was holy, harmless, undefiled, and went about doing good. 17. How did he prove that he was sent by God? He healed the sick with a word's speaking, made the blind to see and the lame to walk, raised the dead, and did many other things which no man could do unless God were with him. 18. Ihat death did he die ? He was put to the cruel death of the cross, by wicked men who would not hearken to him. 19. Did God suffer him to continue under death? No; God raised him to life on the third day; and he afterwards ascended into heaven. 20. When will he come again? He will come again in glory at the last day to judge the world. SECTION IV. 21. Vhat must you do to become one of Christ's disciples? I must deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and must resolve to live a sober, righteous and godly life in this pre sent world, looking for the blessed hope. 22. What are the blessings which he has promised to lis faithful followers ? The pardon of sin, the favour and assistance of God, and eternal life. 23. What are the conditions on which these are promised? Repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 24. What is it to repent of our sins? It is to be sorry that we have sinned and offended God, and to do so no more. 25. What is faith in Jesus Christ ? It is to believe that he was sent by God, and to pay the regard due to his sacred character. 26. How must you shew the sincerity of your faith and repentance ? By a careful and diligent obedience to all God's commandments. 27. What is the first and great commandment ? To love God with all my heart. 28. What is the second, which is like unto it ? To love my neighbour as myself; and to shew it by doing as I would be done unto. SECTION V. 29. What is the honour which you owe to God's word? I must read and hear it with diligent attention ; I must meditate upon it, and frame my life according to it. 30. What is the honour which you owe to God in His Providence? 1 must receive all His mercies with thankfulness; and bear all afflictions with patience, and submission to His holy will. 31. What is the honour which you owe to the Lord'sday. I must keep the Sabbath holy to God, by a diligent performance of the religious duties of the day. 32. How must you honour God in prayer? I must every day by solemn prayer seek the favour of God, and give unto Him the glory due unto His name. 33. What must you pray for? For mercy to pardon, and grace to help in time of need. 34. What else must you do in your prayers? I must confess my sins, and give God praise for His goodness to me. SECTION VI. 35. What must be your daily care concerning yourself? I must take care that my heart be not lifted up with pride, or disturbed with anger, or any sinful passion. 36. What must be your care concerning your words? I must never tell a lie; nor mock at or abuse any one; nor speak profane or wicked words. 37. What is your duty to your parents and governors ? I must reverence and obey them in the Lord; I must thankfully receive their instructions, submit to their rebukes, and labour in every thing to be a comfort to them, 38. IVhat is your duty to the poor ? I must pity, help and relieve them, according to my ability. 39. What is your duty to all men? I must render to all their dues; I must be honest and just in all my dealings; I must be respectful to my friends, and forgive my enemies; and speak evil of no man. 40. How are you able to perform these duties ? By divine assistance, which I must seek for with sincerity and earnestness. 41. What must you do when you find you come short of your duty? I must renew my repentance, and pray to God for pardon, and be careful to do my duty better for the time to come. 42. What encouragement have you thus to live in the fear of God? If I do so, I shall certainly be happy, both in this world and that which is to come. SECTION VII. 43. What will become of you shortly? I shall shortly die, and return to the earth. 44. What are we taught to expect after death? We are taught to expect that we shall be restored to life again at the general resurrection. 45. To what purpose shall the dead be raised up ? To have their actions and characters tried at the judgment-seat of Christ, and to have their portion appointed unto them according to the things done in this present life. 46. What shall be the portion of the wicked and ungodly in another world? The wicked shall be punished with tribulation and anguish, according to the evil deeds which they have done. 47. What shall be the portion of the godly in another world? They shall be admitted to a state of everlasting rest and joy with God and Jesus Christ. 48. What life then will you resolve to live in this world ?, By divine grace I will live a holy, godly life, and will make it my great care and business to serve God, and save my own soul. A Meditation after reading Mr. Butcher's Discourses on ALL men are born to die, and since I must, Of resurrection to eternal life ; And (thanks to God for his transcendent love!) Walk the same path which Christ has mark'd and trod, And is he raised to this exalted state VOL. XII. To weaken or annul the laws of Heaven, For whom has Christ himself pronounced blessed? "The poor in spirit," humble and content, Not sous of pride" shall be the heirs of Heaven.” They who, with steady, persevering faith Nor will th' inestimable prize be lost To those who "suffer for their Master's sake;" |