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1. Every one knows more evil by himfelf, than by any other, Rom. xii. 10. Phil. ii. 3.

2. Nor fpeak evil of them, Tit. iii. 2. Jude, 8, 9, 10. Jam. iv. 11.

3.

Nor do any evil against them, no not though we have received evil from them, Rom. xii. 17,20,21. 1 Theff. v. 15. 1 Pet. iii. 9. 1 Cor. xiii. 7.

2. We pray for all Men, I Cor. xiii. v. 1 Tim. ii. 1. yea for our very Enemies. For, 1. We have a particular command for that, Mat. V. 44.

2. Unless we pray for them we cannot be faid to have forgiven them, and fo are not capable as yet of pardon our felves, Mat. vi. 12, 14, 15.

3. By this means we fhall put out of our Minds all defire of Revenge, and fo commit our caufe wholly to GOD, Rom. xii. 19, 20.

4. In this we shall follow the fteps of our bleffed Saviour, who was Charity it felf, Luke xxiii. 34.

III. By true Charity we do good to all,Gal.vi.10. i Cor. xiii. 4. Xensiveтas, 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18. 1. Why do good with what we have? I. GOD is the Supreme Proprietor of the World, and our Landlord, we his Tenants; and to testifie that we ought to pay him a quit-Rent, Homage, or Tribute, by giving of what we have to Pious and Charitable ufes. Hence when they brought their Offerings, they are to acknowledge GOD's Dominion over and Mercy to them, Deut. xxvi. 1, 10, 12. fo David, 1 Chron. xxix. 11, 12, 14. 2. This

2. This will make us mindful of our de-
pendance upon GOD and obligations
to him, Deut. vi. 10, 11, 12. Prov.
xxx. 8, 9. Mat. vi. 19, 20, 21.
3. This is the Means whereby GOD hath
provided for the Poor, fo that you
rob them, unless you give them, Mal.
iii. 8.

2. How fhould this Grace be exercised?
1. In Obedience to GOD, and for his
fake, Mark ix. 41. I Cor. xiii. 1, 2.
2. It must be univerfal, Gal. vi. 10.
3. Willingly and chearfully performed,
2 Cor. ix. 7. Rom. xii. 8. Ats xx. 35.
4. Proportionably to every Man's Estate,
1 Cor. xvi. 2. 2 Cor. ix. 6. Luke xxi.

1, 2, 3.

5. To a good end, not to be feen of Men, Mat, vi. 1.

Nor thinking to merit Heaven by it, Luke xvii. 10.

But only for the Glory of GOD, Mat. v.

16.

MOTIVES.

1. This is the best way to employ your Eftates, χρήματα.

2. To preferve and fecure them, Pròv. xix. 17. Mat. vi. 19, 20.

3. To encrease them, Mat. xix. 29. 4. All your Religion without this is nothing worth, Fam. i. 27.

5. Sentence will be paft upon you hereafter according to your Charity here, Mat. XXV. 34, 4.

THE

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2 W Hat

Hat do ye mean by thofe Articles? A. The Sum and Subftance of the Chriftian Doctrine.

2. Where have you that Doctrine fummed up? A. In the Creeds.

2. How many Creeds doth our Church receive? A. Three: The Apostles, Nicene,and Athanafian. Which do we here mean?

A. The Apostles; fo called, either as gathered out of their Writings, or made by them, 2 Tim. i. 13. Hold fast the form of found words, which thou baft beard of me, in faith and love which is in Chrift Fefus. 1 Cor xv. 3. 4. For I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received, how that Chrift died for our Sins, according to the Scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he refe again the third day according to the Scriptures. Jude 3. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation; it was needful for me to write unto you,and exhort you that ye fhould earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. 2. Why do ye rehearse that Creed?

A. Because That contains the Subftance of all other,and is univerfally received by all Chriftians. 2. Is it neceffary for all to learn the Creed? A. Yes. Otherwife, unless they know that, they cannot believe as they promifed, when they VOL. I.

S

were

were Baptized; and unless we believe, we cannot be faved. Mark xvi. 16. He that believeth, and is Baptized, fhall be faved; but he that believeth not, fhall be damned.

2Why do we fo often rehearse these Articles? A. Because by that means we make publick Profeffion of our Chriftian Faith. Rom. x. 9, 10. If thou shalt confefs with thy mouth the Lord Jefus, and fbalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raifed him from the dead, thou shalt be faved. For with the Heart Man believeth unto Righteousness, and with the Mouth Confeffion is made unto Salvation. That is the Reason why we fay it fo often in our Prayers. 2. Why is the Creed put firft before the Commandments and Lord's Prayer?

A. Because we must first believe, before we can obey or pray to God. Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impoffible to please bim; for he that cometh to God, muft believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I Believe

2. Why are thefe Words placed first of all? A. Because they run through the whole Twelve, to every Article I give my Affent, Credo; whence the whole is called the Creed.

2. Why, I believe, in the Singular Number?

A. Because every one must believe for himself, Fohn ix. 38. And he faid, Lord, I Believe. And be worshipped him. John xi. 27. She faith unto bim, Tea, Lord: I Believe that thou art the Chrift the Son of God which should come into the World. Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Chrift; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Chrift liveth in me: And the Life which I now live in the Flefb, I live by the Faith of the Son of God,who loved me, and gave himself for

me.

me. Hab. ii. 4. Bebold, bis Soul which is lifted up, is not upright in him: But the just shall live by his Faith.

2. What is it to believe in this place?

A. To be fully perfwaded that every thing here is true. Rom viii. 38. For I am perfwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things prefent, nor things to come. Heb.xi. 1. Now Faith is the fubftance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not feen.

What ground have you to be thus per

fwaded?

A. Because every thing in the Creed is attefted by God, who cannot lye. Tit. i. 2. In bope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promifed, before the World began.

2. Where hath God attefted it?

A. In his Holy Word, 2 Tim. iii. 16. All Scripture is given by infpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inftruction in righteousness.

In God

2. What doth this Article import?

A. That God is. Heb. xi. 6. But without Faith it is impoffible to please him: For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently feek him.

2. Why do ye believe there is a God?

A. All things fhew it. Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead; fo that they are without excufe. And fo atteft it: Acts xiv 16, 17. Who in Times paft fuffered all Nations to walk in their own way. Nevertheless be left not bim

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