you prove, that converted and holy men in this life, begin to live, with a sincere resolution, not only according to some, but all the commands of God? (3.) ́

F

Q. 115.-Why will God then have the ten commands so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

A.-First, that all our life time, we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ: likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, until we arrive at the per fection proposed to us, in a life 'to come.

EXPLANATIONS.

a. Will have, does positively require.
b. So strictly, with such rigidness.
c. Preached, proclaimed; set forth.

d. All our life time, throughout the whole period of our present existence.

e. Learn more and more to know, increase from day to day in acquaintance with.

f. Sinful nature, the depravity with which we were born, and in consequence of which we are continually prone to evil.

g. Thus, by this means.

h. Become more earnest, increase in ardour and effort. i. Seeking, endeavoring to obtain.

j. Remission of sin, the forgiveness of our transgres

sions.

k. Righteousness, freedom from the condemnatory sen tence of the law.

1. Likewise, moreover; in addition to this. m. Constantly, continually; perseveringly. n. Endeavor, try to effect; strive to gain.

o. Pray to, supplicate; entreat.

p. Grace, divine influence.

q. Become more and more conformable, increase daily in resemblance.

r. Image, likeness in point of character.

s. Arrive at, attain to.

t. Perfection, complete possession of all moral excellence.

u. Proposed, offered; proffered.

v. A life to come, the eternal world or future state of existence.

DOCTRINES SEPARATED AND PROVED.

1. God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that all our life time we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature. Rom. iii. 20-For by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. iv. 15-For where no law is, there is no transgression. Rom. v. 13, 20For until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. -Moreover, the law en

tered, that the offence might abound.

2. God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that by learning thereby more and more to know our sinful nature, we may become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ. Rom. x. 3, 4-For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Psalm xxxii. 5, 6-I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquiity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found. 1 John i. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Rom. vii. 24, 25.

3. God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that we may constantly endeavor to become more and more conformable to the image of God. Deut. xxxi. 11-13-When all Israel is come to appear be fore the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordon to possess

it.

4. God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that we may constantly pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God. Psalm cxix. 4, 5, 33-36-Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

5. We are thus constantly to endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, until we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come. Phil. iii. 12–14 -Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. xiii. 9, 10-For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when

that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1 John iii. 2. 1 Cor. ix. 24, 25.

EXERCISES.

What is the one hundred and fifteenth question? What do you mean by the expression will have? (a.) What by so strictly? (b.) What by the word preached? (c.) What answer is returned to the question? How many general reasons for the inquiry in the question are contained in the answer? [Two.] What is the first? How many par ticulars are contained in this reason? [Two.] What is the first? What do you mean by the expression all our life time? (d.) What by the phrase learn more and more to know? (e.) What by our sinful nature? (f.) How do you prove, that God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that all our life time we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature? (1.) What is the second particular contained in the first general reason assigned in the answer? What is the force of the word thus in this connection? (g.) What do you mean by the expression become more earnest? (h.) What by seeking? (i.) What by the remission of sin? (j.) What by righteousness? (k.) How do you prove, that God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that by learning thereby more and more to know our sinful nature, we may become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righ teousness in Christ? (2.) What is the second general reason assigned in the answer for the inquiry contained in the question? What is the force of the word likewise in this connection (1) What do you mean by the word constantly? (m.) What by endeavor? (n.) What by the expression become more and more conformable? (q.) What by image? (r.) How do you prove, that God will have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that we may constantly endeavor to become more and more conformable to the image of God? (3.) What do you mean by to pray to? (o.) What by the grace of the Holy Spirit? (p.) How do you prove, that God will

have the law so strictly preached, even though none are able to keep it, that we may constantly pray to him for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of Christ? (4.) How long does the answer say we are thus constantly to endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God? What do you mean by the expression arrive at ? (s.) What by perfection? (t.) What by proposed? (u.) What by a life to come? (v.) How do you prove, that we are thus constantly to endeavor and pray to God, for the grace of the Holy Ghost, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, until we arrive at the perfection proposed to us in a life to come? (5.)

1

XLV. Lord's Day.
Of Praper.

! Q. 116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians?

A.-Because it is that chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us; and also, because, God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them.

EXPLANATIONS.

a. Prayer, a solemn address to the Supreme Being.

b. Necessary, requisite; essential..

c. Christians, the followers of Christ.

d. Chief, principal.

e. Thankfulness, expression of gratitude; acknowledg ment of favors.

f. Requires, demands.

g. Grace, favor; mercy.

h. Holy Spirit, the divine influence of the third person in the Godhead..