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Supplementary Questions.

What is the character given of God in this Invocation? On what authority are these assertions made?

If true, what feelings should they generate and foster in our breasts?

What do we here ask to have forgiven us?

What things are those?

On what grounds may we indulge hopes of forgiveness? What has God in His power to give us, which we are not in ourselves worthy to ask?

Mention some of these good things.

Why not worthy to ask these ?

Through Whom do we become worthy?

How, therefore, may we now ask for the gift of these things?

But if God be pleased to give us these things, what will it be on His part towards us?

What is the character of the mercy of God?

In what respect abundant, in amount only, or in duration also?

No. LV.

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.

A PRAYER FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF GOD'S HEAVENLY

The Invocation is:

PROMISES.

"Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service;'

Here, after addressing God as "Almighty and merciful," we declare or imply,

1. That the service we do unto God must be true and

laudable. John, iv. 23; Prov. xii. 22; Josh. xxiv. 14; 1 Sam. xii. 24; Ps. cxlv. 18; 1 John, iii. 18. 2. That such service is done unto Him by His faithful people: i. e. by such of His people as are faithful. Ps. xvii. 1, 3; xviii. 19-24; Matt. xxv. 21, 23; Luke, xix. 16-19; 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.

3. That it is by His gift alone that they are enabled to do this. 1 Cor. xv. 10; iv. 7; Prov. xvi. 1; Jam. i. 17.

Hence, as such service is required from all of us, we proceed to ask in

The Petition:

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Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises;"In this Petition it is implied

1. That God has given unto men certain promises. 2 Pet. i. 4; 2 Cor. i. 19; Heb. vi. 12; 2 Cor. vii. 1; 1 Cor. ii. 9.

2. That these promises are heavenly; i. e. relate to heavenly things. John, xiv. 3; Ps. xvi. 11; Heb. xi. 13, 16; 2 Cor. v. 1, 2.

3. That, if we would attain these promises, we must serve God in this life. Matt. vii. 21; Heb. v. 9; John, xii. 25, 26; 2 Cor. v. 15; vii. 1; Rom. xii. 1, 2. 4. That this service must be faithfully performed. Isa. i. 10-16; Matt. xv. 8; xxiii. 14; Isa. xxxiii. 14-16. To render which, therefore, we here solicit God's helping grace.

The Conclusion is;

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through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What kind of service does this Invocation teach us we

ought to do unto God?

What do we mean by "true?"

What by "laudable?"

By whom is this service rendered?

How have they been enabled to do this?

What is this a prayer that we may be able to attain ?
To what class of things do God's promises relate?
Have any of them any reference to earthly matters ?
In what terms does St. Peter describe the promises of
God?

Through Whom are these promises given?

On what foundation does our assurance of them rest? How must we act if we would in the end attain to these

promises?

In what way must our service be rendered?

Whose help do we need to enable us to do this?

No. LVI.

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

A PRAYER FOR AN INCREASE OF FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY; AND FOR A LOVE FOR THE THINGS GOD HAS COMMANDED.

The Invocation is:

"Almighty and Everlasting God,"

Here we invoke God as 66 'Almighty and Everlasting," and at once pass on to

The Petition:

"Give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command;"

In the first clause of this Petition is implied,

1. That the graces of faith, hope, and charity, are to be particularly desired and sought after by the people

of God. 1 Cor. xiii. 13; xiv. 1; Mark, ix. 23, 24; Rom. viii. 24; xv. 13.

2. That these graces are capable of being increased in the soul. 1 Thess. iii. 12; 2 Thess. i. 3; 2 Cor. x. 15; Isa. xxix. 19; 2 Cor. ix. 10; Rom. xv. 13; Heb. vi. 11; 2 Pet. i. 5-7.

3. That such increase is desired by us at this time. Luke, xvii. 5.

In the second clause we teach,

1. That there is a something God has promised. 1 Cor. ii. 9; Acts, ii. 39; Heb. iv. 1; viii. 6; 2 Pet. i. 4. 2. That there is also a something which God has com

manded. John, xv. 14-17; Acts, xvii. 30; 1 John, iii. 22; Mark, vii. 8, 9; Ps. cxix. 4, 10, 72, 86, 96, 98; 1 John, iv. 21.

3. That to obtain the former, we must love the latter. Matt. xix. 17; 1 John, iii. 24; v. 2, 3; John, xiv. 15, 21-24; Lev. xxvi. 14; Rev. xxii. 14; 1 Cor. vii. 19; 2 John, 6.

Which, therefore, we here entreat to be made to do.

The Conclusion is:

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'through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What three Christian graces are here mentioned ?

Of these which is said in Scripture to be the greatest? Why so?

What is "faith ?"

In what is faith to be exercised?

What is "hope?"

Wherefore do we hope?

What do we hope for?

What kind of hope is the Christian's hope called?

What is "charity?"

What is the common meaning of that word?

Why should we love God?

Why our brethren ?

Are these graces always alike in men's souls?
Have some men more than others?

Illustrate this by some Scripture examples.
Some more at one time than another?
Illustrate this by some Scripture examples.

What do we desire with respect to them here?

Prove from Scripture that such increase is possible. What is the first thing taught in the second clause of our

prayer?

Mention some of the promised things.

What is the second thing taught?

Mention some of the things commanded.

How are we to obtain what God has promised?

How are we to shew our love for what God has com

manded?

Who can give us power to do this?

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