"not only with your lips, but in your lives, by giving up yourselves to his service, and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all your days.'

NOTE.

ON THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE BAPTISMAL PROMISES.

IN repeating the Catechism we acknowledge that we are bound by the promises of Baptism. There is a more solemn acknowledgment and assent to them in Confirmation, to which all baptized persons should look forward as a part of their duty. This is not the place to dwell at length upon this subject, but those who have not yet made the acknowledgment of their obligations by confirming them through their own personal act, should keep in mind, "that at a suitable time, when their understandings are matured, and their minds well instructed, they ought in God's presence, and before the congregation of his people, to take upon themselves the baptismal obligation: 'to renew' in their own name 'the solemn promise and vow; ratifying and confirming the same, and acknowledging themselves bound to believe and to do all those things which their sponsors then undertook for them; so soon as they are sufficiently instructed in the Church Catechism, set forth for that purpose; so soon as they have obtained a competent knowledge of their duty to God, and of their salvation in Christ, and are prepared, with a right faith and sincere piety, to devote themselves to God in a religious profession, they should be brought' with their own voluntary consent and desire 'to the Bishop;' they should be instructed" [and of course endeavour to learn themselves] "how and when to receive Confirmation."-Bishop Griswold's Pastoral Letter.

ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE BAPTISMAL PROMISES.

"It should be carefully considered, that whatever duty or obligation is laid upon all or any one in the administration of Baptism arises from the nature and divine authority of the sacrament, and not from the responses; and if nothing be said in the child's name, as in private Baptism, the covenant is the same, as is also the obligation. In the responses which the Church requires, we recognise and express those duties of repentance, faith, and obedience, which, according to our knowledge and abilities, are inseparably connected with our being members of Christ's Church."-Ibid.

CHAPTER VI.

ON THE CREED.

"WHAT is the second thing your Sponsors promised for you ?"

"That I should believe all the Articles of the Christian faith."

What is the summary of a Christian's faith?

The Apostle's Creed.

What is the first article in the Apostle's Creed?

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."

What it is to believe in God has been before considered, under the chapter on Faith. It will now be necessary to inquire into the object of Faith-God.

Who is God?

A spiritual being existing of himself, from whom all things proceed, on whom all things depend, and who governs all.

The Heathen almost all acknowledged a God; indeed, the works of creation most clearly declare his existence. The heavens declare the glory of God. Ps. xix. 1.

He left not himself without witness, in that he gave us rain from heaven, &c. Acts xiv. 17.

For the invisible things of him are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; even his eternal power and Godhead. Rom. i. 20.

Is the knowledge of God necessary?

Yes.

This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God. John xvii. 3.

What are the distinguishing attributes of God?

He is ETERNAL, having neither beginning nor end.

Abraham called on the name of the everlasting God. Gen. xxi. 33.

I lift up my hand, and say, I live for ever. Deut. xxxii. 40.
The eternal God is thy refuge. Deut. xxxiii. 27.

From everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Ps. xc. 2.
The everlasting God fainteth not. Isa. xl. 28.

Thy name is from everlasting. Isa. Ixiii. 16.

According to the commandment of the everlasting God. Rom. xvi. 26.

Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Heb. i. 12.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which
is, and which was, and which is to come. Rev. i. 8.
He is INVISIBLE, although he seeth all things.

No man hath seen God at any time. John i. 18. 1 John iv. 12.
Who is the image of the invisible God. Col. i. 15.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible. 1 Tim. i. 17. Whom no man hath seen nor can see. 1 Tim. vi. 16.

Him, who is invisible. Heb. xi. 27.

He is INCOMPREHENSIBLE.

I am that I am. Exod. iii. 14.

Who will say unto him, What doest thou? Job ix. 12.

See note at the end of this section, page 38.

Canst thou, by searching, find out God? Job xi. 7.

He giveth not account of any of his matters. Job xxxiii. 13. Behold God is great, and we know him not. Job xxxvi. 26. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out. Job xxxvii. 23. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Ps. cxxxix. 6.

Great is the Lord: his greatness is unsearchable. Ps. cxlv. 3. None can stay his hand, or say, What doest thou? Dan. iv. 35. How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Rom. xi. 33.

His being and his ways are incomprehensible to those who curiously inquire into what God has not revealed; yet every humble inquirer after truth, who desires to practise what he knows, shall obtain from the Scripture all the knowledge which is necessary to make him wise unto salvation.

In the Athanasian Creed, he is called not only the Father eternal,' the Father uncreated,' but the Father incomprehensible.'

He is OMNIPRESENT, or everywhere present, to protect his servants, and to observe the actions of those who sin against him.

The heaven of heavens cannot contain thee. 1 Kings viii. 27.. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. 2 Chron. xvi. 9.

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there, &c. Ps. cxxxix. 8-10.

Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. Jer. xxiii. 24.

He is OMNISCIENT; he knows all things, past, present, and future. He knows the secrets of all hearts, and can tell whether our professions of serving him be sincere or insincere. "Be not deceived: God is not mocked."

For the Lord searcheth all hearts. 1 Chron. xxviii. 9.

There is not a word in my tongue but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Ps. cxxxix. 4.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Ps. cxxxix. 23.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Prov. xv. 3.

I the Lord search the heart. Jer. xvii. 10.

O the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God. Rom. xi. 33. To God only wise. Rom. xvi. 27.

After that in the wisdom of God, &c. 1 Cor. i. 21.

Might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God.
Eph. iii. 10.

All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him. Heb. iv. 13.
To the only wise God, our Saviour. Jude 25. 1 Tim. i. 17.
He giveth wisdom to his people.

He giveth wisdom unto the wise. Dan. ii. 20, 21.
Who of God is made unto us, wisdom, &c. 1 Cor. i. 30.

Ask it then "in faith, nothing wavering." James i. 5. Like Solomon, (1 Kings iii. 9,) say, "Give thy servant an understanding heart."

He is ALMIGHTY. "God the Father Almighty."

I am the Almighty God. Gen. xvii. 1.

Is any thing too hard for the Lord? Gen. xviii. 14.

I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. Gen. xxxv. 11. For the Lord your God is a mighty God. Deut. x. 14. 17. Neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. Deut. xxxii. 39.

Thine is the greatness, &c. and the majesty. 1 Chron. xxix. 11 I know that thou canst do every thing. Job xlii. 2.

He shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Ps. ii. 9. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine. Ps. lxxxix. 11. The hills melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord. Ps. xcvii. 5.

Ps. cxv. 3; cxxxv. 6. Prov. xxx. 4.

His kingdom ruleth over all. Ps. ciii. 19.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he.
Who hath gathered the wind in his fists?
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand. Isa.
xl. 12.

I will work, and who shall let it? Isa. xliii. 13.

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Matt. xi. 25. With God nothing shall be impossible. Luke i. 37.

Fear him who hath power to cast into hell. Luke xii. 5.

Seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth. Acts xvii. 24. He giveth to all life and breath, &c. In him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts xvii. 25. 28.

The blessed and only Potentate-King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 1 Tim. vi. 15.

To him be dominion and power, both now and for ever. Jude 25. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Rev. iv. 8.

Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto him. Rev. v. 13. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. xix. 6.

This view of the irresistible power and infinite dominion of the Lord of Hosts, ought to produce awe and resignation.

David, when cursed by Shimei. 2 Sam. xvi. 10.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace. Ps. xxxix. 2.

It should also encourage us to put our whole trust in him.

He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Eph. iii. 20. Rely on him then as Abraham did, (Rom. iv. 21,) fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

There are many striking instances of the interference of this great POWER against his enemies.

The flood. Gen. vii. 10. 21.

Confusion of tongues at Babel. Gen. xi. 9.

Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed. Gen. xix. 24, 25.
Waters of Egypt turned to blood. Exod. vii. 19.
Land covered with frogs. Exod. viii. 6.
Dust changed into lice. Exod. viii. 17.
Plague of flies. Exod. viii. 24.

Murrain among the cattle. Exod. ix. 6.

Boils on man and beast. Exod. ix. 10.

Storm of hail mingled with fire. Exod. ix. 24.
Plague of locusts. Exod. x. 14.

Three days' darkness. Exod. x. 22.
First-born slain. Exod. xii. 29.

Egyptians drowned in the Red sea. Exod. xiv. 27.
Nadab and Abihu burnt. Lev. x. 2.

Korah and his company destroyed. Num. xvi. 32.
Dreadful plagues in the Israelitish camp. Num. xvi. 49.
Stars fought against Sisera. Judg. v. 20.

Assyrian army smitten. 2 Kings xix. 35.
Nebuchadnezzar driven from men. Dan. iv. 33.
He displays his POWER in behalf of his people.
Noah saved in the ark. Gen. viii. 1.

Red sea divided. Exod. xiv. 21.

Israel fed with manna. Exod. xvi. 14, 15.

Rock of Horeb smitten. Exod. xvii. 6.

Another rock smitten. Num. xx. 11.

Jordan divided. Josh. iii. 16.

Walls of Jericho thrown down. Josh. vi. 20.

Sun and moon stand still. Josh. x. 13.

Gideon conquers with three hundred men. Judges vii. 22.
Shadrach, &c. saved in the fiery furnace. Dan. iii. 27.

Daniel in the lion's den. Dan. vi. 22.

Jonah in the whale's belly. Jon. ii. 10.

Paul unhurt by the viper. Acts xxviii. 5.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. Isa. liv. 17. Collect, 11th Sunday after Trinity.-Who declarest thy Almighty power, chiefly in showing mercy and pity.

Apply to him for the exercise of his power on your behalf.

3d Collect, Morning Prayer.-Defend us in the same way with thy mighty power.

2d Sunday after Epiphany.-Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things, &c.

3d Sunday in Lent.-Stretch forth the right hand of thy majesty, to be our defence.

8th Sunday after Trinity.-0 God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things.

He is a God of GLORY.

Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Ps. viii. 1.

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory. 1 Chron. xxix. 11.

The whole earth is full of his glory. Isa. vi. 3.

Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory. Matt. vi. 13. Te Deum.-Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.