What, therefore, becomes necessary if we would give our-
selves to, and continue in, this godliness?
Who is able to protect us from such hindrances?
What course, then, ought we to adopt?

No. LXV.

Twenty-third Sunday after Crinity.

A PRAYER THAT THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH MAY BE HEARD AND ANSWERED.

The Invocation is:

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O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness ;"

That he is,

Here we state of God three things. 1. Our refuge. Deut. xxxiii. 27; Ps. ix. 9; xlvi. 1; Isa. xxv. 4; xxxii. 2; Jer. xvi. 19; Heb. vi. 18. 2. Our strength. Ps. xviii. 2; xxvii. 1; Isa. xxvi. 1;

xlv. 24.

3. The author of all godliness. Heb. xii. 2; Isa. xxvi. 12; 10; Ezek. xxxvi. 25-27; 1 10-12.

Wherefore we ask in

The Petition:

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Jam. i. 17; Phil. i. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 10; Ps. li. Cor. i. 30; Heb. viii.

Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually;"

Herein we declare or imply,

1. That these prayers of God's Church are devout prayers; whence we trust He will be ready to hear

them. Luke, ii. 25; Acts, xxii. 12; Ps. cxix. 38; Col. iv. 12; Jam. v. 16; Prov. xv. 8; Luke, xviii. 13. 2. That what we ask in our prayers we ask faithfully. Jer. xxix. 12-14; Ps. xvii. 1; lxvi. 18, 19; Matt. xxiii. 14; vii. 7, 8; Acts, iv. 24–31; xii. 5–17. Whence we hope we shall obtain them effectually. The Conclusion is:

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'through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

Of what do we here state that God is the author?

What do we mean by "author?"

What by "godliness?"

What else is stated with respect to God?

What is a "refuge?"

What custom, or provision of the Jewish law, would seem

to be referred to here?

State what you know of that custom or provision.
How are these prayers of God's Church described?
What do we mean by "devout?"

In what spirit are these prayers said to be offered?

In what way do we ask that what we pray for may be obtained?

What do we mean by "effectually?"

On what do we rest our hopes that they will be thus

No. LXVI.

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity.

A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM THE BANDS OF OUR SINS.

Simply, containing no acknowledgment beyond what that title implies.

The Petition is:

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We beseech thee, absolve thy people from their offences, that, through thy bountiful goodness, we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins which, by our frailty, we have committed ;❞—

In this Petition it is stated or implied,

1. That we, the people of God, have offended Him, and that by our sins. Dan. ix. 4-10; Ps. li. 1-4; lviii. 3; Isa. liii. 6; Eccles. vii. 20; Rom. iii. 1020; Ps. vii. 11.

2. That these sins or offences have been committed through our frailty rather than our wilfulness. Matt. xxvi. 40, 41; Acts, xvii. 30; 1 Tim. i. 13; Ps. ciii. 14–16; Rom. viii. 3; Ps. xix. 12, 13; Lev. iv.; Numb. xv. 22-36; Heb. x. 26.

3. That still, these sins are as bands which confine us, and that we consequently need to be absolved, or loosed, from them. Prov. v. 22; Ps. xl. 12, 13; cxlii. 7; cxxiv. 7; Rom. vii. 17; Ps. cxxx. 1-4; cxliii. 2.

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4. That God's goodness is so bountiful, that we hope this necessary absolution will be granted unto us. Ex. xxxiv. 6; Ps. cxxxvi. 1-4; Hos. xiv. 4; Acts, xiii. 38, 39; Rom. v. 20; Col. i. 12-14.

And for this, therefore, we here offer a prayer.

The Conclusion is:

"Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen."

Involving, as in several previous Collects, these points,— 1. That God is our Heavenly Father. Matt. vi. 9; Gal. iii. 26; iv. 4; Eph. ii. 19; 2 Cor. vi. 18, 19. 2. That Jesus Christ is our blessed Lord and Saviour. 1 Cor. viii. 6; John, xiii. 13; Acts, ii. 36; Rev. xix. 16.

3. That what we ask, we ask for the Christ, and for His sake alone. 23; Eph. i. 6; Heb. x. 19-22.

sake of this Jesus

John, xiv. 6; xvi.

Supplementary Questions.

Under what character do we here address ourselves to God?

Is this character common to all men?

Who only have a right to use such language?

What do we say of our conduct towards God?
Wherein do our offences consist?

What texts of Scriptures prove these points?

To what are our sins here ascribed?

Who only can say so?

What do we mean by "frailty?"

How have men become frail or weak?

Were they so created?

Is there a difference in God's sight between sins of weak

ness and presumptuous sins?

May we, therefore, be careless about such sins?

What are all sins here said to be?

What do we in consequence need?
What is meant by "absolve ?"

Who only can absolve from sins?

On what attribute of God do we here rest our prayer?
In what character do we in the Conclusion appeal to God?
What encouragement is to be drawn from the fact that
God is our Father?

What is Jesus Christ also here said to be?

No. LXVII.

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity.

A PRAYER FOR GOD TO STIR US UP TO GOOD WORKS.

The Invocation is:

"We beseech thee, O Lord,"

With no statement.

The Petition is:

"Stir up.

the wills of thy faithful people;

that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded;

Herein the following are involved,—

1. That good works are not forgotten by God; but that those who perform such, or

bring forth" such fruit," will receive from Him a reward. Heb. vi. 10; Matt. x. 40-42; xxv. 34-40; Phil. iii. 14; 2 Tim. iv. 8.

2. That this reward will be proportioned to the work performed, or the fruit brought forth; and that where there is abundance of fruit then will there