S. They will not give up their possessions (like the rich young man, Matt. xix. 22), or business, or indulgences, or the love of this present world (like Demas, 2 Tim. iv. 10). T. Are not our business, pleasures, and earthly affections lawful?

S. Yes, until they interfere with God's service.

T. What did our Lord teach concerning carefulness for worldly things? Matt. vi. 33.

S." Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." T. What did He teach concerning pleasures and earthly affections? Matt. x. 37.

S." He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

T. What is St. Paul's warning against undue love of even lawful things? 1 Cor. vii. 29-31.

S." But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."

T. What is the sentence of those who refuse to obey Christ's call?

S. They shall not taste of the feast.

T. Who are most ready to obey Christ's call?

S. The humble, who know themselves to be spiritually "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev. iii. 17.

T. What comfort is there together with the warning in this parable?

S. There is yet time and room. God will have His house filled.

THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

The Collect.

O LORD, we beseech Thee mercifully to hear us, and grant that we, to whom Thou hast given a hearty desire to pray, may by Thy mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

T. How do we begin our prayer?

S. By beseeching God mercifully to hear us.

T. How have we received a hearty desire to pray? S. By the influence of the Spirit (Rom. viii. 26), teaching us of our own weakness and wants.

T. When do we naturally turn to God more earnestly? S. In time of danger, grievous sickness, or sorrow, or any other adversity.

T. Give some examples of prayer with hearty desire in times of affliction.

S. Hannah's prayer for a son (1 Sam. i. 9, 10, 15); Manasseh, king of Judah's prayer, when carried away captive to Babylon (2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13); Daniel's prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem (ix. 3–20); finally, our Saviour's, who prayed earnestly for His disciples (John, xvii. 6-26); and in agony for Himself. Luke, xxii. 42-44. T. Why do we need constant protection ?

S. Because of our spiritual enemies (1 Pet. v. 8), and the unforeseen dangers of this life; "for in the midst of life we are in death."

T. What is the believer's comfort in adversities? Rom. viii. 18.

S. "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." T. Is it not good for us to be in heaviness through manifold temptations?

S. Yes; for "the trial of our faith worketh patience." James, i. 3.

T. What is declared of all mankind? Job, v. 7.

S. "Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward." T. What is denounced against those who seek the help of man rather than God? Jer. xvii. 5.

S. "Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." (See Commination Service.)

T. What is promised to those who endure? James, i. 12.

S." When he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."

The Epistle. 1 St. Pet. v. 5.

ALL of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a

while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and Amen.

ever.

T. What is our first duty as Christians?
S. Humility.

T. To whom are we to be subject?

S. To one another.

T. How does St. Paul explain this kind of submission? S. He describes Christians, "In honour preferring one another," (Rom. xii. 10); i.e. showing deference and courtesy on all occasions to all persons.

T. What must we remember in all our works for good? Phil. ii. 3.

S. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

T. How does God resist the proud?

S. He, in time, overturneth their works and heareth not their prayers. (See Dan. iv. 28-37.)

T. What is the danger of a man lifted up with pride? 1 Tim. iii. 6.

S."That he fall into the condemnation of the devil;" for pride blinds us to our true state, and hinders our repentance.

T. What is the promise to the humble who follow Christ's example?

S." God giveth them grace." They are accepted with God; "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. v. 3. T. What is the first point in humility?

S. Submission to the will of God, believing it to be for the best, loving it, and seeking to make our own like it. T. What is our comfort? Lam. iii. 33; Heb. xii. 10. S. God "doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children

of men; ""but for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness." He will exalt us in due time.

T. How can we cast all our care upon God?

S. "We must be careful for nothing" (Phil. iv. 6); but be content with such things as we have: "for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Heb. xiii. 5.

T. How can we show our soberness and vigilance?

S. Being " temperate in all things, keeping under the body, and bringing it into subjection" to the Spirit. 1 Cor. ix. 25. 27. "Watching thereunto with all perseverance." Ephes. vi. 18.

T. What resistance must we offer the devil, the enemy against whom we strive ?

S. Our faith, which is the Christian's "shield" (Ephes. vi. 16); and obedience to God's word, by which Christ conquered him. Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10.

T. What must we remember when tried?

S. Others have suffered, and do suffer; and " we are appointed thereunto." 1 Thess. iii. 3.

T. What is our comfort?

S. It is but for a while, to strengthen us, that we may be "perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James, i. 4); that "love not the world, nor the things that are in the world" (1 John, ii. 15); but be " looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord" (2 Pet. iii. 12).

we

The Gospel. St. Luke, xv. 1.

THEN drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And He spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you having