XXVI. On what ground do you hope and trust that God will have mercy for your transgression of His Commandments, if you ask Him faithfully and penitently?

Perpetual efficacy of the new, i. e. Baptismal Covenant in Christ's Blood-a covenant of Repentance and Faith. See above, Chap. I. xiv. Comp. Rom. iii. 21, 22. 24-26. John xiii. 10. Heb. viii. 10– 12. x. 10-22. 38, 39. Acts v. 31.

XXVII. But supposing you do not truly repent and stedfastly believe the promises of God?

See Numb. xiv. 18. Ps. ix. 17. xi. 7. Comp. Heb. ii. 1-4. The precious corner-stone (see Chap. V. vi. 2) becomes a stone of stumbling. See 1 Pet. ii. 8. Matt. xxi. 44. Luke ii. 34. Comp. Curses in Commination, and the Exhortation.

XXVIII. For what reasons do you ask God to incline your heart to keep His Commandments, and to write them all in your heart?

1. Because it is His will that I should keep them, and I have promised to love and obey Him.

2. Because "in keeping of them there is great reward." See Ps. xix. 11. cxv. 13. Heb. x. 36. See Second and Fifth Commandments. Comp. below, Chap. IX. xxi.

3. Because in disobeying them there is certain and most grievous punishment. See Ps. lxxxix. 31, 32. Rom. ii. 8, 9.

DEVOTIONAL APPLICATION OF THE

PRECEDING DOCTRINE.

1.

Almighty God, Who didst give such grace unto Thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed Him without delay; Grant unto us all, that we, being called by Thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfil Thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2.

Coll. for St. Andrew's Day.

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both my heart and body, in the ways of Thy laws, and in the works of Thy commandments; that, through Thy most mighty protection both here and ever, I may be preserved in body and soul; through our

Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

3.

Confirmation, 3rd Collect.

O God, Who declarest Thy almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto me such a measure of Thy grace, that I, running the way of Thy commandments, may obtain Thy gracious promises, and be made a partaker of Thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for 11th Sunday after Trinity.

4.

O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto Thy servant, that he may love the thing which Thou commandest, and desire that which Thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, my heart may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for 4th Sunday after Easter.

5.

O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity

are nothing worth; Send Thy Holy Ghost, and pour into my heart that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee: Grant this for Thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Coll. for Quinquagesima.

6.

Lord, have mercy upon me, and write all these Thy laws in my heart, I beseech Thee.

Communion.

Read Meditation in Bp. Ken's Manual, pp. 10-13.

CHAPTER VIII.

MEANS OF GRACE CONTINUAL-PRAYER.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

Is. xii. 31.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.-Heb. iv. 16.

I. The object in Confirmation being twofold, and your part, i. e. the confirming your Baptismal vow, having been now explained, what is the part that remains to be considered?

See above, Chap. II. xii.

II. What need have you to be confirmed by God, if you yourself are sincerely resolved to perform what you have undertaken ?

Insufficiency of man, unaided by God's grace. See 2 Cor. iii. 5. Comp. John xv. 5. vi. 44. Jer. x. 23. Phil. ii. 13. 1 Cor. xv. 10. James i. 17. Prov. iii. 5, 6. Numb. xiv. 40-45. (Israel and the Amalek

ites.) Remanent infection of corrupt nature. See Rom. vii. 18–25. Comp. Art. IX. (ópóvnμa σapкòs), and above, Chap. VII. xxv. "By God's help, so I will." Catech. "My good child, know this," &c. Ibid. "Our help is in the name of the Lord." Confirm. Also Pref. Ibid. Coll. for Second Sund. in Lent, and Art. X.

III. What reasons have you to trust that God will "most surely keep and perform" His part in Confirmation; and that, not only in the rite itself, but ever after, according as you continue to perform your part truly and faithfully, He also will continue to confirm you more and more?

1. His PROMISES, general and particular, to that effect.

Comp. 2 Cor. i. 22.—

(a) General Promises. See especially 1 Cor. i.
8, 9. x. 13. Phil. i. 6.
"Earnest of the Spirit."
"He that hath," &c.

Mark iv. 24, 25.— James iv. 8. Ps. xci.

passim. Jer. xxix. 13. 2 Chron. xv. 2. Is. lviii. 6-14.

(b) Particular Promises

On Renouncing the Devil. See James iv. 7.

On Believing.

Comp. 2 Thess. iii. 3.

(τοῦ πονηροῦ.) 1 John v. 18.

the World. See Gal. i. 4.

the Flesh. See Gal. v. 16.

See Acts xvi. 31. Comp.

1 John ii. 23, 24.

On Obeying. See Acts v. 32. Matt. xxv. 31-40.

2. His ORDINANCES to that end.

IV. What assurance have you that "God's help" will be all-sufficient for your need?

Christ

See 2 Cor. xii. 9. Phil. iv. 13. 2 Pet. ii. 9. Comp. 1 John iv. 4. Rom. xvi. 25. Heb. ii. 18. tempted-yet without sin. 1 Cor. x. 13.

V. Besides the especial ordinance of Confirmation (already considered), what are the ordinances which God has appointed to be the continual and constant means of confirming, i. e. of conveying strength and grace to His people?

1. Prayer, public and private.

2. Holy Communion.

3. Reading and hearing the written Word of God.

4. Hearing the preaching of God's Ministers.

VI. Show that these several ordinances have been appointed by God as means for conveying His grace, and, therefore, are "generally necessary" to be used by all who desire to receive the same. And first, show this of PRAYER.

See Matt. vii. 7-11. (“good things.") Luke xi. 13. ("The Holy Spirit.") James i. 5. ("wisdom.") Matt. xxi. 22. ("all things whatsoever ye shall ask.") 1 John iii. 22. Comp. Ps. cxxxviii. 3. Is. lxv. 24. Rom. x. 12, 13. (Salvation.) Matt. xxvi. 41. (against temptation.)

VII. Mention some of the Examples of successful prayer recorded in the Bible.

1. Ishmael, in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. Gen. xxi. 17.