gel before he was conceived in the womb. Acts, xiii. 13. Of this man's (David's) seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus. 1 Tim. i. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

6. Q. How was this Jesus to save the world?

A. By delivering us both from the power and from the punishment of our sins; and by putting us in a way of attaining unto everlasting life. Acts, v. 30, 31. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Tit. ii. 11. For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto men. Rom. vi. 4, 5. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

7. Q. What is the title given to our Blessed Lord, with respect to his offices.

A. He is called Christ; which is the same in Greek that Messias is in Hebrew, or Syriac; and is as much as to say, the anointed. John, i. 41. We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. iv. 25. I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-John, vii. 41, 42. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, shall Christ come out of Galilee! Hath not the Scripture said, that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of

the town of Bethlehem, where David was? ix. 22. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. x. 24. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. xi. 27. She saith unto him, yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Acts, ix. 22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

8. Q. Why had our Saviour this title given to him?

A. To shew, that as by the ceremony of anointing heretofore, God consecrated those whom he called to some certain offices; so was this Jesus to be separated, though not by a visible unction, yet by the invisible power and Grace of the Holy Spirit, for all those offices to which men were anointed by God's command under the law. Acts, x. 38. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with

power.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Luke, iv. 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Acts, iv. 27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together. Heb. i. 9. Thou hast loved righteousness and

hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

9. Q. What were those offices, to which men were consecrated, by the ceremony of anointing, under the law?

A. They were chiefly three; to the offices of a prophet, a priest, and a king.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-1 Kings, xix. 15, 16. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha, the son of Shaphat, of Abel-Meholah, shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. Exodus, xl.

13, 14, 15. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: and thou shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. 1 Sam. xv. 1. Samuel also said unto Saul, the Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people.

10. Q. Was our Saviour to be consecrated to all these?

A. He was; and that by express prophecies before his coming into the world. See Psalm xlv. 7. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. cx. 4. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedek. Deut. xviii. 15, 18,

&c. The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me: unto him shall ye hearken. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth. Isaiah, ix. 6. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. xi. 1. The spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. 11. Q. How did God anoint him to these offices? A. The Holy Ghost came upon him; and God, by a voice from heaven, declared him to be his beloved Son. Matt. iii. 16, 17, and commanded all the world to hear him. Matt. xvii. 5. And He received the spirit without measure, for the discharge of them all. John, iii. 34.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Isaiah, xlii. 1. Comp. Matt. xii. 18. Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Matt. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Isaiah, lxi. 1. Comp. Luke, iv. 18. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are

bound. Luke. The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me, to preach the gospel to the poor: he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

12. Q. You say, that God before spake by his holy prophets of such a Christ: did the Jews know that he had done so?

A. Yes, they did: and at that very time that Christ came into the world, they generally expected the coming of Him. Matt. xi. 2. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? John, iv. 25. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. vii. 31. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these, which this man hath done? Luke, iii. 15. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not, John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Acts, iii. 18, 22. But those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me; him shall ye hear in all