DIALOGUE XII.

The Articles of the Chriftian Faith practically explained.

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Indian.

OU told me, Sir, when I left you last, -That without Faith no Man can pleafe God*, nor ought to be admitted into the Society of Chriftians,-I am therefore now come to learn of you, What that Faith is,which Chriftians profefs to believe, before they are baptized.

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Miffionery. You must know then, that there are many Things which Chriftians believe, and which you will know hereafter, when you hear the Holy SCRIPTURES read and explainare certainTruths neceffary to be known and

ed. In the mean time the believed, before

you can be baptized.Cogs slo193 Ind. How fhall I know what thefe Truths are?'

Miff. For the Benefit of young Beginners, and for fuch as cannot read or remember many Things, Truths of the greatest Moment are contained in this following fhort Account, which we call THE CREED,--or the ARTICLES Heb. xi. 6.

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OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH; and I must prevail with you fo to fix them in your Memory, that you may not forget them as long as you live:-for the Belief of these will be a powerful Means to make you holy, righteous, and happy.

The CREED, or THE ARTICLES of the CHRISTIAN FAITH.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth :---And in Jefus Chrift his only Son our Lord,---who was conceived by the Holy Ghoft,--born of the Virgin Mary,---fuffered under Pontius Pilate,---was crucified, dead and buried ;---he defcended into Hell ;---the third Day he rose again from the Dead ; ---he afcended into Heaven;---and fitteth at the Right-hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead.

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I believe in the Holy Ghoft; the Holy Catholick Church; ---the the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of Sins ;---the Refurrection of the Body ;---and the Life everlasting. Amen.

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Ind. I will endeavour to learn them by Heart; and I hope I fhall remember them as long as I live. And now I fhall be very thankful, if you will fhew me,-How the Knowlege and Belief of thefe Things are neceffary to make Men good, as, you very joftly fay, all Chriftians ought to be?"

Mi. Remember then,-That to believe in Ged, is not only to profefs, that there is fuch a glorious Being, who made the World, and all Things in it;-but also to believe whatever he hath made known to us, either concerning himfelf, or the Duties we owe to Him, ourselves, and others; which is all contained in the Holy Scriptures, written by the Infpiration of God, who can neither be deceived, nor deceive us.

Now in these Scriptures he hath made known to us,-That he never left himself without Witness; but hath given fufficient Proofs of his Almighty Power, Wisdom, Justice, Goodness, and Truth, in all Ages of the W6rld.→ + Acts. xiv. 17.

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2 Tim. iii, 16.

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He hath made known to us, that by his Almighty Power he created the World and all Things in it; and that, by his most wonderful Wisdom, he has governed and preferved it ever fince it was made.

That He is the Author of our Being, and of all the Good we do, or ever can enjoy *. That He is perfectly Holy, and requires all his Servants to be holy +.

That He fees us where-ever we are, andWhatever we do, fo that if we pray to Him; we are fure to be heard; if we fin, we are fure to be punished ..

For his Power is mighty, to reward his faithful Servants, and to punish the Difobedient I.

That He is just in all his Ways; commandeth nothing but what is for the Goodof his Creatures; and never punifheth, but when they truly deferve his Difpleasure **. That He is Long-fuffering, and ready to receive all that are fenfible of their Mifery *+. And that he is a faithful God, whatever he has promifed, will certainly be performed; whatever he has threatened, will furely come to pass *ll.

For He governeth all Things, both in Heaven and Earth; and nothing is too bard for him that he thinks fit to do.

Now the Belief of thefe Truths is neceffary to give us fuch worthy Thoughts of the Great and Glorious God, as may humble us in our own Eyes; and niake us fearful of offending, and glad to pleafe, one who has Power to reward or punish fuch as pleafe or offend him. On the other hand,-we shall be dif pofed to love him above all Things, because we believe him to be the Giver of all the Good we either enjoy, or ever hope for.-And he having made known to us,-That bis Eyes are in every Place, beholding the Evil and the Good; and that from him no Secrets are hid; this Confideration is proper to make us careful of our Words and Actions, and afraid of doing or faying any thing which may displease fo great and holy a Being. And as for his Justice, we have the greateft Reafon to fear it, becaufe he has in the Holy Scriptures made known to us many dreadful Examples of his Difpleafure against those who had no Regard to Reafon, or his Commands; by which we learn what we muft expect, if we provoke him by our Sins. Lastly, when we fee, as we find it in his Word, that this Great God has been fo good as to spare Men, even when they have deferved Punishment, * Jer. xxxii. 17. + Prou. xv. 3.

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