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4. That, to subdue the flesh to the Spirit, abstinence of a proper nature and degree must be used. 1 Cor. ix. 27; Col. iii. 5; Jam. i. 13-15; iv. 1; Eph. v. 18; Rom. xiii. 13, 14.

So for grace to use such abstinence we here heartily pray.

The remaining statements have been already fully examined. See Collects, Nos. 1, 3, 5, 17.

Supplementary Questions.

What is our Lord Jesus Christ said here to have once

done?

What do we mean by "fasting ?"

For what purpose did He do this?

Where do we read about it?

What happened afterwards?

What do we here ask that we may be enabled to obey?

What do we mean by "godly motions ?"

How are these "godly motions" to be obeyed?
To what end are they to be obeyed?

What is necessary in order to this?

Why must the flesh be subdued to the Spirit ?

What is meant by the "flesh ?"

What by the "Spirit ?"

How is the flesh to be subdued to the Spirit?

What is meant by "abstinence?"

Is this a Scriptural duty?

Produce Scriptural proofs and illustrations of all the pre

ceding points.

No. XXIII.

Second Sunday in Lent.

A PRAYER FOR DEFENCE FROM ALL EVILS BODILY AND SPIRITUAL,

The Invocation is:

66

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves,"

Here, addressing God as " Almighty," we declare,— 1. That we have not power of ourselves to help ourselves. 2 Cor. iii. 5; Rom. v. 6; Matt. xxvi. 41; Jer. xvii. 5, 6; 2 Chron. xx. 12; Hos. xiii. 9.

2. That God is acquainted with this our destitute state. Ps. ciii. 14; Prov. xv. 3; Jer. xxiii. 24; Ps. cxxxix.

The Petition, therefore, is:

66

Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul,"

Here the following truths are inculcated:

1. That we need both an outward and an inward keeping, i.e. a keeping both in our bodies and our souls. 1 Thess. v. 23; Phil. iv. 7; Ps. xxv. 1; xxxi. 1-4; xxxiv. 20-22; xxxv. 4, 9, 10; liv. 4.

2. That the keeping needed by our bodies is from the

adversities to which they are exposed. Ps. xli. 3 ;

Gen. xxxi. 40; Ps. xci. 3-6; Eccl. iv. 10; 2 Kings, 1,2; 2 Sam. xvii. 29 ; Acts, x. 10; Matt. xxv. 35, 36. 3. That the keeping needed by our souls is from the evil thoughts by which they may be assaulted and hurt. 2 Cor. x. 5; Ps. cxix. 113; Mark, vii. 21; Heb. iii. 13; Prov. xxiv. 9; xv. 26; Isa. lv. 7; lix. 7; Jer. iv. 14.

4. That with God for our Keeper we shall be defended from both. Ps. xvi. 8; cxviii. 6; cxxi.; 1 Chron. xviii. 6; 1 Pet. i. 5; Gen. xxviii. 15; Ps. xvii. 8; Jude, 24; Exod. xiv.

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What is it that in this Invocation we confess we have

no power to do?

By Whom is this our feebleness known?

On what attribute of God does this assertion rest?

By what passages of Scripture is it proved?

What is the prayer to which a sense of these things leads

us ?

How do we want God to keep us?

What is the keeping needed by our bodies?

And what by our souls?

Mention some of the adversities to which our bodies are

exposed.

In what way do evil thoughts assault and hurt our souls? Who is able to defend us from these?

No. XXIV.

Third Sunday in Lent.

A PRAYER FOR DEFENCE AGAINST OUR ENEMIES.

The Invocation is:

"We beseech thee, Almighty God,"

Here God is invoked as 66

Almighty," and without any further acknowledgment we pass on to

The Petition, as follows:

66 'Look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies,"

Herein we profess,

1. That we are God's humble servants. 1 Pet. v. 5, 6; Jam. iv. 10; Matt. v. 3; Ps. xvii. 1; Matt. xv. 8. 2. That we, His humble servants, have our enemies.

John, xvi. 1, 2; xv. 19; Ps. liv. 3; 1 Pet. v. 8; Ps. cxliv. 11; Acts, vii. 54-59; xiii. 44-50; xix. 21-41; Gal. v. 1-12; Ps. xxxviii. 20.

3. That, to defend us from these enemies, we desire Him to stretch forth the right hand of His majesty. Ex. xv. 6, 12; Ps. lxxxix. 13; lxxiv. 11; Isa. lii. 10; Acts, xii. 6-10; Dan. vi. 21-23; iii. 4. That these desires of ours are hearty desires : whence we hope He will favourably look upon them. Ps. cxlv. 19; cviii. 1; lxvi. 18-20; x. 17; xxxvii. 4.

N

The Conclusion is;

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through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What do we in this Collect profess ourselves to be?
From what do we here desire to be defended?

Who are these, or what are these?

Why are they our enemies?

Would they be our enemies if we were not the servants

of God?

Who can defend us from all these enemies?

Why is He able to do so?

In what way do we ask God to act in order to defend us? What do we mean by "the right hand of God's majesty ?" What by "stretching forth" that right hand?

What do we affirm as to the character of those desires

which we now manifest?

If not hearty desires, would those desires be granted?

No. XXV.

Fourth Sunday in Lent.

A PRAYER FOR RELIEF FROM DESERVED

The Invocation is:

PUNISHMENTS.

"We beseech thee, Almighty God,"

As in the preceding Collect.

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