T. How had the eleven shown unbelief and hardness of heart? S. "They believed not those who had seen (Christ) after He was risen." T. Who were these? S." He appeared first to Mary Magdalene... and they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them." Mark, xvi. 9–13. T. What was the substance of the Gospel they were commanded to preach to every creature? S."That Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from the present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." Gal. i. 4. T. What was to be the sign of belief? S. Baptism. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." T. Suppose a person does not believe: what then? S." He that believeth not is condemned already, because he believeth not in the name of the only-begotten Son of God;" and "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." John, iii. 18, 36. T. How had the belief of the Apostles in Christ's power to make them sufficient for their work been encouraged during His life on earth? S. "When the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke, x. 17, 18. T. When do we read of their casting out devils after Christ's ascension ? : S. When St. Peter was at Jerusalem, "There came a multitude out of the cities round about, bringing sick folks, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits and they were healed every one." When Philip the deacon was at Samaria," Unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them : and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed." At Philippi, Paul cast out the spirit of divination of a young damsel; at Ephesus, "God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts, v. 16; viii. 7; xvi. 18; xix. 11, 12. 7. When did they speak with new tongues? S. When they were" filled with the Holy Ghost." Acts, ii. 4. T. What instance is related of St. Paul remaining unhurt by a serpent? S. After his shipwreck at Melita, beast into the fire, and felt no harm." "he shook off the Acts, xxviii. 3-5. T. How does St. Luke describe our Lord's parting from His disciples? xxiv. 50, 51. S." He lifted up His hands, and blessed them; and it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them." T. Has any one seen our Saviour on the right hand of God? S. St. Stephen, who "being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." Acts, vii. 55. T. Did the Apostles go forth and preach everywhere? S. Yes: In Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts, i. 8. T. (St. Matthias travelled far eastward. St. Philip planted the Gospel in Upper Asia. St. James appeared most active at Jerusalem. St. Peter preached in Judea, at Antioch, to the Jews dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Asia, labouring also in Rome. St. James the Greater, after preaching in Judea and Samaria, is said to have planted Christianity in Spain. St. Bartholomew is said to have travelled as far as India, returning from thence to the more northern and western parts of Asia-teaching the people of Hierapolis, Lycaonia-removing at last to Albanople in Armenia the Great. St. Matthew preached among the Gentiles, principally in Ethiopia. St. Simon went to Egypt, Greece, and Africa, from thence into Lybia to Mauritania, and is said to have passed over into Britain. St. Jude preached in Judea and Galilee, Samaria, Idumea, and to the cities of Arabia and neighbouring countries, even to Syria and Mesopotamia. St. Andrew is said to have been allotted Scythia and the neighbouring countries as his province. St. Thomas preached to the Medes, Persians, Carmanians, Hyrcani, and Bactrians, and passed through Asian Ethiopia, and came to the Indies. And St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, travelled through the whole Roman Empire, from Jerusalem through Arabia, Asia, Greece, round about to Illyricum, to Rome, and even to the utmost bounds of the Western world, visiting, it is supposed, the islands that lie in the ocean, including the British Islands.) THE SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY. O GOD, the King of Glory, who hast exalted Thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto Thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech Thee, leave us not comfortless, but send to us Thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. T. Who is the King of Glory? S." The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory." Ps. xxiv. 10. T. What has He done for us? S. Exalted His only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph into His kingdom into heaven. T. Over whom has Christ gained the victory and triumphed ? S. Over sin and death, "destroying him that had the power of death, even the devil." Heb. ii. 14. "Who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." 2 Tim. i. 10. T. What promise did this accomplish? S. That to our first parents, that "the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's heel." Gen. iii. 15. T. How were the Churches throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, comforted? Acts, ix. 31. S. "They had rest, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." T. For what do we pray in this Collect? S. That God will give us the Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us to the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before. T. Is it the peculiar office of the Spirit thus to comfort God's people? S. Yes. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Rom. viii. 16, 17. T. What was the hope of St. Paul for the Corinthians? 2, i. 7. S."Our hope of you is steadfast, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation." T. How does St. Paul describe our being exalted to the place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before? iv. 16, 17. 1 Thess. S. "The dead in Christ shall rise first; then they which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." T. What do we read of the joy of those who are exalted into heaven? Rev. vii. 15–17. S. They are "before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." T. To whom were these joys given ? S. To those which came out of great tribulation, and had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. vii. 14. T. How will the Holy Ghost exalt us thither? S. By teaching us spiritual things, strengthening us, and guiding us into all truth. The Epistle. 1 St. Peter, iv. 7. THE end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves for charity |