Quest. What do you mean by "true religion?"

Ans. The doctrine taught by our Saviour and His Apostles.

Quest. What will this "true religion" enable us to do? Ans. "To lean only on the hope of God's heavenly grace."

Quest. What do you mean by "the hope of heavenly grace?"

Ans. "The hope which is laid up for us in heaven." Coloss. i. 5.

Quest. How are we to "lean only upon❞ this?

Ans. By resting our minds upon it when burdened with any sorrow, as a weary traveller leans upon a strong staff. "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Ps. xxiii. 4.

Quest. Why is it of so much consequence to be "kept in the true religion ?"

Ans. Because on this depends the security of what we "lean upon."

Quest. Do persons ever lean on what is not able to support them?

Ans. Yes; when they lean on any thing else but "the hope of God's heavenly grace." "Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." Jerem. xvii. 5.

Quest. If we are "kept in God's true religion," and "lean only on the hope of His heavenly grace," what will be the consequence ?

Ans. We shall evermore be defended by His mighty power. "Who are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation." 1 Pet. i. 5.

17. SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.

O GOD, Whose blessed Son was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; grant us, we beseech Thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as He is pure; that, when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom; where with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Quest. For what purpose was the "blessed Son of God manifested?"

Ans. "That He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John iii. 8.

Quest. What are "the works of the devil?"

Ans. All wicked works. " He that committeth sin is of the devil." 1 John iii. 8.

Quest. Was the Son of God manifested for any other purpose besides destroying these works?

Ans. Yes; He came to "make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life." "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." John i. 12.

Quest. How do we obtain this privilege?

Ans. In Baptism, "wherein I was made a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven." Catechism.

Quest. "Having this hope," what must we do in order to its fulfilment?

Ans. "We must purify ourselves even as Christ is pure." 1 John iii. 3.

Quest. Why must we do this?

Ans. "That when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom."

Quest. When will our Lord " appear again with power and great glory?"

Ans. At the Last Day.

"The Lord Jesus Christ shall

judge the quick and dead at His appearing and His kingdom." 2 Tim. iv. 1.

Quest. Shall we "be like Him" then if we do not "purify ourselves" now?

Ans. No; "He that is filthy will be filthy still." Rev. xxii. 11.

Quest. Does our Blessed Saviour "live and reign" now? Ans. Yes; "with the Father and the Holy Ghost He liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen."

18. SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY.

O LORD, we beseech Thee favourably to hear the prayers of Thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by Thy goodness, for the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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Quest. What reason have we to hope that God will favourably hear our prayers?"

Ans. That we are "His people." "Behold, see, we beseech Thee, that we are all Thy people." Isaiah lxiv. 9. Quest. Are God's people liable "to be justly punished for their offences?"

Ans. Yes; for "the Lord shall judge His people." Heb. x. 30.

Quest. Will God" mercifully deliver them by His goodness" when they pray unto Him?

Ans. Yes; " Then will the Lord pity His people." Heb. ii. 18.

Quest. How is it "for the glory of His Name" that "we His people, when justly punished for our offences, should be mercifully delivered by His goodness?"

Ans. Because of the merits and atonement of Jesus Christ our Saviour. "For the transgression of my people was He stricken." Isaiah liii. 8.

19. SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY.

O LORD GOD, Who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; mercifully grant that by Thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. Is it safe to "put our trust in any thing that we do?"

Ans. No; "Ye have eaten the fruit of lies, because thou didst trust in thy way." Hosea x. 13.

Quest. Is our own power sufficient to "defend us against adversity?"

Ans. No; "I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me." Ps. xliv. 6.

Quest. In whom only may we "put our trust ?"

Ans. In God only. "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thine own understanding.” Prov.

iii. 5. lxii. 8.

"Trust in Him at all times, ye people." Psalm

Quest. Will " any thing that we do" be to good purpose

without God?

Ans. No; our Lord said to His disciples, "Without Me ye can do nothing." John xv. 5.

Quest. How does the "power" of God "defend" his servants" against all adversity?"

Ans. By making "all things work together for their good." Rom. viii. 28.

20. QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY.

O LORD, Who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; send Thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee: grant this for Thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Quest. What do you mean by "charity ?"

Ans. That enduring spirit of love described 1 Cor. xiii. 7. Quest. Where has "the Lord taught us, that all our doings without charity are nothing worth ?"

Ans. In the xiiith chapter of St. John's Gospel, ver. 34, 35. also xv. 12-17. making it the especial precept of His religion. St. John also says, "He is not of God who

loveth not his brother." 1 John iii. 10.