disposition "to love and fear Him, and diligently to live after His commandments." Litany. "These things are good and profitable unto men." Titus iii. 8.

57. SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

O LORD, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succour, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. For what is the "continual pity" of the Lord needed ?

Ans. To "cleanse and defend His Church." "In His love and in His pity He redeemed them." lxiii. 9.

Quest. How is the Church already cleansed?

Isaiah

Ans. "With the washing of water by the Word." Eph. v. 26.

Quest. What is this "washing of water?"

Ans. The holy Sacrament of Baptism.

Quest. Does the other holy Sacrament afford us cleansing also?

Ans. Yes; " our sinful bodies are made clean by His body, and our souls washed through His most precious blood." Liturgy.

Quest. Why does the Church need that God would "defend it" also?

Ans. "Because it cannot continue in safety without His succour."

Quest. What is "succour?"

Ans. Help, assistance.

Quest. How is the Church to be "preserved in safety evermore?"

Ans. "By the Divine help and goodness." their help and their shield." Ps. cxv. 9.

"He is

Quest. How is this "help and goodness" afforded? Ans. In continual supplies of grace and strength to all true Christians.

58. SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

LORD, we pray Thee, that Thy grace may always prevent and follow us; and make us continually to be given to all good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. What do you mean by "prevent ?"
Ans. To go before, either to assist or to hinder.
Quest. Which is intended in this Collect?

Ans. To assist.

Quest. Why is the assisting " grace of God" necessary in order "to all good works?"

Ans. That we may have a will to do them.

Quest. Why must we also pray that it should "follow

us ?"

Ans. Because we need that grace when we have a good will." Article X.

"working with us,

"Work out your

own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. ii. 12, 13.

Quest. What do you mean by "good works ?"
Ans. "Good works are the fruits of faith."

"Albeit

they cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of

God's judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ." Article XII. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Ephes. ii. 10. Quest. What do you mean by being " continually given to all good works ?"

Ans. Always employed and delighting in them.
Quest. Through whom is grace obtained?

66

Ans. "Through Jesus Christ our Lord." 'By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually." Heb. xiii. 15.

59. EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

LORD, we beseech Thee, grant Thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow Thee the only God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. For whom is "grace" here entreated ?
Ans. For "the people of God."

Quest. For what purpose?

Ans. "To withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil."

Quest. Where is the promise of this grace held forth? Ans. In Baptism. “Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh." Baptismal Service.

Quest. Having on your part renounced these, "so that you will not follow, nor be led by them," who are you to follow?

Ans. "The only God."

Quest. Why do you say "the only God?"

Ans. Because "there be gods many, and lords many, but to us there is but one God." 1 Cor. viii. 5, 6. St. Paul also speaks of some, "whose god is their belly;" Phil. iii. 19. and tells us, that "covetousness is idolatry." Col. iii. 5. Whatsoever we honour at the expense of all other things, being our God.

Quest. How is "the only God" to be followed?

Ans. "With pure hearts and minds."

Quest. Can we have "pure hearts and minds," unless we "withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil?"

Ans. By no means; therefore I ask for God's promised grace.

60. NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

O GOD, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee; mercifully grant, that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. Are we of ourselves "able to please God?" Ans. No; we are "not able to please God" "without Him;" that is, " without His special grace." Catechism. Quest. Where are we instructed how to please God? Ans. In the doctrine of the Apostles: "As ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God." 1 Thess. iv. 1.

Quest. Is the knowledge of what has been thus taught us sufficient?

Ans. No; we need "that the Holy Spirit of God should in all things direct and rule our hearts."

Quest. When was this first pronounced to us? Ans. When we received the Sacrament of Baptism. Quest. Is it in any other method solemnly invoked? Ans. Yes; in Confirmation, with the laying on of hands by the Bishop. "Let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them." Confirmation Service.

Quest. How does the Holy Spirit of God" direct our hearts ?"

Ans. By giving us holy desires and inclinations. "The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God." 2 Thess. iii. 5.

Quest. How does He also "rule our hearts?" Ans. By subduing in them what is rebellious. the peace of God rule in your hearts."

Col. iii. 15.

"Let

61. TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of Thy bountiful goodness, keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldest have done, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quest. What encouragement have we in praying to Almighty God?

Ans. That He is "most merciful." "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Ps. ciii. 8.

Quest. What is meant by God's "bountiful goodness ?"

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