as to be capable of governing and managing his own actions, but what has committed many actual fins and tranfgreffions; upon both which accounts we are all by nature, rendered unfit for, and uncapable of, that eternal happiness which God had provided for us; and alfo are become exposed to the wrath of God, and to that eternal punishment which his juftice has prepared for finners.

This is the fad and wretched condition which all mankind, by nature, are in, ever fince the fin of our first parents. But notwithstanding that man had thus brought himself into this evil ftate, yet God in his infinite mercy would not forfake, or wholly caft him off; but was pleased again to admit us all into a capacity of being restored to his favor, and to that eternal happiness in the life to come, of which our original and actual fins had deprived us. And in order to this, he condescended to fend his Son into the world, to take our nature upon him, and to become our redeemer: his fufferings and death being accepted of by God, as a facrifice and propitiation for the fins of the whole world: for the fake of which, and of his most holy and unspotted life, God has been pleased to promife pardon and acceptance to all those, who either before, or fince Christ's coming into the world, have, or fhall embrace the true faith, heartily repent of their former fins, and care

fully

fully lead their lives according to the laws and commandments of God. And this which Jefus Chrift has thus done and obtained for us, is commonly called by the name of the work of our redemption.

Furthermore, we are taught to believe that Jefus Chrift after his death did defcend into hell. But fince God has not thought it neceffary, in his word, to give us a clear and diftinct account, either what place is here meant by hell, or for what reason Christ did defcend thither, there is no reason why we should trouble ourselves with any curious enquiry into this matter.

And after it had fufficiently appeared, that Jefus Chrift was truly dead; upon the third day after his death he rose again to life, appeared to his apofiles, and very many of his difciples, was feen and handled by them, and eat, drank, and converfed with them, for the space of no less than forty days (that in that time they might have fufficient affurances of the reality of his refurrection) after which, in the fight of a multitude of them, he was openly taken up, and afcended into heaven, where he remains in the higheft glory, which is called fitting at the right hand of God; where he continues for ever, to make interceffion with God for us.

Concerning the third Perfon in the holy Trinity, who is called the Holy Ghoft, or Holy Spirit, because

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he

1

he works holiness in us, we are taught to believe, that foon after Chrift's afcenfion into heaven, the Holy Ghoft, being fent by the Father and the Son, and coming forth from them, did in a wonderful manner defcend upon the apofiles and difciples of Chrift; enlightening their minds, and opening their underftandings, that they might understand the holy scriptures, and know the will of God; giving them gifts and abilities to teach and preach the gospel with truth and power; and enabling them to speak all forts of languages, that they might inftruct all the several nations and people of the world'; and giving them power to work miracles, for the better confirming those things which they taught and preached.

Now although the minifters and preachers of the gospel do not appear in these days to be endowed with the fame miraculous gifts and abilities as the apostles were (there being other fufficient means for the inftruction of the people, and confirmation of the true faith and religion) yet we are affured, that where any man in an honeft and lawful way, endeavours with fincerity and diligence to improve his understanding, and increase his knowledge in the things that relate to God and religion, for the good both of himself and others; the Holy Spirit of God will not be wanting to fuch a man, but will

affift his pious and honeft endeavours, and will more and more enlighten his mind, that he may grow and increase in the knowledge of those things which are neceffary both to his own, and others falvation. And thus the Holy Ghost is the immediate author and worker of those gifts and graces within us, which are neceffary for the edification, that is to fay, the inftruction of all christian people.

And whereas by nature we are all of us inclined to evil, and unable of ourselves to think or do any thing as we should, the Holy Spirit of God, befides the enlightening of our minds with the knowledge of those things which are neceffary to falvation, does alfo move and work upon our confcience, our will, and affections, in order to incline and bring us to, and affist us in the diligent and conftant prac tice of thofe things which God requires from us. And thus the Holy Ghoft is also the author of holiness in us; (I mean if we comply with his motions, and do not refift them) which is called the work of fanctification.

The whole congregation of people, who, by the outward preaching of the gofpel, and the inward motion of the Holy Spirit, have been called and brought to receive and embrace the true faith, and baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; all these perfons, I fay, together with their children,

C

children, are called by the name of the church of Chrift. And as a king is the head of his kingdom, fo is Chrift the king and head of his.church: and the very end and defign of Chriff's calling and gathering his church, being the promoting of true godliness here, in order to falvation hereafter; for this reafon the church is faid to be holy, although many perfons who are ungodly, may outwardly appear. and profefs to be chriftians, and live in the visible communion of the church; as one that is a rebel in his heart, may yet pretend to be a subject, and live in outward fociety with those that are faithful to the government.

Furthermore, as a kingdom or commonwealth by its laws and conftitutions is but one fociety, although evil men may raise factions, make parties, and caufe divifions within it; fo our Saviour Chrift Jefus appointed and called but one church, in the communion or fellowship of which, all faints, that is, all good chriftians, are for ever to be joined and united, and to partake in common of the advantages and privileges which God has promised to that fociety; although by the perverfenefs of fome, and the mistakes of others, this fame church, which ought to be entirely one, both in faith and charity, is divided into contrary parties, which refuse and renounce communion with one another.

And