How is this to be understood?

We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our heavenly Father would vouchsafe to deliver us from every evil and suffering, whether it affect the soul or the body, property or character; and at last, when the hour of death shall arrive, grant us a happy end, and graciously take us from this world of imperfection and sorrow to himself in heaven.

THE CONCLUSION.

"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." What signifies the word, " Amen ?”

The assurance, that such petitions are acceptable to my Father in heaven, and heard of him; for he himself has commanded us thus to pray, and has promised to hear our supplications. Amen, amen, signifies yea, yea, it shall be so.

PART IV.

OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.

What is baptism?

Baptism is not mere water; but it is that water which the ordinance of God enjoins, and which is connected with God's word.

What is that commandment of God?

That, which our Lord Jesus Christ gave to his disciples, Matth. xxviii. 19: "Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

What are the benefits of Baptism?

It causes the foregiveness of sins, redeems from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to those that believe; as the word and promise of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God? Those, in which our Lord declares, Mark xvi. 16: "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned."

How can water produce such great effects?

It is not the water that produces them, but the word of God, which is connected with the water, and our faith confiding in this word of God in the use of baptismal water. For, without the word of God, the water is mere water, and no baptism; but with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a merciful water of life, and a laver of regeneration in the Holy Ghost: as St. Paul says to Titus, iii. 5, 6: "According to his mercy hath he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he hath shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour," that thereby we might be made righteous, and be heirs according to the hope of everlasting life.

What does such water-baptism signify?

It signifies, that the old Adam, with all sinful lusts and affections, should be drowned and destroyed by daily sorrow and repentance; and that a new man should daily arise, that shall dwell in the presence of God in righteousness and purity for ever.

Where is this said in the scriptures?

St. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, vi. 4. says: "We are buried with Christ by baptism into his death; that, like as he was raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in new. ness of life."

PART V.

OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.

OR,

THE LORD'S SUPPER.

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

It is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the external signs of bread and wine, given unto christians to eat and drink, as it was instituted by Christ himself.

Which are the words of the institution of the Sacrament?

The Holy evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke, together with the holy apostle St. Paul, write thus: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he break it and gave it unto his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after the supper he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."

What are the benefits derived from thus eating and drinking in the Lord's Supper?

They are pointed out in those words of the institution, "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins:" which words show us, that forgiveness of sin, life and salvation are imparted to us in the sacrament; for where there is remission of sins, there of course is also life and salvation.

How can corporeal eating and drinking produce such great effects?

It is not the eating and drinking that produces them, but that solemn declaration, "which is given and shed for you, for the remission of sins;" which words, besides the literal eating and drinking, are considered as the chief thing in the sacrament. Wherefore, whoever truly

believes these words, has what they promise, even the forgiveness of sin.

Who is it that receives this Sacrament worthily?

Fasting and bodily preparation, are indeed a good external discipline; but he alone, is truly worthy and well prepared, that believes in these words, "given and shed for you for the remission of sins." But whoever is void of this faith, or doubts in his mind, is unworthy and unfit; for the words, "for you," require. truly believing hearts.