Quest. What is "the armour of light?" Ans. The same as "the armour of God" described by St. Paul, Ephes. vi. 13-17. Quest. What do you mean by "now in the time of this mortal life ?" Ans. "Now" is the time of Advent, when we should thus prepare. Quest. What does the word "Advent" mean? Ans. Coming; that is to say, the coming of Christ. Quest. Did Jesus Christ come into this world in "mortal" nature, that is, liable to death? Ans. Yes; "that through death He might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the Devil." Heb. ii. 14. Quest. Was it "great humility" in Him to do so? Ans. Yes; "being in the form of God, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant." Phil. ii. 6, 7. Quest. From whence did the Son of God come "to visit us in great humility?" Ans. "He came down from Heaven." John iii. 13. Quest. Where is He now ? Ans. "He sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty." Creed. Quest. Will He ever "come" to this world" again?" Ans. Yes; "in the last day." Quest. What do you mean by "the last day ?" Ans. The Day of Judgment. Quest. Will Jesus Christ then "come to visit us in great humility?" Ans. No; "He shall come again in His glorious Majesty." Quest. To whom is the title of " Majesty" given? Quest. Will Jesus Christ come again as a Prophet, a Priest, or as a King? Ans. As a King. "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand." Matt. xxv. 34. Quest. How is the "glorious Majesty" of Christ's coming again described? Ans." The Lord Jesus will be revealed from Heaven Ans. The living; or those who shall be then alive. Ans. Yes; "there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." Acts xxiv. 15. Quest. Who will "rise to the life immortal?" Ans. Those "who by patient continuance in well doing seek for" it. Rom. ii. 7. 2. SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. BLESSED LORD, Who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of Thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Quest. What do you mean by " BLESSED LORD ?" Ans. Most worthy of being adored and praised. Quest. What do you mean by "all holy Scriptures ?" Ans. All the books of the Old and New Testament, Quest. Who "caused them to be written?" Ans. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. iii. 16. Quest. For what use? Ans. "For our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. xv. 4. Quest. What do you mean by "in such wise?" Ans. In such a manner. Quest. When do you "hear and read" the holy Scriptures? Ans. I hear them read in Church, and I read them to myself at home. Quest. What do you mean by "marking" them? Ans. Giving great attention when I hear or read them. Quest. What is "learning" them? Ans. Retaining the substance of them in my memory. Quest. What is "digesting" them? Ans. Thinking over and trying to understand them. Quest. Why must you ask of God to "grant that you may" do these? Ans. Because I am naturally indisposed to them. Ans. Waiting quietly for something expected. Rom. viii. 25. Quest. What is set before us in God's "holy Word" to exercise our " patience," and afford us" comfort?" Ans. "The blessed hope of everlasting life." Quest. What do you mean by " embrace?" Ans. To lay hold of with affection. Quest. How do you "embrace the blessed hope of ever lasting life ?" Ans. By laying "fast hold" of it in my mind, as I should of any great happiness assured to me. Quest. Do men ever let it go? Ans. Yes; when they prefer sinful pleasures now, rather than a reward hereafter. Quest. How do men shew that they "hold it fast?" Ans. By refusing every thing that would take from them the hope of heaven. Quest. In whom is this "hope given to us?" Ans. In "the Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope." 2 Tim. i. 1. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which hath begotten us again unto a lively hope." 1 Pet. i. 3. 3. THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. O LORD JESU CHRIST, Who at Thy first coming didst send Thy messenger to prepare Thy way before Thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of Thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready Thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at Thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in Thy sight, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Quest. Why do you say of Jesus? "O Lord JESU Christ," instead Ans. The word Jesu being in the vocative case, it is a more earnest form of calling upon God our Saviour. Quest. What do you mean by Christ's "first coming?" Ans. His being born of the Virgin Mary. Quest. Who was the "messenger sent to prepare the way" of Christ? Ans. John the Baptist. Quest. How did he set about this? Ans. By preaching repentance. Quest. Was that all he required? Ans. He bade men also "bring forth fruits meet for (or belonging to) repentance." Quest. Who are "the ministers and stewards of God's mysteries?" Ans. They to whom the care of divine things has been committed by divine authority. Quest. What does "minister" mean? Ans. A servant. "These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." Acts xvi. 17. Quest. What is a "steward?" Ans. A person to whom a valuable trust is given. Quest. What are "God's mysteries?" Ans. The doctrines of religion revealed by Him; and the religious ceremonies He has instituted. Quest. Why are they called "mysteries?" Ans. Because not capable of being understood all at once. Quest. Of what mystery was John the Baptist a minister and steward? Ans. The mystery of our Saviour's incarnation, or His first coming in the flesh. Quest. What have "the ministers and stewards of Christ's mysteries" now to do? Ans. To "prepare and make ready His way." Quest. How are they to do this? Ans. In the same way as John the Baptist did it. |