confirms the doctrine beyond all
doubt. Besides, is it not said in Scripture, that by one man sin
entered into the world, and that "all we, like lost sheep, have gone
astray?" "that by one man's disobedience many were made sinners?"
and so again in twenty more places that I could tell you of?

_Bragwell._ Well; I never thought of this. But is not this a very
melancholy sort of doctrine, Mr. Worthy?

_Worthy._ It is melancholy, indeed, if we stop here. But while we
are deploring this sad truth, let us take comfort from another, that
"as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive."

_Bragwell._ Yes; I remember I thought those very fine words, when I
heard them said over my poor father's grave. But as it was in the
burial of the dead, I did not think of taking it to myself; for I
was then young and hearty, and in little danger of dying, and I have
been so busy ever since, that I have hardly had time to think of it.

_Worthy._ And yet the service pronounced at the burial of all who
die, is a solemn admonition to all who live. It is there said, as
indeed the Scripture says also, "I am the resurrection and the life;
whosoever _believeth in me_ shall never die, but I will raise him up
at the last day." Now do you think you _believe in Christ_, Mr.
Bragwell?

_Bragwell._ To be sure I do; why you are always fancying me an
atheist.

_Worthy._ In order to believe in Christ, we must believe first in
our own guilt and our own unworthiness; and when we do this we shall
see the use of a Saviour, and not till then.

_Bragwell._ Why, all this is a new way of talking. I can't say I
ever meddled with such subjects before in my life. But now, what do
you advise a man to do upon your plan of religion?

_Worthy._ Why, all this leads me back to the ground from which we
set out, I mean the duty of prayer; for if we believe that we have
an evil nature within us, and that we stand in need of God's grace
to help us, and a Saviour to redeem us, we shall be led of course to
pray for what we so much need; and without this conviction we shall
not be led to pray.

_Bragwell._ Well, but don't you think, Mr. Worthy, that you good
folks who make so much of prayer, have lower notions than we have of
the wisdom of the Almighty? You think he wants to be informed of the
thing you tell him; whereas, I take it for granted that he knows
them already, and that, being so good as he is, he will give me
every thing he sees fit to give me, wi