7. Is Divine help necessary to understand the Scriptures ? Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. (24 Lk. 45.)

8. What is a suitable prayer when reading the Bible? Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. (119 P. 18 and 34.)

9. With what dispositions should we receive the word of

God?

As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. (I Pet. 2. 2.)

Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (1 Jas. 21.)

10. How should the word of Christ dwell in us?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. (3 Col. 16.)

11. What is our spiritual support?

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (4 Mt. 4. also 8 Deu. 3.)

12. Does the word of God search the heart and conscience? The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (4 Heb. 12.)

13. What are the blessed influences of God's holy word? My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distıl as the dew; as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. (32 Deu. 2.)

14. Is the word of God fruitful and successful?

As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (55 Is. 10, 11.)

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15. How does Christ describe the state of the believer in his word?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (5 Jn. 24.)

16. Does the word of God in the heart preserve from sin? Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (119 P. 11.)

17. Do Christ and his word alone teach the knowledge of eternal life?

Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. (6 Jn. 68.)

18. Will every part of the Divine word be fulfilled?

Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (5 Mat. 18.)

19. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" By taking heed thereto, according to thy word. (119 P.9.) 20. Does the word of God strengthen young Christians? I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (I. Jn. 2. 14.)

21. How did Job value the words of God?

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (23 Job. 12.)

22. How did the Psalmist esteem the Scriptures?

The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. (119 P. 72.)

23. How does the Psalmist describe the excellencies of the word of God?

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether: more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward. (19 P. 7 to 11.)

24. In what is the good man's constant delight?

His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (1 P. 2.)

25. Are the words of God pure?

The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified-seven times. (12 P. 6.)

26. Is keeping the commands of God a test of our real characters?

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him: but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. (I. Jn. 2. 4, 5.)

27. How does Christ teach us to judge whether we are his true disciples?

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (8 Jn. 31, 32.)

28. Would those persons, who refuse to believe the Bible, be convinced by any other evidence?

If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. (16 Lk. 31.)

29. What will be the punishment of those who despise the word of the Lord?

As the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (5 Is. 24.)

30. How will those, who have been ashamed of Christ and his gospel, appear at the day of judgment?

Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (9 Lk. 26.)

31. What denunciation has God given against those who add to, or take away from, the Scriptures?

I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book; If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (22 Rev. 18, 19.)

II. THE YOUNG-YOUNG OR WEAK BELIEVERS-EARLY PIETY.

God to be remembered and loved by the young-the love of Christ to the young and to weak believers-the young are sinners-invited to seek God, and yield themselves to him -early piety-scriptural examples of early piety-the piety of the young intimately connected with the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom.

1. Does God require the young to remember him?

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. (12 Ec. 1.)

2. How does God encourage you to love him in youth?

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (8 Pr. 17.)

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3. How was the youth of Christ distinguished?

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (2 Lk. 52.)

4. What prophecy foretold the love of Christ to the young? He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. (40 Is. 11.)

5. How was this prophecy fulfilled?

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (10 Mr. 13 to 16.)

6. What was the test of love to himself which Christ gave

to Peter?

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (21 Jn. 15.)

7. How did Christ encourage his disciples to regard the young?

Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (18 Mt. 5.)

8. How did Christ rejoice over those who humbly received his word?

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. (11Mt. 25, 26.)

9. How did Christ regard his young and weak disciples? Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (18 Mt. 10.)

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. (42 Is. 3.-12 M1. 20.)