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2. That this love is not the natural product of the heart, but requires to be grafted thereon, or planted therein, by God. 1 John, iv. 7; Rom. v. 5; 2 Thess. iii. 5; 2 Tim. i. 7; Gal. v. 22; Jer. xxxi. 33; Ezek. xi. 19-21; Ps. lxxxvi. 11.

3. That true religion is a progressive thing, capable of increase, and requiring to be increased. 2 Pet. iii. 18; 1 Thess. iv. 1; Heb. vi. 1; 2 Cor. ix. 10; Job, xvii. 9; Phil. iii. 12; Eph. iv. 15, 16. 4. That goodness is the nourishment which leads to this progression and advancement of religion in the soul. Jer. xxxi. 14; Ps. xcii. 13, 14; i. 3, 4; Ezek. xxxiv. 14; 1 Tim. iv. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 1.

5. That when this love of God's Name is grafted into the heart, and true religion is progressing there, we need to be kept of God in the same, lest we depart from it again. Ps. cxix. 10; xvii. 5; xxv. 20; xci. 11; Jer. xxxi. 10; Jude, 24; Rev. iii. 20.

On all which accounts, therefore, we put forth our prayer to our God, this author and giver of all good, that He would be pleased,—

(a) To graft this necessary love in our hearts. Ps. lxxxvi. 11; Prov. xvi. 1.

(b) To increase in us this true religion. Ps.
lxxxiv. 5-8; Luke, xvii. 5.

(c) To nourish us with this goodness.
xxxiv. 8-10; xxviii. 9. And

Ps.

(d) To keep us of His great mercy continually in the same. Ps. cxxi. 5-8; 1 Pet. i. 5.

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What are the characters ascribed to God in the Invoca

tion of this Collect?

Shew that they are correctly assigned to Him.

What do we here desire to have implanted in our hearts? What does the fact of such a request necessarily imply?

What do we mean by "graft?"

What does our second request also by implication teach?

Are these points capable of Scripture proof?

What is the chief nourishment of the Christian life? And by Whom must we be kept if we would not fall away from God?

Bring forward passages of Scripture illustrating these points. Gen. xxviii. 15; Ps. cxxi.; 1 Pet. i. 5.

No. L.

Eighth Sunday after Crinity.

A PRAYER FOR DEFENCE FROM THINGS HURTFUL, AND THE GIFT OF THINGS PROFITABLE.

The Invocation is:

"O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; "Here we state of God,—

1. That His providence is a never-failing providence. Gen. viii. 22; Ps. cxix. 91; Josh. xxi. 45; Isa. liv. 10; 1 Kings, viii. 56.

2. That this never-failing Providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth. Dan. iv. 35; Acts, xiv. 16, 17; Ps. ciii. 19; cxxxv. 5, 6; Prov. xvi. 33; Jer. x. 23.

The Petition therefore is:

"We humbly beseech thee to put away from

us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us;"

Here we have these truths involved:

1. That we are surrounded by, and exposed to the influence of, two classes of things, viz.: (a) Things which are hurtful.

Matt. vi. 13; Ezek. xiv. 21.

Deut. vii. 15; Prov. xxx. 8;
(b) Things which are profitable. 1 Tim. iv. 8;
Luke, xi. 13; Heb. iv. 15, 16; 2 Tim. i. 7;
Eph. iv. 11, 12.

2. That the one class we desire to have put away from us, and the other class to be bestowed upon us. Prov. xxx. 8, 9; Ezra, viii. 21-23; Ps. cxix. 29; 1 Cor. v. 13; Eph. iv. 31; iii. 14-19; Col. i. 11; 1 Tim. iv. 6.

3. That God is able to do this for us. Eph. iii. 20; Jude, 24.

Hence our prayer for Him to do so, in which we are further encouraged by the promises given in His word that He will. Ps. xci. 9, 10; lxxxiv. 11; Phil. iv. 19; 2 Thess. iii. 3.

The Conclusion is:

66

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What is the character ascribed to the providence of God here?

What is that providence said to do?

To what extent do its operations reach?

What is the meaning of " providence?"

What of" never-failing?"

What passages of Scripture prove or illustrate this

assertion?

What encouragement does this truth afford us?

Rom. viii. 28.

See

What two classes of things are we surrounded by in the

world?

Mention some of each class.

What do we seek with reference to each of these?

Who can do this?

What have we to encourage us in this prayer?

No. LI.

Linth Sanday after Crinity.

A PRAYER TO BE ENABLED TO LIVE ACCORDING
TO GOD'S WILL.

The Invocation is simply:

"Lord;" (thus,-" Grant us, Lord;") Thereby, however, claiming Him for our Master, and acknowledging ourselves His servants.

The Petition is:

66

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do anything that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will;

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Here the following important points are involved:

1. That it is our duty to live according to the will of God. 1 John, v.3; iii. 23, 24; Tit. ii. 11-15; Rom. xii. 2; 1 Thess. iv. 3; 1 Pet. iv. 2.

2. That in order to this it is necessary both to think and to do, and that always, such things as be rightful. Prov. xxiv. 9; Gen. vi. 5; Prov. xii. 5 ; Lev. xviii. 4; Ezek. xviii. 5-9; Col. i. 9.

3. That we cannot do this, nor even any good thing, without God. John, xv. 5; 2 Cor. iii. 5; Rom. vii. 18.

4. That, therefore, we must have the spirit to do this granted to us by God, so that we may be enabled to act accordingly. 2 Cor. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xv. 10; Ps. cxliii. 10; Heb. xiii. 20, 21.

5. That, if such a spirit be granted, we shall then be enabled to do that which is required at our hands. 2 Cor. xii. 9; Gal. ii. 20; Phil. iv. 13.

Hence for this spirit we here offer our prayers.

The Conclusion is:

66

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

In what way does this Collect teach us it is our duty to live?

Where is the will of God made known to us?

What is needed by us in order to do this?

Can we do this or any good thing alone?
What Sacred Scriptures declare this?
Whence are we to seek succour ?

How?

Shall we be able then?

What Scripture examples illustrate these points? (The

Apostles generally, St. Paul especially.)

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