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of David" thus acknowledging Him to be the expected Messiah.

T. What was her hope?

S. Only in Christ's mercy; for she was a Gentile, and not of the children of the covenant. She did not plead her good works, but hoped her misery would move our Lord's compassion.

T. Did she meet with encouragement?

S. No. "He answered her not a word," and His disciples besought Him to send her away. Then "He answered and said, I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

T. Why did He thus speak of the Jews?

S. They were "as sheep having no shepherd." Matt. ix. 36.

T. How did the prophet Ezekiel describe their state? xxxiv. 5, 6.

S. "They were scattered, because there is no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them."

T. How did Isaiah prophecy concerning Christ? xl. 11.

S. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

T. What do we notice in the woman's conduct?

S. Her abiding faith; she "worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me."

T. How was her faith further tried?

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S. Our Saviour used the language of the Jews, who looked upon the Gentiles as dogs, and themselves as the children of promise.

T. How did she at last obtain her prayer?

S. By her perseverance and deep humility; she confessed her unworthiness, and prayed only for the smallest token of His mercy.

T. How do we resemble this woman in our need?

S. We are often beset by evil spirits, vexing us with unclean thoughts (like those described in the Epistle).

T. What do we learn from her example?

S. To seek Christ, pray to Him, believing that He is able to do all things; tell Him our sorrow, not to despair if it is not at once removed, but increasing in humility to persevere unto the end.

T. How does our Church make use of her example?

S. By repeating the spirit of her words, before receiving the Holy Communion: "We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy table."

T. Has Christ admitted the Gentiles into His fold? S. Yes, as He promised. "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John, x. 16.

T. Did He not Himself declare unto us what bread we should seek? John, vi. 27-48.

S. Yes; in these words: "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed." "I am that bread of life."

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT.

The Collect.

WE beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

T. What do we earnestly beseech of God in this Collect?

S. To "look upon the hearty desires of His humble

servants."

T. What do we mean by "hearty desires?"

S. Earnest longings, from the depth of the heart. T. When shall we heartily desire God's protection? S. When we know our own weakness and sinfulness. T. How does Isaiah describe the desire of the righteous? xxvi. 8, 9.

S. "In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."

T. Why was the Church of Laodicea reproved? Rev. iii. 17.

S. Because she said, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and naked."

T. How may we obtain this saving knowledge?

S. By the Holy Spirit, who will "guide us into all truth." John, xv. 13.

T. When we know ourselves and our need, what will it make us?

S. Humble.

T. How did David humble himself? Ps. xxxv. 13.

S. "I humbled my soul with fasting.”

T. How do we pray figuratively that God will use His power?

S. "Stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty."

T. How does Isaiah use this figure of speech to describe God's executing judgment? v. 25.

S. "Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

T. How does he use it to describe His offering mercy? Is. lxv. 2; Rom. x. 21.

S. "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people."

T. How does David describe God's protection ? Ps. cxxi. 5-8.

S. "The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."

T. Who are our most dangerous enemies?

S. Our spiritual enemy the devil, who layeth snares for our souls (2 Tim. ii. 26); "All that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, (which) is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John, ii. 16); and “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. xv. 26.

T. How may we faithfully trust in God's defending us in these dangers?

S. Because He has promised us "the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. xv. 57); who "was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John, iii. 8.

The Epistle. Ephes. v. 1.

BE ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named amongst you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks: for this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them: for ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth); proving

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