T. To what does Christ liken the kingdom of heaven, or the Gospel dispensation?

S. To a king which made a marriage for his son.

T. Who are signified by these?

S. The king is God the Father; the son, Jesus Christ, who calls Himself" the bridegroom" (Matt. ix. 15); and is so called by John the Baptist. John, iii. 29.

T. What is the figure of a marriage often used to signify?

S. The holy and spiritual union of Christ with His Church. Admonishing the Church at Corinth, St. Paul writes: "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Cor. xi. 2). Also, in Ephes. v. 22-32, Christ's love to His Church is likened to that which should be between husband and wife. Thus in Rev. xix. 7, "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."

T. (A wedding, or marriage-feast, in the East, lasts for several days; it is the custom when the feast is ready to send round and call the guests to it.) Who were first bidden or called to Christ's kingdom of grace?

S. The Jews.

T. Who were God's servants that were sent to call them?

S. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. iii.). Then “ Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. iv. 17). The twelve disciples were sent with the same message "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (x. 6, 7, &c.). Other seventy were appointed for the same purpose (Luke, x. 9, &c.) Thus the invitation was repeated again and again.

T. What was the conduct of the Jews?

S. They made light of it, and some went their ways; but the remnant took the Son, and by wicked hands crucified and slew Him, Acts, ii. 23 (as also John the Baptist, Matt. xiv. 10); and persecuted His servants.

T. What judgment was signified by the King's vengeance?

S. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, as prophesied by Dan. ix. 26: "The people of the Prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary."

T. Who were the other servants sent forth after the death of the Son?

S. Those apostles and disciples sent out after our Lord's resurrection, with, as it were, a new commission to teach all nations. Matt. xxviii. 19.

T. How did St. Paul and St. Barnabas declare to the Jews their reason for preaching to the Gentiles? Acts, xiii. 46.

S. "It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo we turn to the Gentiles."

T. Who are now gathered into the Church?

S. All, both good and bad. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind." Matt. xiii. 47.

T. It was the custom to furnish guests with weddingrobes, usually white. What does the wedding garment here typify?

S. The clothing of innocence and sanctification. linen is the righteousness of saints." Rev. xix. 8.

"Fine

T. What time is signified when the King cometh to see

His guests?

S. The last day.

"When the Lord Jesus shall be re

vealed from heaven with His mighty angels." 2 Thess. i. 7.

Then "the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just." Matt. xiii. 49.

T. Who are signified by the man without a wedding garment?

S. One who has not preserved his gifts, but sinned them away, not having "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephes. iv. 24. T. What does his speechlessness teach?

T. Who are the few who will be chosen out of the many called?

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S." He that watcheth and keepeth his garments." "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment." They which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. xvi. 15; iii. 5; and vii. 14.

THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

The Collect.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to Thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve Thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

T. For whom do we pray?

S. For the "faithful people" of God.

T. Who may be called so?

S. Those who have been baptized into the faith of Christ, and continue faithful in the performance of their vows.

T. What do we ask God to grant to such?

S. Pardon and peace.

T. Do the faithful need pardon?

"Who

S. Yes; "for there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not." Eccles. vii. 20. can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" Prov. xx. 9. (See also 1 John, i. 3.)

T. How do all men sin?

S. In thought, word, and deed.

T. What grace and perfection is required of believers? S. To bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. x. 5). To "keep our tongue from evil, and our lips from speaking guile." Ps. xxxiv. 13. "For if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (Jam. i. 26); and to "add to faith, virtue; to virtue, knowledge; to knowledge, temperance; to temperance, patience; to patience, godliness; to godliness, brotherly kindness; to brotherly kindness, charity." 2 Pet. i. 5-7.

T. What is God's promise to us to comfort us, when we feel how much we have fallen below this high standard?

S. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

T. What will accompany the pardon of our sins?

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S. Peace. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. v. 1.

T. Who can alone serve God with a "quiet mind?" S. Those who have faith in His promises. "He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." Jam. i. 6, 7.

T. How does St. Paul exhort the Hebrews (x. 35) in the midst of sufferings and persecutions?

S. "Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward."

The Epistle. Ephes. vi. 10.

My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth; and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

T. Why should Christians be addressed as soldiers in battle?

S. Because they belong to the Church militant (i. e.