The worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the
things which are seen, were not made of things which
do appear. Heb. xi. 3.

The work of creation is described in the first
and second chapters of Genesis.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Gen. i. I.

1st day. He made the light.

2d day. The firmament.

3d day. Waters separated from the land; grass, and fruit

trees.

4th day. The sun, moon, and stars.

5th day. Inhabitants of water, and fowls.

6th day. Beasts and reptiles.-Man out of dust.

(Dust thou art. Gen. iii. 19.)

7th day. He rested, and hallowed the seventh day.

In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth.
Exod. xx. 11; xxxi. 17.

Thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, &c. Ps. viii. 3.
He commanded and they were created. Ps. cxlviii. 5.
He made the earth by his power, and hath stretched out
the heavens by his discretion. Jer. x. 12; li. 15.

Thou, Lord, in the beginning, hast laid the foundation of
the earth. Heb. i. 10.

Every house is builded by some man, but he that built all
things is God. Heb. iii. 4.

Angels were also created by God.

Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flame of
fire. Ps. civ. 4; Heb. i. 7.

Why were all things created?

For the pleasure of the Almighty.

Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they
are and were created. Rev. iv. 11.

Do you believe in God the Father, in all his
characters and attributes, as revealed in the Scrip-
tures? If you do, you are living a blameless and
holy life-obedient to your parents and teachers

-desirous to receive instruction-reverencing the sabbath-doing to all as you would be done by— in short, keeping all the commandments of God, and hating every evil way. Then happy indeed is your state, and you are ripening for still more

exalted happiness in another world. But if the absence of these holy habits and inclinations, and an attachment to sin and sinful companions, show that you do not yet truly believe in him, let the conviction stop your dangerous career. Reflect on the character of Him with whom you have to do. Tremble at his vengeance-lay hold on his mercy-betake yourself unto him; and say, with humble confidence, but salutary fear, believe; help thou my unbelief."

Lord, I

ON THE CREED. No. 2.

ON OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

What is the second article in the Creed?

And [I believe] in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

The Catechism states, "who redeemed me and all mankind."

What is the meaning of the word JESUS?

It signifies Saviour, and was given him because he came to save all who believed on him, from sin and hell.

That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Isa. xlix. 6.

Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins. Matt. i. 21.

The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost. Matt. xviii. 11; Luke xix. 10.

And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us. Luke i. 69. Mine eyes hath seen thy salvation. Luke ii. 30.

That the world through him might be saved. John iii. 17. The Christ, the Saviour of the world. John iv. 42.

I came not to judge, but to save the world. John xii. 47. There is none other name, whereby we must be saved. Acts iv. 12.

From whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus.
Phil. iii. 20.

Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess.
i. 10.

God hath appointed us-to obtain salvation by our Lord
Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. v. 9.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim.
i. 15.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity. Titus ii. 14.

He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that
obey him. Heb. v. 9.

Having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb. ix. 12.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto right-
eousness. 1 Peter ii. 24.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John
i. 7.

What was the state of man, to require this salvation?

Our Church, in her ninth article, describes man as 'very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit: and therefore, in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation.'

Dead in trespasses and sins. Eph. ii. 1.

The heart is totally depraved.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great; and
that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was
only evil continually. Gen. vi. 5.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked. Jer. xvii. 9..

From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, &c. Matt. xv. 19; Mark vii. 21.
The Liturgy of our Church teaches us to con-
fess that "there is no health in us :" that "we
are tied and bound by the chain of our sins :" and
that "
through our sins and wickedness, we are
sore let and hindered."

Are all men by nature in this wretched condition ?
Yes.

1

There is none that doeth good. They are all there is none that doeth good, no not one.

How was this occasioned?

By the fall of Adam.

gone asidePs. xiv. 1, 3.

By one man sin entered into the world. Rom. v. 12.
By nature the children of wrath. Eph. ii. 3.

But our own actual transgressions, without original sin, would be sufficient to ruin us. They are more in number than the hairs of our head, and attended with the most shocking aggravations.

If you are yet in the state in which you were born into the world, you are living in iniquity, or rather dead in trespasses and sins, and consequently exposed to the wrath and damnation of God. But awful as your condition is, it is not hopeless. Jesus, who died for your redemption, and who ever liveth to make intercession for you, is waiting to extend to you the benefits of his cross and passion. Come unto him, and though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

How did Jesus redeem us?

By taking upon him our nature, and dying in our stead.

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. John i. 14. Of whom, concerning the flesh, Christ came. Rom. ix. 5. God sent forth his Son, made of a woman. Gal. iv. 4. Made in the likeness of men. Phil. ii. 7.

One Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. ii. 5.

Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. 1 Tim. iii. 16.

He took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham, &c. Heb. ii. 16, 17.

He was sustained in the same manner as other infants, for like them he was helpless and dependent he hungered, thirsted, and was weary ;

and was a partaker of the various infirmities of
childhood.

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.

Luke ii. 52.

He wept,

He had all the affections of men.

and rejoiced in spirit.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept
over it. Luke xix. 41.

Jesus wept. John xi. 35.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit. Luke x. 21.

He only differed from us in being sinless.

He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Heb. iv. 15.

Such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, and separate from sinners. Heb. vii. 26.
What were the circumstances attending our Saviour's
incarnation?

He was conceived by the Holy Ghost: born of the Virgin Mary. He had no earthly father, as other children have; Joseph was only his supposed parent. Luke iii. 23.

This wonderful event was foretold many ages
before by Isaiah the prophet.

A virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son.
Isa. vii. 14; Matt. i. 23.

It was announced to Mary herself by an angel.
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, &c. Luke i. 35.
When does our Church celebrate the Nativity of
Jesus Christ?

At the season called Christmas.

This holy festival should be set apart for de-
vout thankfulness, and the promotion of those re-
ligious feelings which would prevent our affronting
God by the abuse of his mercies.

What does the Creed further teach us to believe
concerning Jesus Christ?