Imatges de pàgina
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the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins.' He is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners; and is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come unto Him with faithful repentance; if we will submit ourselves unto Him, and from henceforth walk in his ways m.' But, 'because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without the help of' divine grace",' it was of the utmost importance to us that, when' God had exalted his only Son Jesus Christ, with great triumph, unto his kingdom in heaven,' He should 'not leave us comfortless, but should send to us his Holy Ghost to comfort us,' and 'mercifully grant unto us such a measure of his grace, that we, running the way of his commandments, might obtain his gracious promises P.' The Almighty,' therefore, mercifully looking upon our infirmities, in our danger and necessity, stretched forth his right hand to help and defend us, by the sending to us the light of his Holy Spirit'.'

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It is becoming, therefore, to enter, somewhat fully, into the Character and Offices of this heavenly • Comforters.'

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son,' has been shewn, in a former Section, to be ، of one Substance, Majesty, and Glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God';' and therefore with the Father and the Son together He is worshipped and glorified.' He is, moreover, the Lord and Giver of life ".' After the Ascension, and 'according to the most true promise, of Jesus Christ our Lord,' He came down from

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m Exhortation. Commination,

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Heaven with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the apostles, to teach them, and to lead them to all truth; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations, whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of' the Father, and of his Son Jesus Christ *.'

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' Renewed by this Holy Spirit,' we shall both perceive and know what things we ought to do, and also have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same 2;' even to bring forth the FRUITS of the Spirit. Leaning only upon the hope of his heavenly grace, we shall evermore be defended by his mighty power. He will grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations.' He will 'keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul a.' By Him the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified.' From Him' all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed f;' for, as by his special grace preventing us, He doth put into our minds good desires; so, by his continual help,' we are enabled to bring the same to good effect ".' Shewing to them that be in error, the light of his truth, to the intent that they may return into the

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way of righteousness, e Hgrants unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same. He is the Lord, from whom all good things do come;' and he 'grants to his humble servants, that, by his holy inspiration, they may think those things that be good, and, by his merciful guiding, may perform the same;' so 'that they may perfectly love' God, and worthily magnify his holy Name * He' alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men';' and the Almighty grants us, by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour m' It is by the help of his grace, that, in keeping his commandments, we' are enabled to 'please God both in will and deed";' and 'to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.' It is He, who creates and makes in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of the God of all mercy perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord P.' He is, in fact, the Author of al! godliness ;' for it is He, who'stirs up the wills of his faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of God be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord '.'

(Vide Part I. Section 7).

h Collect, Third Sunday after Easter.
i Collect, Fifth Sunday after Easter.

k Collect before Communion.

I Collect, Fourth Sunday after Easter.

m Collect, Whitsunday.

n Collect, First Sunday after Trinity.

o Collect, Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity.
P Collect, Ash Wednesday.

9 Collect, Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity.
Collect, Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity.

PRAYER.

'O God, the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.' O'Lord of all power and might, who art the Author and Giver of all good things; graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same. O'grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful, that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will";' and be

cause the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation ".' May thy grace always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works;' that, with pure hearts and minds,' we may follow thee, the only God, through Jesus Christ our Lord".'

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O God, the Protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, that, thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this,' O blessed Spirit, for Jesus Christ's sake, our Lord".' Amen.

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SECTION V.

OF THE LAW.

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THE Moral Law comprehends 'two things; our Duty towards God, and our Duty towards our Neighbour' and though Almighty God made his blessed Son to be obedient to the Law for man,' still we are bound to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of our life. For although the Law, given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, does not bind Christian men, nor the civil Precepts thereof, ought of necessity to be received in any Commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, nó Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral ".'

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Such are the Ten Commandments, which God spake in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have none other gods, &c.
2. Thou shalt not make to thyself, &c *.
3. Thou shalt not take the name, &c t.
4. Remember that thou keep holy, &c.
5. Honour thy father, &c.

6. Thou shalt do no murder ‡.

b Catechism.

d Catechism.

c Collect, Circumcision of Christ. e Article 7.

The Romish Doctrine concerning worshipping and adoration as well of Images as of Reliques, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.'-Article 22.

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As vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apostle; so the Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.'-Article 39.

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The laws of the realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.'

'It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons and serve in the wars.'-Article 37.

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