that if a man's life is in the right, his faith can't be wrong; that of course adultery and those kind of things are forbidden in the Testament, but that there are few passages, (or as some of them say) none at all, which can be brought forward in support of the opinions put forth in the Athanasian Creed; much less (they assert) can any passages be found, denouncing so heavy a woe against those who reject these opinions."

"Sir," he replied, with more than even his usual energy, “I will be bold to say, that there are as many passages in the New Testament, distinctly proving and supporting the great doctrines put forth in the Athanasian Creed, as there are passages expressly forbidding adultery, and other such crimes. But supposing it were otherwise, it really does not appear to me, that the case would be different, Gambling is not in words forbidden, (so far as I can recollect,) in any part or passage in the Old or New Testament; yet no one doubts, I mean, no serious thinking person, that it is one of the most fatal habits a person can get into; not because it is expressly forbidden in any part or passage, but because it is against the whole Gospel; utterly inconsistent with a Christian's practice.

"Now, Sir, it really does appear to me, that to deny the great doctrines contained in this noble Creed, is not merely to go against express passages of Scripture; passages, I mean, wherein our LORD JESUS, and the Blessed SPIRIT, are spoken of as God; but more than this, it is against the whole Gospel, utterly inconsistent with a Christian's faith."

"Well, Richard," I said, "the considerations you have suggested are certainly such as should lead all Christians to pause before they encourage in themselves or others any dislike of this ancient, and as you justly call it, this noble Creed."

"Sir," he replied, " in my poor judgment it is indeed a noble, a magnificent confession.

"But still, noble and magnificent as it is, if it, or any part of it, were against Scripture, or against Christian Charity, I, for one, should not be easy till it were put out of the Prayer Book.

"How happy then am I to think that it breathes the very spirit of pure Christian Charity; of Love, more than parental; of Love like His, Sir, who so often would have gathered His children

VOL. I.-No. 22.

C

together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, BUT THEY WOULD NOT!"

"Yes, Richard," I said; "and often as this tender yearning anxiety for men's souls is displayed in the conduct and words of our adored Master, I have frequently thought it nowhere more strikingly appears, than in that pathetic chapter of warnings to which you refer, the 23rd of St. Matthew; a chapter truly of 'monitory clauses.'"

"Sir," he answered, "it might almost be expected of those who rashly accuse the Church of uncharitableness for retaining the Athanasian Creed, that they should also wish to have that chapter left out of the Calendar; as indeed I have heard that they do wish many of the Psalms to be omitted on some such ground.

"But it is now time for me to wish you good evening; hoping, Sir, that I have not taken too great a liberty in thus speaking out my opinions, or wearied you by staying too long."

“Richard,” said I, once for all, believe me it is one of the chief comforts and encouragements I have, to be with you at Church and at School, and to talk with you on these great subjects."

OXFORD,

The Feast of the Epiphany.

These Tracts are continued in Numbers, and sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, or 7s. for 50 copies.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON,

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE.

1835.

GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London.

The following Works, all in single volumes, or pamphlets, and recently published, will be found more or less to uphold or elucidate the general doctrines inculcated in these Tracts :

Bp. Taylor on Repentance, by Hale.-Rivingtons.
Bp. Taylor's Golden Grove.-Parker, Oxford.

Vincentii Lirinensis Commonitorium, with translation.— Parker, Oxford.

Pusey on Cathedrals and Clerical Education.- Roake & Varty.
Hook's University Sermons.-Talboys, Oxford.

Pusey on Baptism (published separately).-Rivingtons.
Newman's Sermons, 4 vols.-Rivingtons.

Newman on Romanism, &c.-Rivingtons.

The Christian Year.-Parker, Oxford.

Lyra Apostolica.-Rivingtons.

Perceval on the Roman Schism.-Leslie.

Bishop Jebb's Pastoral Instructions.-Duncan.
Dodsworth's Lectures on the Church.—Burns.
Carey on the Apostolical Succession.—Rivingtons.
Newman on Suffragan Bishops.-Rivingtons.
Keble's Sermon on National Apostacy.-Rivingtons.
Keble's Sermon on Tradition.-Rivingtons.
Memoir of Ambrose Bonwick.-Parker, Oxford.

Hymns for Children on the Lord's Prayer.-Rivingtons.
Law's First and Second Letters to Hoadley.-Rivingtons.
Bp. Andrews' Devotions. Latin and Greek.—Pickering.
Hook's Family Prayers.-Rivingtons.

Herbert's Poems and Country Pastor.

Evans's Scripture Biography.-Rivingtons.

Le Bas' Life of Archbishop Laud.-Rivingtons.

Jones (of Nayland) on the Church.

Bp. Bethell on Baptismal Regeneration.-Rivingtons.

Larger Works which may be profitably studied.

Bishop Bull's Sermons.-Parker, Oxford.
Bishop Bull's Works.-University Press.
Waterland's Works.-University Press.
Wall on Infant Baptism.-University Press.
Pearson on the Creed.-University Press.
Leslie's Works.-University Press.
Bingham's Works.-Straker, London.

Palmer on the Liturgy.-University Press.
Palmer on the Church.-Rivingtons.
Hooker, ed. Keble.-Rivingtons.

rwowal

THE FAITH AND Obedience of CHURCHMEN, THE STRENGTH OF THE CHURCH.

"AND Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the CHRIST the Son of the Living GOD. And JESUS answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My FATHER which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. xvi. 16-18.

The rock, then, upon which the Church is built, is the confession, that JESUS is the CHRIST, the Son of the Living God; a truth set forth and shadowed by the Prophets, but openly and plainly taught by the Apostles. St. Paul uses a similar expression, when he speaks of the body of Christians being " built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets;" (i. e. resting in the sound and true doctrine which they taught ;) "JESUS CHRIST Himself being the chief corner-stone," (Ephes. ii. 20.);—our very spiritual existence depending upon our adherence to this great truth that JESUS was the anointed Son of GOD, GOD and Man, the promised SAVIOUR of the world ;-He, who by taking man's nature upon Him in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, fulfilled the prophecy that the SAVIOUR should be of the seed of Abraham, in whom "all the nations of the earth should be blessed," (Gen. xxii. 18.) and the seed of the woman, who should "bruise the serpent's head," (Gen. iii. 15.);—and who, inasmuch as He was "the Onlybegotten Son of God," (John iii. 18.) "GOD of God," "Very GOD of very GOD," (Nicene Creed,) fulfilled the prophecy, that the SAVIOUR should be "the mighty God," (Isaiah ix. 6.) ;—He,