Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (17 Jer. 5 to 8.)

28. What was the saying which Christ very frequently repeated?

Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (14 Lk. 11.)

29. Are the wise, the mighty, and the honorable things of this world vain objects of pride?

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, 'to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (I. Cor. 1. 27 to 31.)

30. Are the wise, the mighty, and the rich forbidden

to glory?

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; neither let the mighty man glory in his might: let not the rich man glory in his riches. (9 Jer. 23.)

31. Did St. James caution against despising the poor when compared with the rich?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (2 Jas. 5.)

32. What is beauty when made an object of pride? Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised, (31 Pr. 30.)

33. How are females cautioned against pride in dress?

That women adorn themselves in modest apparel; with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (I. Tim. 2. 9, 10).

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (I. Pet. 3. 3, 4.)

34. What did Christ say as to clothing?

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith. (12 Lk. 27, 28.)

35. How are we exhorted not to be puffed up against

others?

That no one of you be puffed up one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (I, Cor. 4, 6,7.)

36. Are we required to submit to each other?

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (5 Eph. 21.)

37. How are we to esteem others as compared with ourselves?

Let nothing he done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (2 Phi. 3.)

XVIII. MEEKNESS.-FORGIVENESS. PATIENCE.-PERSEVERANCE.

MEEKNESS. Blessings of Christ exhorts to and exhibits example of-To be manifested universally and eminently. FORGIVENESS.

Our duty-God will not forgive the unforgiving Christ's dying prayer of forgiveness. PATIENCE. Examples of-Duty enforced even when ill

used-Universal obligation.

PERSEVERANCE. Promises encourage-Christ and his Apostles enforce by precept and example-Incentives to the duty.

1. How has God promised to bless the meek?

The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. (25 P. 9.)

He will beautify the meek with salvation. (149 P. 4.)

2 Did Christ bring good tidings to the meek?

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. (61 Is. 1.),

3. How did Christ bless them?

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (5 Mt. 5.)

4. Did Christ exhort his disciples to learn meekness from his own example?

Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (11 Mt. 28 to 30.)

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5. Did the Apostle refer to this excellence of Christ as a powerful motive to duty?

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. (II. Cor. 10. 1.)

6. How are we to exhibit this spirit one towards another?

With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4 Eph. 2, 3.)

7. Did St. Paul recommend this grace to the youth

ful Timothy?

Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace.-The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. (II. Tim. 2. 22, 24, 25.) 8. What are we to follow after?

Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (I. Tim. 6. 11.)

9. In what manner are we commanded to beg forgiveness of God?

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. (6 Mt. 12.) 10. What comment does Christ make on this petition?

If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (6 Mt. 14, 15.)

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11. What was the answer which Christ gave to Peter's question. Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me? till seven times?" (18 Mt. 21.)

I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but until seventy times seven. (18 Mt. 22.)

12. What conduct are we to pursue to a brother or friend who offends us?

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him. (17 Mk. 3, 4.)

13. What was Christ's dying prayer for his enemies? Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. (23 Lk. 34.)

14. What did Eli say when his afflictions were foretold by God?

It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. (I. Sam. 3. 18.)

15. How did Job express his patience in deep affliction?

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. (1 Job 21.)

Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (2 Job 10.)

16. How does St. James refer to the example of Job and the prophets?

Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (5 Jas. 10, 11.)

17. Does he further enforce the duty of patience?

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, (5 Jas. 7, 8.)