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 We are not, however, to understand that the works of God, when once created, could continue to exist unsupported by his omnipotence: as they derive existence from his supreme power, wisdom and goodness, so unless preserved continually by his superintending providence, and by the same power which produced them, they should instantly return into their original nothing. This the Scriptures declare, when they say, "How could any thing endure if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee?" But not only does God protect and govern all things by his providence; but also by an internal virtue impels to motion and action whatever moves and acts, and this in such a manner, as that although he excludes not, he yet prevents the agency of secondary causes. His invisible influence extends to all things, and as the wise man says: "It reacheth from end to end, mighty, and ordereth all things sweetly." This is the reason why the Apostle, announcing to the Athenians the God whom not knowing they adored, said; "He is not far from every one of us: for in him we live and move and have our being."

Let thus much suffice for the explanation of the first article of the Creed: it may not, however, be unnecessary to add that the creation is the common work of the three Persons of the Holy and undivided Trinity—of the Father, whom, according to the doctrine of the Apostles, we here declare to be "Creator of heaven and earth;"—of the Son, of whom the Scripture says, "all things were made by him;" and of the Holy Ghost, of whom it is written, "The Spirit of God moved over the waters:" and again, "By the word of the Lord the heavens were established and all the power of them by the Spirit of his mouth."

wonderful and superabundant are the blessings which flow to the human race, from the belief and profession of this article we learn from these words of St. John; "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God, God abideth in him and he in God;" and also from the words of Christ our Lord, proclaiming the Prince of the Apostles blessed for the confession of this truth; "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood have not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven." This sublime truth is the most firm basis of our salvation and redemption.

But as the fruit of these admirable blessings is best known by considering the ruin brought on man, by his fall from that most