into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Gal. iv. 4-7.

T. How did Christ acknowledge us as brethren?

S. He taught us to call God" Our Father." Matt. vi. 9. He declared, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. xii. 50. And after His resurrection He said unto Mary, "Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father" (John, xx. 17); and "I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren." Heb. ii. 12.

T. How does the Spirit bear witness with our spirit?

S. We are conscious in ourselves of the Holy Spirit teaching us what is good, and sanctifying us; and while we follow His guidance, the peace of God will be our witness, and fill us with all joy and peace in believing.

T. What is our inheritance as sons of God?

S. The kingdom of heaven.

T. What is the condition of our being glorified with Christ?

S. That we also suffer with Him; i. e. we must not live only a life of ease and pleasure here, and escape annoyance and pain, but receive every trial joyfully for His sake who suffered for us.

The Gospel. St. Matt. vii. 15.

BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits: do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a cor

rupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

T. Against whom does our Lord warn His disciples?
S. Against false prophets and teachers.

T. How did Jeremiah describe the great corruption of Israel? v. 31.

S. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so." T. How had God warned His people against such? Deut. xiii. 1-3.

S." If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

T. Who were the false prophets and teachers of the law when our Lord spake these words to the disciples ?

S. The Scribes and Pharisees who sat in Moses' seat; for they were blind guides and hypocrites, perverting the way of God, refusing to enter in themselves, and hindering those that would enter in.

T. Who were the false teachers who were to arise amongst the Christians?

S. Those of whom St. Paul spoke: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in

among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts, xx. 29, 30.

T. What history is a warning to those who out of pride take upon themselves to minister holy things?

S. The history of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, whom the earth swallowed up, and the fire of the Lord consumed Num. xvi.

their company.

T. How does St. Jude denounce those who bring in heresies? 11.

S."Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."

T. What is the resemblance in their guilt?

S. They are murderers, slaying their brethren's souls; covetous, for with feigned words they made merchandise of you (2 Pet. ii. 3); and proud, willing to be exalted of

men.

T. To what does Christ liken false prophets?

S. To wolves in sheep's clothing; for they appeared righteous, even as Satan can "transform himself” (2 Cor. xi. 13, 15) into an angel of light.

T. What is the test of all such?

S. Their fruits, i. e. their works; whether they are the fruits of the Spirit: also the effects of their teaching, whether they are those of the Gospel.

T. What was the reason or foundation of the good works wrought by the saints?

S. A true faith. Heb. xi.

T. What are God's promised mercies to His Church, described Isa. xxx. 20, 21?

S. "Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see

thy teachers

and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

T. Have we all received how we ought to walk and please God?

S. Yes, through the teaching of Christ and His apostles preserved to us in the Scripture.

T. What does this Epistle teach us?

S. That it is the duty of all Christians to bring forth the fruits of their teaching, and adorn their profession in all things.

T. What is the end of the corrupt tree?

S.It is hewn down and cast into the fire."

T. What false teacher is an instance of the impossibility of a corrupt tree bringing forth good fruit?

S. Simon, the sorcerer, who offered the disciples money, "Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." Acts,

viii. 19.

T. Can our outward appearance of holiness and conformity to the ordinances of religion make us worthy of acceptance?

S. No. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John, iv. 24.

THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

The Collect.

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

T. What do we pray God to grant us?

S. "The spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful."

T. Give an example of one who seemed to do rightful things without the Spirit?

S. The self-righteous Pharisee. Luke, xviii. 12.

T. Why do we need to pray so earnestly for good thoughts?

S. Because "those things" which "come forth from the heart defile a man," and "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts." Matt. xv. 18, 19. "Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart are only evil continually.” Gen. vi. 5, viii. 21.

T. Must we restrain our thoughts?

S. Yes. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. x. 5. The unrighteous man must forsake his thoughts when he turneth to the Lord. Isa. lv. 7. For "the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination unto the Lord" (Prov. xv. 26); as also, "a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations." vi. 18.

T. When shall we have to answer our thoughts?

S. In the day that "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ." Rom. ii. 16.

T. Mention some thoughts most displeasing to God. S. Thinking and devising evil against others; condemning or judging them; thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Rom. xii. 3); taking thought for the things of this life only. Matt. vi. 25.

T. What is the result of good thoughts?

S. We are more likely to "do always such things as be rightful."

T. How did David exercise his thoughts?