run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." 2 Chron. xvi. 9.

50. NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech Thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without Thee, may by Thee be enabled to live according to Thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. What do you mean by " thinking such things as be rightful?"

Ans. Having good intentions and desires; right thoughts of God.

Quest. What do you mean by doing these things?

Ans. Acting at all times agreeably to strict justice, and conformably to the Divine laws.

Quest. Is it easy "to think and do always such things as be rightful ?"

Ans. No; "I cannot do these things of myself, nor walk in the commandments of God and serve Him, without His special grace." Catechism.

Quest. Since "we cannot do any thing that is good without God," is our own will the rule to walk by?

Ans. No; I pray to "be enabled to live according to His will." "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Lord's Prayer. "The God of peace make you perfect in every good work to do His will." Heb xiii. 21.

51. TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

LET Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of Thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. Why do we pray, "Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open, &c.?"

Ans. Because it is a scriptural expression, denoting very significantly the readiness of Almighty God to listen "to the prayers of His humble servants." "His ears are open to their cry." Psalm xxxiv. 15.

Quest. Is any thing further necessary, obtain our petitions ?"

"that we may

Ans. Yes; 66 we must ask such things as shall please Him." "If we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John v. 14, 15.

Quest. Why do we pray that God would "make us to ask such things as shall please Him?"

Ans. Because we are naturally self-willed, and "know not what we should pray for as we ought." Rom. viii. 26.

Quest. When God is willing to hear our prayers, why shall we not " obtain our petitions," unless we "ask such things as shall please Him?"

Ans. Because these only are really good for us..

Quest. Will not these come without our asking? Ans. No; devout and earnest prayer is a condition of obtaining them. "I will yet for this be enquired of by

the house of Israel to do it for them." Ezek. xxxvi. 37. "Ye have not, because ye ask not." James iv. 2.

Quest. May we ask for what appears good, when we are uncertain whether it is of "such things as shall please God?"

Ans. If we ask very submissively to the Divine will, and on this condition only.

52. ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

O GOD, Who declarest Thy Almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; mercifully grant unto us such a measure of Thy grace, that we, running the way of Thy commandments, may obtain Thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of Thy heavenly treasure, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. How does "Almighty God most chiefly declare His power?"

Ans. "In shewing mercy and pity." "The Lord passed by and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin." Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7.

Quest. In what instance is this declaration of the Almighty power most chiefly shewn ?

Ans. In the gift of the only-begotten Son of God for our redemption. "He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all." Rom. viii. 32.

Quest. What do you mean by "such a measure of Divine grace ?"

Ans. A portion answerable to our great necessity.

Quest. For what is this "grace" chiefly needed ?

Ans. To strengthen us in "running the way of God's commandments." "They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah xl. 31.

Quest. What is meant by "running the way of God's commandments ?"

Ans. Pursuing a course of Christian obedience with diligence, alacrity, and zeal. St. Paul compares it to a race. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain." 1 Cor. ix. 24.

Quest. What shall " we obtain," if we run with patience the race set before us?

Ans. "God's gracious promises."

Quest. Of what do these assure us?

Ans. "Of His heavenly treasure."

"Thou shalt have

treasure in heaven." Matt. xix. 21. "A treasure in the

heavens that faileth not." Luke xii. 33.

Quest. How is this treasure spoken of?

Ans. As "a crown of glory," 1 Pet. v. 4. "a crown of righteousness," 2 Tim. iv. 8. "the crown of life," James i. 12. "The things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. ii. 9.

Quest. Is this heavenly treasure to be enjoyed separately by each of us?

Ans. No; we are "to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light." Coloss. i. 12. "I believe-in the Communion of Saints." Creed.

53. TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid; and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Amen.

Quest. Is Almighty God "always ready to hear" our prayers?

Ans. Yes. "Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." Ps. lxxxvi. 5. "The Lord will hear when I call unto Him." Ps. iv. 3.

Quest. Are we always "ready to pray?"

Ans. No; we are apt to neglect prayer upon vain

excuses.

Quest. Do we always pray when we say our prayers? Ans. Not unless we send up earnest and hearty desires to God with our petitions.

Quest. What do you mean by "wont ?"

Ans. Accustomed.

Quest. Is Almighty God accustomed to give us as much as we desire ?

Ans. "He is wont to give more than either we desire or deserve;" for the feebleness of our desires is very