would think nothing but corrupt nature, an evil heart of unbelief, prejudice, or worldly interest, could incline men to understand this article in any other sense, or constrain them to put a double meaning upon it. Our reformers here call it a wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort; and all who experience it, find it so; although those who do not experience it, do not know either the wholesomeness or comfort of it. Many people have the doctrine of justification by faith in their heads, but yet are very miserable for want of having it in their hearts. CHAPTER V. ON THE PROMISES MADE AT BAPTISM. WHAT did your Sponsors for you at your Baptism? "They did promise and vow three things in my name : First, that I should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Secondly, that I should believe all the articles of the Christian Faith. And, thirdly, that I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life." What is meant by the devil? An evil spirit, the prince of the fallen angels, who is invisible, but very busy and powerful. He is the implacable enemy of the whole human race, and especially of believers, whose ruin and misery he' is always aiming to effect. He occasioned the fall of our first parents, seducing Eve, by a lie, to take of the forbidden fruit. 2 Cor. xi. 3. Under him are numbers of other wicked spirits, who are always at hand to tempt men to sin, and who will finally become the tormentors of such as die in a state of unbelief. He is mentioned in Scripture under various names: Satan, (i. e. Adversary or Accuser.) God of this world. 2 Cor. iv. 4. Job i. 6. Zech. iii. I. Belial, (i. e. extremely wicked.) 2 Cor. vi. 15. Lucifer. Isa. xiv. 12. Tempter, (even of our Lord.) Matt. Roaring Lion. 1 Pet. v. 8. iv. 3. Ruler of the darkness of this world. A sinner from the beginning. 1 John iii. 8. Apollyon, (the Destroyer.) Rev. Dragon. Rev. xii. 3. Surely, when we consider his power and subtlety, we have great reason to pray, "Lead us not into temptation." The Liturgy contains many petitions for deliverance from his wiles. In the Litany.-From the crafts and assaults of the devil. From all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, deliver us. Prayer after the Litany.-That those evils which the craft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh against us, be brought to naught. Collect, 18th Sunday after Trinity-Grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. What are the works of the devil? Whatever is sinful, and contrary to the will of God, as lying, swearing, sabbath-breaking, envyings, contentions, theft, murder, uncleanness, hatred, drunkenness, &c. Gal. v. 19-21. He blinds the eyes of those that believe not. 2 Cor. iv. 4. He worketh in the children of disobedience. Eph. ii. 2. He keeps men from seeking salvation. He sows tares with the good seed. Matt. xiii. 39. He catches the word out of the heart. Matt. xiii. 19. Luke viii. 12. He leads men captive at his will. 2 Tim. ii. 26. He tempts men to apostasy. He put into the heart of Judas to betray his Lord. John xiii. 2. 27. He filled the heart of Ananias to lie. Acts v. 3. We are warned to be on our guard, and to resist his attacks. Neither give place to the devil. Eph. iv. 27. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. vi. 11. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James iv. 7. Be sober, be vigilant, because of your adversary the devil. 1 Pet. v. 8. Whom resist, steadfast in the faith. 1 Pet. v. 9. That you may not be overcome and caught in his snares, endeavour to preserve a continual sense of the omnipresence and omniscience of God, and of the duty you owe to him. When temptation assails you, ask with Joseph, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Gen. xxxix. 9. Recollect, too, that Satan is often transformed into an angel of light, in order to deceive. 2 Cor. xi. 14. Beware then how you attempt to refute his suggestions by your him, but say, "Get thee behind me, Satan :" and hide the word of God in your heart, as Jesus did, that you may be able at once to put him to silence with "It is written." The Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John iii. 8. What is meant by pomps and vanity? By pomps are meant the pride of life; all ostentatious display of greatness and riches; the worldly ambition and distinction which seeks the "praise of men," and not "the honour which cometh from God only ;" and such worldly objects in general as captivate the heart, and withdraw it from God. Vanities consist of empty pleasures and amusements, finery in dress, and frivolous occupations. These we must renounce; we must not only forsake them outwardly in our life and conversation, but resist them inwardly in our thoughts and desires. How do you prove the duty and necessity of this? Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Exod. xxiii. 2. Be not conformed to this world. Rom. xii. 2. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Eph. v. 11. Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Tim. ii. 19. The friendship of the world is enmity with God. James iv. 4. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world 1 John ii. 15. Why do you say "This wicked world?" The whole world lieth in wickedness, i. e. is under the influence of the devil. 1 John v. 19. What are the "sinful lusts of the flesh ?" The whole corrupt nature, with all evil tempers, dispositions, thoughts, and desires. When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. James i. 15. Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. 1 Pet. ii. 11. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, are not of the Father. 1 John ii. 16. We must not indulge in sinful desires, nor give way to bad tempers, nor be found in bad practices; but aim to mortify and subdue our sinful affections. Take heed ye be not given up to your heart's lusts. Ps. lxxxi. 12. Flee youthful lusts. 2 Tim. ii. 22. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly. Titus ii. 12. The punishment of the Israelites in the wilderness is recorded as an awful example to those who lust after evil things. 1 Cor. x. 6. Num. xi. 4. 33, 34. The consideration that Christ died to save us from the tyranny of our three great enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil, and that his grace is promised for our support under the conflict, should excite us to fight manfully against them.* Christ died to deliver us from this present evil world. Gal. i. 4. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Gal. v. 16. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. Gal. v. 24. That he should no longer live in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Pet. iv. 2. What was the second thing your Sponsors promised for you? That I should believe all the Articles of the Christian faith. True faith has been described, and its necessity shown. See Chap. IV. He that believeth not shall be damned. Mark xvi. 16. What was the third thing your Sponsors promised for you? That I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life. Where is God's holy will summed up? In the ten commandments. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, &c., but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matt vii. 21. If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Matt. xix. 17. Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke xi. 28. *The following suggestions of Archbishop Secker deserve our serious attention. "I must desire you to observe, concerning each of the things which we renounce in Baptisin, that we do not undertake what is beyond our power; that the temptations of the devil shall never beset and molest us; that the vain show of the world shall never appear inviting to us; that our own corrupt nature shall never prompt or incline us to evil: but we undertake what, through the grace of God, though not without it, is in our power: that we will not either designedly or carelessly give these our spiritual enemies needless advantages against us; and that, with whatever advantage they may at any time attack us, we will never yield to them, but always resist them with the utmost prudence and strength." We are to make them the daily rule of our life, and to walk in them, which implies activity. Good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them. Eph. ii. 10. How long is this obedience required? All the days of my life. Not only in our childhood, when we are subject to our parents, masters, and teachers, but when we are grown up, and no longer under their control. Might serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Luke i. 75. "Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe, and to do as they have promised for thee ?""* 66 Yes, verily; and by God's help so I will: and I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this state of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. And I pray unto God to give me His grace, that I may continue in the same unto my life's end." Why are you bound to believe and to do these things? Because what my Sponsors promised was in my name, and for my benefit; and because God requires it as my duty.† If we do not repent and believe, baptism will avail us nothing: but if we had not been baptized, we should not be at all excused for neglecting these important duties. He is not a Jew who is one outwardly. Rom. ii. 28. If in future life, you are workers of iniquity, the privileges of baptism will increase your condemnation, and it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for you. Are we able to do these things of ourselves? No. Without me ye can do nothing. John xv. 5. God worketh in you both to will and to do. Phil. ii. 13. From Him "all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, do proceed."-2d Collect Evening Prayer. His help is to be had by prayer, and the grace which he communicates is abundantly sufficient. See note at the end of the chapter, page 30. + Ibid., second part. See also the remarks of Archbishop Secker i |