numerable company of angels, and with the spirits of the just made perfect.

Q. May we not indulge the hope of meeting and recognizing those pious friends whom we have known and loved on earth?

A. Although an express promise to this effect is no where given in the Scriptures, yet the expectation of enjoying this happiness is no where forbidden; but on the contrary, is authorized by many passages of Scripture.

Q. Mention a few ?

A. At the transfiguration of our Lord, the Apostles appeared to recognize, without previous information, both Moses and Elias. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, our Lord represents the former as seeing the latter afar off, and knowing him. Just before his death, our Lord comforts his disciples by the assurance of coming again and receiving them to himself and to the thief on the Cross, he says, "this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."

Q. Do not the Apostles appear to have cherished this hope?

A. They do. St. Paul says, in writing to the Thessalonians, "For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing, are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming." 1 Thess. ii. 19. To the Colossians he says, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Col. i. 29. And to the Corinthians he says, " Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus

shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you." 2 Cor. iv. 14.

Q. What will be the lot of the wicked?

A. They will rise to condemnation, and everlasting misery. John v. Matth. xxv.

Q. What will render the wicked miserable?

A. The everlasting remorse of an accusing conscience; exclusion from the presence of God, and from the society of good angels, and blessed spirits; self-reproach; unmingled despair; the society of devils; and of wicked spirits, together with torment of body in the lake of fire, which burneth for ever and ever.

CHAPTER VIII.

Of the Holy Spirit.

Q. Having treated of faith in God, the Father and Son, it remains toenquire What does the Scripture teach of the HOLY SPIRIT, the third person in the blessed Trinity?

A. It teaches us that he is possessed of almighty power, and that his essence is infinite and divine. He is distinguished from the Father and the Son, as we perceive in the institution of baptism, and in many other places. Matth. xxvii.

Q. Why do we call him the HOLY SPIRIT? A. Because he is infinitely holy in himself, and sanctifies the human heart.

Q. Is it necessary that we should believe in the Holy Spirit?

A. Yes. It is therefore that our Lord di

rects that we should be baptized in his name, well as in those of the Father and the Son.

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Q. What is the agency of the Holy Spirit in the work of Redemption?

A. He has inspired the Prophets and Apostles; it is by his agency that the Christian religion has been established in the world, and it is he who enlightens, consoles, guides, and sanctifies believers.

Q. To whom did Jesus Christ first send the Holy Spirit ?

A. He sent him to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, ten days after his ascension to Heaven. Acts ii.

Q. What were the gifts which the Holy Ghost communicated to the Apostles ?

A. They received the gift of performing miracles, and particularly that of speaking in every language then used in the world.

Q. Why did they receive these gifts ?

A. That they might every where preach the gospel, and confirm it by the miracles they performed.

Q. Had no one beside the Apostles a share of these miraculous gifts?

A. Many of those who were baptized, and upon whom the Apostles laid their hands, received also the gifts of the Spirit.

Q. Whence is it that those miraculous gifts have ceased?

A. Because, since the gospel is now established, they are no longer necessary.

Q. Are the operations of the Holy Spirit then no longer necessary for our salvation 2

A. Besides those miraculous and extraordinary gifts, there are ordinary ones, such as faith, wisdom, joy, holiness, and consolation ; and these last gifts, which the spirit of God produces in believers, are of the greatest importance in every part of their progress on earth.

ARTICLE III.

CHAP. I.

ON THE DUTIES OF RELIGION IN GENERAL.

SECT. 1.-Of Repentance.

Q. Is it enough for Christians to know and believe the truths of religion?

A. No; they should also know the duties which religion prescribes, and should practise them.

Q. What is the first and principal duty which religion prescribes ?

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A. Repentance and amendment. Acts xvii. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent."

Q. What is the nature of this repentance? A. It is experimentally to know our sins, to cherish a godly sorrow for them, as well on account of their offence against God, as of their dreadful consequences; to confess them, to

trust to the mercy of God, through a Redeemer for pardon, and to amend our lives.

Q. How is it that we are to know our sins? A. We must reflect upon the purity and extent of the law of God, the nature and number of our offences, the manner and circumstances in which they were committed.

Q. What are the circumstances which gravate sin?

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A. They are, sinning against light, and the admonitions of conscience, doing evil deliberately, after having had time for reflexion, and falling repeatedly into the same sin; in giving occasion of scandal, as well as furnishing an evil example to others.

Q. Must we ask pardon of God only for those sins of which we are conscious?

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A. We should also ask pardon for sins of ignorance; and such as may have escaped our memory, which are numerous. Psalm xix. 12. "Who can understand his errors ? cleanse thou me from secret faults."

Q. Why are we to grieve for sin?

A. Because sin is evil in its own nature, displeasing to God, and contrary to our moral obligations, and because, in committing sin, we draw upon us the anger and judgments of God.

Q. Is grief an infallible sign of true repentance?

A. No, that grief which arises from worldly considerations, such as loss of fame, fortune, or friendship, or that which proceeds solely