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W., 1846. ■ &a Printed at the Frontier Sentinel Offlce Ogdensburghf N, Y, /2672'?/ W l f^fi*vm>''»^i'y i m ■ imvo \^t.:.J'^. ...^ > 4 llM>Tl&ll3S£M£Nt^ lo prepar^ the foBowing|^ge9 ^i iii^ i^^s til 4^^ 1^^ Tbe A 0s$S^m6m^P-^^^ iimeX entire >v- ^ -. «■* fts^i fj. » Jiia ; T •*:^ ^^ i ..:. ; -v •( B».' >*• f ' - * PART I THE TEN COMMA^DMENTSk ( I. I aih the Lord thy God. Thou shalt haye Ao ^^ rods before me. n. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven hniase, or le likenesf Of any thing.that is in heaveo tibove, t>r that is |n the earth beneath, or that is in the ^ater under th® »arth : Thoit dlialt not bow down thyself to them, nor s^rVe Iheof I'jibr rUie Lord thy God am a jealotta Qod, vii^ng fthe imiiuitids of the fathers upon the children unto the tbira iJiMitth generation of them that hate me, and showing )r<^ niito thousands of them that 1^^ me ajp^ l^p itiy intluiR^iQents. in. T&on shalt net take the name ofthe L^. % Qod vail i ht the Lord witt ndt hdld him guotiets tSat ta- ei^ Jiliiame itt vain. llefliier.berUke Sabbath day to keep it liofyi BU 'l^ou labor and cb all th^ work^^ buf ihe s^venrh ^ Sfihbath of the Lofd iky Cod. In it ^Mi shalt : ^lliwP#|ic: thou, nor fhy80h,iuMr!div^^Her,% lAHSe^linB^ nor thy maid-servant, n^^pmtilm fhe I4|M^'^ is within thy gatK FtSJtm mda^^i^Ut^ #1i6a^en and earth, the sea. and atl that m 1^1nb % Vl^«b?d the seventh day j wherefaire ih$ |^4,a^Mr Sallbath day and hallowed it > ^^ ^. BoQor thy father and thy mother, that jj^ Acts my, \9 lo^ iipon the land which the Lotdmv G^Akit^m th^e.: ' Tl. 3N^o^ siuiit not kar. ^^^ YII. 7hou shalt not commit adultery. > VII t Thou shalt not steal. IX. ThOu shalt not bear false wi^zMissiiM^iKi .4l« X Thou shalt not covet thy neWh^^f | ft covet thy iieighbor's wife, ^lis rtian-L wd-^rvam, ner his ox, nor hit asa^ irbr «(iy i ly«eighboi's. rr .i*5*r; tllE APOSTOLIC CREED. Article I. t believe in God the Father Almighty, mtiker of heairen Vlld earth.a Article 11. * And HI Jesus Chi ist, his only son, our Lord 5; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Ma- ry, c suflTered under Pontius Pilate, (2 was crucified.g dead and buried/ He descended into he!l \^ the third day he aro^e again from the dead \h ascended into heaven, and nitleth at the riglit hand of God the Father Almighty,! frozn theqce h6 shall come to judge the quipkand the deatij * Article lit I believe in the Holy Ghost \k the holy Catholic (Uni Versal) church \l the communion of 6aints,m the forgivnesa of sins ;» the resurrection of the body/i and the lieeverlas- tiag.p . Amen. THE lord's PRATEm. [ Out Father who art in heaven ; Hallowed be thy Ji^tsie, ;Tiiy kingdom come; Thy wilt be done on . earth, as. in heayen ; Qlive us this dny our daily bread ; And,jrorgive| lis our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass again^f us ; And lead us notinto temptation ; But deliver us fro 'evil.j For thine is tue klngdiim^ and the power, and th^ i|lory for ever and ever. Amen. parFii j . Of the Sacrament ;* r Q. What is a sacrament ? il. A st^crament is an ordinance appointed of God, by! which the benefits purchased by the Snvior are not on|y •yBD'bQlicnlly represented to the senses* but spiritual blessinp 'isalsdftctuuliy confi^rred on those who iaithfullytisethefn.jj ■■• - • . .^ L_. _J ^ ^ I . ^ ■* ■ ■ olsa. 44-6. i Cor. 8-6. Acli 14-15. Gen, l^K ' 6Jfio. iB-m' Acts 11 33 Jno. l-l ^ 18. cMath. 1-18 <& 25. dLuke 23-24,25,32. eJuo. IS 30-34. /Math. 27-59-60. c'Acts 2-31. h I Cor. 15-4. i 1 Pet. 3*2| jjaafh. 16-27. Hno. 15-26. Acts 5-3-4. U Cor. 12-13- wiEph. B-*^ fe30. nEph. 1-7. oJ no. 5-28.29. pThess. 4-17. f Jno. 6-54,56. Q. Jtow many sacraments are there ? A. Two only. ^ Q. What are they ? ' A' Baptism &rtd the Lord's Supper. Q. By whom were they instituted ? A. By Jesus Christ himstlf.5' Q,. Why were they instituted ? it. That the means may be afforded us for membership in ps visible church on earih : — that we may remember for- ]bly the pnssion of our bl'ssed Lord : — be redcf med from ^e power of death and the devil: — receive such' blessings can be imparted to us in the sacraments only, and to be- )me fitted for heaven.r a Q Is it not then necessary to salvation^ thit all persons \'possihle^ have these sacraments administered to them'i A. It iS) and the refusal or neglect of receiving them lilt undoubtedly lead to the loss of the soul s OP BAPTISM. Q. What is Baptism ? A. It is the sprinklinof, or pouring on of wrater upon a ftrson in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of le Holy Ghost, by which such person u admitted a mem- \r of Christ's visible church. Q. What is essential Jor Baptism ? |il. Wu*er, and the names of the Holy Trinity spoken )aratel} Without these there can be no baptism.^ Q. Wha>. besides this is necessary in Baptisml [A A possession of faith in Christ, and promises to Uve rodly life : renouncing the world, the flesh, and the ;vil. )p.. As infants are unable to do these thingSy are they proper subjects for this ordinance? They are.M , What are some of the reasons for believing ^u£t it is ler that infants should be baptised ? fst. That infants were admitted into the ancient jttch by the rite of circumcision. 2d. That we jead in ture of whole households being baptised, in which i| - ^ ■ • " - -- lath. 28-19. Math. SI6-26,28. rJno. 6-54,67. «tfark 16-16. ^t^th ' uLuke 18-16. 6 . is probable, and cannot be disproved, that there were in- I fanls.r 3d. That Jesus Christ says, ^'suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God." 4th. That infant baptism was practiced universally by the church from the times of the Apostles for at least fifteen hundred years. 5th. That the house- holds, (and which undoubtedly included children,) of Lyd- ia, of Sthepbanus, of Cornelius, and of the jnilor at Phillip- pi, were baptised upon the faith of the parents. Q. WhatfoUmcSj as a necessary consequence^ the disbe- lief of itUant baptism? A. The denial that they can be saved. Q. What are the advantages of baptism ? A. Union with Christ's visible church, the influences of the Holy Spirit, assurance of God's favor, the promise of the pardon of sin, and of eternnF life.t^' Q. I'pon what does it depend that we receive and enjoy these advantages ? A. That we earnestly strive to keep the promises which were made at our baptism. Q. Will it benefit us here or hereafter if,, after we have ar- rived at the knowledge of our duty, we do not fulfil the.'cdutiesT A. It will not. or THE lord's supper. Q. What is the sacrament of the Lords Supper ? A. It is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, un- der the form of bread and mne.x Q, Is the presence of Christ in this sacrament real or * spiritual. A> Sp ritual. Q. What benefits do christians receive in partaking of tJds sacrament? A' The assurance of the pardon of sin, of life, and ofsal- raiion ; inward comfort, peace and happiness, and every spiritual blessing.^ ^-^ Q. Does the mere eating and drinking produce these great effects ? A. It docs not, but that Eolemn declaration, " which is te dishe- ences of smise of id enjoy DS which have ar- edutiesT #. i brist, un- i rea/ or * pvcn and shed for you, for the remission of sins ;" which yorda besides the eating and drinking, are considered us le chief thing in this sacrament. Q. What is necessary thai the communicant be cniUled }j and receive these blessings ? A. That he partake woithily.z Q. What is it to partake worthily ? A. To eat and drink, having sincerely repented of al' ir sins, and forgiven our enemies ; to believe that Christ ^ade an atonement for our sins upon the cross ; to view the read as Christ's body broken for us* and the wine as his |ood shed for us, and to resolve to live and die his dtvoted 1 lower. Q. What is it to partake unworthily ? A. It is to do so thoughtlessly or irreverently, to regard consecrated elements as mere bread and wiue, to be (stitute of laith in Christ ; to retain anger, or malice in heart ; to have not repented, and to make no resolve to re a christian life. [^. Will we receive any benefit %fv>e partaJce unworthUy? A We will not, but on the contrary by so doing our ndemnation will be increased. Q. Is it not bindirkg upon all christians to partake of the ly sacrament as often as they have the opportunity ? A. It is.a }Q. What are the only valid excuses for not dc^ngso .^ \A. Positive inability to attend church wh^a U is adi|iJia^ 'jred. OP CONPIEMATION, What is confirmation ? It is the ceremony of admitting persons to the foil jvilewes of the church. What qualifications are necessary for those who pur- to receive this ordinance ? That they understand ihe nature of those promise* \yill be required to make ; thatlhey have a knowledge leir duties to God, to their neighbor, and to themselves : ih -y exercise repentance nnd faith in tho Lord Jesus irisr, «nd willingly resolve to C(»ns?cit3te their whole lives to tho service of ihe Lord. Q. What are the peculiar advanfages of confirmation f A* The renewal of all the blessings of the christian cov- enant made at their baptism ; a testimony of God's favor and goodness to them in granting them, through his ministers, all the privileges of church membership; and confers upon them more especial grace to encounter all spiritual enemies, and to preform their christian duties. Q. Li what does conrfimalion differ from baptism 9 A. By baptism we are indeed admitted into the church, but not to all its privileges ; for instance, to that of parta- king of the Lord's supper. Infants, by baptism, are dedi. cated to the Lord by their parents or sponsors. In confir- mation, we devote ourselves to his service. Wo then re- r>ew and assume personally the promises made at our bap- tism, and in addition enter into others corresponding with the increase of our obligations and our privileges. Q. Frovi whence do we derive the practice of confirmation') A. F;om the examples of the Apostles, and the custom of the early christian church. d OP PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. Q. What is meant by the preparatory service^ or pxepar- ationjor the Lord!s Supper ? A. Those services in which the church directs her mem- bers to engage a short time previous to the dispensing of the holy sacrament. Q. What is the object of these services ? A. That we may become rightly prepared to partake of the Lord's Supper through the means which are then used. Q. What are the means ? A. Directions and exhortations to self-examination and to repentance ; confession of sins ; profession of faith 'in Cbiist; desire^ex pressed to be delivered from sin, and to partake of God*s mercy to the penitent; resolves formed, depending upon the aid of the Holy Spirit, for the future to EYoid all manner of evil, to walk circumspectly before God, end to follow after holiness ; and finally, the declaration of the absolution of sins to the truly penitent. Mcts 8-14,17. 1 Cor. 12-28,30. Heb. 6-1,2. *%jft Ian nalion f stian cov- favor and ministers?, fers upon 1 enemies, mf B church, of parta. are dedi- [n confir- I then re- t our bap- ling with firmaiionl he custom 07' prepar- her mem- )ensing o( partake of then used. lation and if faith 'in in, and to ts formed, e future to )t fore God, laiation of Q. May not a pcrsm be really prepared and worthily mriake of the Holy sactamcnl without using these means/ A. Certainly not without previous sclf-cxaminaiioii, con- ression of sins, profession of faith in Bhrist, and resolutions ^o endeavor, tor th(5 future, to avoid occasions of sin; and IS these confessions and resolutions should be made in public, as well for the purpose of giving them more weight Ind solemnity, of satisfying our conscience, and of confer- ling to the usages of the church, as to give to the minister m evidenceofour fitness to partake of the holy sacrament; fo ihould we use these means in the way and manner required. Q. What may be the consequence to thof^e who purposely tegiext or refuse to comply with this requirement of the Miurch f A, The minister is authorized to lefuse to such the priv- 5ge of partaking of the holy sacrament. OF THE CHURCH. Q. What is the visible church of Christ upon earth, imonly called The Church ? A* Ii is the collective body of those who profess the chris- Ian religion, consisting of all those who have been admit- '»d to membership by baptism, and have not been deprived "it by excommunication. Q. Who was the founder of the church ? A, God himself • Q. God being the founder of the churchy is it not the du» of every one to unite with it ? A. It is undoubtedly. Q. What are the p mers that belong to the church P ' ^ A. Thej^ are 1st. of preaching; 2d. of public prayer ; \. of baptism ; 4th. of celebrating the Lord's Supper; Ih. of confirming persons baptized ; 6th. of ordaining min- lers ; 7th. of making laws for the goveriiatice-dfher ^embers; 8th. of excommunication ; 9ih.j)f demanding aintenance. Q. Whois the supreme head of the church? A. Jesus Christ.c Q. Who are his representatives on earth to whom are njided the care of the church ? »Eph. 5-23. 10 A. Lawfully called, and regularly ordained ministers.^ Q. What are the various bodies of Christians termed, which have each their distinctive forms of church Govern' ment \ihich the sacraments are duly administered by a lawful person ; which admits the fundamental doc- trines of Christianity as taught in the Apostolic creed ; which neither takes away, nor~^adds to God's holy word; and which insifts upon nothing as essential to salvation which the Bible has not declared to be so. OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. Q. From whence is the name of this our church derived ? A. It is termed Evangelical ; because it revived the Gospel ; that is, of the doctrine of salvation for mankind only through the merits of Christ, when it was smothered by superstition ; and " Lutheran " from the great reformer Martin Luther who in the 16th century, first dissipated the clouds, which obscured the gospel. Q. When may its commencement be dated ? A, In the year 1520, when pope Leo X. expelled Lu- ther and his adherents from the bo^om of Romish church. Q. When did^it acquire a stable form and consistency ? A. In the year 1530, when the public confession of its faith was drawn up, and was presented to the diet of Augs- burg. Q. Wliai is the name of the confession in which (he doc- irines of our church arc set forth ? j4. Tha Augsburg Confession. Q,. Arc we bound to biliece eccry scntiinod contained in this confession ? knoum ? liar de- jy may nistered al doc. ; which rd ; and 1 which erived ? ved the nankind kothered eformer ated the led Lu- church. istoicy ? on of its af Augs- , (he doc- aincd in a A. We are not ; but that the fundamental doctrines of the word of God, are taught in it in a manner substantial' iy correct. Q, What is about the number of christians in the world who profess the Augsburg Confession ? A. About ivventy-eight millions. d. Is our church bound to any particular form of chunk \govemment and discipline 1 A. It is not ; and as neither our Savior nor his apostles ihavc prescribed any exact and entire form ot Government land Discipline for the church, we conceive ourselves at lliberty to adopt such forms as circumstances may require. } Qt. What are the principal characteristics in that form of ^otcrnMeiU which has been adopted by the church in Amer- ^cal Jl A. They are 1st. Equality of ministers; 2d. Coopera- j|tion of ruling elders as representativesof the church ; 3d. I^Jnion of the churches within the limits of a synod lor the Regular purposes of review and government ; 4th. An ad- f" isory union of all the different synods in one General Syn*- d. r d. What officers have we m the church ? A. We have, 1st. Ministers ; 2d. Eliers ; 3d. Dea- cons ; and to these are sometimes added Trustees or church- "IVardens. OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY d. What is the Christian Ministry ? A. It is that sacred office which was instituted by our lessed Savior for (he purpose of perpetuating and extending Is church Upon earth, and that various duties therein might lawfully performed. ^ Ql Who may lawfully exercise this office ? ,, A. Such as are inwardly called of God ; e and have wen reguarly ordained or licensed for the office by a chris- ^n church ; th;it is, through her ministers./ ■^Q.. How do the Holy Scriptures instruct us to regard ristian ministers? A. As the represv^ntatives o^tho Most High ; as steward.^ 1-2 of the mys!eiies of God ; as the dispenser, f his holy word find sjicranunis, as the mes.-engtrs and ambassadors of Christ, g '^*'Q,. Are there different ronJcs or grades in the ministfy ? A. Tlu-re are r;ot ; but by divine appointment all minis- ters are of equui rank, h Q,. What are the princifal duties of ministers? A. They are to preach ihe gospel of oi)r Lord .Teisus Christ, to administer ihe sacraments, to admonish men of their duties, and by all proper means to edify ll e cburch of Christ. Q. Are teamen aT/owed to exercise the office of the mihis- try? A. Tiiey are not, but on the contrary are expressly for. bidden in scripture to do so i Q. y^hat are ministers authorized from God^s holy word to require of their people 7 A. Obedience to ihcir^aulhority, and ti decent and hon- orable support j Gl. What duties do the people owe to their pastors ? A. To honor and esteem, respect and revere them high- ,ly for their work's sake;k to assist them in difficulties ; to vindicate their repu.atioiis; and to aid them by thoir ear- nest prayers./ OF THE MEANS OF GRACE. '^ Q. What are means of grace ? A. Means of grace are all those things which have a tendency to impress the mind with divine truth, and in the right use of which we have reason to expect the in. fluence of the holy spirit. Q. Which are the principal of these means ? A, Preaching, reading of the lio'y scriptures, prayers and th6 sacraments./n To these may be added likewise, self-examination, calechization, and confirmation. Q. What will the faithful use of these means produce ? A' The requisite changes in us which are necessary g 1 Cor. 4-1. 1 Cor. 16-16. 2 Cor. 5-20. AMatli. 23-9. tl Cor.l 4-34. 1 Tim. 2-11, 12. ^Heb. 13-17 1 Tim. 5-17, 18. 1 Cor, 9-14. ^1 Thens. 5-17, 18, /I Thess. 5-25. ml. Cor. 1-21. 2 Tim. 3 14, 16. Math. 21-22. : mihis- sly for- Jy word nd hon- 7 • n high- les ; to sir ear- have a and in ,hc in- )royers ewisC) oduce ? jessarv )r. 14-34. 1 Th«'8s. ■h. 21-22. to salvation. Q. Is there a possiblHly of our becoming true christians of having the as9urance of the pardon of ovr sins, and the promise of eternal Itfe, without the use of means ? A» There is not such a possibility,?! OF THE CONDITIONS OF SALVATION. Q. What do we mean hy the conditions of salvation ? A. VVe mean ihose conditions or terms as made known to us in the gospel, with which all must comply to ob- tain salvation. Q. What are tlie conditions ? , A. 1st. That we truly repent of oil sin.o 2d. That we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior p 3d. That we sincerely endeavor (o lead a christian life, and to obey all the. commands of God.j/ OF A NEW LIFE. ... Q. What is conversion ? A. It is that change which the sinner experiences by which he becomes a new creature in Christ. Q. By what other names is their change called in the scrip! urt ? A. Thu^ofihenew birth, and of regeneration. Q. In what does this change consist ? A. In a turning with the heart from the love and prac- tice of sin, to the love ai^d practice of holiness, and in be- t^m coming perfectly conforrned to the image of Christj.^ , Q. Is this change instantaneous ? A. It is instantuneous so far that there mpst be a P^jntt ^0 moment wheq our affections turn from o/ie object 19 an- other ; that is, from sin to holiness. But the enpife i:hange that is, the turning of the whole faculties and powers of the soul to Christ, is not instantaneous; inas. 'much as the sciipturcs teach us that we are regenerated through the use of mcans.r and these must of necessity fbe gradual. 1 nRom. 10-13, 14. oActs 3-14. pActs 16-31. oMath. 10-22. Rev. 2- 10. rJameel-ia. IPet. 1-23. 14 Q, Is it always possible to know the precise time when this change commenced f A, It is not, and particularly with tho.so who have cn< joyed religioui instruction from their youth- Q. Wliat are the evidences of this change ? A. A supreme love to God and an earnest desire to obey him. and a loYe to tho brethren 5 Q. What is justification? A. It is that act of mercy by which we are declared to be entitled to the benefit of the Savior's death. Q. What are these henefiis ? A. The remission of the punishment due to our sin9, a ritrht to eternal life and all the aid necessary to attain it. Q. How do we obtain justification ? A. Not by our own good vvoiks or merits, but through the merits of Christ which afe imparted to us upon our at- taining a living fuith in him. Q. How may we know that we are justified before God ? A. By this; if v\re sincerely repent of our sins, feel the imperfection of our best works, rely wholly for salvation upon the merits of Christ, and devote our souls and bod. ies to his service, then have we the assurance that we iare thus justified. Q. /* it possible for christians to fall from this slate of jttstification ? A. It is, as is evident from examples recorded in scrip- ture as well as from the warnings given therein td chris- tians to take heed lest they faW.t Q. What is sanctification ? A. Sanctification is the state of being freed from the power of sin or a progressive conformity to the divine law. Q. By whose agency are believers sanctified ? A. The holy spirit, operating through the means ofj grace. u Q. Can btlievers become entirely sanctified^ that is , k \ wholly free from sin and perfectly holy, in this life ? A. They cannot, as is plainly evident from several declarations of scripture,v as well as fbom the fact tha t we si Jno. 4-7. 1 Jno. 5-2. IJno. 3-14. t\ Cor. 10 12. Rom. Il-20l Ezek. 18-24. uRom. 15-16: rl Jno. 1-8. Ja. 3-2. Rom. 4-18. 15 are taught by the Savior himself to implore pardon for our daily offance^jW of which there would be no necessity h»d we committed no ofTunce, and besides, if we could at- tain to a state of perfection on earth, we would no longer need the daily application to the blood of the Savior ; but might be justified by the deeds of the law, and take the glory to ourselves. OF THE CONDITION OF THiiBOXJL AFTER DEATH. throiigh 1 our Ut- re God ? feel the salvation ind bod. it we iare $ stale of in scrip- chris- fibm the v^ le divine I Q. Wliat is the condition of the soul after death ? A. The soul of the righteous is admiited into para- dise,a? where are all the saints enjoying happiness ; and that of the wicked is consigned to a place of misery, in company with lost spirits,^ and where they will remain until the general judgment. OF THE JUDGMENT- Q. When will the judgment take place ? A. At the end of the world. Q. Who will then he judged ? A. All mankind, both good and bad. Q. By what law will they he judged? A. By the law of nature, and the Bible.z Q, Who will he judged hy the law of nature ? A. Those who have had no revelation of God's will. Q. Who will he judged hy the Bihle ? A. Those who are acquainted with God's will as re- vealed in the Bible, or who have had opportunities to be- come acquainted with it. Q. For what will we he judged 7 A. For our deeds done in the body j for our sins both open and secret ; for omissions of duty ; for all our un- holy actions, words, and thoughts.a Q. What will he the doom of the sinnev ? * A Endless torments.^ Q. What will he the reward of the righteous ? A. Endless happiness.c icLuke, 11 4. TLuke, 23-43. yLiike, 16-23. >Rora. 2-12. aEccl, i 12-14. 6Math. 25-35. cMath.25-46. i6 SUI«IDRy DUTIES. It is tho duty qf parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonitibn of the Lord -yd and oi child- ren tu obey their parenjMyj tho Lord.e It is the duty of husbanus to love their wives, and not to be biiter against them ;f and of wives to reverence nnd be in subjection to their husbands.^ It is the duty of servants to do service with good will, not to puiioin, but toshQW all good fidtlity. A It is the duty of neighbors to avoid all manner of strife^ to live peacaljly, and to deal justly with each other. » . , ; It is our duty to respect and obey the laws of bur coun> ity'ij to pray for the king^and all in authority -jk to honor our spiritual and other teachers and to follow their instructions.^ It is our duty to relieve the wants of the poor ; to succor the distressed ; to befriend the widow and orphan ;4n to vis- it the sick and sifflicted.Ti *It is our duty to be merciful as we hope for mercy,© to forgive as we hope to be furgiven;,^ not to retaliate, but to return good fore vi'i^ -- It is our duty to avoid covetousness and avarice,r to be coAtent with such things as we have, to preserve a good iiame^jr to be diligent in bur callinffirtQ be humble» to be p%f e'rittf^' to be teniperate in all thmgs, to avoid inrtproper places, and the conversation of the wkked^u and finally to eecure the salvation of our souls without delay .v PART III. THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION. Article I, OF GOD. Ourchurciies with b^ne accord teach, that the decree of the Council of Nice, concerning the unity of the divine es- sence, and concerning the three persons, is true an4 o^ght to he confidently believed, viz. that there is one divine es- rfEph. 6-4. eEph6-l. ./Col. 3-19. ^1 Pet. 3-1. AEph. 6-7. iRom. 12-18. Heb. 2-7. jRom. 13-1. Al Tim. 1-1,2,3. /Heb. 13-7. mPst 41-1. nJames 1-27. oLuke 6-36. pMath. 6-14. oMath. 6-44. rl Tim. 6-10. «Heb. 13-5. vented difl'ereiit Kinds of works, to merit grace, and make satisfaction for their sins. There wos therefore the utmost necessity, that this doctrine con- cerning folih in Christ, should bo inculcated anew ; in order that tim- id minds nn;>ht find consolation, and know, llint justification and the rendsi^on of sins, are obtained by faith in the Savior. The peoplr ore also now instructed, that faith does no* "ignify a mere historical lielief, such as wicked men and devils have ; but that in ad- dition to histoHcal U lief, it includes nn acquaintance with the conse- 2uence8 of the history, such as remission of sins by grace througli, 'hrist, righteousness, &c. Now he who knows that the Father is reconciled to him through tho Son, possesses a true acquaintance with God, confides in Ids provi- dence and calls upon his nnmo; and is therefore not without God, as ore the Gentiles. For the devil and wicked men cmmot believe the ar-i tide concerning the remission of sins. But they hale God as an ene-. my, do not call upon his name, nor expect any ihing good at his hands. Augustine, in speaking of the the word faith, ndmonii^hes the reader that In scripture tliis word does not signify mere knowledge, such as wicked men possess, but that confidence or trust by which alarmed sinners are comforted and lifted up. We moreover teach that the performance of good works is necesfa-. ry, because it is commanded of God, and not because we expect to merit groce by them. Pardon of sins and grace ore obtainet". only by faith. And because the Holy Spirit is received by faith ; the heart of man is renovated and new aflectionH produced, that he may be able tQ perform good works. Accordingly Ambrosius states, faith Ih the source of holy volitions and an upright life. For the faculties of man, unaided By the Holy Spirit, Ere replete with sinful propensities, and too feeble to perform works that are good in th^ sight of God. They are moreover under the influence of Satan, who urges men to various crimes, and impious opinions and manifest offen- ces; as may be seen in the examples of the philosophers who though they endeavored to lead perfectly moral lives, failed to accomplish their design, and were guilty of many notorious crimes. Such is the imbecility of man, when he undertakes to govern himself by his own strength, without faith and the Holy spirit. From all this it is manifest, that our doctrine, instead of deserving censure for the prohibition of good works, ought much rather to be ap* plauded, for teaching the manner in which truly good v/orks can oe fterformed. For without faith, human nature is incapable of perform^ ng the duties either of the first or second table. Without it, man does not call upon God, nor expect any thing from him ; but seeks refuse amongst men and reposes on human aid. Hence, when faith and confidence in Grod are wanting, all evil de- sires and human schemes reign in the heart ; as Christ says, <• with- out me ye can do nothing," John 15., and the church responds, with* out thy fjivor, there is nothing good in man. i MM a4 Artide XXI. •