DISC. X. FAITH BUILT ON KNOWLEDGE. 26:3 should trust in any person, if you have never brought them into his acquaintance ? Or will you content your- selves that you give them the name ofchristians in bap- tism, and let them know nothing of Christ. Think it not enough therefore to make them repeat thë words of a catechism, but enquire what they mean by such and such words and sentences, which they pro- noúnce ; and thus y-ou 'will discover where their igno- rance lies : Then inform them, and assist their young understandings. Acquaint them with the sin of their natures, with the sins of their life, with the anger of God, and danger of hell ; till they, are afraid of it in earnest, and ask, what they shall do to be saved. Then teach them the knowledge of Christ, in his glorious per- son; in his excellent qualifications of love, power, and faithfulness ; teach them the doctrine of his death as a satisfaction for sin, and of that all- sufficient righteous- ness, upon which only they can find acceptance with a just and a holy God: Acquaint them with his pleading in heaven as a priest, for sinners here on earth, and his reigning there as king, to give graceand holiness, par- don and repentance, and salvation, to all that are willing to accept it inhis own way. And let this practice be continually repeated, till, by frequent enquiries, you find they understand what you teach them. Shew them how to commit their souls into the hands of Christ byprayer and faith, and how to walk watchfully in obedience to, all the commands of Christ, to practise the duties of religion towards God, and the duties of mo- rality towards men ; in order to evidence their faith, and to bring them onward to complete salvation. Tell them of the last great judgment-day, when all their secret actions shall be brought to light before God, angels and men ; and when they must give an account to Jesus the Judge, of all their behaviour here. Make it evident, that there is no way to appear with safety before him as a judge, but by committing their souls to him, as their kind and all-sufficient friend : And then holy parents may hope tò meet their sons and their daughters with comfort, at the right-hand of the Lord in that day. It is an acquaintance with such a Saviour, and such a trust in him, that will prepare them not only for the last judgment, but for every circumstance of life and the s4
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