ness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

T. (We are here taught how we may partake of Christ's resurrection.) What is supposed of all Christians? S. That they are risen with Christ.

T. How so?

S. Baptism being a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness; the renouncing the old man, and putting on the new. Rom. vi. 6.

T. How was this shown in baptism beforetime?

S. The person was buried under the water as one dead, and raised out of it again as unto life.

T. What is the duty of Christians?

S. To "set their affection on, and seek those things which are above."

T. What are these things?

S. The glory, which we shall share with our Lord, and His saints and angels. "The earnest expectation of the

creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." Rom. viti. 19.

T. What do we obtain in this life from above?

S. Christ's pardon and peace, His grace and continual help.

T. How are we "dead" in this life?

S. When we kill our earthly lusts, living only to God. T. How is this to be done?

S. By daily mortifying our members which are upon the earth; crucifying the flesh. Gal, v. 24.

T. Who is our life, while thus dying daily?

S. Christ. He dwells in us by His Spirit. Rom. viii. 11; 1 Cor. vi. 19.

T. What is our hope of perfection?

S. That "when he shall appear we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is." 1 John, iii. 2.

T. What were our Lord's

John, xii. 25.

words to His disciples?

S. "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

The Gospel. St. John, xx. 1.

THE first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together; and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre; and he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie; and the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

T. On what day of the week did our Lord rise again? S. On the first day of the week; which has, therefore, become the Christian Sabbath.

T. Who were the first to know His resurrection? Matt. xxviii. 2, 3, 4.

S. The guard of Roman soldiers. "There was a great earthquake for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men."

T. (It was not likely the soldiers would have slept on watch, that being punishable by death.) What was the wicked device of Christ's enemies to hinder the truth?

S. 66 They gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you."

T. What do we observe in the women who had followed Christ?

S. Their love and faith was unshaken; and desiring to pay all honour to our Lord, they came very early, when it was yet dark, with sweet spices to anoint or embalm the body.

T. What did those who remained behold, while Mary Magdalene hastened to tell the disciples that the stone was rolled away?

S. An angel, who declared our Lord's resurrection, and bade them make it known to the disciples.

T. Whom did the angel especially mention?

S. Peter (Mark, xvi. 7), as if to assure him that our Lord accepted his repentance and forgave him.

T. Who next visited the sepulchre ?

S. Simon Peter and John.

T. What do we observe in their conduct?

S. The beloved disciple, full of love to Christ, outran Peter, who perhaps feared. We see, however, that he took courage and went in first; then John went in also, and, full of faith, saw and believed.

T. To whom did our Lord first appear?

S. "To Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils" (John, xx. 14); from which we observe our risen Lord's love for penitents. "Her sins, which were many, were forgiven, for she loved much." Luke, vii. 47. T. What is God's promise to such as wait for and desire Him? Prov. viii. 17.

S. "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

MONDAY IN EASTER WEEK.

[The Collect for Easter Day is repeated.]

The Epistle. Acts, x. 34.

PETER opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all); that word (I say) ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him. And we are

:

witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they slew, and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his Name. whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

T. (The festival of Easter is prolonged that the contemplation of Christ's resurrection may lead us to increased joy and thankfulness. The early Christians baptized their converts at this season, and at Whitsuntide.) Where is the Epistle taken from?

S. St. Peter's discourse in the house of Cornelius, the devout centurion.

T. What lesson did St. Peter receive by his call to preach to this Gentile ?

S. "God is no respecter of persons." He will accept all who serve Him truly.

T. What may we learn by it?

S. That He will guide into all truth those who seek to know God, and do His will.

T. Why is this passage of Scripture chosen for today's Epistle?

S. As it contains St. Peter's testimony to Christ, and declares His resurrection.

T. What does St. Peter first declare?

S. Christ's mission, being sent by God, and anointed with the Holy Ghost.