non-conformity. Thus much is certain, that by uniting with us, they might be turned from that dangerous temper of mind, which is so often tempting them to disturb the public peace by works of envý, hatred, disloyalty, and false doctrine; the last of which, as the wisest among them know and lament, is rapidly gaining ground in their congregations. They of the Church of Rome also, who think we neither value nor understand Christian unity, may here find, that we are as ready as they are to render what is due to the Church of Christ, without making any improper or superstitious use of its ordinances and authority.

The word morality having of late years been much misunder stood, and been the occasion of some dangerous mistakes, a short catechetical instruction is added in a second part, shewing the distinction between Morality and Religion; which all Christian teachers in these days ought to inculcate: and we hope it will be attended to.

WHAT THE CHURCH IS, AND HOW IT IS CALLED.

Q.

WHAT is the meaning of the word Church? A. It is ordinarily taken for the house of God, or place of divine worship*.

Q. Is it any where so taken in the Scripture?

A. In 1.Cor. xx. 22, it is used for the house or place of worship, in which Christians assembled together.

Q. What doth it signify farther?

1

A. It signifies the settlement of the Christian reli gion in any city or country; which is what we understand by the Church of Ephesus, the Church of Antioch, the Church of England, &c.

Q. But does it not signify more than that?

A. It signifies the whole Christian society, or Catholic Church, of which Jesus Christ is the head; and of which every national Church, properly so called, is a member.

* It is taken in this sense in our two excellent Homilies on the Right Use of the Church. In the history of the Gospel, the place of worship, which we call the Church, had the names of the Temple and the Synagogue; which Christ himself and his apostles duly frequented,

Q. Why is the Church called Holy?

A. For several reasons. First, to distinguish it as a society different from the world, which is wicked, and out of which they are called who are brought into the Church.

Q. On what other account is the Church Holy?

A. From its relation to God; to whom whatever belongs, whether it be a place, a person, or a thing, it must be holy from that relation.

Q. What farther reason is there?

A. Because the Church, from its relation to God, is a cause of holiness in man. Its principal use is to sanctify those who are in it, and who are called saints, that is, holy persons. (1 Cor. i. 2.)

Q. What are the different states of those who are in the world, and those who are in the Church?

A. The world lieth in wickedness; and they who are in the world only, will be condemned with the world: but they who are in the Church, are called to a state of salvation. (Acts iii. 47.)

Q. Has a man's situation any effect upon his character?

A. Certainly; if it be not his own fault: for as the world corrupts men, the Church sanctifies them.

Q. How can you prove that?

A. Our Saviour said, the Temple sanctified the gold which was brought into it. Therefore if the souls of men are as precious as gold, and the Christian Church as worthy as the Jewish temple, men must in a sense become holy by being made members of it.

Q. Is there not another reason why the Church is called holy?

A. Because it is a body, of which the Holy Spirit of God is the animating principle, or life and soul. (1 Cor. xii. 13.)

Q. Why is the Church called Catholic?

A. Catholic means universal: and the Church was so called, because though it was spread over all nations, it was every where the same; and so, in the whole, one Church, one body of Christ. It is also called Catholic, as distinguished from the Jewish Church, which was particular or peculiar, being confined to one nation or people; whereas the Christian Church takes in all the nations of the world.

Q. How do the two societies of the Church and the World appear when they are compared together?

A. There is the like difference between them as between the waters of the flood and the ark of Noah* ; the city of Sodom devoted to destruction, and Zoar the city of refuge; Egypt the house of slavery, and Canaan the land of liberty.

Q. What reason have we to think that our own Church is a part of the Catholic Church of Christ?

A. Because we find in it the ordinances, the doctrines, and the authority of the Catholic Church.

Q. How does it preserve the authority of the Catholic Church?

A. Because it derives its authority by succession from the Apostles.

Q. Why is succession necessary to a true Church? A. Because none can make a Church but Jesus Christ himself, from whom we derive it: and without the rule of succession, any company of people, even of women, mgiht make a Church. But the Church being the Church of God, and not a human society, men cau no more make God's Church than they can make God's world.

Q. How does it appear that our Church preserves the same ordinances?

* See the first Collect in the office for Public Baptism.