the necessaries and enjoyments of life; that he guards me from danger and preserves me from evil; wholly induced by divine, paternal love and mercy, without any claim of merit or worthiness in me, for all which I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.

Of what does the second article treat?
Of our redemption.

Rehearse it.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only 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 arose again 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.

What do you profess to believe in this article?

I believe, that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who hath redeemed, purchased, and delivered me a poor, forlorn, condemned person, from sin, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with his holy precious blood and with his innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be his, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and happiness; even as he is risen from the dead, and now lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Of what does the third article treat?
Of our sanctification.

Rehearse it.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic (universal) Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

What do you profess to believe in this article? I believe, that I cannot, merely by my own reason or other natural powers, believe in or come to Jesus Christ my Lord; but that the Holy Spirit hath called me by the gospel, enlightened me by his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith, in like manner as he calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole, Christian church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ by the true faith; in which Christian church he daily and richly forgives me, and all other believers, all our sins and will at the last day raise up me and all the dead, and will grant unto me and all that believe in Jesus Christ, everlasting lifes This is most certainly true.

PART III.

OF THE LORD'S PRAYER.

THE INTRODUCTION.

"Our Father who art in heaven."

What does our Saviour teach us in this preface? That God would affectionately invite us to be. lieve, and to be assured, that he is truly our

Father, and that we are his children indeed; and to call upon him with all cheerfulness and confidence, even as beloved children entreat a kind and affectionate parent.

THE FIRST PETITION.

"Hallowed be thy name."

How is this to be understood?

God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition, that it may also be sanctified by us.

When is this effected?

When the word of God is taught pure and unadulterated, and we, as the children of God, live holy lives, conformably to its precepts. To this, may the Lord, our Father in heaven, incline us! But he, whose doctrine and life are contrary to the word of God, dishonours the name of God among us. From this preserve us, O Lord, our heavenly Father!

THE SECOND PETITION.

"Thy kingdom come."

How is this to be understood.?

The kingdom of God will come, indeed, without our prayers: but we pray in this petition, that it may also come unto us.

When is this effected?

When our heavenly Father gives us his holy Spirit, so that, by his grace, we believe in his holy word, and live a godly life, here in time, and in heaven for ever.

THE THIRD PETITION.

"Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." How is this to be understood?

God's good and gracious will is done, indeed, without our prayers; but in this petition we pray, that it may also be done by us.

When is this done?

When God prevents and destroys all evil councils and intentions, the will of the devil, of the world, and of our own flesh, which tend to dishonour the name of God among us, and hinder the coming of his kingdom to us; and when he strengthens and preserves us steadfast in his word and faith, unto our end. This is his good and gracious will.

THE FOURTH PETITION.

"Give us this day our daily bread." How is this to be understood?

God bestows indeed, unasked, the necessaries and conveniencies of life, even upon the wicked; but in this petition we pray, that he would make us sensible of his mercies, and enable us to receive them with thanksgiving.

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What is comprehended in the term, our daily bread?"

Every thing necessary to the support and comfort of existence; as, food and raiment, house and land, money and goods; a kind spouse, good children, faithful servants, righteous magistrates, good weather, peace, health,

instruction, honour, true friends, good neighbours, and the like.

THE FIFTH PETITION.

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.' How is this to be understood?

We pray in this petition, that our heavenly Father would not regard our sins, nor deny us our requests on account of them: for we merit not one single good thing at his hands: but that, though we very often and greatly offend and deserve severer chastisement, he would of his free grace pardon us and bestow on us what we desire. We promise also, on our part, heartily to forgive and willingly to do good to those by whom we have been offended.

THE SIXTH PETITION.

“And lead us not into temptation." How is this to be understood?

Properly speaking, God tempts no man to evil; but we pray in this petition, that God would protect and preserve us from the devil, the world, and our own deceitful hearts; and not suffer us to be seduced by them, into unbelief, despair, or any other great and shameful sins; and that, though we may be tempted and assaulted by them, we may nevertheless conquor, and finally obtain the victory over them.

THE SEVENTH PETITION.

"But deliver us from evil."

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