of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8, 9. Question 22. What is then necessary for a Christian to be lieve? Answer. All things promised us in the Gospel; which the Articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith briefly teach us. Question 23. What are these Articles? Answer. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth: And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost: Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate: Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into Hell:* The third day He rose from the dead: He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: I believe in the Holy Catholic Church: The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of Sins: The Resurrection of the Body: And Life everlasting. Amen. Question 24. How are these Articles divided? *(or "Hades."-Directory of Worship.) Answer. Into three parts: the first is of God the Father, and our creation; the second of God the Son, and our redemption; the third of God the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification. Question 25. Since there is but one divine essence, why speakest thou of Father, Son and Holy Ghost? Answer. Because God hath so revealed Himself in His Word, that these three distinct persons are the only true and eternal God. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matt. 3: 16, 17. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matt. 28: 19. GOD THE FATHER. What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"? Answer. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them, who like wise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body; and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage: for He is able to do it, being almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father. 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. Heb. 11: 3. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. John 5:17. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matt. 7: 11. Question 27. What dost thou mean by the Providence of God? Answer. The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were, by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things, come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17: 28. Are not two sparrows sold one of them shall not fall to for a farthing? and the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. 10: 29-31. Question 28. What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things? Answer. That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hands, that without His will they cannot so much as move. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5: 18. I 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 creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:38, 39. OF GOD THE SON. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is, a Saviour? Answer. Because He saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins; and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other. The angel said to Joseph: and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Matt. 1: 21. Question 30. Do such then believe in Jesus the only Saviour, who seek their salvation and happiness of saints, of themselves, or any where else? Answer. They do not for though they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only Deliverer and Saviour: for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Saviour, or that they who by a true faith receive this Saviour, must find all things in Him necessary to their salvation. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:11. Question 31. Why is He called Christ, that is, Anointed? Because He is ordained of God, the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, |