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 zunday after Trinitq.

A PRAYER FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF GOD'S HEAVENLY

PROMISES.

The Invocation is :

“ 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 :

“ 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. l;

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 ;

“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 Triuitq.

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.”—

What encouragement does this truth afford us? See

Rom. viü. 28.
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.

Pinth Sunday after Trinity.
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 ac

knowledging ourselves His servants. The Petition is :

“ 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 ; "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. iy. 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 :

" 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.)