Imatges de pàgina
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7. Is wisdom of the utmost importance?

Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding. (4 Pr. 7.)

8. Do wise children promote their parents' comfort?

A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish man despiseth his mother. (15 Pr. 20.)

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. (23 Pr. 24.)

9. Is a state of ignorance evil?

That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good. (19 Pr. 2.)

10. Is the "virtuous woman" wise?

She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (31 Pr. 26.)

11. Is a poor and wise child estimable?

Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished, (4 Ec. 13.)

12. Are we required to blend gentleness with wisdom?

Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (10 Mt. 16.)

13. What description of wisdom does St. Paul recommend to the Romans?

I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (16 Ro. 19.)

14. How are christians required to act towards unbelievers?

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (4 Col. 5.)

XVI.

THE KINGDOM OF CHRISTTHE SPREAD OF TRUE RELIGION.

Promises of-Means by which advanced-Success.

1. What did God say to Moses, as to the universal diffusion of his glory?

As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. (14 Num. 21.)

2. What did the Psalmist prophesy?

Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning; thou hast the dew of thy youth. (110 P. 3.)

3. What did Isaiah prophesy?

Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation, (33 Is. 6.)

4. How does Habakkuk prophesy the universal diffusion of divine knowledge?

The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (2 Hab. 14.)

5. How does Zechariah state the extent of Christ's dominion?

His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. (9 Zec. 10.)

6. Are the influences of the Holy Spirit promised to impart success to the gospel?

I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground, I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring, and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. (44 Is, 3, 4.)

7. What means will God render successful?

Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (12 Dan. 4.)

8. By what beautiful images does God shew the effects of his divine influences?

I will be as the dew unto Israel, he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon, his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon; they that dwell under his shadow shall return, they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine, the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. (14 Ho. 5, 6, 7.)

9. What vision of the gospels' extension did St. John behold?

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (14 Rev. 6.)

10. Will the spread of the gospel prevent wars?

And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (2 Is. 4. and 4 Micah. 3.)

11. What will be the delightful results of the divine assistance and blessing?

After those days saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts, and will be their God and they shall be my people, and they shall teach no more, every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them. (31 Jer. 33, 34, and 8 Heb. 11.)

12. How will the songs of heaven record the triumphs of Christ?

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever, (11 Rev. 15.)

XVII. HUMILITY AND PRIDE.

Duty of humility-Warnings against pride-God the source of every good-Our insufficiency-God's regard to the humble-Evils and miseries of pride-Advantages of humility-Common objects of pride-Humility in our conduct to others.

i. Is humility particularly required of the young?

Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder: yea, 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. (I. Pet. 5. 5, 6.)

2. How does Isaiah describe the pride of the young as a national curse?

The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. (3 Is. 5.)

3. Who is the only proper object of trust?

Trust in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength; for he bringeth down them that dwell on high. (26 Is. 4, 5.)

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory. (115 P. 1.)

4. Is the danger greatest when we think ourselves most secure?

Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. (I. Cor. 10. 12.)

5. What did Christ say to his disciples when they were striving who should be greatest?

He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (2% Lk. 26.)

6. When Christ washed the feet of his disciples, how I did he exhort them?

If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (13 Jn. 14 to 17.)

7. How does the apostle enforce humility by referring to the Godhead and humiliation of Christ?

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (2 Phi. 5 to 8.)

8. What exhortations to humility are given in the epistle to the Romans?

to every

Be not high-minded, but fear. (11 Ro, 20) say, through the grace of God given unto me, man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly. (12 Rom. 3.) Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits, (12 Rom. 16.)

9. How does St. James enforce humility?

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (4 Jas. 10.)

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