Virgin Mary and so, that her virginity and purity remained unsullied. For so had the merciful Father decreed, that, by that means, he should purify my condemned and sinful birth, and that of all who believe in him; and that he should bless it, that it might be no hinderance to our salvation.

Suffered under Pontius Pilate.

I believe that he underwent his sufferings and the cross for my sins, and the sins of all who believe; and that by his sufferings he has made all our afflictions pleasing unto God; and that now, they not only do not hinder our salvation, but bring us under his saving and all-full promises,

Was crucified, dead, and buried.

I believe that he died and was buried, that he might make an end of, and bury, my sins and the sins of all those who believe; and that he might take away this death of our body, and make it, from being an evil, profitable and the greatest blessing.

He descended into hell.

I believe that he descended into hell, that he might overcome and subdue under himself Satan, together with all his powers and devices, that he might have no more power to hurt me nor any other that believes; and that he might deliver me from the torments, of hell; which are no longer hurtful, but, by being felt, bring the godly within the reach of the greatest promises.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

I believe that he rose again the third day from the dead for the salvation of me and of all that believe, that we, being quickened by his spirit and grace, might enter into a new life, and might not live in sin, but serve him alone in holiness of life, and fulfil his commandments.

He ascended into heaven.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and received of the Father glory and power over all angels and

creatures.

And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty!

I believe that he sits also at the right hand of God: that is, that he is made King, and Lord over, all the works of God that are in heaven, on earth, and in hell; and that he can therefore be at hand to succour me, and all others who believe, against all our adversaries and enemies.

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and

the dead.

I believe that he shall come from thence in the last day to pronounce sentence both on the living who remain, and on the dead who died before. And I believe also, that all men, all angels, and all devils also, shall stand before his tribunal and behold him face to face. And that all these things shall be done, that he might for ever deliver me and all who believe from death and from all other calamities of every kind: and that he may take eternal vengeance on his adversaries, from whose tyranny we shall then be free for ever.

THE THIRD ARTICLE CONCERNING
SANCTIFICATION.

I believe in the Holy Ghost.

That is, I not only believe that the Holy Ghost is God together with the Father and the Son; but I believe this also,--that there is no way unto the Father through the life, sufferings, and death of Christ, but by the leading and governing of the Holy Ghost. It is by him that God the Father and the Son quicken, call, move, and draw me and all who believe. It is he who

through Christ and in Christ gives us life, and sanctifies us that we may come unto the Father. It is this Spirit by whom the Father works all his works in us through and in Christ, and by whom he administers unto us life.

The Holy Catholic Church.

I believe that there is but one holy church of Christians throughout the whole world: that is, a company or united multitude of saints, or righteous and believing men: and that the same is gathered together, sanctified, and governed, by the same Holy Ghost; and enlarged and increased daily by means of the word

and sacraments.

I believe that no one can be saved who is not of this company of believing men; who does not think the same as they do, and who does not profess the same gospel, sacraments, hope, and charity. And that no Jew, Gentile, heretic, or sinner, will be saved, unless he be brought into this church by grace, be reconciled unto it, and think, do, and teach, the same as it does.

The communion of Saints.

I believe that in this company of saints all things are common, and that no one has any thing that is his own: and that, therefore, all the godly prayers, all the good works of others are for my profit, and defend and establish me at all times, whether I be living in safety, or whether I be at the point of death: and that thus, the one bears the burthen of the other, as Paul admonishes them to do.

The forgiveness of sins.

I believe that the remission of sins is no where to be found but among that company of saints. I believe also, that no works, how great and splendid soever they may be, can profit any thing towards the remission of sins, if thou be found out of this company. Even as, on the contrary, if thou be of this company, there are no sins or crimes, however great, but will find remission. And that remission of sins is eternal. For when Christ deli

vered the keys to his church, he said, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven," Matt. xviii. 18. And he said unto Peter separately, who was therein a type of the one holy Church, "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven,” Matt. xvi. 19.

The resurrection of the body.

I believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead in which this same Holy Ghost will raise up all flesh: that is, all men according to the body and flesh, both godly and ungodly: and so, that the same flesh which died, was buried, putrified, and consumed in various ways, shall return to life and live again.

And the life everlasting.

I believe that, after that resurrection, there will be an eternal life of the righteous, and an eternal death of the wicked. And, I hold no doubt, that all those things which I have recounted will take place through the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And therefore there is added, Amen: that is, these things are certain, and will surely thus come to pass.

FINIS.