By the Rev. JOHN NEWTON.
I SHOULD think it no hard matter to draw up a form of sound words (whether dignified with the name of a creed or no, I care not), to which true believers of all sorts and sizes would unanimously subscribe. Suppose it ran something in the following manner:—I believe that sin is the most hateful thing in the world; that I and all men are by nature in a state of wrath and depravity, utterly unable to sustain the penalty, or to fulfil the commands of God’s holy law; and that we have no sufficiency of ourselves to think a good thought. I believe that Jesus Christ is the chief among ten thousand; that He came into the world to save his chief of sinners, by making a propitiation for sin by His death, by paying a perfect obedience to the Law in our behalf; and that He is now exalted on high, to give repentance and remission of sins to all that believe; and that He ever liveth to make intercession for us. I believe that the Holy Ghost (the gift of God through Jesus Christ) is the sure and only guide into all truth, and the common privilege of all believers; and under His influence, I believe the holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation, and to furnish us thoroughly for every good work. I believe that love to God, and to man for God’s sake, is the essence of religion, and the fulfilling of the Law; that without holiness no man shall see the Lord; that those who by a patient course in well-doing, seek glory, honour and immortality, shall receive eternal life; and I believe that this reward is not of debt but of grace, even to the praise and glory of that grace whereby He has made us accepted in the Beloved. Amen.