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John, xv. 19; Acts, xiv. 22; 2 Tim. iii. 11, 12; (see also preceding Collect).

2. That these dangers are so many and so great that we cannot always stand upright in the midst of them. Eccl. vii. 20; Prov. xxiv. 16. Cf. Job, i. 8 and xlii. 1-6; Matt. xxvi. 31-35, 56; Gal. ii. 11-13.

3. That this is owing to the frailty of our nature. Ps. cxlvi. 3, 4; lx. 11; Isa. xxxv. 3; (see also preceding Collect).

4. That these things, i.e. both our danger and our weakness, are known to God. Ps. cxxxix. 1-3; Prov. xvi. 3; Ps. ciii. 13, 14; 2 Cor. xii. 9.

The Petition, therefore, is:

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Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations,"—

In this we acknowledge or imply:

1. That to support ourselves in our dangers we need strength. 1 Chron. xxix. 12; Ps. xxvii. 1; 1 Sam. ii. 9; Rom. v. 6; Acts, xviii. 9, 10.

2. That to carry ourselves safely through temptations we need protection. 1 Cor. x. 13; Eph. vi. 10-12; Ps. lxxiii. 1, 2; Matt. vi. 13; James, i. 12; Rev. iii. 10.

3. That God can give to us that strength and protection which will support us under the one, and carry us safely through the other. Phil. iv. 13; Isa. xl. 29; xlv. 24; xxvi. 4; Ps. xci. 14-16; Ezra, viii. 31, 32; Acts, xxvi. 22; 2 Peter, ii. 9.

The Conclusion is:

"through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

In the midst of what are we here said to be set?
In what terms are these dangers described?
And what is the consequence of this position to us?

Why cannot we always stand upright in the midst of

these dangers ?

Why is our nature frail ?

What does that word mean?

To Whom is all this known?

Prove these points from Sacred Scripture.

What is it we need to support us in our dangers?

What to carry us through temptations?

What are temptations?

Whence do they come?

Who is the author of them?

Who can alone give us what is necessary under these circumstances?

No. XVI.

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.

A PRAYER FOR GOD'S CHURCH AND HOUSEHOLD TO BE KEPT IN THE TRUE RELIGION.

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And so contains no statement beyond what is involved in that title.

The Petition is:

"We beseech thee to keep thy Church and household continually in thy true religion; that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty power, "

Here the following truths are involved:

1. That God has a Church and a household. Matt. xvi. 18; Acts, ii. 41-47; Eph. ii. 19; i. 22, 23; v. 25; Heb. iii. 6; xii. 22, 23.

2. That this Church and household require

(a) To be kept in His true religion. Ps. cxxvii.
1; Heb. iii. 14; Jude, 3; Heb. xiii. 9; Acts, ii.
42; 2 John, 9-11; Rev. ii. 5, 25, 26.
(b) To be defended by His mighty power. Rev.

xii. 13-17; Prov. xviii. 10; Isa. xxvi. 4; Ps.
xlvi. 4–7; lxii. 1-6; lx. 11, 12.

3. That the sole support of this Church is their hope of God's heavenly grace, on which only do they lean at all times, but especially now, in putting forth this prayer for the keeping and defence they require. Ps. lvii. 1, 2; lvi. 3, 4; Heb. xiii. 6; iv. 16; 2 Tim. i. 12; iv. 17, 18; Isa. 1. 7; li. 12, 13; xlix. 13-16.

The Conclusion is:

66

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What do we here ask God to keep?

What do we mean by " Church?"

What by "household?"

Who form God's Church and household?

Who is their Head and Master?

Amen."

In what does the Church require to be continually kept? What does the second clause of our prayer shew that it

requires as well?

From whom does it require defence, and why?

Why does it need keeping in the true religion?

On what only do they who form this Church lean for support?

No. XVII.

Sixth Sunday after Epiphanq.

A PRAYER TO BE MADE LIKE CHRIST.

The Invocation is:

"O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life;

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In this Invocation we state:

1. That God's Son is a blessed Son. Luke, xi. 27; Rom. ix. 5; Matt. xxi. 9.

2. That this blessed Son has been manifested, i. e. manifested, or set forth to us, in the flesh. John, i. 14; Rom. viii. 3; 1 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John, i. 1, 2. 3. That this was for a twofold purpose,

(a) To destroy the works of the Devil. 1 John, iii.
8; Col. i. 13; ii. 14, 15; Gen. iii. 15; Dan. ix.
24; Heb. ii. 14, 15; 1 Cor. xv. 26, 54-57.
(b) To make us (i) sons of God, and (ii) heirs of
eternal life. Gal. iv. 4-7; Rom. viii. 15-17;
John, i. 12, 13; 1 John, iii. 1, 2; Gal. iii. 26;
1 Pet. i. 3, 4; Eph. i. 13, 14; Acts, xxvi. 18.

The Petition is (reaching to the end of the Collect):

“Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with

power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.'

Here is declared or implied:

1. That we have a hope of becoming sons of God and heirs of eternal life. Heb. vi. 18, 19; Rom. v. 2; Tit. i. 2; Rom. viii. 23-25; 1 Pet. i. 3; Tit. ii. 13; Rom. xii. 12.

2. That all who have this hope should purify themselves, even as Christ is pure. 1 John, iii. 3; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Col. iii. 5; 2 Pet. iii. 13, 14; Phil. iv. 8; Tit. ii. 12-14.

3. That this is requisite, because this Son of God is to appear again, and that with power and great glory. Acts, i. 11; Matt. xxiv. 30, 36, 42; xxv. 31; Heb. ix. 28; Jude, 14, 15.

4. That when He does so appear again in power and great glory, those who are purified will be made like unto Him in His kingdom. Phil. iii. 20, 21; 1 John, iii. 2; 1 Cor. xv. 49; Col. iii. 4.

5. That His kingdom is an eternal and glorious kingdom. 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17; Heb. i. 8; Ps. xxix. 10; Rev. xix. 6; Ps. xxiv. 8-10.

6. That in this His kingdom He is now living and reigning. 1 Cor. xv. 25; Acts, ii. 33; Eph. i. 20– Rev. xix. 16.

23; Col. iii. 1; Ps. ii. 6; 7. That this is in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Rev. xxii. 3–5; i. 4, 5; iv. 2-5.

8. That these Three are now, and ever will be, One God, world without end. 1 John, v. 7; Deut. vi. 4; John, x. 30.

Supplementary Questions.

What is the character here given to the Son of God?
What is here said of that Son of God?

How was He manifested, and when, and where?

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