S. The Church, which St. Paul calls "the pillar and ground of the truth."

T. How may we "inwardly digest" the truths of the Gospel?

S. By meditating on them constantly till we act according to our belief.

T. How does St. Peter teach us to value the promises in the Old Testament? 2 Pet. i. 20, 21.

S." Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

T. How did our Saviour speak of His coming to fulfil the law?

S."Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil: for verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled." Matt. v. 17, 18.

T. What will our belief in the blessed promises of the Gospel work in us?

S. Patience.

T. How does St. James encourage us to prove our faith? i. 2, 3.

S." My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

T. What do we pray in the Collect that the knowledge of the Scriptures may lead us to ?

S." Embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which God has given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."

T. What are the promises of Christ to those who hold fast this hope? Rev. iii. 10.

S. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name."

The Epistle. Rom. xv. 4.

WHATSOEVER things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus that ye may with one mind, and one mouth, glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name. And again He saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud Him, all ye people.

C

And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

T. What must we remember in reading the Old Testament?

S. That "whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning."

T. What does St. Paul teach (1 Cor. x. 11, 12) concerning the sacraments and punishments of the Jews?

S. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."

T. What does he teach Timothy, 2d Epistle, iii. 16, 17?

S. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

T. What grace does St. Paul earnestly pray for the Romans?

S. Unity, "to be like-minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus;" i.e. after His example and teaching.

T. Have we not all professed the same faith, and should we not take this lesson to ourselves?

S. Yes. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we

be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Cor. xii. 13.

T. And what is this body called?

S. "The body of Christ" (1 Cor. xii. 27), the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

T. How may we keep "the unity of the Spirit" in that one body, uniting ourselves more closely with Christ and our fellow-members?

S. By receiving the Communion of the body and blood of Christ. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many, are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread." 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.

T. When have we the opportunity of "glorifying God with one mind and one mouth?"

S. In the services of the Church.

T. How are we to receive one another?

S. "As Christ also received us, to the glory of God." T. What was Jesus Christ to the Jews, to "confirm and fulfil the promises made unto the fathers?"

S. "A minister of the circumcision;" i.e. born a Jew, and obedient to circumcision and the law of Moses. T. To whom were the promises likewise offered? S. To the Gentiles; "that they might glorify God for His mercy."

T. [This was repugnant to the Jews; therefore, St. Paul exhorts them to more Christian unity.] How had this been prophesied by David? Ps. xviii. 49; cxvii. 1.

S. "I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy Name." "O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people."

T. What are the words of Esaias, xi. 10?

S. "There shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and His rest shall be glorious."

T. What can the God of hope do to us?

S. "Fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost." "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

The Gospel. St. Luke, xxi. 25.

AND there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And He spake to them a parable, Behold the figtree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall, not pass away till all be fulfilled : heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.