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No. LXXI.

The Purification of the Virgin Marq.

A PRAYER FOR PURE AND CLEAN HEARTS.

The Invocation is:

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Almighty and ever-living God,"

And contains no further statement.

The Petition is (reaching to the end of the Collect):

"We humbly beseech thy majesty, that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

In the first clause of this Petition we declare,

1. That God's only-begotten Son Jesus Christ was presented in the temple on this day; i. e. as on this day, or on a day to which this answers. 2. That this presentation was in substance of our flesh; i.e. in a substantial or bodily form, and that form the form of a man like ourselves. Luke, ii. 22-24, 30; Hag. ii. 6–9; Mal. iii. 1; Gal. iv. 4, 5; Heb. i. 1-3; John, i. 14; 1 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John, i. 1, 2.

In the second clause it is implied,―

1. That we shall all of us in like manner be one day

presented before God. Rev. xx. 11, 12; Matt. xxv. 31, 32; Rom. xiv. 10-12; 2 Cor. v. 10. 2. That we want, in order to be ready for such presentation, pure and clean hearts. Ps. xxiv. 3, 4 ; xv. ; Matt. v. 8; Ps. li. 10; lxvi. 18, 19; Matt. xxiii. 27; Heb. ix. 13, 14; 1 John, i. 7; 1 Pet. i. 22.

3. That He who can alone so present us is this same Jesus Christ, God's Son and our Lord. Rev. i. 5, 6; v. 9; vii. 14; Matt. x. 32; 2 Cor. iv. 14; Eph. v. 27; Jude, 24; Col. i. 14-22, 28; 2 Cor. xi. 2; Heb. ii. 11-13.

And hence the prayer that we may by Him be so presented.

Supplementary Questions.

What was done with God's only-begotten Son on this

day?

Why was this done?

In conformity to what law?

What took place at the time?

In what form was He presented?

What is the meaning of "substance?"

What of" flesh" here?

Do we need any kind of presentation before God?

In what way do we need to be presented ?

From what do our hearts need cleansing and purification?

By what instrumentality must this be done?

By whom only can we be presented in this manner to God?

X

No. LXXII.

Saint Matthias' Day.

A PRAYER THAT THE CHURCH MAY BE PRESERVED FROM FALSE, AND GUIDED BY FAITHFUL, PASTORS.

The Invocation is:

"O Almighty God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles;"

Here, after invoking God as "Almighty," we have it declared or implied,

1. That the Apostles, properly so called, were in number twelve. Luke, vi. 13; Matt. x. 1, 2.

2. That amongst that number was a traitor, Judas by name. Matt. x. 4; Luke, vi. 16; Matt. xxvi. 14-16; 47-50; Mark, xiv. 10, 11, 21, 43-46; Luke, xxii. 3-6, 47, 48; John, xii. 4-6; xiii. 2, 27-30; xviii. 2, 3-6; Acts, i. 15-19.

3. That when this Judas departed from this company his place was filled by another named Matthias. Matt. xxvii. 3-5; Acts, i. 15–18, 21-26.

4. That this Matthias was chosen to this place by God Himself, and was a faithful servant of God. Acts, i. 24-26.

The Petition is:

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Grant that thy Church, being always preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors;”

Herein are set forth or implied:

1. That the Church of God is still liable to injury from false Apostles. Acts, xx. 28-30; 2 Cor. xi. 13–15; Gal. vi. 12, 13; Ezek. xxxiv. 1-6; John, x. 12, 13; Rev. ii. 1, 2; 1 John, ii. 18, 19; 2 John, 10.

2. That to be preserved from these, and to be ordered and guided by such as are faithful and true pastors, is the Church's great want. Eph. iv. 11-13; 2 Tim. ii. 2; 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2; 1 Tim. iii.; Tit. i. 7-9; 1 Pet. v. 2-4; John, xxi. 15-17.

3. That this want, God who reads men's hearts, and knows the springs of their actions, is alone able to supply. John, xvii. 11; Jer. iii. 15; xxiii. 4; Acts, i. 24; 2 Cor. iv. 1-6; 1 Cor. iv. 7; vii. 25.

Hence the prayer.

The Conclusion is:

"through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

As before.

Supplementary Questions.

What was the number of the Apostles properly so called? Who among them proved a traitor?

What is the meaning of "traitor ?"

What trust did he betray?

What led him to do this?

By what spirit was Judas apparently governed, judging from other circumstances which are recorded of him? What followed after his treachery, to his Master, and to himself?

By whom was his place filled?

How was Matthias chosen?

Did the people appoint him?

Did they ever afterwards cast lots when choosing a

minister?

Why now and not afterwards?

By whom were ministers appointed after the Spirit had been poured out upon the Church?

What was the character of Matthias?

By Whom do we here pray that the Church may be always ordered and guided?

What is the meaning of "pastor?"

From whom do we pray that the Church may always be preserved ?

Who only is able to do this?
Why can God do this and not man?

No. LXXIII.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A PRAYER THAT WE MAY BE PARTAKERS OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST.

The Invocation is:

"O Lord,"

And has no statement.

The Petition is:

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"We beseech thee . pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection;"

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