The word Lent means Spring, and is used by the Church to signify the Spring Fast, or the time of humiliation appointed before Easter, to remind us of our sins, and of those sufferings of the Saviour for sin, which ended at His resurrection.

Though it ought to be the constant endeavour of a Christian to observe his duty at all times, and to have always a great regard to what God requires of him; yet, considering the great corruption of the world, and the frailty of our nature, and how often we transgress the bounds of our duty, and how backward we are to cross our fleshly appetites; it is very expedient we should have some solemn season appointed for the examining our lives, and the exercise of repentance. And, accordingly, we find that from the very first ages of Christianity, it was customary for the Christians to set apart some time for self-examination, repentance, mortification and self-denial, the better to prepare their minds for the Feast of Easter.

Commonly called Ash-Wednesday.

Repentance.

What is the duration of Lent?

In allusion to what event is that time fixed upon ? Is repentance necessary for all men? (Acts xvii. 30. Rom. iii. 23.)

Is it necessary for the pardon of sin? (Acts ii. 38.) What is the danger of neglecting repentance? (Matt. xi. 20-4. Luke xiii. 3-5.)

From whom must we seek grace to repent? (Collect.-2 Tim. ii. 25.)

How does St. Paul describe the difference between the sorrow of the world and godly sorrow? (2 Cor. vii. 10.)

Shew that repentance should lead us to sorrow for sin, to the confession of it, to seek pardon for it, and to hate and avoid it? (2 Cor. vii. 9 and 11. Ps. li. 3 and 9.)

What interest are the angels said to take in a repenting sinner? (Luke xv. 7 and 10.) How do the Collect, Epistle and Gospel for the day, caution us against a mere outward expression of repentance? and what encouragement do they afford us if our repentance be sincere ? What special service has the Church appointed for this day, for the purpose of leading us to deep humiliation and true repentance? TRUE REPENTANCE EXEMPLIFIED.-Manasseh : 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13.—St. Peter: Matt. xxvi. 1. 75.-Publican: Luke xviii. 13, 14. FALSE REPENTANCE EXEMplified. · Sam. xv. 24-6.-Ahab : 1 Kings xxi. 25-7.—

Judas: Matt. xxvii. 3-5.

Saul:

1

Fasting and Temptation.

COLLECT, EPISTLE, GOspel.

1. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. ST. LUKE v. 35.

2. When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ST. MATT. vi, 16.

3. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face: that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ST. MATT. vi. 17, 18.

4. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. JAMES i. 12.

5. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. JAMES i. 13.

6. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed.

JAMES i. 14.

How long did our Lord fast in the wilderness? (Matt. iv. 2.)

What two illustrious types of Christ fasted the same length of time? (Exodus xxxiv. 28. 1 Kings xix. 8.)

When did our Lord say his disciples would fast? (Luke v. 3-5.)

What directions has he given us respecting fasting? (Matt. vi. 16-18.)

What are the benefits we should seek to obtain by fasting or abstinence? (Collect.)

What are the days of fasting or abstinence appointed by the Church? (Prayer-Book.)

Give a few instances of fasts named in the Bible. (Ezra viii. 21-3. Jonah iii. 5.-David: 2 Sam. xii. 16.-Nehemiah: i. 4.-Daniel: ix. 3. -Cornelius: Acts x. 30.)

By whom was our Lord tempted? (Matt. iv. 1.) What were the temptations? (Matt. iv. 3-9.) From whence did our Lord derive his answers to these temptations? (Matt. iv. 3-10.)

How must we meet and resist the temptations of Satan, the world and the flesh? (Mark xiv. 38. 1 Peter v. 8-9.)

What prayer has our Lord taught us on this subject? (Matt. vi. 13.)

Where does our great danger lie in temptation? (James i. 14.)

What is the state and reward of the man that overcomes temptation? (James i. 12.)

The guilt and misery of Sin.

COLLECT, EPISTLE, GOSPEL, LESSON.

1. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. ROM. i. 18.

2. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. PROV. xiv. 12.

3. And be sure your sin will find you out. NUM. xxxii. 23.

4. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. ISAIAH lvii. 2021.

5. Destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known. ROM. iii. 16-17.

6. For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 23.