Who are called to this salvation?

Every one.

Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. Isa. xlv, 22. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Isa. lv, 1. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden. Matt. xi, 28. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature, &c. Mark xvi, 15, 16.

Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. Luke xiv, 23,

That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. Luke xxiv, 47.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John vii, 37. Let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. xxii, 17.

Who calls us?

Our heavenly Father,

Be not like the deaf adder, (Ps. Iviii, 4.) that stoppeth her ear; nor like those, (Matt. xxii, 3.) who, when invited, would not come; do not "begin to make excuses" like those, Luke xiv, 18; but obey the kind, the gracious call, like Abraham, (Gen. xii, 1, 4.) Like Samuel, (1 Sam. iii, 10.) say," Speak, for thy servant heareth;" and when bid to follow Christ, (like Matt. ix, 9.) arise and follow him. There is yet room. O delay not till the door of mercy is closed on you for ever!

This is a holy calling.

Who hath called us with a holy calling. 2 Tim. i, 9.

We are called to this state of salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Every mercy we receive comes through him, especially this new covenant of grace. He is the mediator. He opened the way for the salvation of sinners, by the sacrifice of himself.

Who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Tim. ii, 6.

From his merits our pardon and acceptance proceed: in him the exceeding great and precious promises of the Scriptures were made; and the gift of the Holy Spirit, by which they are applied, is the purchase of his blood; O how precious should he then be! You say, "I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this state of salvation." You have indeed reason for the deepest gratitude. Contrast your condition with that of millions around you. Consider the Heathen, living without hope and without God in the world, (Eph. ii, 12.) while you have Bibles and instructors, and all those

D

means of grace which are able to make you wise unto eternal life. Show forth then the praise of him who hath thus blessed you, "not only with your lips, but in your lives, by giving up yourselves to his service, and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all your days."

VI. On the Creed. No. 1.

What is the second thing your Godfathers and Godmothers promised for you?

That I should believe all the Articles of the Christian faith.

What is the summary of a Christian's faith?

The Apostle's Creed.

What is the first article in the Apostle's Creed?

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."

What it is to believe in God, has been before considered, under the chapter on Faith: it will now be necessary to inquire into the object of faith-God.

Who is God?

A spiritual being existing of himself, from whom all things proceed, on whom all things depend, and who governs all.

The Heathen almost all acknowledged a God: indeed, the works of creation most clearly declare his existence. The heavens declare the glory of God. Ps, xix, 1.

He left not himself without witness, in that he gave us rain from heaven, &c. Acts xiv, 17.

For the invisible things of him are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; even his eternal power and Godhead, Rom. i, 20.

Is the knowledge of God necessary?

Yes.

This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God. John xvii, 3.

What are the distinguishing attributes of God?

He is ETERNAL, having neither beginning nor end. Abraham called on the name of the everlasting God. Gen. xxi, 33, I lift up my hand, and say, I live for ever. Deut. xxxii, 40.

The eternal God is thy refuge. Deut. xxxiii, 27.
From everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Ps. xc, 2.
The everlasting God fainteth not. Isa. xl, 28.

Thy name is from everlasting. Isa. Ixiii, 16.

According to the commandment of the everlasting God. Rom. xvi,26. Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Heb. 1, 12.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come. He is INVISIBLE, although he

No man hath seen God at any time.

Rev. i, 8.
seeth all things.

John i, 18; 1 John iv, 12. Who is the image of the invisible God. Coloss. i, 15.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible. 1 Tim. i, 17.
Whom no man hath seen, nor can see. 1 Tim. vi, 16.
Him, who is invisible. Heb. xi, 27.

He is INCOMPREHENSIBLE.

I am that I am. Exod. iii, 14.

Who will say unto him, what doest thou? Job ix, 12.
Canst thou, by searching, find out God. Job, xi, 7.
He giveth not account of any of his matters. Job xxxiii, 13.
Behold God is great, and we know him not. Job xxxvi, 26.
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out. Job xxxvii, 23.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Ps. cxxxix, 6.
Great is the Lord; his greatness is unsearchable. Ps. cxlv, 3.
None can stay his hand, or say, what doest thou? Dan. iv, 35,
How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom. xi, 33.

His being and his ways are incomprehensible to those who curiously inquire into what God has not revealed; yet every humble inquirer after truth, who desires to practise what he knows, shall obtain from the Scripture all the knowledge which is necessary to make him wise unto salvation.

In the Athanasian Creed, he is called not only "the Father eternal," "the Father uncreated," but "the Father incomprehensible."

He is OMNIPRESENT, or every where present, to protect his servants, and to observe the actions of those who sin against him.

The heaven of heavens cannot contain thee. 1 Kings viii, 27.

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. 2 Chron. xvi, 9.

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there, &c. Ps. cxxxix, 8, 10. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. Jer. xxiii, 24.

He is OMNISCIENT; he knows all things, past, present, and future. He knows the secrets of all hearts, and

can tell whether our professions of serving him be sincere or insincere. Be not deceived: God is not mocked. For the Lord searcheth all hearts. 1 Chron. xxviii, 9.

There is not a word in my tongue but thou knowest it altogether.

Ps. cxxxix, 4.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Ps. cxxxix, 23.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Prov. xv, 3.

I the Lord search the heart. Jer. xvii, 10.

O the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God. Rom. xi, 33. To God only wise. Rom. xvi, 27.

After that in the wisdom of God, &c. 1 Cor. i, 21.

Might be known the manifold wisdom of God: Eph. iii, 10.

To the only wise God. 1 Tim, i, 17.

All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him. Heb. iv, 13. To the only wise God, our Saviour. Jude 25.

He giveth Wisdom to his people.

He giveth wisdom unto the wise. Dan. ii, 20, 21.

Who of God is made unto us, wisdom, &c. 1 Cor. i, 30.

Ask it then" in faith, nothing wavering:" James i, 5. Like Solomon, (1 Kings iii, 9.) say, "Give thy servant an understanding heart." He is ALMIGHTY. "God the Father Almighty." Gen. xvii, 1.

I am the almighty God.

Is any thing too hard for the Lord? Gen. xviii, 14.

I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. Gen. xxxv, 11.
For the Lord your God is a mighty God. Deut. x, 14, 17.

Neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. Deut. xxxii, 39.

Thine is the greatness, &c. and the majesty. 1 Chron. xxix, 11.

I know that thou canst do every thing. Job xlii, 2.

He shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Ps. ii, 9.

cxxxv, 6.

Isa. xl, 12.

The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine. Ps. lxxxix, 11.
The hills melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord. Ps. xcvii, 5.
His kingdom ruleth over all. Ps. ciii, 19.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he. Ps. cxv, 3;
Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Prov. xxx, 4.
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?
I will work, and who shall let it? Isa. xliii, 13.
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
With God nothing shall be impossible. Luke i, 37.
Fear him which hath power to cast into hell. Luke xii, 5.
Seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth. Acts xvii, 24.

Matt. xi, 25.

He giveth to all life and breath, &c. In him we live, and move, and

have our being. Acts xvii, 25, 28.

The blessed and only Potentate--King of Kings. 1 Tim. vi, 15.
To him be dominion and power, both now and ever. Jude 25.]
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Rev. iv, 8,

Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto him. Rev. v, 13.
The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. xix, 6.

This view of the irresistible power and infinite domi-
nion of the Lord of Hosts, ought to produce awe and
resignation.

David, when cursed by Shimei. 2 Sam. xvi, 10,

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace. Ps. xxxix, %

It should also encourage us to put our whole trust in
him.

He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or
think. Eph. iii, 20. Rely on him then as Abraham did, (Rom.
iv, 21.) fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able
also to perform.

There are many striking instances of the interference
of his great POWER against his enemies.

Gen. xi, 9.

Gen. xix, 24, 25,
Exod. vii, 19.

The flood. Gen. vii, 10, 21.
Confusion of tongues at Babel.
Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed.
Waters of Egypt turned to blood.
Land covered with frogs. Exod. viii, 6.
Dust changed into lice. Exod. viii, 17.
Plague of flies. Exod. viii, 24.

Murrain among the cattle. Exod. ix, 6.
Boils on man and beast. Exod. ix, 10.

Storm of hail mingled with fire. Exod. ix, 24.

Plague of locusts. Exod. x, 14.

Three days darkness. Exod. x, 22.

First born slain. Exod. xii, 29.

Egyptians drowned in the red sea. Exod. xiv, 27.

Nadab and Abihu burnt. Lev. x, 2.

Korah and his company destroyed. Numb. xvi, 32.
Dreadful plagues in the Israelitish camp. Numb. xvi, 49.
Stars fought against Sisera. Judges v, 20.

Assyrian army smitten. 2 Kings xix, 35.

Nebuchadnezzar driven from men. Dan. iv, 33.

He displays his POWER in behalf of his people.
Noah saved in the ark. Gen. viii, 1.

Red sea divided. Exod. xiv, 21.

Israel fed with manna. Exod. xvi, 14, 15.

Rock of Horeb smitten. Exod. xvii, 6.

Another rock smitten. Numb. xx, 11.

Jordan divided. Josh. iii, 16.

Walls of Jericho thrown down.

Josh. vi, 20.