new obedience; lest coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves."

a 1 Cor. xi. 27, 31, 32. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Rom. vi. 17, 18. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Q. 98. What is prayer ?

d

A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,' for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledg ment of his mercies."

e

Ps. x. 17. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Ps. cxlv. 19. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

c 1 Jno. v. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. d Jno. xvi. 23. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

e 1 Jno. i. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's Prayer."

9 Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Ps. cxix. 170. Let my supplication come before thee deliver me according to thy word.

Matt. vi. 9-13.

Q. 100. What doth the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is, "Our Father which art in heaven," teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.*

Luke xi. 13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Rom. viii. 15. Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

* 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority.

Q. 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, which is, "Hallowed be thy name," we pray that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known,' and that he would dispose all things to his own glory."

'Ps. lxvii. 1-3. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let all the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

m Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Rev. iv. 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition? A. In the second petition, which is, "Thy kingdom come," we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed," and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

n Ps. lxviii. 1. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. Jno. xii. 31. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

• Matt. ix. 37, 38. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the

laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

P 2 Thess. iii. 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. Rom. x. 1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

9 Rev. xxii. 20. Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Q. 103. What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. In the third petition, which is, " Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven," we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things," as the angels do in heaven."

" Matt. xxvi. 39. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Phil. i. 9-11. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

* Ps. ciii. 20, 21. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

Q. 104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition ? A. In the fourth petition, which is, "Give us this day our daily bread," we pray, that of God's free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them."

t Prov. xxx. 8, 9. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 1 Tim. vi. 6–8. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

u Prov. x. 22. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh-rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition? A. In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," we pray, that God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins;"

which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.*

w Ps. li. 1, 2, 7. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than

snow.

* Mark xi. 25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Matt. xviii. 35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition? A. In the sixth petition, which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin,' or support and deliver us when we are tempted.*

Matt. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temp. tation. Ps. xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Jno. xvii. 15. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. 1 Cor. x. 13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Q. 107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen," teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only," and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

b

a Dan. ix. 18, 19. For we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer

not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Phil. iv. 6. In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 1 Chr. xxix. 11-13. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

c1 Cor. xiv. 16. How shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? Rev. xxii. 20, 21. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

EXODUS XX.

God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, the LORD thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.