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 ostentations 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.
Without faith it is impossiele to please God. Heb. xi. 6.

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.

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." -Lectures on the Catechism, p. 33.

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 ?""*

"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.t

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.

t Ibid., second part. See also the remarks of Archbishop Secker in the note to Chapter II.

In the Liturgy we pray,

3d Collect Morning Prayer.-That all our doings being ordered by thy governance, &c.

4th Sunday in Advent.-With great might succour us.

1st Sunday after Epiphany.-May have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same.

4th Sunday after Epiphany.--By reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength, &c.

2d Sunday in Lent.-Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls.

Easter Sunday.-Put into our minds good desires.

4th Sunday after Easter-Who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people that they may love, &c.

1st Sunday after Trinity.-We can do no good thing without

thee.

9th Sunday after Trinity.-That we who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will.

15th Sunday after Trinity.-The frailty of man without thee cannot but fall; keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful.

Will he give us his grace in answer to prayer?

Yes.

Ask, and it shall be given you. Matt. vii. 7.

Whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt.

xxi. 22.

If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts, &c., how much more shall your heavenly Father. Luke xi. 13.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John xiv. 14.

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. John xvi. 23.

Why are the blessings connected with Baptism, and to which you are called, described here as a state of salvation? Because we are thereby admitted to the privileges of that covenant of grace by which salvation is given to mankind.

In what does salvation consist?

In being saved from the love, practice, and dominion of sin, and from hell, the punishment of sin: and in being restored to the favour of God, and fitted for the enjoyment of eternal life.

Who are called to this salvation?

Every one.

Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. Isa. xlv. 22.

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Isa. lv. 1. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden. Matt. xi. 28.

Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature, &c. Mark xvi. 15, 16.

Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. Luke xiv. 23.

That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. Luke xxiv. 47.

If any man thirst let him come unto me, and drink. John vii. 47.

Let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. xxii. 17.

Who calls us?

Our heavenly Father.

Like Sa

Be not like the deaf adder, (Ps. lviii. 4,) that stoppeth her ear; nor like those, (Matt. xxii. 3,) who, when invited, would not come; do not "begin to make excuses," like those mentioned in Luke xiv. 18; but obey the kind, the gracious call, like Abraham, (Gen. xii. 1. 4.) muel, (1 Sam. iii. 10,) say, "Speak, for thy servant heareth;" and when bid to follow Christ, (like Matt. ix. 9,) arise and follow him. There is yet room. O delay not till the door of mercy is closed on you for ever! This is a holy calling.

Who hath called us with a holy calling. 2 Tim. i. 9.

We are called to this state of salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour." Every mercy we receive comes through him, especially this new covenant of grace. He is the Mediator. He opened the way for the salvation of sinners, by the sacrifice of himself.

Who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Tim. ii. 6.

From his merits our pardon and acceptance proceed: in him the exceeding great and precious promises of the Scriptures were made; and the gift of the Holy Spirit, by which they are applied, is the purchase of his blood, O how precious should he then be! You say, I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this state of salvation.' You have indeed reason for the deepest gratitude. Contrast your condition with that of millions around you. Consider the Heathen, living without hope and without God in the world, (Eph. ii. 12,) while you have Bibles and instructers, and all those means of grace which are able to make you wise unto eternal life. Show forth then the praise of Him who hath thus blessed you.