Imatges de pàgina
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ye have eternal life." (John v. 39.) (4.) "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." (2 Tim. iii. 15.)

12. What further arguments do the Holy Scriptures themselves afford, in favour of the doctrine that they are the only infallible rule of faith? A.-(1.) They always speak in the name of God. (2.) Christ and His Apostles always refer to the Scriptures then existing as authority, and to no other. (Luke xvi. 29; x. 26.) (3.) The Bereans are commended for bringing all questions, even apostolic teaching, to this test. (Acts xvii. 11.) (4.) Christ rebukes the Pharisees for adding to and perverting the Scriptures. (Matt. xv. 7-9; Mark vii. 5-9.)

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13. What do you understand by the words "Canon of Scripture"? A. The original meaning of the word "canon is a reed or straight rod; hence it is used for that which serves to measure or determine anything. (Gal. vi. 16; 2 Cor. x. 13-16.)

By the Canon of Scripture we understand the collection of books which "holy men of old wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," and which constitute our rule of faith and practice.

14.

What are our chief authorities for the Canon of the Old Testament? A.-(1.) The modern Jews have the same books in their Hebrew Bible. (2.) The list which Josephus gives, of books received as canonical in his time, corresponds with ours. (3.) Jerome and Origen give the same list of books as we now hold to be canonical. (4.) Our Lord and His Apostles never quote from the Apocryphal books. (5.) Jewish commentaries were made on all the books in our Canon, but on none of the Apocryphal books. 15. On what principle do we accept the books of the New Testament as authoritative?

A.-The Apostles themselves and their contemporaries in the ministry of the Word, were singularly endowed with the Holy Spirit for the founding and teaching of the Church; so that for the admission of a book into the Canon of the New Testament, it is requisite that it should have been written by an Apostle, or by a companion of the Apostles inspired by the Holy Spirit to record the substance of the apostolic testimony.

16.-Learn by heart the Collect for the second Sunday in Advent.

1.-When you open the Bible, never forget that it is the Word of God; that He is as really speaking to you there as when He spoke with Moses on the Mount. (Exod. xxxiii. 11; xxxiv. 5, 6.)

2.-Read it as a perishing sinner. (Luke xvii. 13; 1 Tim. i. 15.)

3. Read it under the conviction that the Spirit of God must teach you both to understand and to believe the Bible. Without Him it remains a sealed book to you. (1 Cor. ii. 11; xii. 3; 2 Cor. iii. 5.)

4.-Consider the Word of God as the daily bread of your soul. (Jer. xv. 16; Matt. iv. 4.)

5. As you read, let Scripture explain Scripture, and use the more easy portions to shed light on the deep and difficult. (1 Cor. ii. 13.)

6. Never be satisfied with merely skimming the surface of the Bible. "Plough into the Bible" was the saying of a noted saint. (John v. 39.) 7.-Never think that you know the Bible aright unless the inspired word has led you to Jesus. (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.)

8. Kead with prayer for faith, for light, and for the Holy Ghost. (Psa. cxix. 18, 34.)

9.-Read in order to do, to obey, to be made holy, Christ-like, and heavenly minded. (Matt. v. 48; John xvii. 17; James i. 22.)

10. Read for yourself, that you may be humbled, comforted, encouraged, reproved, exhorted, as God knows you require. (2 Cor. xiii. 5; Psa. xxvi. 2; cxxxix. 23, 24.)

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No. 17.

THE CHURCH, THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. 1.-What are the various significations of the word Church in the New Testament.

A.-(1.) The whole body of true believers. (Matt. xvi. 18; Ephes. v. 23, 25, 27; Col. i. 24.) (2.) The spirits of just men made perfect. (Ephes. v. 27.) (3.) Any congregation of Christians met together in a single place, or the body of believers resident in a town or district. (Acts viii. 1; xi. 22; xvi. 5.) (4.) The place in which Christians assembled for Divine worship. (Acts xi. 26; 1 Cor. xi. 18, 22.)

2.-Why is the Church called (1.) Holy, and (2.) Catholic? A.-See paper No. 5, Questions 19 and 20.

3.-Why is the Church called Apostolic?

A.-(1.) Because she is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. (Ephes. ii. 20.) (2.) Because she still holds the doctrines which the Apostles taught.

4. In what does the unity of the Church consist?

A. She is one, because her members-(1.) Have one God and Father. (Ephes. iv. 6.) (2.) Are sheep of one fold, under one Shepherd. (John x. 16.) (3.) Are all baptized into one Spirit. (1 Cor. xii. 13.) (4.) Have all one faith and hope of their calling. (Ephes. iv. 2-5.)

5.-Distinguish between the visible and the invisible Church.

A.-The Visible Church consists of all who profess the faith of Christ, and submit to the ordinances appointed by Him.

The Invisible Church consists of those who not only profess the faith of Christ but are also living members of Christ, renewed in heart and life by the indwelling of the Spirit, bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

The former is discernible to men; the latter is known to God only. 6. Learn the following extract from Article XIX. :—

A. "The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same."

7.- What was the government of the Church as instituted by the Apostles? A.-It consisted of three orders of ministry, Deacons, Presbyters or Priests, and Bishops.

8. Which order did they first institute? A.-Acts vi. 1-6.

9. What were the duties of the Deacons ?

A.-At first their principal duty was to administer relief to the poor; but in the course of time they preached and baptized.

10.

Show that the office of Deacon was to be continued in the Church. A.-St. Paul gave directions to Timothy respecting the character and qualifications for the office of Deacon in all time to come. (1 Tim. iii. 8-13.) 11. Is this order recognized by our Church?

A. Yes, it is the first office on which the minister enters.

12. What is the meaning of the word Priest?

A. It is a contraction of the word Presbyter, which means an Elder

so called from superior experience and gravity.

13. What were the duties of the Presbyters in the Apostolic Church? A.-(1.) To preach the Gospel. (2.) To administer the Sacraments. (3.) To assist the Bishops at ordination.

14.-Prove that the office of Elder, or the second order in the Christian ministry, was to be continued in the Church.

A. Titus i. 5.

15. What are the duties of the second order in the ministry of our Church? A.-Exactly the same as in the Church of the Apostles.

16. What was the third or highest order in the ministry?

A. That of the Apostles, who were chosen and consecrated to their office by our Lord Himself.

17. Where is the Apostolic office called a Bishopric? A.-Acts i. 20.

18.-What powers belonging to the Apostles were transmitted to their successors?

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A.-(1.) To found churches and to preside over them. (2.) To confirm the young disciples. (3.) To ordain ministers. (4.) To exercise the chief authority in the Church.

19.-Prove that the office of Bishop was to be continued in the Church. A.-Titus was consecrated by St. Paul as first Bishop of Crete (Titus i. 5), and Timothy as first Bishop of Ephesus (1 Tim. i. 3); in order that they might extend the Church and perform exactly the same kind of duties as St. Paul himself, viz. to ordain Presbyters and to exercise discipline over them and their congregations.

20.-Why then was not the title of Apostles retained by their successors? A.-(1.) Because in the first Christian age the title of Apostles was given to those only who were personally sent by our Lord. (2.) Because the title of Bishop was the most appropriate to signify an overseer of the Church. (3.) Because the title was applied by St. Peter to the Apostolic office.

21.-What are the words of our Church in reference to those orders of the Ministry?

A.-It is evident unto all men, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures and ancient authors, that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of ministers in Christ's Church-Bishops, Priests, and Deacons." 22. What is meant by a Liturgy?

A.-A prescribed form of public worship.

23.-What is the usual name by which the service-book of our Church is known?

A.-The Book of Common Prayer, which is so called because it contains the Prayers to be used in common by the congregation.

24. Give arguments in favour of a pre-composed form of public prayer. A.-See Paper No. 8.

25.-What does John Wesley say of the Liturgy of our Church?

A. "I believe there is no Liturgy in the world, either in ancient or modern language, which breathes more of a solid, scriptural, rational piety than the Common Prayer of the Church of England."

26.-Quote also the testimony of one of the most eminent of modern Dissenters, the late Rev. Robert Hall, Baptist Minister, Bristol, to the Liturgy of our Church.

A. "I believe," he said, "the chastened fervour of its devotion, the majestic simplicity of its language, and the evangelical purity of its sentiments, have combined to place it in the very first rank of uninspired compositions."

27.-Quote John Wesley's testimony to the three orders.

A." We believe that the threefold order of ministers is not only authorized by its Apostolic institution, but also by the written Word." 28.-Quote Calvin's words on Episcopacy.

A.-Calvin, after having described the character of a truly Christian Bishop, uses the following words :-"I should account them deserving of every, the severest anathema, who do not submit themselves reverently and with all obedience to such a hierarchy."

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No. 18.

THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION.

Or Laying on of Hands upon those that are baptized and come to years of discretion.

1.-How may the Confirmation Service be divided?

A.-Into eight parts:-(1.) The introductory exhortation. (2.) The personal inquiry. (3.) The solemn reply. (4.) The preliminary prayer of the Bishop and congregation for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (5.) The act of Confirmation. (6.) The Lord's Prayer; and the prayer of the Bishop and congregation for the preservation and advancement of those who have been confirmed. (7.) The concluding prayer of all present. (8.) The final benediction.

2.-What is the object of the INTRODUCTORY EXHORTATION.

A. To explain the design of the ordinance of Confirmation.

3.-Learn the PERSONAL INQUIRY by the Bishop of those who come to be confirmed.

A.—“Do ye here, in the presence of God, and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe, and to do, all those things which your Godfathers and Godmothers then undertook for you?" 4. What is the SOLEMN REPLY made to this inquiry?

A. "I DO."

5.-Show that this answer, though short, is full of the most important meaning, and involves the most solemn responsibilities.

A. It is equivalent to saying-(1.) I DO renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in my name at my baptism: (2.) I DO acknowledge myself bound to believe, and to do, all those things that my Godfathers and Godmothers then undertook for me: (3.) I DO accordingly renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh: (4.) I DO steadfastly believe all the articles of the Christian faith: (5.) And I DO resolve, in dependence upon Divine grace, to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of my life.

6.

What does the PRELIMINARY PRAYER consist of?

A. (1.) An expression of belief, arising from a conviction of God's faithfulness to His promises, that those about to be confirmed have received the blessings of regeneration and forgiveness of their sins. (2.) A prayer― (a) That they may be strengthened by the Holy Ghost, and (b) That they may receive the manifold gifts of God's grace.

7.-What are these gifts of grace?

A. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, and the spirit of holy fear.

8. Explain these gifts.

A.-(1.) Wisdom enables us to make a right use of all other gifts. (2.) Understanding gives us insight and discernment in spiritual things. (3.) Counsel enables us to deliberate before we act, to seek the guidance of God's Word, and to consult our own conscience. (4.) Ghostly (that is, spiritual) strength is needed to take the place of our natural weakness. We are by nature spiritually weak; with God's help we are rendered omnipotent. (Matt. xvii. 20.) (5.) Knowledge about God can be acquired by reading and hearing about God; but knowledge of God can only be

acquired by direct communion with Him. It is the knowledge of God in which standeth or consisteth our eternal life (John xvii. 3); and this knowledge is the fifth gift of the Spirit. (6.) True Godliness is Godlikeness. To grow more and more like God, is the necessary consequence of knowing Him. (1 John iii. 2.) (7.) Holy Fear is used here in the sense of reverence, or that power to see the infinite claims which God has upon our adoration and obedience. We need fear to restrain us from evil, when love does not constrain us to good; fear to inspire us with humility, lest love should grow too familiar and presume.

9.-Sum up these seven gifts.

A.-(1.) Wisdom, to choose the one thing needful. (2.) Understanding, to know how to attain it. (3.) Counsel, the habit of asking guidance of God. (4.) Strength, to follow where He shall lead us. (5.) Knowledge, that we may learn to know God. (6.) Godliness, that, knowing Him, we may grow like Him. (7.) Holy Fear, meaning reverence and adoration. 10. Learn the prayer which the Bishop offers during the ACT OF CON

FIRMATION.

A.-"Defend, O Lord, this Thy child [or this Thy servant] with Thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in Thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto Thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.”

11. Give the substance of the PRAYER OF THE BISHOP AND CONGREGATION for those who have just been confirmed.

A.-(1.) That God's fatherly hand may ever be over them; (2.) That His Holy Spirit may ever be with them; and (3.) That He will so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of His Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life.

12. What are the blessings here asked for?

A.-(1.) A blessing affecting the circumstances and outward condition of the persons confirmed. "Let Thy fatherly," etc. (2.) A blessing affecting their hearts, and inmost souls. "Let Thy Holy Spirit," etc. (3.) A blessing affecting their minds. "Lead them in the knowledge," etc. (4.) A blessing affecting their wills. "Lead them in the obedience," etc. 13. Repeat the CONCLUDING PRAYER of all present.

A.-"O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of Thy laws and in the works of Thy commandments; that, through Thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."

14.-Point out the force of the words "direct," "sanctify," and "govern" in this prayer.

A.-Direct applies to hearts; govern to bodies; sanctify to both. 15.-Show that the body must be sanctified, as well as the soul. A.-1 Thess. v. 23.

16.-How is it sanctified?

A.-(1.) Instrumentally, by ourselves "keeping under the body, and bringing it into subjection." (2.) Efficiently, by the Holy Spirit prompting and furthering this self-discipline.

17. Repeat the FINAL BLESSING.

A.-"The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen."

18. What is a blessing?

A. An intercessory prayer offered by one who has authority over us, either in virtue of (1.) his office; (2.) his age; (3.) or his relationship. 19.-Learn the following prayer:

Let Thy mighty hand, O Lord, ever be with me for my protection; Thy mercy in Christ for my salvation; Thy unerring Word for my instruction; the grace of Thy quickening Spirit for my consolation, even unto the end, and in the end. Amen. [18

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