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(b) An ensample of godly life. 1 Pet. ii. 21; John, viii. 46; Heb. iv. 15; 1 John, iii. 5; John, viii. 12.

The Petition is:

"Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;

Herein we have declared:

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1. That the sacrifice of the Son of God is an inestimable benefit. Gal. iii. 10-13; Rom. v. 9, 10, 18-21; vi. 23; vii. 24, 25; 1 Cor. xv. 55-57; Rev. v. 9, 10; vii. 15-17.

2. That being so, it should be most thankfully received. 2 Cor. ix. 15; 1 Cor. xv. 57; 1 Pet. ii. 9; 2 Cor. ii. 14; 2 Tim. iii. 2; Luke, xvii. 11-19; Col. i. 12-14.

3. That His life was a most holy life. 1 Pet. ii. 22; Rom. x. 4; Luke, xxiii. 14, 15; Matt. xxvii. 4; Acts, x. 38.

4. That the blessed steps of that life we should strive to follow. Matt. ix. 9; 1 Cor. xi. 1; 1 John, ii. 6 ; John, xiii. 15; 1 Cor. v. 9-11; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Eph. ii. 10; Heb. xii. 2.

And for this twofold purpose we seek grace in the prayer.

The Conclusion is:

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through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

For what two purposes do we here state that God has

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By what people were sacrifices more especially offered ? Of what did their sacrifices chiefly consist?

By whose orders were they offered?

Had they any ulterior reference ?

What besides a sacrifice was Christ given to be?

What do we say that this sacrifice of the Son of God is? How ought this "inestimable benefit" to be received? Why is it an inestimable benefit?

What kind of life did the Son of God lead when on earth?

Did this holiness of life secure Him from ill-usage, and procure universal respect?

What, then, did it lead to ?

Should that deter us from following Him?
When ought we to try to follow Him?

What do we need to be able to do so?

No. XXXVI.

Third Sunday after Easter.

A PRAYER FOR A WALK AND CONVERSATION
BECOMING THE GOSPEL.

The Invocation is:

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Almighty God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return unto the way of righteousness;"

Here, after invoking God as " Almighty," it is declared:

1. That His truth is light.

Ps. cxix. 105, 130; Prov. vi. 23; Matt. iv. 16; Luke, iv. 18; John, iii. 19; xii. 46; Eph. v. 13; 1 Thess. v. 5.

2. That this light He shews forth to those in error, i. e. to those who have wandered astray from the way in which they ought to walk. Luke, i. 78-79; ii. 30-32; Isa. ix. 1, 2; Ezek. xxxiv. 11-16.

3. That this He does to enable them to return to that way. Isa. lx. 1-4; xxix. 24; xxx. 21; Acts, xxvi. 17, 18; Isa. ii. 5.

4. That this way in which they should walk is the way of righteousness. Ps. xxiii. 3; 1 Kings, iii. 6; Rom. xiv. 17; x. 3,4; Isa. xxxii. 1, 16, 17; Prov. xii. 28; xiv. 2; 2 Tim. ii. 22; Tit. ii. 12; Matt. v. 20; Phil. iii. 9.

The Petition is:

"Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;"

Herein we have implied:

1. That the Religion to which all men should belong is Christ's Religion. Matt. i. 21; John, i. 29; xx. 31; Acts, iv. 11, 12; John, iii. 16; Gal. v. 1. 2. That this is a fellowship to which none belong but

such as are regularly admitted. Matt. xxviii. 19; Acts, ii. 37, 38, 41-47; v. 12-14; 1 Cor. xii. 13; Rom. xii. 5; Gal. iii. 27; vi. 10.

3. That admission to this fellowship involves a previous profession of certain principles, which principles demand a corresponding practice. Acts, viii. 36– 38; x. 44-48; xvi. 14, 15, 29-34; xv. 23–30; Rom. x. 9, 10.

4. That all who are admitted to such a fellowship after such profession made should

(a) Eschew everything contrary thereto. Rom.

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xii. 1, 2, 9; xiii, 11-14; Eph. iv. 18–22–32; 1 Cor. v. 11; vi. 1-8; 2 Tim. ii. 19.

(b) Follow everything agreeing therewith. Phil. i. 27; Eph. v. 1, 2, 8, 9, 19, 20; 1 Thess. ii. 12; iv. 1; Col. ii. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 12; iii. 16; 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21.

Which we here ask that all may be able to do.

The Conclusion is:

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through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What is God's truth here said to be?

What does God do with this light?

Of whom do we speak when we say, "them that be in

error?"

What way is it from which they have wandered?

For what purpose does God shew to such wanderers this light of His truth?

Wherein is the light of God's truth contained ?

For whom do we here especially pray?

What Religion do we here speak of?

Who are they that belong to this Religion?

What do we mean by "fellowship?"

What is needed before persons can be admitted into this fellowship?

When is such profession usually made?

What are the chief points which that profession embraces ?

After such a profession and admission, in what way should such persons, so professing and admitted, act?

What do we mean by "eschew?"

Mention some of the things contrary to the profession which is required before admission into Christ's Religion.

Mention some of those agreeable thereto.

No. XXXVII.

Fourth Sunday after Easter.

A PRAYER FOR CONFORMITY IN LOVE AND DESIRES TO THE REVEALED WILL OF GOD.

The Invocation is:

"O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men;" Here, after invoking God as Almighty," our language declares further,

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1. That all men are sinful. Ps. li. 5; liii. 1-3; lviii. 3; Eccl. vii. 20; Rom. iii. 9, 20.

2. That sinful men have unruly wills and affections. Job, xi. 12; Gen. xii. 10-13; Ecel. viii. 11; ix. 3; 2 Kings, xx. 12, 13; 2 Sam. ii.

3. That these unruly wills and affections God only can order. Jer. x. 23; Gen. xxxi. 22-24; Ps. lxxvi. 10; 2 Kings, xix. 27, 28; Prov. xxi. 1; Exod. vii. 3, 4; xii. 29-36.

The Petition, therefore, is:

"Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among

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