22. Q. But, do not many persons, who have been baptized, live and die, as if their sins had not been forgiven; and as if GOD was not their FATHER?

A. Yes, many; all those who, will not believe the promises of God made to them in Baptism. 23. Q. Do we find any examples of it in Scripture?

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A. Yes; for while we read that Abraham, having been called" by GoD, "obeyed" Him, and thus “inherited His promise:"

We read also, that many of the Israelites, who were "baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea," doubted the promise of God, and thus, did not receive it, although made to them; but they were overthrown in the wilderness," "because of their unbelief."

In like manner, also, many of the same "people of GOD," after they had been brought by Joshua, through the waters of Jordan, "into the promised land," denied HIM, followed other gods, and perished.

But, "what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the FAITH OF GOD without effect?"

Numb. xiv. 29. 32. xxvi. 64. 65.-Ps. lxxxi. 8-16. cvi. 12-41.-1 Cor. x. 2-5. 11.-Heb. iii. 19. iv. 6.— Rom. iii. 3.-Joshua v.-viii.-Gen. xv. 6. xvii. 24. Q. What is that intended to signify?

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A. All these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition."

For, after a CHILD has been "adopted" and "brought into the family," as "the people of God" was, he may yet, if he doubt his father's word, turn against him, and leave his house. So also, "a BRANCH," although grafted in with tender care by "the HUSBANDMAN," may yet

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"wither" and "die," and "be cut off," if it draw not the sap from the vine: for, CHRIST says, EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT BEARETH NOT FRUIT," HE TAKETH AWAY."-St. John xv. 2.-1 Cor. x. 6. 11. 25. Q. After GOD had thus "called and adopted" the children of Israel to be His own people, to whom He made His promises, what does He say of them?

A. "" What more could have been done to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes ?"-Is. v. 2-4. xxvii. 2.-Ps. lxxx. 8. 26. Q. Does that concern us, at all?

A. Certainly; it concerns us also, for, we may "be baptized," and thus receive from GOD "forgiveness of sins," and "adoption" in JESUS CHRIST; but, if we believe it not, we make the promise of GOD "without effect," as regards ourselves; and thus, we may remain "all our lifetime subject unto bondage."

Yet, "if we believe not, HE abideth faithful: HE CAN NOT DENY HIMSELF."

2 Tim. ii. 13.-Heb, ii. 15.-2 Pet. i. 9. 10. iv. 11. 27. Q. How does Scripture exhort us, in consequence ?

A. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living GOD;" "looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."Heb. iii. 12. xii, 15.-2 Pet. ii. 20-22. iii. 17. 28. Q. When in particular, does our Church remind us of God's readiness to forgive us our sins?

A. After the "general Confession," at our daily service, when the Priest declares in the name of GOD,

that "HE pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel." Wherefore do we "beseech Him to grant us true repentance and His Holy Spirit," "that the rest of our life may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to His eternal joy; through JESUS CHRIST our LORD."

29. Q. Seeing, forgiveness of sins for CHRIST's sake, is promised to us, if we truly repent of them, "shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?"

A. "GOD FOrbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein ?"

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into JESUS CHRIST, were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by Baptism into death; that like as CHRIST was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

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Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD."

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And every man that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure;" for "whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him."

-Rom. vi. 1-5. 11.-1 John iii. 3. 6.-1 Cor. vi. 16-18.-1 Pet. iv. 1-3.

30. Q. But "in us, that is, in our flesh, dwelleth no

good thing; for we are carnal, sold under sin," "which dwelleth in us." How then do you say, that "whosoever abideth in CHRIST sinneth not?"

A. It means that, "whosoever abides in CHRIST," takes no more pleasure in sin, but " delights in the law of GOD after the inward man," and so, "with his mind serves the LAW OF GOD."

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But if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins; but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."-Rom. vii. 14-25.-Heb. x. 26.27. 31. Q. What does Holy Scripture say to this?

Seeing then, that we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST, that is passed into the heavens, JESUS THE SON of GOD, let us HOLD FAST our profession.

For we have not an HIGH PRIEST which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may OBTAIN MERCY, and find GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED."-Heb. iv. 14 16.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost FORGIVE THE SINS of all them that are penitent; create and make in us new and contrite hearts; that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee the GOD of ALL MERCY perfect remission and forgiveness, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

Collect for Ash Wednesday.

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ARTICLE XI.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY."

1. Q. Repeat the eleventh Article of your faith.

A. The "RESURRECTION OF THE BODY." I believe in the Resurrection of the Body.

2. Q. What do you profess to believe in this Article ? A. I believe that the same body, which I now have, shall rise again at the last day.

3. Q. Who will raise it up?

A.

GOD the FATHER ALMIGHTY.

4. Q. Why do you believe that God will raise your body at the last day?

A. Because GOD, who is ALMIGHTY, can raise it up; and, as He says He shall, I believe He will. 5. Q.

How does GoD assure us thereof?

A. First, He declares to us in His Word, that the dead are raised, and that they shall be raised by His power.

Secondly, He assures us of it, in that He first raised CHRIST from the dead, in the same body in which He was buried.

Thirdly, In order that we may be reminded of it every day of our life, He shows us, by things we see around us, that our body shall one day rise again from the grave.