mercy unto thousands of 
 them that love me, and keep my commandments.- I am the 
 Lord : that is my name : and my glory will I not give to another, 
 neither my praise to graven images.- And the third angel fol- 
 lowed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the 
 beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in 
 his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath ol 
 God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his 
 indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone 
 in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the 
 Lamb : And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever 
 and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship 
 the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of 
 his name. Ex. 20. 4—6. Is. 42. 8. Rev. 14. 9—11. || Deut. 4. 
 15, 16, 23. Is. 2. 8—12, 18—21. Ez. 8. 12, 18. 
 
 May not man be guilty of image worship, by misconceiving 
 the character of God ? Have you never considered him all 
 mercy and no justice ? 
 
 107. If it our duty to worship the God of heaven by prayer 
 in secret, in private and in public ? 
 
 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when 
 thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret ; 
 and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.- 
 
58 
 
 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon 
 the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now 
 in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord's 
 house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. 
 Mat. 6. 6. Ps. 116. 17—19. || Ps. 96. 8, 9. Mat. 18. 19, 20. Is. 
 56,7. 
 
 What more reasonable, than that dependant, accountable, 
 and sinful beings, should live prayerful lives ? Have you done 
 it? 
 
 108. What form of prayer has our blessed Saviour given us ? 
 
 After this manner therefore pray ye : Our Father which art 
 in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 
 will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
 daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debt- 
 ors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 
 Amen, (q) Mat. 6. 9—13. 
 
 How concise yet how full the Lord's prayer ! Did you ever 
 devoutly use it ? Can the unforgiving use it without virtually 
 praying that God would not forgive them ? 
 
 • 
 
 109- How did Daniel pray when in captivity ? 
 
 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and 
 supplications, with fasting and sackcloth, and ashes : And I 
 prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and 
 said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the cove- 
 nant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep 
 his commandments ; We have sinned, and have committed 
 iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by 
 departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments. O 
 Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our 
 princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against 
 thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, 
 though we have rebelled against him ; Neither have we obey- 
 ed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which 
 he set before us by his servants the prophets. Therefore hath 
 the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us : for 
 the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth : 
 for we obeyed not his voice. O my God, incline thine ear, and 
 hear ; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations,and the city 
 which is called by thy name : for we do not present our suppli- 
 cations before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mer- 
 cies. O Lord, hear ; O Lord, forgive ; O Lord, hearken and 
 
 (q) See Appendix, Note Q. 
 
59 
 
 do ; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God : for thy city and 
 thy people are called by thy name. Dan. 9. 3 — 5, 8-— 10, 14, 
 18, 19. || and 9. 1—23. (r) 
 
 Did you ever pray with such deep self-abasement ? Have you 
 like Daniel in youth poured out your heart to God ? 
 
 110. What is the summary of Ezra?s prayer? 
 
 And at the evening- sacrifice 1 rose up from my heaviness ; 
 and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my 
 knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God. And 
 said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face 
 to thee, my God : for our iniquities are increased over our head, 
 and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. And now, O 
 our God, what shall we say after this ? for we have forsaken 
 thy commandments. And after all that is come upon us for our 
 evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God 
 hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast 
 given us such deliverance as this ; Should we again break thy 
 commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these 
 abominations ? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou 
 hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor 
 escap ig ? O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous : for we 
 remain yet escaped, as it is this day : behold, we are before thee, 
 in our trespasses ; for we cannot stand before thee because of 
 this. Ezra 9. 5, 6, 10, 13—15. 
 
 Have you felt to loathe yourselves when in prayer, you have 
 approached a holy God ? Have you prayed like the publican ? 
 
 111. How are we directed to pray ? (s) 
 
 God is a Spirit : and they that worship him, must worship 
 him in spirit and in truth.- Take with you words, and turn to 
 the Lord : say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive 
 us graciously : so will we render the calves of our lips.- For 
 we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the 
 feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as 
 we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto 
 the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace 
 to help in time of need.- O Lord, revive thy work in the midst 
 of the years, in the midst of the years make known ; in wrath 
 remember mercy. John 4. 24. Hos. 14. 2. Heb. 4. 15, 16. 
 Hab. 3. 2. || 2 Sam. 7. 18, 28, 29. 2 Kin. 19. 15, 16, 19. Hab. 
 1. 12, 13. 1 Chron. 4. 10. Heb. 10. 22. 
 
 Have you ever prayed in a sincere, spiritual, humble, and be- 
 lieving manner ? 
 
 (r) See Appendix, Note R. 
 (s) See Appendix, Note S. 
 
60 
 
 112. When are we to pray ? 
 
 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in the 
 morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.- 
 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray. Kwd cry aloud : 
 and he shall hear my voice.- And he spake a parable unto 
 them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to 
 faint. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day 
 and night unto him, though he bear long with them ?- Pray 
 without ceasing. Ps. 5. 3. and 55. 17. Luke 18. 1, 7. 1 Thea. 
 
 5. 17. || Ps. 86. 3. and 119. 147, 164. Dan. 6. 10. Luke 6. 12. 
 Ps. 22. 2. and 88. 13. and 130. 6. Is. 26. 9. Mark 1. 35. Jam. 
 5.13. 
 
 Are you accustomed by prayer to acknowledge your depen- 
 dance and God's goodness, when you lie down, and when you 
 arise, in the house and by the way ? Have you habitually a 
 devotional spirit ? 
 
 113. For whom are we to pray ? 
 
 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, 
 intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men : For 
 kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a 
 quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For 
 this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.- 
 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love 
 thee.- Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will 
 send forth labourers into his harvest.- Bless them that curse 
 you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.- Praying 
 always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and 
 watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for 
 all saints. 1 Tim. 2. 1—3. Ps. 122. 6. Mat. 9. 38. Luke 6. 28. 
 Eph. 6. 18. || Jam. 5. 14—18. 1 John 5. 16. Hab. 3. 2. Is. 62. 
 
 6, 7. Jer. 29. 7. Ps. 141. 5. 2 Thes. 3. 1. 
 
 Do you fervently pray for Zion's prosperity and for the sal- 
 vation of Jews and Gentiles ^ bond and free ? Can you even 
 pray for your enemies ? 
 
 114. In what name and through whose assistance, should 
 our prayers be offered ? 
 
 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that 
 the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any 
 thing in my name, I will do it.- Hitherto have ye asked no- 
 thing in my name : ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may- 
 be full.- Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities : for 
 we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the 
 Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which 
 cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth 
 
61 
 
 what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession 
 for the saints according to the will of God. John 14. 13, 14. 
 and 16. 24. Rom. 8. 2&, 27. || Col. 3, 17. Gal. 4. 6. Rom. 8. 
 15. 
 
 Do you go to the throne of grace divested of self-righteous- 
 ness and self-confidence ? Do you ask, expect, and receive the 
 aids of the Holy Spirit in prayer ? 
 
 115. Whose prayers will be heard and answered? 
 
 Now we know that God heareth not sinners : but if any man 
 be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.- 
 The eyes of the Lord are upon "the righteous, and his ears are 
 open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord hear- 
 eth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.- Confess 
 your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye 
 may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous 
 man availeth much. John 9. 31. Ps. 34. 15, 17. Jam. 5. 16. 
 || 1 Tim. 2. 8. Ps. 4. 3. and 26. 6. Prov. 15. 29. 
 
 Are you a doer of God's will ? Have you ever received mer- 
 ciful answers to prayer ? 
 
 116. What is said respecting the prayer and sacrifice of the 
 wicked ? 
 
 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his 
 prayer shall be abomination.- The sacrifice of the wicked is 
 an abomination to the Lord : but the prayer of the upright is his 
 delight.- But without faith it is impossible to please him : for 
 he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is 
 a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Prov. 28. 9. and 
 15. 8. Heb. 11. 6. || Ps. 66. 18. and 109. 7. Is. 1. 10—17. Mat, 
 23. 14. 
 
 Are your ears open to instruction from the law of God ? 
 Have you never offered the sacrifice of the wicked ? 
 
 117. Are not the carriage, the conduct, and even the thoughts 
 of the wicked displeasing to God ? 
 
 A high look, and a proud heart, and the ploughing of the 
 wicked, is sin.- The way of the wicked is an abomination un- 
 to the Lord ; but he loveth him that followeth after righteous- 
 ness. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the 
 Lord : but the words of the pure are pleasant words.- Because 
 the carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to 
 the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that 
 are in the flesh cannot please God. Prov. 21. 4. and 15. 9, 26. 
 Rom. 8. 7, 8. || Prov. 1. 27—29. Is. 55. 7. and 59. 1, 2. 
 
 Is any thing done under the influence of an unholy heart* 
 morally pleasing to God I Have you an unsanctified heart ? 
 F 
 
<i2 
 
 118. Are oaths he for a a magistrate lawful? 
 
 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt 
 swear by his name.- That he who blesseth himself in the earth, 
 shall bless himself in the God of truth ; and he that sweareth 
 in the earth shall swear by the God of truth ; because the for- 
 mer troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine 
 eyes.- And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in 
 judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless 
 themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.- For men veri- 
 ly swear by the greater : and an oath for confirmation is to 
 them an end of all strife. Deut. 6. 13. Is. 65. 16. Jer. 4. 2. 
 Heb. 6. 16. || Jer. 12. 16. 2 Chron. 15. 12, 14, 15. Ex. 22. 
 10, 11. Lev. 5. 1. Mat. 26. 63, 64. 
 
 Do you understand the nature of an oath ? Can the moral 
 obligations of an oath be felt by one, who denies the doctrine 
 of future rewards and punishments ? 
 
 119. Is not false swearing a very heinous and destructive sin? 
 
 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.- 
 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou 
 profane the name of thy God : I am the Lord.- These are the 
 things that ye shall do ; Speak ye every man the truth to his 
 neighbour ; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your 
 gates : And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against 
 his neighbour ; and love no false oath : for all these are things 
 that I hate, saith the Lord.- Then I turned, and lifted up mine 
 eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto 
 me, What seest thou ? And I answered, I see a flying roll ; the 
 length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten 
 cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth 
 forth over the face of the whole earth : for every one that steal- 
 eth shall be cut off as on this side, according to it ; and every 
 one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side, according to 
 it. I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall 
 enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him 
 that sweareth falsely by my name : and it shall remain in the 
 midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber there- 
 of and the stones thereof.- They have spoken words, swearing 
 falsely in making a covenant : thus judgment springe th up as 
 hemlock in the furrows of the field.- Shall I not visit for these 
 things ? saith the Lord : and shall not my soul be avenged on 
 such a nation as this? Ex. 20. 16. Lev. 19. 12. Zech. 8. 16, 
 17. and 5. 1, 2—4. Hos. 10. 4. Jer. 5. 9. || Hos. 4. 1, 2. Jer. 
 23. 10. Mai. 3. 5. 
 
 Is there not much false swearing in this land ? Should you 
 
63 
 
 dare to call the God of truth to witness any thing which you 
 did not know to be strictly true ? 
 
 120. What saith the law and the testimony respecting blasphe- 
 my ? 
 
 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an 
 Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel ; and this son 
 of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in 
 the camp ; And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the 
 name of the Lord, and cursed : And they brought him unto Mo- 
 ses. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him 
 that hath cursed without the camp ; and let all that heard him 
 lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation 
 stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, 
 saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he 
 that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be 
 put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone 
 him : as well the stranger as he that is born in the land, when 
 he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.- 
 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up 
 out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his 
 horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 
 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things 
 and blasphemies ; and power was given unto him to continue 
 forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphe- 
 my against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, 
 and them that dwell in heaven.- O God, how long shall the 
 adversary reproach ? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for 
 ever? Lev. 24. 10, 11, 13—16. Rev. 13. 1, 5, 6. Ps. 74. 10. 
 jj Rev. 16. 10, 11. Mark 3. 2, 3, 29. Jam. 2. 7. 
 
 If blasphemy once deserved the punishment of death, must 
 it not be a very great sin ? How cautious, how watchful ought 
 you to be against its commissions ! 
 
 121. Is not profane cursing And swearino exceedingly 
 criminal and highly offensive in the sight of God, as well as un- 
 necessary, inexcusable, and disreputable in the estimation of 
 every considerate man ? (t) 
 
 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : 
 for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name 
 in vain.- But I say unto you, Swear not at all : neither by 
 heaven ; for it is God's throne : Nor by the earth ; for it is his 
 footstool : neither by Jerusalem ; for it is the city of the great 
 King : Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst 
 not make one hair white or black. But let your communica- 
 
 (t) See Appendix, Note T. 
 
64 
 
 tion be, Yea, yea ; Nay, nay : for whatsoever is more than these 
 cometh of evil.- But above all things, my brethren, swear not, 
 neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other 
 oath : but let your yea, be yea ; and your nay, nay ; lest ye fall 
 into condemnation. Ex. 20. 7. Mat. 5. 34—37. Jam. 5. 12. || Hos. 
 4. 2. Mat. 23. 16—22. Ps. 59. 12. and 109. 17, 18. Lev. 18. 21. 
 Have you never profaned the name of God ? Do you not 
 profane it whenever you mention it without reverence ? 
 
 122. Why is it that so many indulge in profaneness ? 
 
 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedi- 
 ly, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully 9et in them to 
 do evil.- Their throat is an open sepulchre ; with their tongues 
 they have used deceit ; the poison of asps is under their lips : 
 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. There is no 
 fear of God before their eyes.- This is an evil among all things 
 that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all : 
 yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and mad- 
 ness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to 
 the dead, (u) Eccl. 8. 11. Rom. 3. 13, 14, 18. Eccl. 9. 3. 
 || Jer. 17. 9. Ps. 36. 1, 3. Jam. 3. 8—10. 
 
 Profaneness affords neither honour, profit, nor pleasure, un- 
 less it can afford pleasure to destroy the souls of children and 
 others under the influence of such examples — to degrade the man 
 below the brute and imitate apostate spirits. 
 
 Does not the corrupting influence of bad examples spread 
 the contagion of profaneness ? Has your example always en- 
 couraged reverence for the name of God ? 
 
 123. What general directions are given with respect to the sab- 
 bath? 
 
 Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
 thou labour, and do all thy work : But the seventh day is the 
 sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, 
 thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy 
 maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
 gates : For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea 
 and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore 
 theLord blessed the sabbath-day, and hallowed it.- And on the 
 seventh day God ended his work which he had made ; and he 
 rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 
 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it : because 
 that in it he had rested from all his work which God created 
 and made.- There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of 
 <Job. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased 
 
 (u) See Appendix, Note U 
 
•om his. Now concerning 
 
 from his own works, as God I 
 
 the collection for the saints, is I Aaye given order to the 
 churches of Galatia, even so do ye.- Upon the first day of the 
 week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath 
 prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.- And 
 upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came togeth- 
 er to break bread, Paul preached unto them, (ready to depart 
 on the morrow) and continued his speech until midnight. Ex. 
 20. 8—11. Gen. 2. 2, 3. Heb. 4. 9, 10. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Acts 
 20. 7. [| Ex. 16. 25—28. Jer. 17. 21, 22. Lev. 23. 3, 32. Mark 
 2.27. 
 
 Are you pleased that God has appointed one day in seven to 
 be a holy rest ? Is not the institution of the sabbath in Eden 
 an evidence of its perpetual obligation ? 
 
 124. What authority have we from scriptural precepts and ex- 
 amples for attending public worship on the sabbath? 
 
 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary : I 
 am the Lord.- And it shall come to pass, that from one new- 
 moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all 
 flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.- Likewise the 
 people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before 
 the Lord in the sabbaths and in the new-moons.- And Jesus 
 returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee : and there 
 went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 
 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And 
 he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up : and, as 
 his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath- 
 day, and stood up for to read. And came down to Capernaum, 
 a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath-days. And 
 they were astonished at his doctrine : for his word was with 
 power.- And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and 
 three sabbath-days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 
 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, 
 and risen again from the dead ; and that this Jesus, whom I 
 preach unto you, is Christ. Lev. 19. 30. Is. 66. 23. Ez. 46. 3. 
 Luke 4. 14—16, 31, 32. Acts 17. 2, 3. || and 13. 14—16, 26, 
 42, 44. and 15. 21. and 18. 4. 
 
 Have you statedly, attentively, prayerfully, and profitably, 
 waited on God in his earthly Sanctuary ? Have you delighted 
 in the assemblies of the saints ? 
 
 125. Is praise to God an important and animating part of 
 public and private worship ? (v) 
 
 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for 
 his wonderful works to the children of men ! Let them exalt 
 (v) See Appendix, Note V. 
 F2 
 
66 
 
 him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him 
 in the assembly of the elders.- Sing praises to the Lord, 
 which dwelleth in Zion : declare among the people his doings.- 
 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord 
 "with gladness : come before his presence with singing. Know 
 ye that the Lord he is Gcd : it is he that hath made us, and 
 not we ourselves ; we ar : his people, and the sheep of his pas- 
 ture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his 
 courts with praise : be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 
 For the Lord is good ; his mercy is everlasting ; and his truth 
 endureth to all generations. Ps. 107. 31, 32. and 9. 11. and 
 100. 1—5. || and 27. 4, 6. and 95. 1—3. and 148. 11—13. CoL 
 3. 16. 
 
 Have your hearts been attuned to praise your God and Re- 
 deemer, when the songs of Zion have sounded in your ears, or 
 been pronounced by your lips ? Have you learned the New 
 Song which employs the rapturous harps of heaven ? 
 
 126. What was the language and conduct of a good magistrate 
 respecting the observance of the sabbath ? 
 
 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house 
 of God forsaken ? And I gathered them together, and set them 
 in their place. In those days saw I in Judah some treading 
 wine-presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading 
 asses ; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of bur- 
 dens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath-day : 
 and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold 
 victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought 
 fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the 
 ^children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with 
 the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is 
 this that ye do, and profane the sabbath-day ? Did not your 
 fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon U3, 
 and upon this city ? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by 
 profaning the sabbath. And it came to pass, that, when the 
 gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I com- 
 manded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they 
 should not be opened till after the sabbath : and some of my 
 servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be 
 brought in on the sabbath-day. Neh. 13. 11, 15 — 19. || and 
 13. 20—22. and 10. 29, 31. 
 
 Would it not promote the interests of religion and the welfare 
 of the community to have such magistrates as Nehemiah multi- 
 plied in our land ? Is not the sabbath much profaned by jour- 
 neys of business and of pleasure ? 
 
67 
 
 127. What blessings are promised to those who keep the sab- 
 toath holy ? 
 
 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy 
 pleasure on my holy day ; and call the sabbath a delight, the 
 holy of the Lord, honourable ; and shalt honour him, not doing 
 thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking 
 thine own words : Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; 
 and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, 
 and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father : for the 
 mouth of the Lord bath spoken it. Is. 58. 13, 14. || and 56. 
 2, 4—7. 
 
 Have you experienced the spiritual blessings of sanctifying 
 the sabbath ? Have you had foretastes of the everlasting sab- 
 bath which remains for the people of God? 
 
 128. What threatenings hare been denounced or executed 
 against sabbath-breakers ? 
 
 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore : for it is holy unto you. 
 Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death : for 
 Whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off 
 from among his people. Six days may work be done, but in 
 the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord : whoso- 
 ever doeth any work in the sabbath-day he shall surely be 
 put to death.- But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow 
 the sabbath-day, and not to ; bear a burden, even entering in at 
 the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath-day ; then will I kindle 
 :a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of 
 Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.— Moreover also I gave 
 them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that 
 they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. But 
 the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness : they 
 walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, 
 which if a man do, he shall even live in them : and my sab- 
 baths they greatly polluted : then I said, I would pour out my 
 fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. Yet also 
 I lifted up my Tiand unto them in the wilderness, that I would 
 not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing 
 with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands *, Because 
 they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, 
 but polluted my sabbaths : for their heart went after their idols. 
 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I 
 would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them 
 through the countries. Ex. 31. 14, 15. Jer. 17. 27. Ez. 20. 12, 
 13, 15, 16, 23. || and 22. 8, 14—16, 31. Num. 15. 32—36. 
 
 Have you never read of apparent judgments executed on 
 sabbath-breakers, in the present age ? Can you violate the sab- 
 bath without apprehensions of God's displeasure ? 
 
68 
 
 129. How must we fast to be accepted and profited ? 
 
 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a 
 day of atonement ; it shall be a holy convocation unto you, and 
 ye shall afflict your souls, and oifer an offering made by fire un- 
 to the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day ; for 
 it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before 
 the Lord your God.- Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hy- 
 pocrites, of a sad countenance : for they disfigure their faces, 
 that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily, I say unto you, 
 They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint 
 thine head, and wash thy face ; That thou appear not unto men 
 to fast, but unto thy Father, which is in secret : and thy Father, 
 which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.- Is not this the 
 fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands of wickedness, to 
 undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and 
 that ye break every yoke ? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hun- 
 gry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house ? 
 when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him ; and that thou 
 hide not thyself from thine own flesh ? Then shall thy light 
 break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth 
 speedily : and thy righteousness shall go before thee ; the glo- 
 ry of the Lord shall be thy rere-ward. Lev. 23. 27, 28. Mat. 
 6. 16—18. Is. 58. 6—8. || Joel 1. 14. and 2. 12—17. National 
 deliverances have been connected with National humiliation. 2 
 Chron. 20. 2—4, 20—22, 29, 30. Est. 4. 3. and 8. 16. Jonah 3. 
 5—10. 
 
 Have you kept solemn seasons of humbling your souls and 
 rending your hearts before God ? Has not such fasting been 
 succeeded by holy joy ? 
 
 130. Are we required at all times to exercise patience toward 
 God and toward men ? 
 
 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him : fret not thy- 
 self because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the 
 man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, 
 and forsake wrath : fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.— 
 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and 
 the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not 
 hasty in thy spirit to be angry : for anger resteth in the bosom 
 of foo^s.- See that none render evil for evil unto any man ; but 
 ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to 
 all men.- That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who 
 through faith and patience inherit the promises.- For ye have 
 need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye 
 might receive the promise. Be patient therefore, brethren, 
 unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman wait- 
 
69 
 
 eth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience 
 for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also 
 patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of tire Lord 
 draweth nigh. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have 
 spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering af- 
 fliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which 
 endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen 
 the end of the Lord ; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender 
 mercy. Ps. 37. 7, 8. Eccl. 7. 8, 9. 1 Thes. 5. 15. Heb. 6. 12. 
 and 10. 36. Jam. 5. 7, 8, 10, 11. || Rom. 15. 4, 5. and 2. 6, 7. 
 and 5. 3, 4. Rev. 3. 10. 
 
 Can you calmly wait God's time to fulfil his promises ? Can 
 you bear insults and injuries from men without impatience ? 
 Have you learned something of these precious lessons in the 
 school of Christ ? 
 
 131. What are some of the directions of God to the young 7 
 
 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my 
 ways.- Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my 
 judgments, and do them : I am the Lord.- Remember now thy 
 Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not. 
 nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no plea 
 sure in them.- Flee also youthful lusts : but follow righteous- 
 ness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of 
 a pure heart. Prov 23. 26. Lev. 19. 37. Eccl. 12. 1. 2 Tim. 2. 
 22. || 1 Kin. 2. 3. Eccl. 11. 9, 10. Tit. 2. 4—6. Gen. 39. 2, Ji, 
 9, 23. 1 Sam. 2. 26. and 3. 19. 
 
 Have you obeyed these reasonable requirements ? Will 
 you, can you longer refuse obedience to them ? Can yoxi be so 
 base as to withhold your choice days from the service of your 
 God and Redeemer ? 
 
 132. How shall the young secure all necessary, temporal, and 
 spiritual blessings ? 
 
 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking 
 heed thereto according to thy word.- Yea, if thou criest 
 after knowledge, and Uftest up thy voice for understanding ; If 
 thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid trea- 
 sures ; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and 
 find the knowledge of God.- But seek ye first the kingdom of 
 God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added 
 unto you. Ps. 119. 9. Prov. 2. 3—5. Mat. 6 33. || Ps. 19. 7—11. 
 Prov. 4. 1, 10—13. (w) 
 
 What but vital piety can render the young, truly amiable, 
 useful and happy ? W 7 ill any of you choose the way of trans 
 gressors, rather than wisdom's ways ? 
 
 (w) See Appendix, Note W. 
 
70 
 
 133. What peculiar inducements for seeking the Lord in youih 
 do the Scriptures afford ? 
 
 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said 
 unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and for- 
 bid them not : for of such is the kingdom of God.- I love them 
 that love me : and those that seek me early shall find me.- 
 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy 
 life shall be increased. Mark 10. 14. Prov. 8. 17. and 9. 11. 
 || Is. 55. 6. 
 
 Is Christ willing to receive little children to the arms of his 
 mercy, and shall any of them refuse to come to him by peni 
 tence, faith, and love ? How much love Christ has manifested 
 towards you, and can you love and serve him too young ? 
 
 134. What are some of the appropriate Scripture directions to 
 those in middle age ? 
 
 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, 
 and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the 
 wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are 
 in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Fa- 
 ther is not in him.- But they that will be rich, fall into tempta- 
 tion, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 
 drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money 
 is the root of all evil : which while some coveted after, they 
 have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with 
 many sorrows.- Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought 
 for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor 
 yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more 
 than meat, and the body more than raiment ? 1 John 2. 14, 15. 
 1 Tim. 6. 9, 10. Mat. 6. 25. || 1 Pet. 3. 8—12. 
 
 Is it not immensely important that the vigour of manhood be 
 sacredly devoted to the love and service of God ? Which reigns 
 in your hearts, the love of the world or the love of the Father ? 
 
 135. What is said in the Scriptures with respect to marriage? 
 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God 
 
 created he him ; male and female created he them.- And the 
 Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone : I 
 will make him a help meet for him. And Adam said, this is 
 now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh : she shall be call- 
 ed Woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore 
 shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave 
 unto his wife : and they shall be one flesh.- For as the woman 
 is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman ; but all 
 things of God. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed un- 
 dented : but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 
 
71 
 
 Gen. 1. 27. and 2. 18, 23, 24. 1 Cor. 11. 12. Heb. 13. 4. 
 || John 2. 1, 2. 1 Cor. 7. 2—6, 29—31. 
 
 Should not pious motives govern in the selection of a partner 
 for life ? Does not true religion in both parties contribute much 
 to the happiness of the conjugal relation ? 
 
 136. Is divorce expressly forbidden by Christ, except for a 
 breach of the Marriage covenant ? 
 
 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give 
 a writing of divorcement, and to put her away ? He saith unto 
 them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered 
 you to put away your wives : but from the beginning it was not 
 so. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, 
 that he which made them at the beginning, made them male 
 and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father 
 and mother, and shall cleave to his wife : and they twain shall 
 be one flesh ? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. 
 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asun- 
 der. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, 
 except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth 
 adultery : and whoso marrieth her which is put away, doth 
 commit adultery.- It hath been said, Whosoever shall put 
 away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement : But 
 I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving 
 for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery : 
 and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced, committeth 
 adultery. Mat. 19. 7, 8, 4—6, 9. and 5. 31, 32. | Rom. 7. 2, 
 3. 1 Cor. 7. 10—13, 16. 
 
 Should not this consideration renderpersons judiciously cau- 
 tious in the choice of a bosom companion ? Is it not a violation 
 of the spirit of these precepts for the married to be frequently 
 wishing themselves single again for more than one cause ? 
 
 137. What are some of the most important duties of hus- 
 bands ? 
 
 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the 
 church, and gave himself for it. So ought men to love their 
 wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth 
 himself.- Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to 
 knowledge, giving honour unto the wifr, as unto the weaker 
 vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life ; that 
 your prayers be not hindered. Eph. 5. 25, 28. 1 Pet. 3. 7. 
 || Col. 3. 19. Eccl. 9. 9. Prov. 18. 22. 
 
 Would it not much diminish domestic trials if all husbands 
 loved their wives and dwelt with them according to knowledge ? 
 
72 
 
 How desirable that every husband love his wife as Christ lores 
 the Church ! 
 
 138. What are the appropriate duties of wives ? 
 
 Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far above 
 rubi°s. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so 
 that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and 
 not evil all the days of her life.- Likewise, ye wives, be in sub- 
 jection to your own husbands ; that, if any obey not the word, 
 they also may without the word be won by the conversation 
 of the wives ; While they behold your chaste conversation 
 coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward 
 adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of 
 putting on of apparel ; But let it be the hidden man of the 
 heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a 
 meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Gon of great 
 price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women 
 also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjec- 
 tion unto their own husbands : Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, 
 calling him lord : whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do 
 well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Prov. 31. 10 — 
 12. 1 Pet. 3. 1—6. || Tit. 2. 4, 5. Prov. 19. 14. and 31. 30, 31. 
 Eph. 5. 22, 23. Col. 3. 18. 
 
 How much the Scriptures have elevated the rank of a wife ? 
 How thankfully and cheerfully should the wife conform ta 
 these precepts ? 
 
 139. What are the duties of parents ? 
 
 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath : but 
 bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.- 
 And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in 
 thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy 
 children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, 
 and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, 
 and when thou risest up.- For he established a testimony in 
 Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our 
 fathers, that they should make them known to their children : 
 That the generation to come might know them, even the chil- 
 dren which should be born : who should arise and declare them 
 to their children : That they might set their hope in God, and 
 not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. Eph. 
 6. 4. Deut. 6. 6, 7. Ps. 78. 5—7. || Deut. 32. 46, 47. 2 Cor. 12. 
 14. 1 Tim. 5. 8. Prov. 29. 17, 15. 
 
 How great the responsibility of parents I How arduous their 
 duties ? 
 
73 
 
 140. What promises are made to faithful parents ? 
 
 And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may 
 fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after 
 them.- I have been young, and now am old ; yet have I not 
 seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. For 
 the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints ; they 
 are preserved for ever : but the seed of the wicked shall be 
 cut off.- The just man walketh in his integrity : his children 
 are blessed after him.- For I will pour water upon him that is 
 thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground : I will pour my Spirit 
 upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring : And they 
 shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water- 
 courses. Jer. 32. 39. Ps. 37. 25, 28. Prov. 20. 7. Is. 44. 3, 4. 
 || Ps. 112. 1, 2. Acts 2. 38, 39. Prov. 22. 6. and 23. 13, 14. 
 
 What more encouragement to fidelity could parents ask? 
 How can any parents neglect their children's souls ? 
 
 141. Does God visit in judgment the families of negligent, 
 and unfaithful parents ? 
 
 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in 
 Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall 
 tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which 
 I have spoken concerning his house : when I begin, I will also 
 make an end. For I have told him, that I will judge his house 
 for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth : because his sons 
 made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And there- 
 fore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's 
 house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 
 1 Sam. 3. 11—14. || and 4. 12—18. Ex. 34. 6, 7. 1 Kin. 1. 5, 6. 
 
 How cutting must have been the reflections of Eli ? How keen 
 must be the anguish of unfaithful parents who meet their chil- 
 dren in the regions of despair ? 
 
 142. What are the duties of children ? 
 
 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the 
 law of thy mother : For they shall be an ornament of grace 
 unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.- Children, obey 
 your parents in the Lord : for this is right. Honour thy father 
 and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise.) 
 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on 
 the earth. Prov. 1. 8, 9. Eph. 6. 1—3. || Lev. 19. 3. Jer. 35. 
 18, 19. Col. 3. 20. 
 
 Have you as children rendered all that affection and obedience 
 to parents which the Scriptuies enjoin ? How base and criminal 
 to do otherwise ? 
 G 
 
74 
 
 143. How can children best repay the kindness and rejoice the 
 hearts of their anxious parents ? 
 
 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in 
 truth.- My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, 
 even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak 
 right things. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine 
 heart in the way. Buy the truth, and sell it not ; also wisdom, 
 and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous 
 shall greatly rejoice : and he that begeteth a wise child shall 
 have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and 
 she that bare thee shall rejoice. 3 John 4. Prov. 23. 15,16, 19, 
 23—25. || and 10. 1. 1 Kin. 1. 47, 48. 
 
 Have you done all in your power to rejoice the hearts of 
 pious parents ? Can they rejoice over you as truly pious ? 
 
 144. What are the consequences of wickedness and disobedience 
 in children ? 
 
 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that 
 bare him.- There is a generation that curseth their father, and 
 doth not bless their mother. The eye that mocketh at his fa- 
 ther, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley 
 shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it,- C ursed be 
 he that setteth light by his father or his mother r and all the 
 people shall say, Amen. Prov. 17. 25. and 30, 11, 17. Deut. 
 27. 16. || Prov. 19. 13, 26. and 28. 7. Deut, 21. 18—21. 
 
 Are none of you exposed to the curse of God in consequence 
 of your treatment of parents ? Shall not such children immedi 
 ately seek the pardoning mercy of God? 
 
 145. What are the duties of masters? 
 
 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; 
 knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.- Thou shalt 
 not rule over him with rigour, but shalt fear thy God.- Thou 
 shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, 
 whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in 
 thy land within thy gates.- And, ye masters, do the same things 
 unto them, forbearing threatening : knowing that your Master 
 also is in heaven ; neither is there respect of persons with him.- 
 If I did despise the cause of my man-servant, or of my maid-ser- 
 vant, when they contended with me ; What then shall I do 
 when God riseth up ? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer 
 him ?- Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down 
 your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth ; and the 
 cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the 
 Lord of Sabaoth. Col. 4. 1. Lev. 25. 43. Deut. 24. 14. Eph. 
 6. 9. Job 31. 13, 14. Jam. 5. 4. 
 
75 
 
 How much the condition of servants would be improved if 
 all masters were such as the Scriptures require them to be ? Had 
 you servants, how would you treat them ? 
 
 146. What are the duties of servants ? 
 
 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters accord- 
 ing to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your 
 heart, as unto Christ ; Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers ; 
 but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the 
 heart ; with gOod will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to 
 men : Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, 
 the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or 
 free.- Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear ; not 
 only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For 
 this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God en- 
 dure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glor^is it, if, when 
 ye be buffeted lor your faults, ye shall take it patiently ? but 
 if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this 
 is acceptable with God.- Servants, obey in all things your 
 masters according to the flesh ; not with eye-service, as men- 
 pleasers ; but in singleness of heart, fearing God : And what- 
 soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men ; 
 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the 
 inheritance : for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth 
 wrong, shall receive for the wrong which he hath done : ■ and 
 there is no respect of persons.- Let as many servants as are 
 under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, 
 that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 
 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise 
 them, because they are brethren ; but rather do them service, 
 because th.ey are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. 
 These things teach and exhort.- Exhort servants to be obedient 
 unto their own masters, and to please them t#;1i in all things ; 
 not answering again ; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidel- 
 ity ; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in 
 all things. Eph. 6. 5—8. 1 Pet. 2. 18—20. Col. 3. 22—25. 1 
 Tim. 6. 1, 2. Tit. 2. 9, 10. 
 
 Have you been faithful in service from love and obedience 
 to Christ ? What an inestimable blessing to have pious ser- 
 vants? 
 
 147. What are the duties of magistrates ? 
 
 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee m all thy gates, 
 which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes : 
 and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou 
 ehalt not wrest judgment ; thou shalt not respect persons, 
 
neither take a gift : for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, 
 and pervert the words of the righteous. That which is alto- 
 gether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and in- 
 herit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.- Thus 
 saith the Lord ; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and 
 deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor : and do no 
 wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the 
 widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.- Thus saith 
 the Lord God ; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel : remove 
 violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take 
 away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord God. 
 Deut. 16, 18—20. Jer. 22. 3. Ez. 45. 9. || Deut. 1. 16, 17. Ps. 
 82. 3, 4. Deut. 25. 1. and 19. 16—19. 
 
 How desirable to have magistrates govern by the rules ol 
 Scripture? How important in elective governments that the 
 pious only be raised to places of power and trust. 
 
 148. Whaf are the consequences of having wicked magis- 
 trates ? 
 
 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice stand- 
 eth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot 
 enter.- And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judg- 
 ment, that wickedness was there ; and the place of righteous- 
 ness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall 
 judge the righteous and the wicked : for there is a time there 
 for every purpose and for every work.- The wicked walk on 
 every side, when the vilest men are exalted.- When the righte- 
 ous are in authority, the people rejoice : but when the wicked 
 beareth rule, the people mourn. Is. 59. 14. Eccl. 3. 16, 17. 
 Ps. 12. 8. Prov. 29. 2. || Amos 5. 12, 13. Is. 19. 14. Prov. 28. 
 15, 16. 
 
 Have we not reason to lament that there are no more righte- 
 ous men in authority in this land ? Have we not reason to be 
 thankful there %re so many ? 
 
 149. What are the duties of subjects ? 
 
 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there 
 is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of 
 God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the 
 ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to them- 
 selves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, 
 but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? 
 do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same : 
 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do 
 that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the sword in 
 vain : for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath 
 upon him that doeth evil. Wbereibre ye must needs be subject, 
 
77 
 
 not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this 
 cause pay ye tribute also : for they are God's ministers, attend- 
 ing continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all 
 their dues : tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom 
 custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.- Put 
 them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey 
 magistrates, to be ready to every good work. Rom. 13. 1 — 7. 
 Tit. 3. 1. || 1 Pet. 2. 13—17. Ezra 7. 26. Ex. 22. 28. Eccl. 10. 20. 
 Have you been dutiful subjects ? Are you in subjection to the 
 Supreme Ruler of the Universe? 
 
 150- Are subjects required to pray for their rulers ? 
 
 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, in- 
 tercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men : For 
 kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a 
 quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this 
 is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. 1 Tim. 
 2. 1—3. || Ezra 6. 10 Jer. 29. 7. 
 
 Have your hearts often ascended to God in fervent prayer 
 for your rulers ? Or have you been more disposed to censure 
 them than to pray for them ? • 
 
 151. What are some of the duties of Gospel ministers ? 
 
 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream ; and 
 he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What 
 is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.- But watch thou in 
 all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make 
 full proof of thy ministry.- But speak thou the things which be- 
 come sound doctrine : In all things shewing thyself a pattern of 
 good works : in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sin- 
 cerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned ; that he that 
 is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to 
 say of you.— Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a 
 workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the 
 word of truth. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, 
 knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the 
 Lord must not strive ; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, 
 patient ; In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ; 
 if God peradventure will give themiepentance to the acknow- 
 ledging of the truth ; And that they may recover themselves 
 out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at 
 his will.- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of 
 God : not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no 
 striker, not given to filthy lucre ; But a lover of hospitality, a 
 lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate ; Holding fast 
 the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able 
 G2 
 
78 
 
 by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 
 Jer. 23. 28. 2 Tim. 4. 5. Tit. 2. 1, 7, 8. 2 Tim. 2. 15, 23—26. 
 Tit. 1. 7—9. || Ez. 3. 17—19. 1 Cor. 2. 1, 2. 2 Cor. 4. 1, 2. 
 i Tim. 5. 17, 20, 21. 1 Pet. 5. 2, 4. 
 
 Have you reflected how solemn the circumstances of those 
 who watch for souls ? Have you felt that they must be faithful 
 whether it pleases or displeases their hearers ? 
 
 152. Do faithful ministers pray for their people ? 
 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our Gon would 
 
 count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good plea- 
 sure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That 
 the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and 
 ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord 
 Jesus Christ.- For this cause we also, since the day we heard 
 it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be 
 fdled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual 
 understanding ; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto 
 :ill pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing 
 in the knowledge of God ; Strengthened with all might, ac- 
 cording to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suf- 
 ering with joyfulness. 2 Thes. 1. 11, 12. Col. 1. 9—11. || In- 
 tances of this nature. Moses, Ex. 32. 11, &c. and Num. 
 14. 13, &c. Samuel, 1 Sam. 12. 23. Daniel, Dan. 9. 4, &c. 
 Amos, Amos 7. 2 — 6. Intercession was forbidden Jeremiah. 
 Jer. 7. 16. 
 
 Do you not reflect that pious ministers have prayed and per- 
 haps wept over you in their closets ? How great a blessing to 
 have a truly devout minister ? 
 
 153. What blessings are promised to faithfulness in the 
 ??? inistry ? 
 
 Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I 
 nring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me : and if thou 
 take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth : 
 let them return unto thee ; but return not thou unto them.- 
 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine ; continue in 
 them : for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them 
 that hear thee.- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye 
 shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.- And they 
 that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; 
 and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever 
 and ever. Jer. 15. 19. 1 Tim. 4. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 4. Dan. 12. 3. 
 || 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. Jam. 1. 12. Mat. 28. 20. 
 
 Are you willing to have ministers, faithful towards you** 
 How great the honour of labouring for the salvation of souls I 
 
79 
 
 154. What are the characters and destination of false teachers ? 
 
 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them 
 very one is given to covetousness ; and from the prophet even 
 unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed 
 also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, 
 Peace, peace ; when there is no peace.- Therefore thus saith 
 the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets ; Behold, I will feed 
 them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall : 
 for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth 
 into all the land. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not 
 unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you : they 
 make you vain : they speak a vision of their own heart, and 
 not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them 
 that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace ; and 
 they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of 
 his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. I have heard 
 what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, 
 I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in 
 the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies ? yea, they are 
 prophets of the deceit of their own heart ; Which think to cause 
 my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell 
 every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgetten my 
 name for Baal.- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, 
 transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Jer. 6. 13, 
 14. and 23. 15—17, 25—27. 2 Cor. 11. 13. || Ez. 13. 10—16, 
 22, 23. and 34. 4. Rom. 16. 17, 18. 2 Pet. 2. 1—3. 
 
 Should it not be decisive against any professed teacher of re- 
 ligion, if his instructions tend to comfort the sinner in love with 
 his sins ? Ought you not fervently to pray that God would by 
 his grace rescue false teachers and their followers from the ruin 
 before them. 
 
 155. To what test should we bring professed teachers of re- 
 ligion, articles of faith, and rules of practice ? 
 
 To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not accord- 
 ing to this word, it is because there is no light in them.- For I 
 testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy 
 of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall 
 add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : And if 
 any man shall take away from the words of the book of this 
 prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, 
 and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written 
 in this book. Is. 8. 20. Rev. 22. 18, 19. || Jude 3, 4. Mat. 24. 
 11. 1 Cor. 11. 19. 1 John 4. 1—6. 
 
 Since the Scriptures are the only infallible test wHh what 
 
80 
 
 eagerness should the young store their minds with inspired 
 truth ? Can you be too much engaged in this business ? 
 
 156. TVJiat are some important duties toward ministers ? 
 
 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should 
 seek the law at his mouth : for he is the messenger of the Lord 
 of hosts.- And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which 
 labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish 
 you ; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's 
 sake. And be at peace among yourselves.- Let him that is 
 taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all 
 good things.— Do ye not know that they which minister about 
 holy things live of the things of the temple, and they which 
 wait at the altar are partakers with the altar ? Even so hath 
 the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should 
 live of the gospel.- Obey them that have the rule over you, 
 and submit yourselves : for they watch for your souls, as they 
 that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not 
 with grief : for that is unprofitable for you. Mai. 2. 7. 1 Thes. 
 5. 12, 13. GaL 6. 6. 1 Cor. 9. 13, 14. Heb. 13. 17. || and 13. 
 7. DeuL 17. 9—11. 1 Cor. 16. 16. Phil. 2. 29, 30. Mai. 3. 8—10. 
 
 Have you rendered that love, support and obedience to your 
 spiritual guide which the Gospel enjoins ? Has it been because 
 he was an ambassador of Christ ? 
 
 157- Are we required to pray for ministers of the Gospel? 
 
 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send 
 forth labourers into his harvest.- Now 1 beseech you, brethren, 
 for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, 
 that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.- 
 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may 
 open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gos- 
 pel.- Finally, brethreu, pray for us, that the word of the Lord 
 may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you ; 
 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked 
 men : for all men have not faith. Mat. 9. 38. Rom. 15. 30. 
 Eph. 6. 19. 2Thes, 3. 1, 2. || 2 Cor. 1. 10, 11. Phil. 1. 19. Acts 
 12. 5—7. 1 Thes. 5. 25. Heb. 13. 18, 19. 
 
 In closet, in family, and in public worship have your hearts 
 been often lifted to God in prayer for those who watch for your 
 souls ? Would not fervent prayer for ministers bring blessings on 
 their ministry to those who ofler them ? 
 
 158. Are consequences of infinite importance to immortal souls 
 connected with a preached Gospel ? 
 
 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be 
 saved How then shall they call on him in whom they have 
 
81 
 
 not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of whom they 
 have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? 
 And how shall they preach, except they be sent ? as it is writ- 
 ten, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel 
 of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.- For the 
 preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness ; but 
 unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is 
 written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to 
 .othing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise ? 
 where is the scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? hath 
 not God made foolish the wisdom of this world ? For after that 
 in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it 
 pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that 
 believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek 
 after wisdom : But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a 
 stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness ; But unto 
 them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power 
 of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of 
 God is wiser than men ; and the weakness of God is stronger 
 than men. Rom. 10. 13—15. 1 Cor. 1. 18—25. || 1 Thes. 1. 5. 
 2 Cor. 2. 15, 16. and 5. 20. Eph. 4. 11—13. 
 
 Ought you not ever to feel that the preached Gospel is to 
 you either the savour of life unto life, or of death unto death ? 
 Would not this awaken the deepest interest ? 
 
 159. What are the consequences of contemning, or even 
 neglecting the instructions of faithful ministers ? 
 
 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, 
 and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they 
 made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear 
 the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in 
 his Spirit by the former prophets ; therefore came a great wrath 
 from the Lord of hosts. Therefore *it is 'come to pass, that as 
 he cried, and they would not hear ; so they cried, and I would 
 not hear, saith the Lord of hosts.- And whosoever shall not 
 receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that 
 house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto 
 you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Go- 
 morrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Zech. 7. 
 11—13. Mat. 10. 14, 15. || Deut. 17. 12. Ez. 33. 30—33. 
 2 Chron. 36. 15, 16. 2 Tim. 4. 3, 4. 
 
 Have you never neglected the instruction of faithful minis- 
 ters ? Are you sufficiently humbled before God on this account ? 
 
 160. How should the written and dispensed word of God be 
 treated ? 
 
 Search the scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal 
 
82 
 
 life : And they are they which testify of me.- In whom ye also 
 trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of 
 your salvation : in whom also after that ye believed, ye were 
 sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.- As n< v.-born babes, 
 desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby : 
 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.- Wherefore 
 lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and re- 
 ceive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save 
 your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, 
 deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, 
 and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face 
 in a glass : For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and 
 straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. John 5. 
 39. Eph. 1. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 2, 3. Jam. 1. 21—24. || 1 Cor. 1. 21. 
 and 15. 1, 2. Acts 17. 11, 12. Heb. 4. 1, 2. 
 
 Have you read and heard the word of God with diligence, 
 interest, prayerfulness, and self-application ? Have you felt that 
 God addresses you in his word ? 
 
 161. What are the advantages of rightly attending to the writ- 
 ten or dispensed word ? 
 
 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and 
 gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.- 
 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, 
 or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all : 
 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest ; and so 
 falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that 
 God is in you of a truth.- The statutes of the Lord are right, 
 rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, 
 enlightening the eyes.- To open their eyes, and to turn them 
 from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, 
 that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among 
 them which are sanctified*by faith that is in me.- For whatso- 
 ever things were written aforetime, were written for our learn- 
 ing, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures 
 mi^ht have hope. Neh. 8. 8. 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. Ps. 19. 8. 
 Ac°ts 26. 18. Rom. 15. 4. || and 10. 13—17. 2 Tim. 3. 15—17. 
 
 Have you found the word of God enlightening, purifying, and 
 comforting to your hearts ? Have you derived from it all the 
 spiritual blessings which you might have done ? 
 
 162. Are we required to love all mankind ? 
 
 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one 
 another ; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 
 By«vhis shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have 
 love one to another.- Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine 
 heart : thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not 
 
83 
 
 suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any 
 grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love 
 thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. And if a stranger 
 sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the 
 stranger thafcdwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born 
 among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were 
 strangers in the land of Egypt : I am the Lord your God. John 
 13. 34, 35. Lev. 19. 17, 18, 33, 34. || 1 John 3. 11, 15, 18. 
 Luke 10. 25—37. 
 
 Are your hearts filled with benevolent affections towards all 
 mankind, and with complacent love towards the pious ? 
 
 163. Does the benign Godlike spirit of Christianity require 
 us to exercise love and kindness towards our very enemies ? 
 
 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy 
 neighbour, and hate thine enemy : But I say unto you, Love your 
 enemies,, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate 
 you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and perse- 
 cute you ; That ye may be the children of your Father which 
 is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the 
 good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.- There- 
 fore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him 
 drink : for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 
 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.- Not 
 rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing : but contrariwise 
 blessing ; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye 
 should inherit a blessing. Mat. 5. 43—45. Rom. 12. 20, 21. 
 1 Pet. 3. 9. || Luke 6. 35. Prov. 25. 21, 22. Ex. 23. 4, 5. Ps. 
 35. 12—14. 
 
 Do not these precepts respecting love to enemies provechris- 
 tianity to be from God ? Have you a heart to obey these pre- 
 cepts ? 
 
 164. What is the sentence of God^s law against murder ? 
 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed : 
 
 for in the image of God made he man.- Thou shalt not kill,— 
 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death 
 by the mouth of witnesses : but one witness shall not testify 
 against any person to cause him to die. Moreover, ye shall 
 take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty 
 of death : but he shall be surely put to death. So ye shall not 
 pollute the land wherein ye are : for blood it defileth the land : 
 and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed there- 
 in, but by the blood of him that shed it. Gen. 9. 6. Ex. 20. 
 13. Num. 35. 30, 31, 33. || Deut. 19. 10, 13. Lev. 24. 17. 1 Kin. 
 2. 5, 6, 29—34. 1 John 3. 15. Rev. 21. 8. 
 
84 
 
 Are not murderers multiplying in this land ? What doei God 
 esteem the shedding of human blood in wars ? 
 
 165. Are we not warned against sinful anger as highly crimi- 
 nal, and tending to murder ? 
 
 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : fret not thyself in any . 
 wise to do evil.- He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly : and 
 a man of wicked devices is hated. He that hath no rule 
 over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and with- 
 out walls.- An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man 
 aboundeth in transgression. Ps. 37. 8. Prov. 14. 17. and 25. 
 28. and 29. 22. || and 16. 32. and 19. 11. Eccl. 7. 9. I Mat. 5. 
 22. Eph. 4. 31. 1 John 3. 15. 
 
 Has God never seen in your heart what his law in its spiritu- 
 ality pronounces murder ? How careful ought you to be to re- 
 press sinful anger ? 
 
 166. How is manslaughter defined and treated by the law of 
 God? 
 
 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, 
 that he may live : Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, 
 whom he hated not in time past ; As when a man goeth into 
 the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetch- 
 eth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head 
 slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that 
 he die ; he shall flee unto one of these cities, and live.- But if 
 he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him 
 any thing without laying of wait, Or with any stone, where- 
 with a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, 
 that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm : 
 Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the 
 revenger of blood according to these judgments : And the con- 
 gregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the reven- 
 ger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the 
 city of his refuge, whither he was fled : and he shall abide in it 
 unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the 
 holy oil. Deut. 19. 4, 5. Num. 35. 22—25. || Ex. 21. 13. 
 Josh. 20. 3, 5. 
 
 Is not this something different from what human laws call 
 manslaughter ? How careful ought men to be of the lives of 
 others ? 
 
 167. " Who hath wo ? who hath sorrow ? who hath conten- 
 tions ? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? 
 who hath redness of eyes .?" (x) 
 
 They that tarry long at the wine ; they that go to seek mixed 
 (x) See Appendix, Note X. 
 
85 
 
 wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when 
 it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 
 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.- 
 Wo unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of 
 strength to mingle strong drink. Wo unto them that rise up 
 early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink ; that 
 continue until night, till wine inflame them ! Therefore hell 
 hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without mea- 
 sure : and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, 
 and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.- The Lord will 
 not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy 
 shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are writ- 
 ten in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out 
 his name from under heaven. Prov. 23. 30 — 32. Is. 5. 22, 11, 
 14. Deut. 29. 20. ||Is. 56. 12. 2 Pet. 2. 12, 13. Prov. 23. 19—21. 
 Luke 21. 34. (y) 
 
 Does not intemperance insensibly steal upon the most of 
 drunkards ? Can you be too watchful against the least ap- 
 proach towards this pernicious but prevalent evil ? 
 
 168. Is not every species of dishonesty as well as theft for- 
 bidden ? 
 
 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to 
 another. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in 
 mete-yard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just 
 weights, a just ephah, and a just hin shall he have : I am the 
 Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. 
 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judg- 
 ments, and do them : I am the Lord.- Let him that stole, 
 steal no more : but rather let him labour, working with his 
 hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him 
 that needeth.- For ye know what commandments we gave 
 you by the Lord Jesus. That no man go beyond and defraud 
 his brother in any matter : because that the Lord is the aven- 
 ger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.- 
 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor ex- 
 tortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Lev. 19. 11, 35 
 —37. Eph. 4. 28. 1 Thes. 4. 2, 6. 1 Cor. 6. 10. || Deut. 25. 
 13—16. Job 20. 19, 22. Amos 8. 4—7. 
 
 Are there not multitudes who allow themselves in fraud and 
 cheating, who would be ashamed to steal ? Will not you resolve 
 to have perfect integrity regulate all your dealings with men ? 
 
 169. J* not lying forbidden and abhorred of God, and detested 
 <of good men ? 
 
 These are the things that ye shall do ; Speak ye every man 
 
 (y) See Appendix, Note Y. 
 H 
 
. 86 
 
 the truth to his neighbour ; execute the judgment of truth and 
 peace in your gates : And let none of you imagine evil in your 
 hearts against his neighbour ; and love no false oath : for all 
 these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.- Keep thy tongue 
 from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.- But speaking the 
 truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is 
 the head, even Christ. Wherefore putting away lying, speak 
 every man truth with his neighbour : for we are members one of 
 another.- The lip of truth shall be established for ever : but a 
 lying tongue is but for a moment. Lying lips are abomination 
 to the Lord : but they that deal truly are his delight.- A right- 
 eous man hateth lying : but a wicked man is loathsome, and 
 cometh to shame. Zech. 8. 16, 17. Ps. 34. 13. Eph. 4. 15, 25. 
 Prov. 12. 19, 22. and 13. 5. || Jer. 9. 2—9. Mic. 6. 12, 13. Rev. 
 21.8. 
 
 Have you not much occasion to repent of falsehood ? Ought 
 you not to pray much that you may be kept from every ap- 
 proach towards it ? 
 
 170. What are the consequences of flattery, tale-bearing, and 
 slander ? 
 
 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his 
 feet.- He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets : 
 therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.- 
 Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy peo- 
 ple ; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neigh- 
 bour ; I am the Lord.- He that covereth a transgression seek- 
 eth love ; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very 
 friends.- The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they 
 go down into the innermost parts of the belly.- Where no wood 
 is, there the fire goeth out : so where there is no tale-bearer, 
 the strife ceaseth.- Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him 
 will I cut off: him that hath a high look and a proud heart 
 will not I suffer. Prov. 29. 5. and 20. 19. Lev. 19. 16. Prov. 
 17. 9. and 18. 8. and 26. 20. Ps. 101. 5. || and 12. 2, 3. Prov. 
 11. 13. and 10. 18. 
 
 How lamentably prevalent are the sins of the tongue ? Are 
 you entirely free from their guilt ? 
 
 171. Is every kind of unprofitable conversation forbidden ? 
 
 Be not deceived : Evil communications corrupt good man- 
 ners.- Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your 
 mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it 
 may minister grace unto the hearers.- Neither filthiness, nor 
 foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient : but 
 rather giving of thanks. Let no man deceive you with vain 
 words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God 
 
87 
 
 upon the children of disobedience.- But I say unto you, That 
 every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account 
 thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt 
 be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. 1 Cor. 
 15. 33. Eph. 4. 29. and 5. 4, 6. Mat. 12. 36, 37. || Col. 3. 8. and 4. 
 6. 2 Tim. 2. 14, 16. Jam. 1. 26. Prov. 21. 23. 
 
 How much vain conversation stands chargeable even upon 
 christians ? Do you mourn over it ? 
 
 172. Are there woes denounced against the covetous ? 
 
 Wo to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their 
 beds ! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is 
 in the power of their hand. And they covet fields, and take 
 them by violence ; and houses, and take them away : so they 
 oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage .- 
 Wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, 
 that he may set his nes f on high, that he may be delivered 
 from the power of evil.- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's 
 house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man- 
 servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any 
 thing that is thy neighbour's.- For the iniquity of his covetous- 
 ness was I wroth, and smote him : I hid me, and was wroth, 
 and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.- For this ye 
 know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous 
 man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom 
 of Christ and of God. Mic. 2. 1, 2. Hab. 2. 9. Ex. 20. 17. Is. 
 57. 17. Eph. 5. 5. || Jer. 6. 12, 13. Ps. 10. 3. 1 Cor. 5. 11. and 
 6. 10. 
 
 Ought you not to search your hearts prayerfully, that you 
 may detect and eradicate every vestige of this Achan within ? 
 What but this sin prevents more abundant labours for the 
 spread of the Gospel ? 
 
 173. Is the love of this world, of its riches, honours, and plea- 
 sures, both criminal and dangerous ? 
 
 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 
 If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of 
 the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the 
 world.- And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his dis- 
 ciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the 
 kingdom of God ! And the disciples were astonished at his 
 words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, 
 Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter 
 into the kingdom of God ! It is easier for a camel to go through 
 the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the king- 
 
8y 
 
 dom of God.- But they that will be rich, fall into temptation, 
 and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 
 drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money 
 is the root of all evil : which while some coveted after, they 
 have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with 
 many sorrows.- Mortify therefore your members which, are 
 upon the earth ; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, 
 evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Set 
 your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 1 John 
 2. 15, 16. Mark 10. 23—25. 1 Tim. 6. 9, 10. Col. 3. 5, 2. || Rom. 
 12. 1—3. 1 Tim. 6. 17—19. 
 
 How can you love the world so much when Christ loved it 
 so little ? Will you not pray for the spirit of Christ ? 
 
 174. <As increasing wealth tends to take off the heart and 
 thoughts from God and Eternal Things, are we not warned 
 against " the cares of this world, and the deceilfulness of riches . ? " 
 
 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the 
 Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 
 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping 
 his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which 
 I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten, and art 
 full, and has built goodly houses, and dwelt therein ; And 
 when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy 
 gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied ; And 
 thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of my hand 
 hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the 
 Lord thy God : for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, 
 that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy 
 fathers, as it is this day.- Trust not in oppression, and become 
 not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon 
 them.- Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not ? for 
 riches certainly make themselves wings ; they fly away as an 
 eagle toward heaven. Deut. 8. 10—13, 17, 10. Ps. 62. 10. 
 Prov. 23. 5. || and 30. 8, 9. Luke 8. 14. Deut. 32. 9, 13—15. 
 Jer. 9. 23, 24. Mat. 19. 21, 26. 
 
 Are you saying from day to day u who will show me any 
 worldly good ?" Have you watched and prayed not only 
 against supreme love for this world, but against inordinate love 
 of it? 
 
 175. What is the portion of rich ungodly men ? 
 
 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heri- 
 tage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. 
 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as 
 the clay ; He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and 
 
89 
 
 the innocent shall divide the silver. The rich man shall lie 
 down, but he shall not be gathered : he openeth his eyes, and 
 he is not. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare : he 
 would fain flee out of his hand. Men shall clap their hands at 
 him, and shall hiss him out of his place.- Arise, O Lord, disap- 
 point him, cast him down : deliver my soul from the wicked, 
 which is thy sword : From men which are thy hand, O Lord 
 from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and 
 whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure : they are full of 
 children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. 
 Job 27. 13, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23. Ps. 17. 13, 14. || Jam. 5. 1—5. 
 Ps. 73. 3—7, 12, 18, 19. Luke 12, 16—21. 
 
 Are you willing to have your portion in this life ? Be persua- 
 ded then not to set your affections on things seen and temporal ? 
 
 176. Since the fashion of this world is passing away, is it not 
 our duty and our wisdom to make spiritual riches, or the inter- 
 ests of the soul, the principal objects of our desires and our pur- 
 suits ? 
 
 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are 
 above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set 
 your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.- 
 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and 
 supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made 
 known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth 
 all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through 
 Christ Jesus.- Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, 
 where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break 
 through and steal : But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
 where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do 
 not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there 
 will your heart be also. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 
 and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto 
 you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the 
 morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient 
 unto the day is the evil thereof. Col. 3. 1, 2. Phil. 4. 6, 7. 
 Mat. 6. 19—21,33, 34. || Prov. 15. 16. Jer. 45. 5. John 6. 27. 
 i Pet. 5. 7. Luke 10. 41, 42. 
 
 Are your affections daily soaring to heavenly things ? Do you 
 £nd substantial happiness in any earthly object or pursuit? 
 When will you cease to pursue shadows which flee at your ap- 
 proach, or vanish when you attempt to grasp them ? 
 
 177. What directions and promises respect diligence and in- 
 dustry in the lawful concerns of life ? 
 
 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, 
 H2 
 
90 
 
 that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we 
 hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, 
 working not at all, but are busybodies. JNow them that are 
 such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
 with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.- And that 
 ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work 
 with your own hands, as we commanded you ; That ye may 
 walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may 
 have lack of nothing.- The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, 
 whether he eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich 
 will not suffer him to sleep.- Wealth gotten by vanity shall be 
 diminished : but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 
 2 Thes. 3. 10—12. 1 Thes. 4. 11, 12. Eccl. 5. 12. Prov. 13. 11. 
 || Gen. 3. 19. Ex. 20. 9. Prov. 12. 11, 24, 27. and 22. 29. Eph. 
 4.28. 
 
 Are you diligent and economical from obedience to the com- 
 mands of God ? Does it quicken you in these duties that you 
 may do good with your gains ? 
 
 178. What are some of the consequences of idleness ? 
 
 The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold ; there- 
 fore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.- The desire of 
 the slothful killeth him ; for his hands refuse to labour.- I 
 went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the 
 man void of understanding ; And lo, it was all grown over with 
 thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone 
 wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it 
 well : I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little 
 sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep : So 
 shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth ; and thy want 
 as an armed man. Prov. 20. 4. and 21. 25. and 24. 30 — 34. 
 || Ez. 16. 49. Prov. 22. 13. and 18. 9. Eccl. 10. 18. Prov. 6. 
 6—11. 
 
 If idleness is so shameful and ruinous in temporal concerns, 
 how much more pernicious in spiritual concerns ? Have you 
 renounced sinful ease and indolence ? 
 
 179. What is the conduct, language, and condemnation of the 
 proud ? 
 
 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not 
 seek after God : God is not in all his thoughts.- Therefore 
 pride compasseth them about as a chain ; violence covereth 
 them as a garment. They set their mouth against the heavens, 
 and their tongue walketh through the earth. And they say, 
 How doth God know ? and is their knowledge in the Most 
 High ?- And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief 
 seat« *n the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to 
 
91 
 
 be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.- For they, being ignorant of 
 God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own 
 righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righte- 
 ousness of God.- Every one that is proud in heart is an abomi- 
 nation to the Lord : though hand join in hand he shall not be 
 unpunished.- The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the 
 haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone 
 shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts 
 shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every 
 one that is lifted up ; and he shall be brought low. Ps. 10. 4. 
 and 73. 6, 9, 11. Mat. 23. 6, 7. Rom. 10. 3. Prov. 16. 5. Is. 2. 
 11, 12. || 1 Sam. 2. 3. Prov. 11. 2. and 16. 18, 19. and 21. 4. 
 and 29. 23. Jer. 13, 15, 16. Luke 14. 11. 
 
 Of what have you to be proud but ignorance, pollution, and 
 weakness ? Dare you longer cherish pride ? 
 
 180. •Are not mankind prone to be unmindful of their crea- 
 tor who is ever mindful of his creatures for good ? 
 
 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, 
 be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have com- 
 mitted two evils ; they have forsaken me the fountain of living 
 waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can 
 hold no water. Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride 
 her attire ? yet my people have forgotten me days without 
 number.- A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping 
 and supplications of the children of Israel : for they have per- 
 verted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God.- 
 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that 
 forget God.- Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I 
 tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Jer. 2. 12, 
 *3, 32. and 3. 21. Ps. 9. 17. and 50. 22. || Is. 1. 2, 3. Ps. 44. 20, 
 21. Deut. 8. 11, 19. Hos. 13. 6. 
 
 Had God been as unmindful of you as you have of him, 
 what would have become of you ? How base, how criminal, 
 how dangerous, is forgetfulness of God ? 
 
 181. What is the sum of marts duty ? 
 
 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
 with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
 mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the 
 second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
 On these two commandments hang all the law and the pro- 
 phets.- Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men 
 should do to you, do ye even so to them : for this is the law and 
 the prophets.- Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter : 
 Fear God, and keep his commandments : for this is the 
 whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into 
 
92 
 
 judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or 
 whether it be evil. Mat. 22. 37 — 40. and 7. 12. Eccl. 12. 
 13, 14. 
 
 Have you reverenced, loved, and served God ? Are you now 
 desirous of doing your whole duty ? 
 
 182. Who prepares the heart to love and serve God ? 
 
 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself : it is 
 not in man that walketh to direct his steps.- The preparations 
 of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the 
 Lord.- Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble : thou 
 wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.- 
 Thus saith the Lord God ; I will yet for this be inquired of by 
 the house of Israel, to do it for them ; I will increase them with 
 men like a flock. A new heart also will I give you, and a new 
 spirit will I put within you : and I will take away the stony 
 heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 
 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in 
 my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 
 Jer. 10. 23. Prov. 16. 1. Ps. 10. 17. Ez. 36. 37, 26, 27. || Ps. 
 119. 32, 65, 33. Jer. 32. 39, 40. Phil. 2. 13. Jam. 1. 16—18. 
 Ezra 7. 27. 2 Cor. 8. 16. Neh. 2. 12. 
 
 Do you feel your entire dependance on God for every thing 
 morally good ? Dare you use this as an excuse for continuance 
 in sin ? Would it answer to be plead at the bar of God ? 
 
 183. Do the prayers of God^s people acknowledge their entire 
 dependance on him ? 
 
 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers : let 
 him not leave us, nor forsake us : That he may incline our hearts 
 unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his command- 
 ments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he command- 
 ed our fathers.- I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning him- 
 self thus ; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a 
 bullock unaccustomed to the yoke : turn thou me, and 1 shall 
 be turned ; for thou art the Lord my God.- Create in me a 
 clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me. 1 
 Kings 8. 57, 58. Jer. 31. 18. Ps. 51. 10. || Heb. 13. 20, 21. 2 
 Thes. 2. 16, 17. 
 
 Did you ever pray u Create in me a clean heart, O God ?" 
 Without feeling guilty and helpless in yourselves, have you 
 ever prayed aright ? 
 
 1 84. Does their language express their dependance ? 
 
 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as 
 of ourselves ; but our sufficiency is of God.- I can do all things 
 through Christ which strengtheneth me.- But by the grace of 
 
93 
 
 God I am what I am : and his grace which was bestowed upon 
 me, was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than 
 they all : yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 
 2 Cor. 3. 5. Phil. 4. 13. 1 Cor. 15. 10. || Eph. 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 
 1. Is. 26. 12. 
 
 If you hope you have any measure of right views and affec- 
 tions, who hath made you to differ ? Did you or did grace make 
 the difference ? # 
 
 185. What Scripture directions manifestly imply free-agency, 
 and require activity in the creature ? 
 
 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and 
 he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw 
 nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your 
 hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep : 
 let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to hea- 
 viness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he 
 shall lift you up.- Wash you, make you clean : put away 
 the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do 
 evil ; Learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, 
 judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.- Therefore I will 
 judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, 
 saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all 
 your transgressions ; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast 
 away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have trans- 
 gressed ; and make you a new heart and a new spirit : for why 
 will ye die, O house of Israel ? For 1 have no pleasure in the 
 death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God : wherefore turn 
 yourselves, and live ye.- Ho, every one that thirsleth, come ye 
 to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy, and 
 eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and with- 
 out price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not 
 bread ? and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? hearken 
 diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your 
 soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto 
 me : hear, and your soul shall live ; and I will make an ever- 
 lasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 
 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him 
 while he is near : Let the wicked forsake his way, and the un- 
 righteous man his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, 
 and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will 
 abundantly pardon. Jam. 4. 7—10. Is. 1. 16, 17. Ez. 18. 30 
 —32. Is. 55. 1—3. 6, 7. || Hos. 10. 12. Observe the pur- 
 port op the Scriptures throughout. 
 
 Do you not feel yourselves to be moral agents free as crea- 
 tures can be ? If unable to comprehend the . union of Divine 
 
94 
 
 efficiency and free-agency, is there not irresistible evidence of 
 their existing together ? 
 
 186. When it is best, perhaps the only time to begin a reli- 
 gious life? 
 
 Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear 
 his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the 
 day of temptation in the wilderness. Take heed, brethren, 
 lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in depart- 
 ing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while 
 it is called To-day ; lest any of you be hardened through the 
 deceitfulness of sin.- For he saith, I have heard thee in a time 
 accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee : 
 
 BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME ; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE 
 
 day of salvation.- Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice 
 with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest be be angry, and ye perish 
 from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed 
 are all they that put their trust in him. Heb. 3. 7, 8, 12, 13. 2 
 Cor. 6. 2. Ps. 2. 11, 12. || Gen. 6. 3. Heb. 4. 7. Jam. 4. 
 13—17. 
 
 Can any of you be so unwise, so presumptuous, as to defer 
 your souPs concerns till to-morrow ? Where would you be 
 should you not live till to-morrow ? 
 
 187. Is this life a state of probation f 
 
 Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man 
 soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his 
 flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption : but he that soweth to 
 the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.- Therefore, 
 brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 
 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die : but if ye through the 
 Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.- For we 
 must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ ; that every 
 one may receive the things done in his body, according to that 
 he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Gal. 6. 7, 8. Rom. 
 8. 12, 13. 2 Cor. 5. 10. || Is. 61. 2. Hos. 10. 12, 13. 
 
 Are you sowing to the flesh as to the Spirit ? Are you desi- 
 rous of living every day with reference to a never ending 
 eternity ? 
 
 188. // is appointed unto all men once to DIE ? 
 
 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, ani full of 
 trouble.- For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as 
 were all our fathers : our days on the earth are as a shadow, 
 and there is none abiding.- For he knoweth our frame ; he 
 remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as 
 grass : as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind 
 
95 
 
 passeth over it, and it is gone ; and the place thereof shall 
 know it no more.- The Lord killeth, and maketh alive : he 
 bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.- There is no man 
 that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit : neither hath 
 he power in the day of death : and there is no discharge in 
 that war ; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given 
 to it. Job. 14. 1. 1 Chron. 29. 15. Ps. 103. 14—16. 1 Sam. 2. 
 6. Eccl. 8. 8. || Job 16. 22. and 30. 23. Ps. 39. 4, 5. Job 4. 12, 
 20. and 14. 2, 5, 10, 12, 19, 20. and 21. 23—26. 
 
 How do you feel respecting your own death ? Do you try to 
 banish from your minds the thoughts of dying ? Or are you 
 willing to render this subject more familiar to your thoughts ? 
 
 189. Is the time of death extremely uncertain? 
 
 Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into 
 such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and 
 get gain ; Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. 
 For what is your life ? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a 
 little time, and then vanisheth away.- Boast not thyself of 
 to-morrow ; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.- 
 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.- 
 Therefore be ye also ready : for in such an hour as ye think 
 not, the Son of man cometh.- Lord, make me to know mine 
 end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may 
 know how frail I AM. Jam. 4. 13, 14. Prov. 27. 1. Job 21. 23. 
 Mat. 24. 44. Ps. 39. 4. || Gen. 3. 19. and 27. 2. I Sam. 20. 3. 
 Ps. 90. 5, 6. 
 
 Do we often reflect that our mortal lives may terminate soon 
 and suddenly ? Does not death overtake most persons unex- 
 pectedly? What if our souls should this night be required 
 of us ? 
 
 190. " If a man die shall he live again .?" Job 14. 14. 
 Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in the which all 
 
 that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come 
 forth ; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life ; 
 and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damna- 
 tion.- Behold, I shew you a mystery ; We shall not all sleep, 
 but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an 
 eye, at the last trump : for the trumpet shall sound, and the 
 dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal 
 must put on immortality.- For this we say unto you by the 
 word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the 
 coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, 
 
96 
 
 with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God 
 and the dead in Christ shall rise first : Then we which are alive 
 and remain shall be caught up together with them in the 
 clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be 
 with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these 
 words. John 5. 28, 29. 1 Cor. 15. 51—53. 1 Thes. 4. 15—18. 
 || Rev. 20. 6, 13, 14. Job 19. 25—27. Acts 24. 15, 16. Ps. 16. 8, 
 9, 11. Dan. 12. 2. 1 Cor. 15. 12, &c. 
 
 Where is the doctrine of the resurrection taught clearly but 
 in the Bible ? How solemn, how interesting, how precious is 
 this doctrine ? 
 
 191. Who will "judge the world in righteousness .?" 
 
 For the Father judgeth no man ; but hath committed all 
 judgment unto the Son.- Because he hath appointed a day, in 
 the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that 
 man whom he hath ordained : whereof he hath given assurance 
 unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.- For 
 it is written, As 1 live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to 
 me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one 
 of us shall give account of himself to God.- When the Son of 
 man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, 
 then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory : And before him 
 shall be gathered all nations : and he shall separate them one 
 from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats : 
 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on 
 the left. John 5. 22. Acts 17. 31. Rom. 14. 11, 12. Mat. 25. 
 31—33. || Rev. 20. 11, 12. Eccl. 12. 14, 11, 9. Jude 14. 15. 
 Rom. 2. 3—16. Mat. 16. 27. and 24. 36—42. Luke 9. 26. 
 || Mark 13. 32—37. 
 
 Must your eyes see Christ descend in judgment ? Must your 
 feet stand before the Son of man ? Must your ears hear the 
 irrevocable sentence from his lips ? Can you feel stupid ? 
 
 192. What will be the sentence of the righteous ? 
 
 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, 
 ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you 
 from the foundation of the world : For 1 was a hungered, and 
 ye gave me meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink : I was 
 a stranger, and ye took me in : Naked, and ye clothed me : I 
 was sick, and ye visited me : I was in prison, and ye came unto 
 me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when 
 saw we thee a hungered, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave 
 thee drink ? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ? 
 or leaked, and clothed thee ? Or when saw we thee sick, or in 
 prison, and came unto thee ? And the King shall answer and 
 
97 
 
 say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have 
 done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have 
 done it unto me.- Therefore are they before the throne of God, 
 and serve him day and night in his temple : and he that sitteth 
 on the throne shall dwell among" them* They shall hunger no 
 more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on 
 them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of 
 the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living 
 fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from 
 their eyes.- And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, 
 clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the 
 Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of 
 the river was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner 
 of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month : and the leaves of 
 the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall 
 be no more curse : but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall 
 be in it ; and his servants shall serve him. Blessed are they that 
 do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of 
 life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Mat. 25. 
 34—40. Rev. 7. 15—17. and 22. 1—3, 14. || 1 Cor. 2. 9, 10. 
 and 13. 9—12. 1 Pet. 1. 3— 5. 2 Pet. 1. 10, 11. Heb. 4. 9, 11. 
 Rev. 3. 21. Rom. 2. 7. Mat. 6. 9—21. 
 
 Should your characters be sealed from this moment, would 
 your portion be with holy beings ? Have you a relish for the 
 employments and enjoyments of heaven ? 
 
 193. What will be the doom of the wicked ? 
 
 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart 
 from me, ye cursed, into everlasting lire, prepared for the devil 
 and his angels : For I was a hungered, and ye gave me no 
 meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink : I was a stran- 
 ger, and ye took me not in : naked, and ye clothed me not : 
 sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. The*n shall they 
 also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, 
 or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did 
 not minister unto thee ? Then shall he answer them, saying, 
 Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the 
 least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away 
 mto everlasting punishment : but the righteous into life eter- 
 nal.- Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, 
 and a horrible tempest : this shall be the portion of their cup. 
 Mat. 25. 41—46. Ps. 11. 6. || Prov. 1. 24—31. Mai. 4. 1. 
 2 Thes. 1. 7—9. Is. 33. 14. Ez. 22. 14. Mat. 13. 40—42. Rev. 
 14. 9—11. and 20. 10, 14, 15. and 21. 8. || Luke 13, 24—28. 
 
 Can you doubt for a moment that the God of truth will exe- 
 cute his threatenings ? Let me affectionately request you to 
 consult the Scriptures which follow this answer. Could any 
 
98 
 
 language prove the doctrine of endless punishments if the 
 passages quoted below do not ? 
 
 Final States of the Righteous and the Wicked 
 contrasted. 
 
 From men which are thy hand, O Lord from men of the world, 
 which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fin- 
 est with thy hid treasure : they are full of children, and leave 
 the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will 
 behold thy face in righteousness : / shall be satisfied, when I 
 awake, with thy likeness.- The hope of the righteous shall be 
 gladness : but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.- And 
 many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, 
 some to everlasting life, and some to shame and ever- 
 lasting contempt.- Whose fan is in his hand, and he will 
 thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the gar- 
 ner ; But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.- 
 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and 
 west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, 
 in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom 
 shall be cast out into outer darkness : there shall be weeping 
 and gnashing of teeth.- His lord said unto him, Well done, 
 good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few 
 things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into 
 the joy of thy lord. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into 
 outer darkness : there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, 
 ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for 
 you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also 
 unto them on the left hand, DEPART from me, ye cursed, 
 into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 
 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment : but the 
 righteous into life eternal.- He that believeth and is baptized, 
 shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned.- 
 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten 
 Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but 
 have everlasting life.- Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth 
 my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. 
 He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and 
 laid the foundation on a rock : and when the flood arose, the 
 stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake 
 it : for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth and 
 doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house 
 upon the earth, against which the stream did beat vehemently, 
 and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.- 
 Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in the which all that 
 
99 
 
 are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth ; 
 they that have done good unto the resurrection of life ; 
 and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of dam 
 nation.- Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same 
 lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dis- 
 honour ? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make 
 his power known, endured with much long-suffering; the ves- 
 sels of wrath fitted to destruction : And that he might make 
 known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he 
 had afore prepared unto glory.- He that overcometh shall in- 
 herit all things ; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 
 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and 
 murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, 
 and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth 
 with fire and brimstone : which is the SECOND DEATH. Ps. 
 17. 14, 15. Prov. 10. 28. Dan. 12. 2. Mat. 3. 12. and 8, 11, 12, 
 and 25. 23, 30, 34, 41, 46. Mark 16. 16. John 3. 16. Luke 6. 
 47__49. John 5. 28, 29. Rom. 9. 21—23. Rev. 21. 7, 8. 
 
 Words used to express the duration of future 
 punishment. 
 
 Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, 
 and cast them from thee ; it is better for thee to enter into life 
 halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to 
 be cast into everlasting fire.- Who shall be punished with 
 everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and 
 from the glory of his power.- But he that shall blaspheme 
 against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger 
 of eternal damnation.- Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and 
 the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to 
 fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an 
 example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.- These are 
 wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest ; 
 to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.- Raging 
 waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame ; wandering 
 stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.— 
 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which 
 is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation ; 
 and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the pre- 
 sence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb : 
 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and 
 ever : and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the 
 beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his 
 name.- And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose 
 up for ever and ever. Mat. 18, 8. 2 Thes. 1. 9. Mark 3. 
 29. Jude 7. 2 Pet. 2. 17, Jude 13. Rev, 14. 10, 11. and 19. 3. 
 
100 
 
 Phrases used to express the duration of future 
 punishment. 
 
 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy 
 shall be forgiven unto men : but the blasphemy against the 
 Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever 
 speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven 
 him : but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall 
 not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world 
 to come.- But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost 
 hath NEVER forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damna- 
 tion.- If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto 
 death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin 
 not unto death. There is a sin unto death : I do not say 
 that he shall pray for it.- For it is impossible for those who 
 were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly 
 gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have 
 tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to 
 come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repen- 
 tance ; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, 
 and put him to an open shame.- For if we sin wilfully after 
 that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there re- 
 maineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking 
 for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the 
 adversaries.- For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the 
 whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away ?- The Son of 
 man goeth, as it is written of him : but wo unto that man by 
 whom the Son of man is betrayed ! it had been good for 
 
 THAT MAN IF HE HAD NOT BEEN BORN.- And it Came to pass, 
 
 that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abra- 
 ham's bosom- The rich man also died, and was buried : And 
 in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abra- 
 ham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And besides all this, 
 between us and you there is a great gulf fixed : so that they 
 which would pass from hence to you, cannot ; neither can they 
 pass to us, that would come from thence.- He that believeth 
 on the Son hath everlasting life : and he that believeth not the 
 Son, shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on 
 him.- Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye 
 shall seek me, and shall die in your sins : whither I go, ye can- 
 not come.- For many walk, of whom I have told you often, 
 and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of 
 the cross of Christ-: Whose end is destruction, whose god is 
 their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earth- 
 ly things.- And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better 
 for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go 
 into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.- The 
 sinners in Zion are afraid ; fearfulness hath surprised the hype- 
 
101 
 
 crites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring 
 fire ? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings ? 
 Mat. 12. 31, 32. Mark 3. 29. 1 John 5. 16. Heb. 6. 4—6. and 
 10. 26, 27. Luke 9. 25. Mat. 26. 24. Luke 16. 22, 23, 26. John 
 3. 36. and 8. 21. Phil. 3. 18, 19. Mark 9. 43. Is. 33. 14. 
 
 194. What influence ought these truths to have on our minds ? 
 
 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what 
 manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and 
 godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day 
 of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, 
 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless 
 we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new 
 earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, 
 seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be 
 found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.- Enter ye 
 in at the strait gate ; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, 
 that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in 
 thereat : Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, 
 which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.- Be ye 
 also patient ; establish your hearts : for the coming of the Lord 
 draweth nigh.- And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time 
 your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, 
 and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 
 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be account- 
 ed worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, 
 and to stand before the Son of man.- And the Lord make you 
 to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward 
 all men, even as we do toward you. To the end he may 
 establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even 
 our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his 
 saints. 2 Pet. 3. 11—14. Mat. 7. 13, 14. Jam. 5. 8. Luke 21. 
 34, 36. 1 Thes. 3. 12, 13. || Col. 3. 5, 8. 1 Pet. 1. 7, 8, 13—15. 
 
 Can any of you suffer these momentous truths to leave you 
 in stupidity ? Shall it not quicken the pious to more zeal and 
 activity in religion ? Though I may never see you in time, let 
 me here earnestly beseech you to prepare for death, judgment, 
 
 and ETERNITY. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL OUTLINES OF TIMOTHY. 
 
 Timothy was a native of Asia Minor. His father was a 
 Greek. His mother Eunice, and grandmother Louis, were emi- 
 nently pious Jewesses, whose religious fidelity -will be had in 
 everlasting remembrance.- His traits of moral character 
 were, early and intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures, — 
 vital faith and holy disinterestedness. ADvANTAGESofthe.se 
 heavenly characteristicks.- He acquired a deep insight into 
 the eternal rules of truth and duty.- His usefulness was 
 eminent, and his latter end transcendently glorious. 
 1*2 
 
102 
 
 HISTORICAL QUESTIONS. 
 
 It would be easy for the pupils in Bible Classes to write 
 Biographical sketches of Scripture characters, and this 
 would be found a highly interesting and profitable exercise, 
 by those who have any taste for mental improvement. Be- 
 sides the intellectual powers must be aroused in some de- 
 gree, to clothe the truth they derived from the Scriptures 
 in their own language, and many advantages would result 
 from this exercise. For a specimen of Biographical out- 
 lines of a Scripture character, See Page 101. The other 
 hints on this page would admit of being expanded by the 
 most cultivated minds. 
 
 What important circumstances do you recollect, respecting th* 
 parentage, the character, the life, or the death of the following 
 Scripture characters, or of their respective family connexions? 
 
 Of the second Adam, or Family connexions. 
 
 Of the first Adam, or Family connexions* 
 Of Enoch, or Family. Of Joseph, or Family. 
 
 Of Noah, or Family. Of Moses, or Family. 
 
 Of Abraham, or Family. Of Aaron, or Family. 
 
 Of Isaac, or Family. Of Joshua, or Family. , 
 
 Of Jacob, or Family. Of Caleb, or Family. 
 
 Of the Judges of Israel, or their Families. 
 Of David, or Family. Of Solomon, or Family. 
 
 Of the Kings of Judah, or their Families. 
 
 Of the Kings of Israel, or their Families. 
 Of the Prophets. Of the Apostles. 
 
 What miracles were performed ? What prophecies and parables 
 were uttered by Christ, his Jlposlles, or Prophets, to establish, 
 illustrate, or enforce the great truths of Divine Revelation ? 
 
 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things ? prudent, 
 and he shall know them ? for the ways of the Lord are right, 
 and the just shall walk in them : but the transgressors shall 
 fall therein. Hos. 14. 9. 
 
 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the 
 word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to 
 give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 
 Acts 20. ■ . 
 
 O, THOU, WHO ART THE INEXHAUSTIBLE FOUNTAIN OF 
 WISDOM, OF PURITY, AND OF BENEVOLENCE ; HAVE COMPAS- 
 SION ON THE DEAR YOUTH WHO PERUSE THIS. " SANCTIFY 
 THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH, THY WORD IS TRUTH," AND 
 ». OVE THEM WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE AMEN. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Note A. 
 
 In this work the short dash separates the quotations, the 
 word l and' divides -chapters, a period, the chapter and verse, 
 a comma, separates verses, and a dash is used for intervening" 
 verses. In the Scripture quotations I have adhered to the 
 punctuation of our common Bibles ; not because it was most 
 correct, but to prevent all objections- The reference figures 
 of the texts quoted are placed after the quotations and before 
 the parallel. 
 
 Note B. 
 
 The first set of references are selected to be treasured in 
 memory by the learner, the other references should be atten- 
 tively consulted. Regard to the connexion in those texts 
 designed to be treasured in memory has dictated the selection 
 and the length of many passages which precede the parallels. 
 On this account more pertinent Scriptures will often be found 
 in the second sets of references than in the first. And, though 
 considerable pains has been taken in the revisal, doubtless, in 
 many instances more pertinent texts than those collated might 
 have been selected. u My leanness, my leanness," in the 
 knowledge of the Scriptures is my only apology. Where three 
 sets of references follow any question, the first is designed to 
 exhibit, the second to display, and the third usually to enforce 
 the answer. 
 
 Note C. 
 TO JEHOVAH, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST, 
 
 BELONGETH ETERNITY I 
 
 The Fathers eternity is revealed — The eternal God is thy 
 refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.- And God 
 said unto Moses I AM THAT I AM. Deut. 33. 27. Ex. 3. 14. 
 
 The Son's eternity is revealed — The Lord possessed me in 
 the beginning of his way, before his works of old. Then 1 
 was by him, as one brought up with him : and I was daily his 
 delight, rejoicing Always before him. Prov. 8. 22, 30. 
 
104 
 
 The Spirit's eternity is revealed — How much more shall the 
 blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered him- 
 self without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead 
 works to serve the living God ? Heb. 9. 14. 
 
 Omnipresence. — The Fathers, Sec* — Can any hide himself 
 in secret places that I shall not see him ? saith the Lord. Do 
 not I fill heaven and earth ? saith the Lord.- Which is 
 his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.- 
 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? or whither shall I 
 flee from thy presence ? Jer. 23. 24. Eph. 1. 23. Ps. 139. 7. 
 
 Omniscience. — Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, 
 and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his 
 ways, whose heart thou knowest ; (for thou, even thou only, 
 knowest the hearts of all the children of men.)- And I will 
 kill her children with death ; and all the churches shall know 
 that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts : 
 and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.- 
 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit ; for the 
 Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 
 I Kings 8. 39. Rev. 2. 23. 1 Cor. 2. 10. 
 
 Wisdom, — Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name 
 of God for ever and ever : for wisdom and might are his.- In 
 whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.- 
 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, 
 may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the 
 knowledge of him. Dan. 2. 20. Col. 2. 3. Eph. 1. 17. 
 
 Power, — God hath spoken once ; twice have I heard this ; 
 that power belongeth unto God.- And Jesus came and spake 
 unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and 
 in earth.- Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of 
 the Spirit of God ; so that from Jerusalem, and round about 
 unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Ps. 
 62. 11. Mat. 28. 18. Rom. 15. 19. 
 
 Goodness, — O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good ; 
 for his mercy endureth for ever.- How God anointed Jesus of 
 Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power : who went 
 about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the 
 devil ; for God was with him.- Teach me to do thy will ; for 
 thou art my God : thy Spirit is good ; lead me into the land of 
 uprightness. 1 Chron. 16. 34. Acts 10. 38. Ps. 143. 10. 
 
 And Truth. — He is the Rock, his work is perfect : for all his 
 
 * In the note on the sacred trinity, after each attribute and 
 work of JEHOVAH, the first reference respects the father, 
 the second reference respects the son, and the third reference 
 respects the holy ghost. 
 
105 
 
 ways are judgment : a God of truth, and without iniquity, 
 just and right is he.- And the Word was made flesh, and 
 dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the 
 only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.- Even 
 the Spirit of truth ; whom the world cannot receive, because 
 it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but ye know him ; for 
 he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Deut. 32. 4. John 
 1. 14. and 14. 17. 
 
 JEHOVAH, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST, 
 
 Creates, 
 
 Know ye that the Lord he is God : it is he that hath made 
 us, and not we ourselves ; we are his people, and the sheep of 
 his pasture.- All things were made by him ; and without 
 him was not any thing made that was made.- The Spirit of 
 god hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath 
 given me life. Ps. 100. 3. John 1. 3. Job 33. 4. 
 
 Instructs, — It is written in the prophets, And they shall be 
 all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, 
 and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.- For I neither 
 received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revela- 
 tion of jesus christ.- But the Comforter, which is the Holy 
 Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall 
 teach you all things, and bring all things to your remem- 
 brance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 6. 45. Gal. I. 
 12. John 14. 26. 
 
 Leads, — Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One 
 of Israel ; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, 
 which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.- To 
 him the porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his voice : and he 
 calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.- For 
 as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of 
 God. Is. 48. 17. John 10. 3. Rom. 8. 14. 
 
 Sanctifies — Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of 
 James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and 
 preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.- For both he that sancti- 
 fieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one : for which 
 cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.'- That I should 
 be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the 
 gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be 
 acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Jude 1. 
 Heb. 2. 11. Rom. 15. 16. 
 
 And Quickens.— For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and 
 quickeneth them ; even so the Son quickeneth whom he 
 will.- It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth 
 
10G 
 
 nothing : the words that 1 speak unto you, they are spirit, and 
 they are life. John 5. 21. and 6. 63. 
 
 All spiritual and divine operations are performed by the 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to WHOM be ascribed 
 All the glory for ever. Amen. 
 
 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same 
 God which worketh all in all.- Where there is neither 
 Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, 
 Scythian, bond nor free ; but Christ is all, and in all.- But 
 all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, divid- 
 ing to every man severally as he will. 1 Cor. 12. 6. Col. 3. 11. 
 1 Cor. 12. 11. 
 
 Note D. 
 
 We have conclusive evidence that God directs and governs all 
 things either by general or special providence. 
 
 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? and one of them 
 shall not fall on the ground without your Father.- Who know- 
 eth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought 
 this ? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the 
 breath of all mankind. Behold, he breaketh down and it can- 
 not be built again : he shutteth up a man, and there can be no 
 opening. Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up • 
 also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. With 
 him is strength and wisdom : the deceived and the deceiver are 
 his. He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the 
 strength of the mighty. He increaseth the nations, and de- 
 stroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straighteneth 
 them again. He taketh away the heart of the chief of the 
 people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilder 
 ness where there is no way.- And all the inhabitants of the 
 earth are reputed as nothing : and he doeth according to his 
 will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the 
 earth : and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What 
 doest thou ?- Let all the earth fear the Lord : let all the in- 
 habitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and 
 it was done ; he commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord 
 bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought : he maketh the 
 devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord 
 standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.- 
 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsel- 
 lor, hath taught him ? With whom took he counsel, and who 
 instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and 
 taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of under 
 
107 
 
 standing? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and 
 are counted as the small dust of the balance : behold, he tak- 
 eth up the isles as a very little thing. It is he that sitteth upon 
 the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grass- 
 hoppers ; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and 
 spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in : That bringeth the 
 princes to nothing ; he maketh the judges of the earth as vani- 
 ty. Yea, they shall not be planted : yea, they shall not be 
 sown : yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth : and he 
 shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the 
 whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. Mat. 10. 29. Job 
 12. 9, 10, 14—16, 21, 23, 24. Dan. 4. 35. Ps. 33. 8—11. Is. 40. 
 13—15, 22—24. 
 
 The 104th Ps. deserves particular attention. 
 
 Note E. 
 
 A Scriptural description of the unrenewed heart. 
 
 In connexion with the following texts of Scripture, 
 it should be remembered, divine veracity has decided 
 that, M As in water, face answereth to face ; so the 
 heart of man to man." — Prov. 27. 1 9. 
 
 // is wicked, — Beware that there be not a thought in thy 
 wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is 
 at hand ; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and 
 thou givest him nought ; and he cry unto the Lord against 
 thee, and it be sin unto thee. Deut. 15. 9. 
 
 Froward, — Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief 
 continually ; he soweth discord.- They that are of a froward 
 heart are abomination to the Lord : but such as are upright 
 in their way are his delight. Prov. 6. 14. and 11. 20. 
 
 Perverse, — A man shall be commended according to his wis- 
 dom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 
 Prov. 12. 8. 
 
 Rebellious, — But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious 
 heart ; they are revolted and gone. Jer. 5. 23. 
 
 Impenitent, — But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, 
 treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and 
 revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Rom. 2. 5. 
 
 Hard, — O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth ? thou 
 hast stricken them, but they have not grieved ; thou hast con- 
 sumed them, but they have refused to receive correction : they 
 have made their faces harder than a rock ; they have refused 
 to return.- Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone y 
 lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord 
 
108 
 
 of hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former prophets : there- 
 fore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Jer. 5. 3. 
 Zech. 7. 12. 
 
 And Stony. — A new heart also will I give you, and a new 
 spirit will I put within you : and I will take away the stony 
 heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 
 Ez. 36. 26. 
 
 It is full of Vanity and Iniquity,— -And if he come to see me, 
 he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; 
 when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. Ps. 41. 6. 
 
 Of Pride, — The wicked, through the pride of his counte- 
 nance, will not seek after God : God is not in all his thoughts. 
 Ps. 10. 4. 
 
 Of Covetousness, — Having eyes full of adultery, and that 
 cannot cease from sin ; beguiling unstable souls : a heart they 
 have exercised with covetous practices ; cursed children. 2 
 Pet. 2. 14. 
 
 Of Mischief — Which imagine mischiefs in their hearts ; con- 
 tinually are they gathered together for war. Ps. 140. 2, 
 
 Of Deceit, — Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: 
 but to the counsellors of peace is joy.- They speak vanity 
 every one with his neighbour : with flattering lips and with a 
 double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flatter- 
 ing lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things. Prov. 12. 
 20. Ps. 12. 2, 3. 
 
 Of Evil and Madness. — This is an evil among all things that 
 are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all : yea, 
 also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is 
 in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the 
 dead. Eccl. 9. 3. 
 
 REFLECTIONS. 
 
 From this Scriptural view of the unrenewed heart, it ap- 
 pears, exactly fitted, — justly deserving, — and certainly 
 exposed, to endure " indignation and wrath, tribulation and 
 anguish," in time and to eternity. No wonder that unre- 
 newed persons are deeply distressed when their hearts are 
 shewn them by the Holy Spirit. The efficacy of Christ's 
 blood, — divine power, — and free grace, are supereminent- 
 ly displayed when sinners hearts are renewed. 
 
 Note F. 
 
 Let those who have been spiritually enlightened, remem- 
 her their increased obligations, and be careful to walk worthy of 
 their high vocation. 
 
 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day : 
 
109 
 
 we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us ttot 
 sleep, as do others ; but let us watch and be sober. For they 
 that sleep, sleep in the night ; and they that be drunken are 
 drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be 
 sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith and love ; and for a 
 helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us 
 to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who 
 died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live 
 together with him.- But ye are a chosen generation, a royal 
 priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye should 
 shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of dark- 
 ness into his marvellous light : Which in time past were not a 
 people, but are now the people of God : which had not obtain- 
 ed mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I 
 beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly 
 lusts, which war against the soul ; Having your conversation 
 honest among the Gentiles : that, whereas they speak against 
 you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they 
 shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.- Ye are the 
 salt of the earth : but if the salt have lost his savour, where- 
 with shall it be salted ? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but 
 to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are 
 the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be 
 hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, 
 but on a candlestick : and it giveth light unto all that are in 
 the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may 
 see your good works., and glorify your Father which is in hea- 
 ven. 1 Thes. 5. 5—10. 1 Pet. 2. 9—12. Mat. 5. 13—16. 
 || Rom. 13. 11—14. 1 Pet. 1. 18—23. 
 
 Note G. 
 
 The author and means, nature and fruits, of evangelical 
 repentance briefly stated. 
 
 Jehovah, Father, — In meekness instructing those that op- 
 pose themselves ; if God peradventure will give them repen- 
 tance to the acknowledging of the truth. 2 Tim. 2. 25. 
 
 Son, — Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a 
 Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and for- 
 giveness of sins. Acts 5. 31. 
 
 And Spirit, — For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die : but 
 if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye 
 shall live. Rom. 8. 13. 
 
 Giveth repentance by the means of his word, written, — The 
 law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul : the testimony of 
 the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.- And he said unto 
 K 
 
110 
 
 him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they 
 be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Ps. 19. 7. Luke 
 16.31. 
 
 And dispensed. — And many of the children of Israel shall he 
 turn to the Lord their God.- To open their eyes, and to turn 
 them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto 
 God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance 
 among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Luke 
 1. 16. Acts 26. 18. 
 
 Self-examination, — Let us search and try our ways, and turn 
 again to the Lord. Lam. 3. 40. 
 
 Conviction of Sin, — What prayer and supplication soever be 
 made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall 
 know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth 
 his hands toward this house. 1 Kings 8. 38. 
 
 Self-loathing, — And there shall ye remember your ways, and 
 all your doings wherein ye have been defiled ; and ye shall 
 loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye 
 have committed. Ez. 20. 43. 
 
 Sincere confession, — And the leper in whom the plague is, his 
 clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a 
 covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean .- 
 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteous- 
 nesses are as filthy rags ; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our 
 iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Lev. 13. 45. 
 Is. 64. 6. 
 
 Fervent Petition, — And the publican, standing afar off, would 
 not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 
 his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 
 18. 13. 
 
 Turning to God, — And I will give them a heart to know me, 
 that I am the Lord : and they shall be my people, and I will be 
 their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole 
 heart. Jer. 24. 7. 
 
 In heart, — I will arise and go to my father, and will say 
 unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before 
 thee.- Set thee up way-marks, make thee high heaps: set 
 thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou 
 wentest : turn again O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy 
 cities. Luke 15. 18. Jer. 31. 21. 
 
 And in life, united, constitute genuine repentance. — I entreat- 
 ed thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me 
 according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned 
 my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not 
 to keep thy commandments. Ps. 119. 58 — 60. 
 
Ill 
 
 Note H. 
 
 A brief statement of the Author, the means, the nature, the 
 evidences, and the privileges of genuine Faith. 
 
 We are required to have strong, — He staggered not at the 
 promise of GoD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, 
 giving glory to God. Rom. 4. 20. 
 
 Steadfast, — Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like 
 men, be strong. 1 Cor. 16. 13. 
 
 Persevering — For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I 
 with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and 
 the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore 
 received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him : Rooted 
 and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have 
 been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col. 
 2. 5—7. 
 
 Faith — Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the 
 evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11.1. 
 
 In God, — And Jesus answering, saith unto them, Have faith 
 in God. Mark 11. 22. 
 
 In Christ, — Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the 
 work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 
 John 6. 29. 
 
 And in the Scriptures. — And they rose early in the morning, 
 and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa : and as they went 
 forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah. and ye 
 inhabitants of Jerusalem ; Believe in the Lord your God, so 
 shall ye be established ; believe his prophets, so shall ye pros- 
 per.- Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to 
 believe all that the prophets have spoken !- But continue thou 
 in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured 
 of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from 
 a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to 
 make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ 
 Jesus. 2 Chron. 20. 20. Luke 24. 25. 2 Tim. 3. 14, 15. 
 
 Faith has for its Author jehovah,— For I say, through the 
 grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to 
 think of himself more highly than he ought to think ; but to 
 think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the 
 measure of faith. Rom. 12. 3. 
 
 Father, — And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed 
 art thou, Simon Bar-jona : for flesh and blood hath not revealed 
 it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat. 16. 17. 
 
 Son, — Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our 
 faith ; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the 
 across, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of 
 the throne of God. Heb. 12. 2. 
 
112 
 
 And Spirit : — To another, faith by the same Spirit ; to 
 another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 1 Cor. 12. 9. 
 
 Its subordinate means, the written — But these are written, 
 that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; 
 and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 
 20. 31. 
 
 And dispensed — Neither pray I for these alone ; but for 
 them also which shall believe on me through their word. 
 John 17. 20. 
 
 Word of God ; — How then shall they call on him in whom 
 they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of 
 whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without 
 a preacher ? So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by 
 the word of God. Rom. 10. 14. 17. 
 
 And the fruits of righteousness for its evidences. — Little 
 children, it is the last time : and as ye have heard that anti- 
 christ shall come, even now are there many antichrists ; where- 
 by we know that it is the last time. 1 have not written unto 
 you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, 
 and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that de- 
 nieth that Jesus is the Christ ? He is antichrist, that denieth 
 the Father and the Son.- Teaching us, that denying ungod- 
 liness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, 
 and godly, in this present world ; Looking for that blessed 
 hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our 
 Saviour Jesus Christ. 1 John 2. 18, 21, 22. Tit. 2. 12, 13. 
 || Jam. 2. 14—20. 
 
 Justification, — Seeing it is one God which shall justify the 
 circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Rom. 
 3.30. 
 
 Adoption, — For ye are all the children of God by faith in 
 Christ Jesus. Gal. 3. 26. 
 
 Sanctification, — To open their eyes, and to turn them from 
 darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that 
 they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among 
 them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26. 18. 
 
 God^s Love, — For the Father himself loveth you, because ye 
 have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 
 John 16. 27. 
 
 Access to him by Prayer, — In whom we have boldness and 
 access with confidence by the faith of him. Eph. 3. 12. 
 
 The G-ift of the Holy Spirit, — He that believeth on me, as the 
 scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living 
 water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that be- 
 lieve on him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet 
 given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7. 38, 39. 
 
113 
 
 Heavenly Light, — I am come a light into the world, that 
 whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 
 John 12. 46. 
 
 Grace, — Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus 
 Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us 
 through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ : 
 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the know- 
 ledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Pet. 1. 1, 2. 
 
 Joy and Peace, — Now the God of hope fill you with all joy 
 and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through 
 the power of the Holy Ghost. Rom. 15. 13. 
 
 Jlnd eternal salvation, are connected with, or promised M to the 
 faith of God?* elect." — For God so loved the world, that he 
 gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, 
 should not perish, but have everlasting life. Lord, I believe ; 
 help thou mine unbelief. John 3. 16. Mark 9. 24. 
 
 Note I. 
 FREE GRACE is manifested %n electsojv. 
 
 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant 
 -according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it 
 no more of works : otherwise grace is no more graca. But 
 if it be of works, then is it no more grace : otherwise work is 
 no more work. Rom. 11. 5, 6. 
 
 Effectual calling, — Who hath saved us, and called us with a 
 holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his 
 own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus 
 before the world began.- But when it pleased God, who 
 separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his 
 grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him 
 among the heathen ; immediately I conferred not with flesh 
 and blood.- But the God of all grace, who hath called us 
 unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suf- 
 fered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle 
 you. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Gal. 1. 15, 16. 1 Pet. 5. 10. 
 
 Justification, — Being justified freely by his grace, through 
 the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Rom. 3. 24. 
 
 Remission of Sins, — In whom we have redemption through 
 his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his 
 grace. Eph 1. 7. 
 
 Adoption, — Even when we were dead in sins, hath quicken- 
 ed us together with Christ ; (by grace ye are saved ;) And 
 hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in hea- 
 venly places, in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2. 5, 6. 
 
 Sanctification and their attendants or fruits. — And God is 
 able to make all grace abound toward you ; that ye, always 
 K 2 
 
114 
 
 having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good 
 work. 2 Cor. 9. 8. 
 
 In faith, — And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, 
 the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him : 
 who, when he was come, helped them much which had 6e- 
 lieved through grace. Acts 18. 27. 
 
 Hope, — Mow our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even 
 our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlast- 
 ing consolation and good hope through grace. 2 The b 2. 16. 
 
 Prayer — And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon 
 the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of sup- 
 plications ; and they shall look upon me whom they have 
 pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his 
 only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in 
 bitterness for his first-born. Zech. 12. 10. 
 
 And Praise. — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in 
 all wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, 
 and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your 
 hearts to the Lord. Col. 3. 16. 
 
 Indeed ; salvation, from the foundation to the headstone, is 
 entirely of GRACE. — But God, who is rich in mercy, for his 
 great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in 
 sins, hath quickened us together with Christ ; (by grace ye are 
 saved ;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit 
 together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus : That in the ages 
 to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in 
 his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus. For by grace 
 are ye saved, through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is 
 the gift of God.- Who art thou, O great mountain ? before 
 Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain : and he shall bring 
 forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, 
 grace, unto it. Eph. 2. 4 — 8. Zech. 4. 7. 
 
 Note K. 
 REGENERATION. 
 
 Correct information respecting the Author, — Blessed be the 
 God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to 
 his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope 
 by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.- But as 
 many as received h;m, to them gave he power to become the 
 sons of God, even to them that believe on his name : Which 
 were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the 
 will of man, but of God- So then, it is not of him that willeth, 
 nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 1 
 Pet. 1. 3. John 1. 12, 13. Rom. 9. 16. 
 
115 
 
 Means, — But we are bound to give thanks always to God 
 for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from 
 the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of 
 the Spirit, and belief of the truth.- Being born again, not of 
 corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of god, 
 which liveth and abideth for ever.- Of his own will begat he 
 us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of 
 first-fruits of his creatures. 2 Thes. 2. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 23. Jam. 
 1. 18. 
 
 Design, — This people have I formed for myself ; they shall 
 shew forth my praise.- According as he hath chosen us in him, 
 before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and 
 without blame before him in love.- For we are his workman- 
 ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath 
 before ordained that we should walk in them. Is. 43. 21. Kph. 
 1. 4. and 2. 10. 
 
 And Evidences, — For as many as are led by the Spirit of 
 God, they are the sons of God. The Spirit itself beareth wit- 
 ness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.- He that 
 hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth 
 me : and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and 
 
 1 will love him, and will manifest myself to him.- In this the 
 children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil - 
 whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he 
 that loveth not his brother. We know that we have passed 
 from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that 
 loyeth not his brother, abideth in death. Rom. 8. 14, 16. John 
 14. 21. 1 John 3. 10, 14. 
 
 Of instantaneous, — For God, who commanded the light to 
 shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the 
 light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus 
 •Christ.- No man can serve two masters : for either he will hate 
 the one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to the one. 
 and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon 
 
 2 Cor. 4. 6, Mat. 6. 24. 
 
 REGENERATION is immensely important. 
 
 Note L. 
 Saints' 1 perseverance proved from the nature of Divine love. 
 
 " God is love." — He that loveth not, knoweth not God ; for 
 God is love. 1 John 4. 8. 
 
 His love to his people is sovereign, — For the children being 
 not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the 
 purpose of God, according to election might stand, not of 
 
116 
 
 works, but of him that calleth ; It was said unto her, The elder 
 shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, 
 but Esau have I hated.- For thou art a holy people unto the 
 Lord thy God : the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a 
 special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the 
 face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor 
 choose you, because ye were more in number than any people ; 
 for ye were the fewest of all people : But because the Lord 
 loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had 
 sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with 
 a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bond- 
 men, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Rom. 9. 11 — 13. 
 Deut. 7. 6—8. 
 
 Free, — I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely • 
 for mine anger is turned away from him. Hos. 14. 4. 
 
 Undeserved, — Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord 
 God, be it known unto you : be ashamed and confounded for 
 your own ways, O house of Israel. Ez. 36. 32. 
 
 Everlasting,'— The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, say- 
 ing, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love : therefore 
 with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. Jer. 31. 3. 
 
 Inexpressible, — For God so loved the world, that he gave his 
 only-begotten Son, that whosoever belie veth in him, should not 
 perish, but have everlasting life. John 3. 16. 
 
 Inconceivable, — And to know the love of Christ, which pass- 
 eth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of 
 God. Eph. 3. 19. 
 
 Infinite, — But God commendeth his love toward us, in that 
 while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5. 8. 
 
 Complacent, — Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth ; 
 and my delights were with the sons of men. Prov. 8. 31. 
 
 And Immutable. — Now before the feast of the passover, 
 when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should de- 
 part out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own 
 which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.- For 1 
 am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor 
 principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to 
 come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creatuje, shall be 
 able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ 
 Jesus our Lord.- But ye believe not, because ye are not of my 
 sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I 
 know them, and they follow me : And I give unto them eternal 
 life ; an d # they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them 
 out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater 
 than all ; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's 
 hand. John 13. 1. Rom. 8. 38, 39 John 10. 26—29. 
 
117 
 
 Note M. 
 
 The Scriptures strikingly contrast the CARNAL and SPIRI- 
 TUAL mind. 
 
 For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the 
 flesh : but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.— 
 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of 
 God : for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know 
 them, because they are spiritually discerned.- For many walk, 
 of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, 
 that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ : Whose end is 
 destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in 
 their shame, who mind earthly things.- Now the works of the 
 flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, un- 
 cleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, 
 emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, 
 drunkenness, revellings, and such like : of the which I tell you 
 before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which 
 do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.- But he 
 that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged oi 
 no man.- For the fruit of the Spirit, is in all goodness, and 
 righteousness, and truth.- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, 
 joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
 temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are 
 Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. 
 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us 
 not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying 
 one another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye 
 shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth 
 against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these 
 are contrary the one to the other ; so that ye cannot do the 
 things that ye would. Rom. 8. 5. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Phil. 3. 18* 
 19. Gal. 5. 19—21. 1 Cor. 2. 15. Eph. 5. 9. Gal. 5. 22—26, 
 16, 17. 
 
 And the consequences of being carnally-minded or spiritually- 
 minded. — Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; 
 for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 
 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye 
 are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of 
 God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of 
 Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is 
 dead because of sin ; but the Spirit is life because of righteous- 
 ness. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to 
 live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die . 
 but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, 
 ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, 
 
118 
 
 they are the sons of God.- But God be thanked, that ye were 
 the servants of sin ; but ye have obeyed from the heart that 
 form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made 
 free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak 
 after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your flesh : 
 for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness 
 and to iniquty, unto iniquity ; even so now yield your members 
 servants to righteousness, unto holiness. For when ye were 
 the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What 
 fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed ? 
 for the end of those things is death. But now being made 
 free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit 
 unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages 
 
 OF SIN IS DEATH : but THE GIFT OF GoD IS ETERNAL LIFE, 
 
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 8. 7 — 10, 12 — 14. and 6. 
 17—23. || and 7. 5, 6, 21, 23. 
 
 Note N. 
 
 U N. B. The preparation required to the acceptable receiv- 
 ing the Lord's Supper, are those same qualifications, that are 
 required in acceptable prayer. The sins for which men ought 
 to be excluded from this ordinance, are the same sins persisted 
 in, for which the sacred Scriptures allow that they should be 
 excluded from Christian society, and declare that such shall be 
 excluded from the kingdom of heaven. 1 ' gaston. 
 
 Note O. 
 
 The infinite compassion^Tand unparalleled love of our Divine, 
 incarnate, suffering, bleeding, and expiring Redeemer, are 
 themes of meditation adapted to this important, solemn, inter- 
 esting, and soul-iefreshing ordinance. 
 
 Note P. 
 ANGELS are in their nature superior to men, 
 
 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and 
 hast crowned him with glory and honour. Ps. 8. 5. 
 
 Their number— The chariots of God are twenty thousand, 
 even thousands of angels : the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, 
 in the holy place.- A fiery stream issued and came forth from 
 before him : thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten 
 thousand times ten thousand stood before him : the judgment 
 was set, and the books were opened.- But ye are come unto 
 Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly 
 Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. Ps. 68. 
 17. Dan. 7. 10. Heb. 12. 22. 
 
119 
 
 And names. — Above it stood the seraphims : each one had 
 six wings ; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he 
 covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.- Which he wrought 
 in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his 
 own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all princi- 
 pality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name 
 that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is 
 to come.- For by him were all things created, that are in 
 heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether 
 they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers : all 
 things were created by him, and for him.- Who is gone into 
 heaven, and is on the right hand of God ; angels, and author- 
 ities, and powers being made subject unto him. Is. 6. 2. Eph. 
 1. 20, 21. Col. 1. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 22. 
 
 They are elect — I charge thee before God, and the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these 
 things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by 
 partiality. 1 Tim. 5. 21. 
 
 Holy — The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of 
 God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his 
 indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone 
 in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the 
 Lamb. Rev. 14. 10. 
 
 Spirits, — And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels 
 spirits, and his ministers aflame of fire. Heb. 1. 7. 
 
 Excelling in strength, — Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that 
 excel in strength, that do his commandments, -hearkening unto 
 the voice of his word. Ps. 103. 20. 
 
 In wisdom — To fetch about this form of speech hath thy ser- ' 
 vant Joab done this thing : and my Lord is wise, according to 
 the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in 
 the earth. 2 Sam. 14. 20. 
 
 And in utterance. — Though I speak with the tongues of men 
 and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding 
 brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Cor. 13. 1. 
 
 They contemplate Gospel mystei ies, — Unto whom it was re- 
 vealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister 
 the things which are now reported unto you by them that have 
 preached the gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down 
 from heaven ; which things the angels desire tc look into.- To 
 the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in hea- 
 venly places might be known by the church the manifold wis- 
 dom of God. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Eph. 3. 10. 
 
 Reveal God's will, — And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man 
 greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, 
 and stand upright : for unto thee am I now sent. And when 
 
120 
 
 he had spoken this word unto me, 1 stood trembling.- Then 
 said T, O my Lord, what are these ? And the angel that talked 
 with me said unto me. I will shew thee what these be. Dan. 
 10. 11. Zech. 1. 9. 
 
 And rejoice at the conversion of sinners. — Likewise, I say 
 unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God 
 over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15. 10. 
 
 They minister to saints, — Are they not all ministering spirits, 
 sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation ? 
 Heb. 1. 14. 
 
 And inflict judgments on the wicked. — He cast upon them 
 the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, 
 by sending evil angels among them. Ps. 78. 49. 
 
 They ministered to Jesus on earth, — Then the devil leaveth 
 him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Mat. 
 4. 11. 
 
 And will attend him in the Judgment. — And to you, who are 
 troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed 
 from heaven with his mighty angels. 2 Thes. 1. 7. 
 
 They worship the Father, — And one cried unto another, and 
 said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts : the whole earth is 
 full of his glory. Is. 6. 3. 
 
 And the Son. — And again, when he bringeth in the first-be- 
 gotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God 
 worship him.- And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many 
 angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders r 
 and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand r 
 and thousands of thousands ; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy 
 is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and 
 wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and bkssing. 
 Heb. 1. 6. Rev. 5. 11, 12. 
 
 Note Q. 
 THE LORD'S PRAYER Illustrated. 
 
 Our Father, 
 
 Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant 
 of us, and Israel acknowledge us not : thou, O Lord, art our 
 Father, our Redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. Is, 
 63. 16. 
 
 By right of creation, — Have we not all one Father ? hath 
 not one God created us ? why do we deal treacherously every 
 man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our 
 fathers ? Mai. 2. 10. 
 
 By bountiful provision, — Thou openest thine hand, and satis- 
 fiest the desire of every living thing. Ps. 145. 16. 
 
 By gracious adoption. — Having predestinated us unto the 
 
121 
 
 adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to 
 the good pleasure of his will. Eph. 1. 5. 
 Who art in heaven, 
 
 Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and do according 
 to all that the stranger calleth to thee for : that all people of 
 the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people 
 Israel ; and that they may know that this house which 1 have 
 buildedis called by thy name. 1 Kings 8. 43. 
 
 The throne of thy glory, — Thus saith the Lord, The heaven 
 is my throne, and the earth is my footstool : where is the house 
 that ye built unto me ? and where is the place of my rest ? 
 Is. 66. 1. 
 
 The portion of thy children, — To an inheritance incorrupti- 
 ble, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in 
 heaven for you. 1 Pet. 1. 4. 
 
 The temple of thy angels. — In the year that king Uzziah died 
 I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, 
 and his train filled the temple. Is. 6. 1. 
 Hallowed be thy name. 
 
 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give 
 glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Ps. 115. 2. 
 
 By the thoughts of our hearts. — Teach me thy way, O Lord ; 
 I will walk in thy truth : unite my heart to fear thy name. 
 Ps. 86. 11. 
 
 By the words of our lips, — O Lord, open thou my lips, and my 
 mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Ps. 51. 15. 
 
 By the works of our hands. — Whether therefore ye eat T or 
 drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 
 10. 31. 
 
 Thy kingdom come. 
 
 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out -of Zion : 
 rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Ps. 1 10. 2. 
 
 Of providence to defend us, — Keep me as the apple of the 
 eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. Ps. 17. 8^ 
 
 Of grace to refine us, — And the very God of peace sanctify 
 you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and 
 body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 1 Thes. 5. 23. 
 
 Of glory to crown us. — When Christ, who is our life, shall 
 appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col. 3. 4. 
 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
 
 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 
 The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21. 14. 
 
 Towards us without resistance, — And Samuel told him every 
 whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is th« Lord 
 let him do what seemeth bim good. 1 Sam. 3. 18. 
 I* 
 
122 
 
 By us without compulsion, — Incline my heart unto thy testi- 
 monies, and not to covetousness. Ps. 119. 36. 
 
 Universally without exception. — And they were both right- 
 eous before God, walking in all the commandments and 
 ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1. 6. 
 
 Eternally without declension. — I will never forget thy pre- 
 cepts : for with them thou hast quickened me. I have inclined 
 mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. 
 Ps. 119.93, 112. 
 
 Give us this day our daily bread. 
 
 Of necessity, for our bodies, — Remove far from me vanity 
 and lies ; give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with 
 food convenient for me. Prov. 30. 8. 
 
 Of eternal life, for our souls. — For the bread of God is he 
 which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the 
 world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this 
 bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life : he 
 that cometh to me, shall never hunger ; and he that believeth 
 on me, shall never thirst. John 6. 33 — 35. 
 And forgive us our trespasses, 
 
 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity ; for it is 
 great. Ps. 25. 11. 
 
 Against the commands of thy law, — Whosoever committeth 
 sin transgresseth also the law ; for sin is the transgression of 
 the law. 1 John 3. 4. 
 
 •Against the grace of thy Gospel. — Who was before ablasphe- 
 mer> and a persecutor, and injurious : but I obtained mercy, 
 because I did ft ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Tim. 1. 13. 
 
 AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US. 
 
 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your 
 Father forgive your trespasses. Mat. 6. 15. 
 
 By defaming our characters, — Blessed are ye when men shall 
 revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil 
 against you falsely, for my sake. Mat. 5. 11. 
 
 By embezzling our property, — If he hath wronged thee, or 
 oweth thee aught, put that on mine account. Philem. 18. 
 
 By abusing our persons. — And he kneeled down and cried 
 with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And 
 when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7. 60. 
 
 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
 from evil. 
 
 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the 
 spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mat. 26. 41. 
 
 Of overwhelming affliction, — Out of the depths have I cried 
 unto thee, O Lord. Ps. 130. 1. 
 
 Of worldly enticements, — Love not the world, neither the 
 
123 
 
 things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the 
 love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2. 15. 
 
 Of Safaris devices, — Moreover, he must have a good report 
 of them which are without ; lest he fall into reproach and the 
 snare of the devil. 1 Tim. 3. 7. 
 
 Of errors seduction, — For the love of money is the root of 
 all evil : which while some coveted after, they have erred 
 from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many 
 sorrows. 1 Tim. 6. 10. 
 
 Of sinful affections. — For this cause God gave them up unto 
 vile affections. For even their women did change the natural 
 use into that which is against nature. Rom. 1. 26. 
 
 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and 
 the glory, for ever. 
 
 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, 
 dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 25. 
 
 Thy kingdom governs all, — The Lord hath prepared his throne 
 in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Ps. 103. 19. 
 
 Thy power subdues all, — Who shall change our vile body, 
 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according 
 to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things 
 unto himself. Phil. 3. 21. 
 
 Thy glory is above all. — Let them praise the name of the 
 Lord : for his name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the 
 earth and heaven. Ps. 148. 13. 
 * AMEN. 
 
 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being pre- 
 destinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all 
 things after the counsel of his own will. Eph. 1.11. 
 
 As it is in thy purposes, — For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, 
 and who shall disannul it ? and his hand is stretched out, and 
 who shall turn it back ? Is. 14. 27. 
 
 So it is in thy promises, — For all the promises of God in him 
 are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 
 2 Cor. 1. 20. 
 
 So be it in our prayers, — He which testifieth these things 
 saith, Surely I come quickly : Amen. Even so, come, Lord 
 Jesus. Rev. 22. 20. 
 
 So it shall be to thy praise. — And the four and twenty elders 
 and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on 
 the throne, saying, Amen ; Alleluia. Rev. 19. 4. 
 
 Fanch. from Bernard's Thesaurus. 
 
 Note R. 
 The certainty that promised blessings will be received, quicken* 
 real Christians to pray for them. 
 
 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed 
 
124 
 
 of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the 
 Chaldeans ; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood 
 by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the 
 Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish 
 seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem. And I set my 
 face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, 
 with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.- And I will pray the 
 Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may 
 abide with you for ever ; Even the Spirit of truth ; Whom the 
 world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither know 
 eth him : but ye know him ; for he dwelleth with you, and 
 shall be in yon. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, 
 whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all 
 things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever 
 I have said unto you.- But when the Comforter is come, 
 whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of 
 truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of 
 me.- Nevertheless, I tell you the truth : It is expedient for 
 you that I go away : for if I go not away, the Comforter will 
 not come unto you ; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 
 Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide 
 you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but what- 
 soever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will shew 
 you things to come. Dan. 9. 1 — 3. John 14. 16, 17, 26. and 
 15. 26. and 16. 7, 13. 
 
 Compared with. — These all continued with one accord in 
 prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mo- 
 ther of Jesus, and with his brethren.- And they were all filled 
 with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, 
 as the Spirit gave them utterrance. Acts 1 14. and 2. 4. 
 
 Note S. 
 We are directed to pray frequently, 
 
 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper 
 room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and An- 
 drew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James 
 the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother 
 of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and 
 supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, 
 and with his brethren.- Then they that gladly received his 
 word, were baptized : and the same day there were added unto 
 them about three thousand souls. And they continued stead- 
 fastly in the apostles* doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking 
 of bread, and in prayers.- Rejoicing in hope ; patient in tribu- 
 
125 
 
 lation ; continuing instant in prayer. Acts 1. 13, 14. and 2. 
 41, 42. Rom. 12. 12. 
 
 Fervently, — But the end of all things is at hand : be ye there- 
 fore sober, and watch unto prayer.- Night and day praying ex- 
 ceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect 
 that which is lacking in your faith.- Who in the days of his 
 flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with 
 strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from 
 death, and was heard in that he feared. 1 Pet. 4. 7. 1 Thes. 
 3. 10. Heb. 5. 7. 
 
 And perseveringly. — And he spake a parable unto them to 
 this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.- 
 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.- 
 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 
 and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication 
 for all saints. Luke 18. 1. Col. 4. 2. Eph 6. 18. 
 
 With suitable affections and conduct toward God and toward 
 men. 
 
 With Faith, — But without faith it is impossible to please him : 
 for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he 
 is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.- And all things 
 whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.- 
 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask 
 what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Heb. 11. 6. Mat. 
 21. 22. John 15. 7. 
 
 Sincerity, — And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall 
 search for me with all your heart.- Let us lift up our heart 
 with our hands unto God in the heavens.- The Lord is nigh 
 unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in 
 truth. Jer. 29. 13. Lam. 3. 41. Ps. 145. 18. 
 
 Supreme Love, — Because he hath set his love upon me, there- 
 fore will I deliver him : I will set him on high, because he hath 
 known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer 
 him : I will be with him in trouble ; I will deliver him, and 
 honour him.- Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love 
 me, he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and 
 we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Fs. 
 91. 14, 15. John 14. 23. 
 
 Filial fear, — He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : 
 he also will hear their cry, and will save them.- Now unto 
 him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that 
 we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 
 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all 
 ages, world without end. Amen. Ps. 145. 19. Eph. 3. 20, 21. 
 Penitence, — If my people, which are called by my name, 
 shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and 
 L2 
 
126 
 
 turn from their wicked ways ; then will I hear from heaven, 
 and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.- Lord, thou 
 hast heard the desire of the humble : thou wilt prepare their 
 heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. 2 Chron. 7. 14. Ps. 
 10. 17. 
 
 Submission, — And he was withdrawn from them about a 
 stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if 
 thou be willing, remove this cup from me : nevertheless, not 
 my will, but thine, be done.- And this is the confidence that 
 we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, 
 he heareth us. Luke 22. 41, 42. 1 John 5. 14. 
 
 Obedience, — Now we know that God heareth not sinners : 
 but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, 
 him he heareth.- And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, 
 because we keep his commandments, and do those things that 
 are pleasing in his sight. John 9. 31. 1 John 3. 22. 
 
 Forgiveness, — And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our 
 debtors. For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly 
 father will also forgive you : But if ye forgive not men their 
 trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.- I 
 will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, 
 without wrath and doubting. Mat. 6. 12, 14, 15. 1 Tim. 2. 8. 
 
 Jlnd alms-giving. — Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall 
 answer ; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou 
 take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth 
 of the finger, and speaking vanity ; And if thou draw out thy 
 soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul ; then shall 
 thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon-day .- 
 There was a certain man in Cesarea, called Cornelius, a cen- 
 turion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and 
 one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms 
 to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision 
 evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God 
 coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when 
 he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord ? 
 And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up 
 for a memorial before God. Is. 58. 9, 10. Acts 10. 1 — 4. 
 Read with devout attention the appropriate prayer o/Agur, Prov. 
 
 30. 7 — 9. and the impressive prayers of David, Ps. 51. Sec. and 
 
 Solomon. 1 Kin. 8. 22—62. 
 
 Note T. 
 
 " It chills my blood to hear the blest stjpremk, 
 " Rudely appeal'd to, on each trifling theme. 
 M Maintain your rank, vulgarity despise, 
 " To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise. 
 
127 
 
 44 Ycu would not swear upon the bed of death ; 
 " Reflect, — your Maker now may stop your breath."' 1 
 
 Note U. 
 Apostate Spirits or Devils are fallen angels. 
 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their 
 own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under 
 darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Jude 6. 
 
 Reserved unto punishment. — For if God spared not the an- 
 gels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered 
 them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.- 
 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire 
 and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and 
 shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 2 Pet. 2. 
 4. Rev. 20. 10. 
 
 Their names — But some of them said, He casteth out devil? 
 through Beelzebub, the chief of the devils.- And the great dra- 
 gon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, 
 which deceiveth the whole world : he was cast out into the 
 earth, and his angels were cast out with him, Luke 11. 15. 
 Rev. 12. 9. 
 
 And employment. — Wherein in time past ye walked accord- 
 ing to the course of this world, according to the prince of the 
 power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of 
 disobedience.- Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary 
 the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom He 
 may devour : Whom resist steadfast in faith, knowing that the 
 same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in 
 the world. Eph. 2. 2. 1 Yet. 5. 8, 9. 
 
 They are enemies to goodness — And he shewed me Joshua the 
 high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan 
 standing at his right hand to resist him. Zech. 3. 1. 
 
 And promoters of sin and misery.— And Satan stood up against 
 Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.- Ye are of your 
 father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do : he was 
 a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth ; 
 because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he 
 speaketh of his own : for he is a liar, and the father of it. 1 
 Chron. 21. L John 8. 44. 
 
 They believe there is a God ; — Thou believest that there is 
 one God ; thou doest well : the devils also believe, and trem- 
 ble. Jam. 2- 19. 
 
 Know Christ, — And devils also came out of many, crying 
 out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he, 
 rebuking them, suffered them not to speak : for they knew that 
 he was Christ. Luke 4. 41. 
 
128 
 
 His ministering servants, — And it came to pass as we went 
 to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, 
 met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying- : 
 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men 
 are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us 
 the way of salvation. Acts 16. 16, 17. 
 
 Jind his sacred word. — And saith unto him, If thou be the 
 Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give 
 his angels charge concerning thee : and in their hands they 
 shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against 
 a stone. Mat. 4. 6. 
 
 Satan has been overcome by Christ, — Forasmuch then as the 
 children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself like- 
 wise took part of the same ; that through death he might de- 
 stroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.- And 
 having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of 
 them openly, triumphing over them in it. Htb. 2. 14. Col. 
 2. 15. 
 
 And will be by all true Christians. — Delivering thee from the 
 people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 
 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, 
 and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive 
 forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanc- 
 tified by faith that is in me.- And they overcame him by the 
 blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony ; and 
 they loved not their lives unto the death. Acts 26. 17, 18. 
 Rev. 12. 11. 
 
 Note V. 
 
 We should praise the living God frequently. 
 
 Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous 
 judgments.- I will bless the Lord at all times : his praise shall 
 continually be in my mouth.- Every day will I bless thee; and 
 I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Ps. 119. 164. and 
 34 1. and 145. 2. 
 
 For his attributes, gifts, and works. 
 
 For his goodness, — Praise the Lord with harp : sing unto 
 him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. He 
 loveth righteousness and judgment : the earth is full of the 
 goodness of the Lord.- Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth 
 us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He 
 that is our God is the God of salvation ; and unto God the 
 Lord belong the issues from death. Ps. 33. 2, 5. and 68. 
 19, 20. 
 
129 
 
 Mercy, — I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people : I will 
 sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto 
 the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.- Bless the Lord, 
 
 my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who redeemeth thy 
 life from destruction ; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness 
 and tender mercies.- Blessed be the God and Father of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, 
 hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection 
 of Jesus Christ from the dead. Ps. 57. 9, 10. and 103. 2, 4. 
 
 1 Pet. 1. 3. 
 
 Unspeakable Gift, — Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable 
 gift.- Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ; for he hath visited 
 and redeemed his people, And hath raised up a horn of salva- 
 tion for us, in the house of his servant David : As he spake by 
 the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the 
 world began. 2 Cor. 9. 15. Luke 1. 68—70. 
 
 Blessings with Christy — Blessed be the God and Father of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual 
 blessings in heavenly places in Christ : According as he hath 
 chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we 
 should be holy and without blame before him in love.- I thank 
 my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is 
 given you by Jesus Christ ; That in every thing ye are enrich- 
 ed by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge. Eph. 1. 3, 
 4. 1 Cor. 1. 4, 5. 
 
 Revealed toill,, — I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God 
 of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast 
 made known unto me now what we desired of thee : for thou 
 hast now made known unto us the king^ matter.- At that 
 time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of 
 heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the 
 wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Dan. 
 2.23. Mat. 11.25. 
 
 Sealing graces, — Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in 
 the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give 
 thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers ; That 
 the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give 
 unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge 
 of him : The eyes of your understanding being enlightened ; 
 that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what 
 the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.- We 
 are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, 
 because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity 
 of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth. Eph. 1. 
 15—18. 2Thes. 1. 3. 
 
 Daily bread, — And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and 
 praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt won- 
 
130 
 
 derously with you : and my people shall never be ashamed.- 
 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refus- 
 ed, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified 
 by the word of God, and prayer.- And he commanded the 
 people to sit down on the ground : and he took the seven 
 loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples 
 to set before them ; and they did set them before the people. 
 Joel 2. 26. 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5. Mark 8. 6. 
 
 Care of his Church, — When the Lord shall build up Zion, he 
 shall appear in his glory. He will regard the prayer of the 
 destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written 
 for the generation to come : and the people which shall be 
 created shall praise the Lord.- Praise ye the Lord : for it is 
 good to sing praises unto our God ; for it is pleasant ; and praise 
 is comely. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem : he gathereth 
 together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in 
 heart, and bindeth up their wounds.- And I say also unto 
 thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my 
 church : and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Ps. 
 102. 16—18. and 147. 1—3. Mat. 16. 18. 
 
 Wonderful works, — Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye 
 lands : Sing forth the honour of his name : make his praise 
 glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works ! 
 through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit 
 themselves unto thee.- I will praise thee ; for I am fearfully 
 and wonderfully made : marvellous are thy works ; and that 
 my soul knoweth right well. Thine eyes did see my sub- 
 stance, yet being unperfect ; and in thy book all my members 
 were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as 
 yet there was none of them. Ps. 66. 1—3. and 139. 14, 16. 
 
 Jlnd deliverances. — I will bless the Lord at all times : his 
 praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make 
 her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be 
 glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his 
 name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and de- 
 livered me from all my fears.— O give thanks unto the Lord ; 
 for he is good ; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, 
 Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and 
 deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy 
 holy name, and glory in thy praise. Ps. 34. 1 — 4. 1 Chron. 
 16. 34, 35. 
 
 Note W. 
 
 By imitating Joseph, Samuel, Obadiah, Josiah, Daniel, Tim- 
 othy, and other pious youths, the young may secure all needful, 
 temporal, and spiritual blessings. 
 
131 
 
 Note X. 
 
 Drunkenness weakens both the body and the mind. It 
 destroys individual and domestic happiness, and usually ter- 
 minates in a premature death of the body, and eternal death of 
 the soul. It demoralizes society, and thus ruins many souls in 
 time and eternity. The friends of righteousness and hu- 
 manity are loudly called on, in these degenerate days, to make 
 united, powerful, and persevering exertions, to prevent the in- 
 creasing ravages of intoxication, that monster of iniquity and 
 death. According to a late very accurate computation, the 
 United States annually expend more than 22,000,000 of dollars 
 for ardent spirits. u A. sum which exceeds all that is paid for 
 the support of government, the education of children, and the 
 support of religious instructors, by the people of this country." 
 See Panoplist for Sept. 1812. 
 O shame I folly ! madness ! DESTRUCTION ! 
 
 Note Y. 
 
 Is not unchastity in words, actions, and thoughts, strictly for- 
 bidden in the word of God ? 
 
 Thou shalt not commit adultery.- 
 
 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be 
 burned ? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burn- 
 ed ? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife ; whosoever 
 toucheth her shall not be innocent. Flee fornication. Every 
 sin that a man doeth is without the body ; but he that com- 
 mitteth fornication, sinneth against his own body.- Mortify 
 therefore your members which are upon the earth ; fornication, 
 uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and cov- 
 etousness, which is idolatry : For which things' sake the wrath 
 of God cometh on the children of disobedience. Ex. 20. 14. 
 Prov. 6. 27—29. 1 Cor. 6. 18. Col. 3. 5, 6. || Mat. 5. 28. and 
 15. 19. Deut. 22. 28, 29. and 23. 17. Prov. 5. 1—13. and 7. 
 6—10, 13—18, 21—23. Jude 7. 
 
 The following able remarks are extracted from an invaluable 
 Treatise on Education, by T. Babington Esq,, member of the 
 British Parliament. 
 
 I FEAR it is too common, to be satisfied with a less intimate 
 acquaintance with the Word of God than becomes creatures 
 to whom so inestimable a treasure is given. The Bible is at 
 hand, perhaps is regularly read. Its different parts are recog- 
 nised as old acquaintance on each re-perusal, and they are not 
 passed over without care and attention. In this way a foun- 
 
132 
 
 dation is laid, with the Divine blessing, of sound religious 
 knowledge, and of solid piety. Still, however, there is often 
 but little of readiness in producing from, memory the very ex- 
 pressions of Scripture. There is a wide departure from the 
 spirit of the directions given to the Israelites : — u And these 
 words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart : 
 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and 
 shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when 
 thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when 
 thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine 
 hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And 
 thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy 
 gates." And yet on an ability to do this promptly and cor- 
 rectly, often depends our right and ready application of this our 
 Divine rule, both in directing our own course through life, and 
 in giving useful advice to those about us. Have not we all 
 felt the prodigious advantage of an apposite passage of Scrip- 
 ture, striking the mind on occasions when temptation has 
 pressed upon us, or when we have doubted as to the course we 
 ought to pursue ? Nor is the advantage less, when we can 
 support our advice to others by the very words of Holy Writ. 
 But the benefits resulting from this knowledge of Scripture, 
 are by no means confined to such occasions ; they extend to 
 the general frame of the soul, and to its growth in grace ; and, 
 in this point of view, are far more important than in any other. 
 What a rich treasury for a supply of holy thoughts, and for the 
 cultivation of holy affections, with the Divine aid, does that 
 man possess whose mind is well stored with the Word of God ! — 
 
 Now, how will this knowledge of Scripture be best attained ? 
 Beyond all doubt, by learning much by heart during the pe- 
 riod of youth. — It is in youth that the memory is most retentive ; 
 and the stores it then lays up are the least subject to loss or de- 
 cay from the lapse of time. Like certain flowers gathered at 
 a proper season for preservation, they retain even to a late 
 period much of their original freshness ; while passages learnt 
 in after-life, are apt to fade, and escape altogether out of the 
 mind, if not frequently reinstated by repetition. Besides, by 
 beginning early, there is ample time for laying in a large store 
 of the more important parts of Scripture ; and what is learnt 
 will take deeper root, not only in the memory, but in the affec- 
 tions, and become more, if I may so say, a part of ourselves. 
 The impressions thus received, will, with God's blessing, 
 
 m Grow with our growth, and strengthen with our strength," 
 and contribute essentially to the formation, in due time, of the 
 perfect man in Christ. 
 
OF THE 
 
 UBff^ 
 
 y 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 ASSE 
 SHORTER 
 
 'Ms^ 
 
 E( 
 
 WITH PROOF TEXTS. 
 
 1. What is the chief end of 
 man? 
 
 Man's chief end is to glorify 
 God, a and enjoy him for ev- 
 er, b 
 
 ol Cor. 10.31. Rom. 11. 36. 6 Ps. 73. 25, 28. 
 
 2. What rule has God given 
 to direct us how we may glorify 
 and enjoy him ? 
 
 The word of God, which is 
 contained in the Scriptures of 
 the Old and New Testament, c is 
 the only rule to direct us how 
 we may glorify and enjoy 
 him. d 
 
 c2Tim. 3. 16. Eph.2.20. d\ John 1.3,4. 
 
 3. What do the Scriptures 
 principally teach ? 
 
 The Scriptures principally 
 teach what man is to believe 
 concerning God, and what duty 
 God requires of man. e 
 
 t 2 Tim. 1. 13, and 3. 16. 
 
 4. What is God? 
 
 God is a spirit,/ infinite,^ 
 eternal, h and unchangeable, i 
 in his being, A; wisdom, t pow- 
 er, m holiness, n justice, good- 
 ness, and truth, o 
 
 /John 4. 24. g Job 11. 7—9. h Ps. 90. 2. 
 t James 1. 17. kEx. 3. 14. I Ps. 147. 5. 
 m Rev. 4. 8. nRev. 15. 4. o Ex. 34. 67. 
 
 5. Are there more Gods than 
 one? 
 
 There is but one only, the 
 living and true God. p 
 
 p Deut. 6. 4. Jer. 10. 10. 
 
 M 
 
 6. How many persons are 
 there in the Godhead ? 
 
 There are three persons in 
 the Godhead — the Father, the 
 Son, and the Holy Ghost; and 
 these three are one God — the 
 same in substance, equal in 
 power and glory, q 
 
 q 1 John 5. 7. Mat. 28. 19. 
 
 7. What are the decrees of 
 God? 
 
 The decrees of God are his 
 eternal purpose, according to 
 the counsel of his own will, 
 whereby, for his own glory, he 
 hath foreordained whatsoever 
 comes to pass, r 
 
 r Eph. 1. 4, 11. Rom. 9. 22, 23. 
 
 8. How docs God execute his 
 decrees ? 
 
 God executeth his decrees in 
 the works of creation and prov- 
 idence. 
 
 9. What is the work of crea- 
 tion? 
 
 The work of creation is God's 
 making all things of nothing, 
 by the word of his power, in 
 the space of six days, and all 
 very good, s 
 
 *Gen. 1.1— . Heb. 11.3. 
 
 10. How did God create man ? 
 God created man, male and 
 
 female, after his own image, in 
 knowledge, righteousness, and 
 
4 
 
 Effectual calling is the work 
 of God's Spirit, t whereby, con- 
 vincing us of our sin and 
 misery, u enlightening our 
 minds in the knowledge of 
 Christ, w and renewing our 
 wills, z he doth persuade and 
 enable us to embrace Jesus 
 Christ, freely offered to us in 
 the gospel, y 
 
 1 2 Tim. 1. 9. 2 Thess. 2. 13, 14. u Acts 2. 
 37. w Acts 26. 18. x Ezek. 36. 26, 27. yJohn 
 6. 44, 45. Phil. 2. 13. 
 
 32. What benefit do those who 
 are effectually called partake of 
 in this life ? 
 
 Those who are effectually 
 called, do in this life partake of 
 justification, z adoption, a and 
 sanctification, and the several 
 benefits which in this life do 
 either accompany or flow from 
 them, b 
 
 x Rom. 8. 30. a Eph. 1. 5. 61 Cor. 1. 21, 30. 
 
 33. What is justification ? 
 Justification is an act of God's 
 
 free grace, wherein he pardon- 
 eth all our sins, c and accepteth 
 Us as righteous in his sight d 
 only, for the righteousness of 
 Christ imputed to us,e and re- 
 ceived by faith alone./ 
 
 c Rom. 3. 24, 25, and 4. 6—8. d2 Cor. 5. 
 19,21. e Rom.5.17— 19. /Gal. 2. 16. Phil.3.9. 
 
 34. What is adoption? 
 Adoption is an act of God's 
 
 free grace, g whereby we are 
 received into the number, and 
 have a right to all the privileges, 
 of the sons of God. h 
 
 g 1 John 3.1. h John 1 . 12. Rom. 8. 17. 
 
 35. What is sanctification ? 
 Sanctification is the work of 
 
 God's Spirit, i whereby we are 
 renewed in the whole man, 
 after the image of God,£ and 
 are enabled more and more to 
 die unto sin, and to live unto 
 righteousness. I 
 
 i2 Thess. 2. 13. k Eph. 4.23,24. JRom.6.4,6. 
 
 36. Wliat arc tlie benefits 
 which, in this life, do either 
 
 accompany or flow from justifi- 
 cation, adoption, and sanctifica- 
 tion? 
 
 The benefits which, in this 
 life, do either accompany or 
 flow from justification, adoption, 
 and sanctification, are assurance 
 of God's love, peace of con- 
 science, m joy in the Holy 
 Ghost,n increase of grace ,o and 
 perseverance therein to the 
 end.p 
 
 mRom. 5. 1, 2,5. nRom. 14. 17. oProv. 
 4. 18. p 1 John 5. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 5. 
 
 37. What benefits do believers 
 receive from Christ at their 
 death? ' 
 
 The souls of believers are at 
 their death made perfect in 
 holiness, q and immediately pass 
 into glory ; r and their bodies, 
 being still united to Christ, 5 do 
 rest in their gravest until the 
 resurrection, u 
 
 oHeb. 12. 23. r 2 Cor. 5. 1, 6, 8. Phil. 1. 
 23. Luke 23. 43. a 1 Thess. 4. 14. i laa. 
 57. 2. u Job 19. 26, 27. 
 
 38. What benefits do believers 
 receive from Christ at the resur- 
 rection ? 
 
 At the resurrection, believers, 
 being raised up to glory, w shall 
 be openly acknowledged and 
 acquitted in the day of judg- 
 ment, z and made perfectly 
 blessed in the full enjoyment 
 of God,y to all eternity, z 
 
 w 1 Cor. 15. 43. x Mat. 25. 23, and 10. 32. 
 y 1 John 3. 2. 1 Cor. 13. 12. z 1 Thess. 4. 
 17, 18. 
 
 39. What is the duty which 
 God requires of man ? 
 
 The duty which God requires 
 of man is obedience to his 
 revealed will, a 
 
 aMicih6. 8. 1 Sam. 15. 22. 
 
 40. What did God at first re- 
 veal to man for the rule of his 
 obedience ? 
 
 The rule which God at first 
 revealed to man for his obe- 
 dience was the moral law. b 
 
 b Rom. 2. 14, 15, And 10. 5. 
 
41. Where is the moral law 
 summarily comprehended ? 
 
 The moral law is summarily 
 comprehended in the ten com- 
 mandments, c 
 
 c Deuu io. 4. 
 
 42. What is the sum of the 
 ten commandments ? 
 
 The sum of the ten com- 
 mandments is, to love the Lord 
 our God with all our heart, 
 with all our soul, with all our 
 strength, and with all our mind, 
 and our neighbor as ourselves. d 
 
 d Mat. 22. 37—40. 
 
 43. What is the preface to the 
 ten commandments ? 
 
 The preface to the ten com- 
 mandments is in these words : 
 " I am the Lord thy God, which 
 brought thee out of the land of 
 Egypt, and out of the house of 
 bondage. "e 
 
 e Ex. 20. 2. 
 
 44. What does the preface to 
 the ten commandments teach us ? 
 
 The preface of the ten com- 
 mandments teacheth us that, be- 
 cause God is the Lord, and our 
 God and Redeemer, therefore 
 we are bound to keep all his 
 commandments./ 
 
 / Luke 1. 74, 75. 1 Pet. 1. 15—19. 
 
 45. What is the first com- 
 mandment t 
 
 The first commandment is, 
 " Thou shalt have no other 
 Gods before me,"^ 
 
 g Ex. 20. 3. 
 
 46. What is required in the 
 first commandment? 
 
 The first commandment re- 
 quireth us to know and ac- 
 knowle4ge God to be the only 
 true God and our God, h and to 
 worship and glorify him ac- 
 cordingly, i 
 
 h 1 Chron. 28. 9. Deut 26. 17. i Mat. 4. 10. 
 Ps. 29. 2. 
 
 47. What is forbidden in the 
 first commandment ? 
 
 M2 
 
 The first commandment for- 
 biddeth the denying, A; or not 
 worshipping and glorifying, the 
 true God, as God,Z and our 
 God, m and the giving that wor- 
 ship and glory to any other 
 which is due to him alone, n 
 
 k Ps. 14. L I Rom. 1. 21. m Ps. 81. 10, 11. 
 n Rom. 1. 25, 26. 
 
 48. What arc we specially 
 taught by these words (before 
 me) in, the first commandment? 
 
 These words (before me) in 
 the first commandment, teach 
 us, that God, who seeth all 
 things, taketh notice of, and is 
 much displeased with, the sin 
 of having any other God.o 
 
 o Ezek. 8. 5—. 
 
 49. What is the second com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The second commandment is, 
 " Thou shalt not make unto thee 
 any graven image, or any like- 
 ness of any thing that is in 
 heaven above, or that is in the 
 earth beneath, or that is in the 
 waters under the earth : thou 
 shalt not bow down thyself to 
 them, nor serve them : for I the 
 Lord thy God am a jealous 
 God, visiting the iniquities of 
 the fathers upon the children, 
 unto the third and fourth gen- 
 eration of them that hate me ; 
 and showing mercy unto thou- 
 sands of them that love me, and 
 keep my commandments." p. 
 
 p Ex. 20. 4—0. 
 
 50. What is required in the 
 second commandment ? 
 
 The second commandment 
 requireth the receiving, observ- 
 ing, and keeping pure and en- 
 tire all such religious worship 
 and ordinances as God hath 
 appointed in his word, q 
 
 q Deut. 32. 46. Maf. 28. 20. Acts 2. 42. 
 
 51. What is forbidden in the 
 second commandment ? 
 
 The second commandment 
 
forbiddeth the worshipping of 
 God by images, r or any other 
 way not appointed in his word, s 
 
 r Deut. 5. 15—19. Ex. 32. 5, 8. 
 a Deut. 12. 31, 32. 
 
 52. What are the reasons an- 
 nexed to the second command- 
 ment ? 
 
 The reasons annexed to the 
 second commandment are, God's 
 sovereignty over us,i his pro- 
 priety in us,m and the zeal he 
 hath for his own worship, w 
 
 t Ps. 95. 2, 3, 6. « Ps. 45. 11. 
 
 w Ex. 34. 13, 14. 
 
 53. What is the third com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The third commandment is, 
 " Thou shalt not take the name 
 of the Lord thy God in vain, 
 for the Lord will not hold him 
 guiltless that taketh his name 
 in vain. "2; 
 
 * Ex. 20. 7. 
 
 54. What is required in the 
 third commandment ? 
 
 The third commandment re- 
 quireth the holy and reverend 
 use of God's names, y titles, z 
 attributes, a ordinances,^ word,c 
 and works, d 
 
 y Mat. 6. 9. Deut. 27. 58. z Ps. 68. 4. 
 a Rev. 15. 3, 4. b Mai. 1. 11, 14. c Ps. 138. 
 1, 2. d Job 35. 24. 
 
 55. What is forbidden in the 
 third commandment ? 
 
 The third commandment for- 
 biddeth all profaning or abusing 
 of any thing whereby God 
 maketh himself known, e 
 
 « Mai. 1. 6, 7, 12, and 2. 2, and 3. 14. 
 
 56. What is the reason annexed 
 to the third commandment ? 
 
 The reason annexed to the 
 third commandment is, that 
 however the breakers of this 
 commandment may escape pun- 
 ishment from men, yet the Lord 
 our God will not suffer them to 
 escape his righteous judgment/ 
 
 /l Sam. 2. 12, 17, 22, 29, and 3. 13. Deut. 
 
 28. 58, 59. 
 
 57. What is the fourth com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The fourth commandment is, 
 "Remember the sabbath day, 
 to keep it holy : six days shalt 
 thou labor, and do all thy work ; 
 but the seventh day is the sab- 
 bath of the Lord thy God; in 
 it thou shalt not do any work, 
 thou, nor thy son, nor thy 
 daughter, thy man-servant, nor 
 thy maid-servant, nor thy cat- 
 tle, nor the stranger that is 
 within thy gates ; for in six 
 days the Lord made heaven 
 and earth, the sea, and all that 
 in them is, and rested the sev- 
 enth day : wherefore the Lord 
 blessed the sabbatli day, and 
 hallowed it."o- 
 
 g Ex. 20. 8—11. 
 
 58. What is required in the 
 fourth commandment ? 
 
 The fourth commandment 
 requireth the keeping holy to 
 God such set times as h he hath 
 appointed in his word, express- 
 ly one whole day in seven, to 
 be an holy sabbath to himself, h 
 
 h Deut. 5. 12—14. 
 
 50. Which day of the seven 
 has God appointed to be the 
 weekly sabbath ? 
 
 From the beginning of the 
 world to the resurrection of 
 Christ, God appointed the sev- 
 enth day of the week to be the 
 weekly sabbath, and the first 
 day of the week ever since to 
 continue to the end of the 
 world, which is the Christian 
 sabbath, i 
 
 i Gen. 2. 2, 3. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Act* 20. 7. 
 
 60. How is the sabbath to be 
 sanctified ? 
 
 The sabbath is to be sancti- 
 fied by an holy resting all that 
 day, Zc even from such worldly 
 employments and recreations as 
 are lawful on other days, I and 
 
spending the whole time in 
 public and private exercises of 
 God's worship, m except so 
 much as is to be taken up in 
 the works of necessity and 
 mercy, n 
 
 k Ex. 20. 8—10, and 16. 25—28. 
 
 ZNeh. 13.15—19, 21,22. m Luke 4. 16. Acts 
 
 20.7. Ps. 92. 1—. Is. 66.23. n Mat. 12. 1—31. 
 
 61. What is forbidden in the 
 fourth commandment ? 
 
 The fourth commandment 
 forbiddeth the omission or aare- 
 less performance of the duties 
 required, o and profaning the 
 day by idleness, v or doing that 
 which is in itself sinful ; q or by 
 unnecessary thoughts, words, 
 or works, about worldly em- 
 ployments or recreations, r 
 
 oEiek. 22. 26. Amos 8. 5. Mai. 1. 13. 
 p Acts 20. 7, 9, 9 Ez=k. 23. 38. r Jer. 17. 
 24—26. Isa, 58. 13. 
 
 62. What are the reasons an- 
 nexed to the fourth command- 
 ment ? 
 
 The reasons annexed to the 
 fourth commandment are, God's 
 allowing us six days of the week, 
 for our own employments, s his 
 challenging a special proprie- 
 ty in the seventh, his own ex- 
 ample, and his blessing the sab- 
 bath day. t 
 
 *Ex. 20. 9. tEx. 20. 11. 
 
 63. What is the fifth com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The fifth commandment is, 
 " Honor thy father and thy 
 mother, that thy days may be 
 long upon the land which the 
 Lord thy God giveth thee." u 
 
 u Ex. 20. 12. 
 
 64. What is required in the 
 fifth commandment ? 
 
 The fifth commandment re- 
 quireth the preserving of the 
 honor, and performing the du- 
 ties belonging to every one in 
 their several places and rela- 
 
 tions, as superiors, w inferiors, x 
 or equals, y 
 
 w Eph. 5. 22. x 1 Pet. 2. 17. y Rom. 12. 10. 
 
 65. What is forbidden in the 
 fifth commandment ? 
 
 The. fifth commandment for- 
 biddeth the neglecting of, or 
 doing any thing against, the 
 honor and duty which belong- 
 eth to every one in their seve- 
 ral places and relations, z 
 
 z Mat. 15. 4—6. Ex. 34. 2—4. Rom. 13. 8. 
 
 66. What is the reason an- 
 nexed to the fifth commandment ? 
 
 The reason annexed to the 
 fifth commandment is, a prom- 
 ise of long life and prosperity 
 (as far as it shall serve for God's 
 glory and their own good) to 
 all such as keep this command- 
 ment, a 
 
 a Deut. 5. 16. Eph. 6. 2, 3. 
 
 67. What is the sixth com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The sixth commandment \s, 
 " Thou shalt not kill." b 
 
 6 Ex. 20. 13. 
 
 68. What is required in the 
 sixth commandment ? 
 
 The sixth commandment re- 
 quireth all lawful endeavors to 
 preserve our own life,c and the 
 life of others, d 
 
 c Eph. 5. 28, 29. d 1 Kings 18. 4. 
 
 69. What is forbidden in the 
 sixth commandment ? 
 
 The sixth commandment for- 
 biddeth the taking away of our 
 own life, or the life of our 
 neighbor unjustly, and whatso- 
 ever tendeth thereunto, e 
 
 e Acts 16. 28. Gen. 9. 6. 
 
 70. What is the seventh com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The seventh commandment 
 is, " Thou shalt not commit 
 adultery."/ 
 
 / Ex. 20. 14. 
 
 71. What is required in the 
 seventh commandment ? 
 
 The seventh commandment 
 
8 
 
 requireth the preservation of 
 our own and our neighbor's 
 chastity, in heart, speech, and 
 behavior, g 
 
 g 1 Cor. 7. 2, 3, 5, 34, 36. Col. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 2. 
 
 72. What is forbidden in the 
 seventh commandment f 
 
 The seventh commandment 
 forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, 
 words, and actions, h 
 
 h Mat. 15. 19, and 5. 28. Eph. 5. 3, 4. 
 
 73. What is the eighth com- 
 mandment f 
 
 The eighth commandment is, 
 " Thou shalt not steal." i 
 
 i Ex. 20. 15. 
 
 74. What is required in the 
 eighth commandment f 
 
 The eighth commandment 
 requireth the lawful procuring 
 and furthering the wealth and 
 outward estate of ourselves and 
 others, k 
 
 JfcGen. 30. 30. 1 Tim. 5. 8. Lev. 25. 35. 
 Deut. 22. 1—5. Ex. 23. 4, 5. Gen. 47. 14, 20. 
 
 75. What is forbidden in the 
 eighth commandment ? 
 
 The eighth commandment 
 forbiddeth whatsoever doth or 
 may unjustly hinder our own 
 or our neighbor's wealth or out- 
 ward estate./ 
 
 ZProv. 21. 17, and 23. 20, 21, and 28. 19. 
 Eph. 4. 28. 
 
 76. What is the ninth com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The ninth commandment is, 
 " Thou shalt not bear false wit- 
 ness against thy neighbor, m 
 
 mEx. 20. 16. 
 
 77. What is required in the 
 ninth commandment? 
 
 The ninth commandment re- 
 quireth the maintaining and 
 promoting of truth between 
 man and man,?i and of our 
 own and our neighbor's good 
 name,o especially in witness 
 bearing, p 
 
 nZech. 8. 16. o 3 John I. 12. p Prov.14. 5,25. 
 
 78. lVhat is forbidden in the 
 ninth commandment ? 
 
 The ninth commandment 
 forbiddeth whatsoever is preju- 
 dicial to truth, or injurious to 
 our own or our neighbor's good 
 name, q 
 
 q 1 Sam. 17. 28. Lev. 19. 16. Ps. 15. 3. 
 
 79. What is the tenth com- 
 mandment ? 
 
 The tenth commandment is, 
 " Thou shalt not covet thv 
 neighbor's house, thou shaft 
 not covet thy neighbor's wife, 
 nor 'his man-servant, nor his 
 maid-servant, nor his ox, nor 
 his ass, nor any thing that is 
 thy neighbor's." r 
 
 rEx. 20. 17. 
 
 80. What is required in the 
 tenth commandment ? 
 
 The tenth commandment re- 
 quireth full contentment with 
 our own condition,* with a 
 right and charitable frame of 
 spirit towards our neighbor and 
 all that is his. t 
 
 sHeb. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 6. t Job 31. 29. 
 Rom. 13. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 1 Cor. 13. 4—7. 
 
 81. What is forbidden in the 
 tenth commandment ? 
 
 The tenth commandment for- 
 biddeth all discontentment with 
 our own state, u envying or 
 grieving at the good of oui 
 neighbor, ?0 and all inordinate 
 motions and affections to any 
 thing that is his. x 
 
 u 1 Kin. 21. 4. Est. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 10. 10. 
 w Gil. 5.26. Jamrs 3. 14, 16. * Rom. 7.7. 
 8, and 13. 9. Deut. 5. 81. 
 
 82. Is any man able perfectly 
 to keep the commandments of 
 God? 
 
 No mere man since the fall 
 is able, in this life, perfectly to 
 keep the commandments of 
 God,?/ but daily doth break 
 them in thought, word, and 
 deed. z 
 
 wEccl. 7. 20. 1 John 1.8, 10. Gal. 5. 17. 
 zGen. 6. 5. and 8. 21. Rom. 3. 9—21. Jamea 
 3. 2—13. 
 
 83. Are all transgressions of 
 the laio equally heinous ? 
 
Some sins in themselves, and 
 by reason of several aggrava- 
 tions, are more heinous in the 
 sight of God than others, a 
 
 aEzek. 8. 6, 13, 15. 1 John 5. 16. Ps. 78. 
 17, 32, 36. 
 
 84. What does every sin de- 
 serve ? 
 
 Every sin deserves God's 
 wrath and curse, both in this 
 life and that which is to come, b 
 
 b Eph. 5. 6. Gal. 3. 10. Lam.3. 39. Mat.25.41. 
 
 85. What does God require of 
 vs, that ice may escape his wrath 
 and curse due to us for sin ? 
 
 To escape the wrath and curse 
 of God due to us for sin, God 
 requireth of us faith in Jesus 
 Christ, repentance unto life, c 
 with a diligent use of all out- 
 ward means whereby Christ 
 communicates to us the benefits 
 of redemption, d 
 
 c Acts 20. 21. d Prov. 2. 1-5, and 8. 33—36. 
 Is. 55. 3. 
 
 86. What is faith in Jesus 
 Christ ? 
 
 Faith in Jesus Christ is a 
 saving grace, e whereby we re- 
 ceive, and rest upon him alone 
 for salvation, as he is offered to 
 us in the gospel./ 
 
 e Ileb. 10. 39. /John 1. 12. Ts. 36. 3, 4. 
 Phil. 3. 9. Gal. 2. 16. 
 
 87. What is repentance, unto 
 life? 
 
 Repentance unto life is a sav- 
 ing grace, g whereby a sinner, 
 out of a true sense of sin, A and 
 apprehension of the mercy of 
 God in Christ, i doth, with grief 
 and hatred of his sin, turn from 
 it unto God, k with full purpose 
 of, and endeavors after, new 
 obedience. I 
 
 g Acts 11. 18. h Acts 2. 37, 38. i Joel 2. 
 12. J e r. 3. 22. k Jer. 31. 18, 19. Ezek. 36. 
 31. I 2 Cor. 7. 11. Is. 1. 16, 17. 
 
 88. What are the outward and 
 ordinary means whereby Christ 
 communicates to us the benefits 
 of redemption '.' 
 
 The outward and ordinary 
 means whereby Christ commu- 
 nicates to us the benefits of re- 
 demption, are, his ordinances, 
 especially his word, sacraments, 
 and prayer ; all of which are 
 made effectual to the elect for 
 salvation, m 
 
 m Mat. 28. 19, 20. Acts 2. 42. 46, 47. 
 
 89. How is the word made ef- 
 fectual to salvation ? 
 
 The spirit of God maketh 
 the reading, but especially the 
 preaching, of the word, an effec- 
 tual mean of convincing and 
 converting sinners, and of build- 
 ing them up in holiness and 
 comfort through faith unto sal- 
 vation, n 
 
 nNeh. 8. 8. 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. Acts 26. 18. 
 Ps. 19. 8. Acts 20. 32. Rom. 15. 4. 2 Tim. 
 3. 15—17. Rom. 10. 13—17. Rom. 1. 16. 
 
 90. How is the xoord to be read 
 and heard, that it may become 
 effectual to salvation ? 
 
 That the word may become 
 effectual to salvation, we must 
 attend thereunto with dili- 
 gence, o preparation, p and 
 prayer ; q receive it with faith 
 and love, r lay it up in our 
 hearts, s and practise it in our 
 lives, t 
 
 o Prov. 8. 34. p Pet. 2. 1, 2. q Ps. 119. IS. 
 r Heb. 4. 2. 2 Thess. 2. 10. * Ps. 119. 11. 
 t Luke 8. 15. James 1. 25. 
 
 91. How do the sacraments 
 become effectual means of salva- 
 tion ? 
 
 The sacraments become ef- 
 fectual means of salvation, not 
 from any virtue in them, or in 
 him that doth administer them, 
 but only by the blessing of 
 Christ, u and the working of the 
 Spirit in them who, by faith, re- 
 ceive them, w 
 
 u 1 Pet. 3. 21. Mat. 3. 11. 1 Cor. 3. 6, 7. 
 w 1 Cor. 12. 13. 
 
 92. What is a sacrament ? 
 
 A sacrament is a holy ordi- 
 nance, instituted by Christ, 
 
10 
 
 wherein, by sensible signs, 
 Christ and the benefits of the 
 new covenant are represented, 
 sealed, and applied to believ- 
 ers, x 
 
 x Gen. 17. 7, 10. Ex. 12. 1—. 1 Cor. 
 11. 23, 26. 
 
 93. What are the sacraments 
 of the Neio Testament ? 
 
 The sacraments of the New 
 Testament are baptism, y and 
 the Lord's supper, z 
 
 y Mat. 29. 10. z Mat. 26. 26—28. 
 
 94. What is baptism? 
 Baptism is a sacrament, 
 
 wherein the washing with wa- 
 ter, in the name of the Father, 
 and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost, a doth signify and seal 
 our engrafting into Christ, and 
 partaking of the benefits of 
 grace, and our engagement to 
 be the Lord's, b 
 
 a Mat. 28. 19. b Rom. 6. 4. Gal. 3. 27. 
 
 95. To whom is baptism to be 
 administered * 
 
 Baptism is not to be admin- 
 istered to any that are out of 
 the visible chureh till they pro- 
 fess their faith in Christ, and 
 obedience to him ; c but the in- 
 fants of such as are members of 
 the visible church are to be 
 baptized, d 
 
 c Acts 8. 35, 37, and 2, 33. d Acts 2. 38, 
 39. Gen. 17. 10. Col. 2. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 7. 14. 
 
 96. What is the Lord's supper? 
 
 The Lord's supper is a sacra- 
 ment, wherein, by giving and re- 
 ceiving bread and wine accord- 
 ing to Christ's appointment, 
 his death is showed forth, and 
 the worthy receivers are, not 
 after a corporal and carnal man- 
 ner, but by faith, made parta- 
 kers of his body and blood, with 
 all his benefits, to their spiritual 
 nourishment and growth in 
 grace. e 
 
 « 1 Cor. 11. 23—26. 1 Cor. 10. 16. 
 
 97. What is required in the 
 
 worthy receiving the Lord's sup- 
 per? 
 
 It is required of them that 
 would worthily partake of the 
 Lord's supper, that they exam- 
 ine themselves of their knowl- 
 edge to discern the Lord's 
 body,/ of their faith to feed 
 upon him, g of their repent- 
 ance, h love, i and new obe- 
 dience, k lest, coming unwor- 
 thily, they eat and drink judg- 
 ment to themselves. I 
 
 /l Cor. 11.28,29. ^2 Cor. 13. 5. A 1 Cor. 
 11. 31. i Cor. 10. 16, 17. * 1 Cor. 5. 7, 8. 
 II Cor. 11. 28,29. 
 
 98. What is prayer ? 
 Prayer is the offering up of 
 
 our desires to God, m for things 
 agreeable to his will, n in the 
 name of Christ, o with a con- 
 fession of our sins,p and thank- 
 ful acknowledgment of his mer- 
 cies, q 
 
 m Ps. 62. 8. n 1 John 5. 14. o John 
 16.23. ^Ps.32.5,6. Dan. 9. 4. q Phil. 
 4. 6. 
 
 99. What rule hath God given 
 for our direction in prayer ? 
 
 The whole word of God is of 
 use for direction in prayer, r 
 but the special rule of direction 
 is that form of prayer which 
 Christ taught his disciples, com- 
 monly called the Lord's prayer, s 
 
 r 1 John 5. 14. « Mat. 6. 9—13. Luke 
 11. 2—4. 
 
 100. What does the preface of 
 the Lord's prayer teach us ? 
 
 The preface to the Lord's 
 prayer, which is, " Our Father 
 which art in heaven," t teach- 
 eth us to draw near to God with 
 an holy reverence and confi- 
 dence, as children to a father, 
 able and ready to help us, u and 
 that we should pray with and 
 for others, w 
 
 t Mat. 8. 9. u Rom. 8. 15. Luke 11. 13. 
 
 to Acts 12. 5. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. 
 
 101. What do we pray for in 
 the first petition ? 
 
 In the first petition, which is, 
 
11 
 
 " Hallowed be thy name," x we 
 pray that God would enable us 
 and others to glorify him in all 
 that whereby he makes himself 
 known, y and that he would 
 dispose all things for his own 
 glory, z 
 
 x Milt. 6. 9. y Ps. 67. 2, 3. z Ps. 82. 1—. 
 
 102. What do ice pray for in 
 the second petition ? 
 
 In the second petition, which 
 is, " Thy kingdom come," a 
 we pray that Satan's kingdom 
 may be destroyed, b that the 
 kingdom of grace may be ad- 
 vanced, c ourselves and oth- 
 ers brought into it, and kept in 
 it, d and that the kingdom of 
 glory may be hastened, e 
 
 o Mat. 6. 10. b Ps. 83. 1, 18. c Rev. 12. 
 10,11. dThess. 3. 1. Rom. 10. 1. John 
 17. 9, 20. e Rev. 22. 20. 
 
 103. What do we pray for in 
 the third petition ? 
 
 In the third petition, which 
 is, " Thy will be done on earth 
 as it is in heaven,"/ we pray 
 that God by his grace would 
 make us able and willing to 
 know, obey, and submit to his 
 will in all things, ^ as the an- 
 gels do in heaven, h 
 
 /Ps.119. 34,35,36. gActs21.24. APs.103.20. 
 
 104. What do we pray for in 
 the fourth petition ? 
 
 In the fourth petition, which 
 is. " Give us this day our daily 
 bread," i we pray that of God's 
 free gift we may receive a com- 
 petent portion of the good things 
 of this life, and enjoy his bless- 
 ing with them, k 
 
 i Mai. 6. 11. k Prov. 30. 8, 9. Gen. 28. 20. 
 1 Tim. 4. 4,5. 
 
 105. What do we pray for in 
 the fifth petition ? 
 
 In the fifth petition, which 
 is, " And forgive us our debts 
 as we forgive our debtors," L 
 we pray that God, for Christ's 
 sake, would freely pardon all 
 our sins, m which we are the 
 rather encouraged to ask be- 
 cause by his grace we are ena- 
 bled from the heart to forgive 
 others, n 
 
 ZMal. 6. 12. mh. 51. 1.2, 7,9. Dan. 
 9. 17—19. nLuke 11. 4. Mai. 18. 35. 
 
 106. What do we pray for in 
 the sixth petition ? 
 
 In the sixth petition, which 
 is, " And lead us not into temp- 
 tation, but deliver us from 
 evil,"o we pray that God would 
 either keep us from being 
 tempted to sin,jv or support 
 and deliver us, when we are 
 tempted, q 
 
 oMat. 6. 13. p Mai. 26. 41. q 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8. 
 
 107. What does the conclusion 
 of the Lord's prayer teach us? 
 
 The conclusion of the Lord's 
 prayer, which is, " For thine is 
 the kingdom, the power, and the 
 glory, for ever, Amen," r teach- 
 eth us to take our encourage- 
 ment in prayer from God only, s 
 and in our prayers to praise 
 him, ascribing kingdom, power, 
 and glory to him : t and in tes- 
 timony of our desire and assur- 
 ance to be heard, we say — 
 Amen, u 
 
 rMat. 6. 13. « Dan. 9. 4, 7—9, 16—19. 
 * 1 Cliron. 29. 10—13. u 1 Cor. 14. 16. 
 
 Rev. 22.20, 21. 
 
 Let children be encouraged by Parents or School Teachers 
 to commit to memory one answer in the Catechism each day, 
 as a reward for proficiency in other studies, or for good behavior ; 
 and their proficiency would be rapid. 
 
12 
 CIRCULAR. 
 
 This is designed particularly for Teachers in Sunday Schools, who 
 have Bible classes or other classes of the oldest pupils. 
 
 If the very words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, relating to 
 any given doctrine, precept, warning, or promise, are treas- 
 ured in memory, and then a clear exposition and pungent appli- 
 cation of divine truth are made, incalculable present and permanent 
 advantages may be hoped from it.* «..«„ 
 
 The following exercises will exemplify the author s manner 
 of using the Bible Class Text Book, and, he trusts, will recom- 
 mend its resumed use very extensively : — 
 
 1 What END should regulate all our conduct* a „ nrama 
 A Thehtehest i noblest end, from which a creature can act, is a supreme 
 
 sublime, and his moral character Godlike. IMMORTAL9 no other end 
 
 Ye dear youth, are you pursuing this end? As immortals, no ouier enu 
 
 deserves your P«™ t. ^ uht of nature , Mat there is a God! 
 
 I" MaSl a^fnteTlectual exisfence displaying w.sdom power and 
 goodness, in the 1™^^ 
 
 volitions of mind, Ae ^^^ lt ^ ^SvSlecBVise is adequate, except an 
 production of these effects. But no conceivam ew« natIira i and moral 
 
 evidence of the existence of a Being who is " God over all, ble.^eu wrejer 
 
 glories of the Lamb m their brightest C0 J°™;,/ r W7nature Their primary 
 Sunt, the wretchedness, and the ^^^^g^V^^ 2 
 object was to reveal "Ration b>< Christ in ".^VdiviSe revelation de- 
 consummation. Do not the Author and l ^ °»jec ? fiible 
 
 maud the universal diss emin f u f 0, \ ^^^S "^ beWef of all its truths, our 
 deserve and claim our diligent ^^^^'^Hur filial acceptance of its 
 conformity of heart and life to all its precepts, aim vu» 
 abundant consolation ? rprpivpd the ingrafted word with meekness ? 
 
 * A youth, ^^^^^^^^ Sten^th^ 
 
 esting, and practically useful. It was » added, v» maTnCTt ^^ 
 
 text occurs: « Thejeavens deelarethe gluy °J™^ tt 0C J curs . « ^ rtAer , 
 his handy work" When I sit down to meals, *™™ e ^r;f orV afGod» When 
 tAere/ore, ye cat or drink, or whatsoever ye do do fl^^oj^ Qn 
 
 1 open the" sacred volume, \,^^^\J^^r^far instZtim in 
 
 <sri^ the so - 
 
 cial study of ETERNAL TRUTH. 
 
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