not only in the old Services of the English Church, but in foreign Liturgies.

Collects.

139. Whence the word "Collect?"

The council of Agde (517) ordained that the people should be dismissed with a benediction in the evening, prayer having been collected (collectâ oratione); whence the term collect' was used for the prayer, in opposition to 'preces,' prayer in a short, uncollected form.

140. Are Collects of ancient use in the English Church?

From time immemorial.

141. And elsewhere in the Church of Christ? They can be traced in the Eastern Church about 1500 years; and so, indeed, in all— Egyptian, Roman, Italian, Gallican, &c.

Collect for Peace.

142. Leaving the Collects for the day till we reach the Communion Service, how long can it be shown that this Collect has been used by the English Church?

For above 1200 years.

143. What is the doctrine here?

That God alone can and will defend us from all enemies.

144. Is this accordant with Scripture?

nak" If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom. viii. 31.

'My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. xii. 9.

145. Who are convicted of inconsistency in using this prayer?

They who fear man in God's service. They who look to any other than God for help, or deliverance.

146. There is an expression here, little agreeing with the language of many, who speak of God's service as hard and laborious:"Whose service is perfect freedom." this language Scriptural?

Is

"The glorious liberty of the children of God." Rom. viii. 21.

"The liberty wherewith Christ shall make us free." Gal. v. 1.

Collect for Grace.

147. Has this collect been, also, of long use in the English Church?

Fully as long as that for peace. And both have a greater antiquity; the very same words existing in one writer 1350 years back.

148. What is the doctrine contained in this important and beautiful collect?

1. That God has preserved us thus far to this day.

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2. That it rests with Him alone to carry us

3. That His power alone protects us from sin, as from any other kind of danger, and guides us to do what is right.

149. Show me that this is Gospel doctrine: 1. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed." Lam. iii. 22.

150. 2.

"Give us this day our daily bread." Matt. vi. 11.

151. 3.

"Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not." Ps. xvii. 5. "It is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. ii. 13.

152. Who are the inconsistent users of this prayer? 1. They, who give God no thanks for His longsuffering.

2. They, who dare to trust to His continued long-suffering for their plans of evil.

3. They, who expect to be kept from temptation and sin by any other than God's help.

Prayers for the Sovereign and Royal Family. 153. Is prayer for the Sovereign founded upon the practice of early Liturgies?

Yes; not only those of our own land, but those of the East.

154. Has our prayer been long in use in the English Church?

Yes; and it is founded upon ancient models in the Gallican and Eastern Liturgies.

155. And the prayer for the family of the Sovereign ?

The custom and the doctrine are those of antiquity.

156. When was the prayer for the Sovereign introduced into the Book of Common Prayer? In the time of Elizabeth.

157. And that for the Royal Family?

In the reign of James I.

158. What is the doctrine of these prayers?

1. That kings require help in their high duties. 2. That God, the only Ruler of princes, can alone give it them.

3. That the object is not only health, and wealth, and victory here; but the will and the power to walk in God's way, that they may live with God hereafter.

159. Confirm these as the doctrine of God's word. 1. and 2.

"There is no power but of God: the powers

that be are ordained of God." Rom. xiii. 1. "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Prov. xxi. 1.

160.3.

Give, therefore, thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.—And the speech pleased the Lord. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thy enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart." 1 Kings iii. 9—12.

'By me kings reign, and princes decree justice." Prov. viii. 15.

161. Whose habits make these inconsistant prayers for them?

1. They, who blame kings for their faults, as though they were not men of like passions with ourselves.

2. They, who are satisfied that religion should not be a state matter.

3. They, who forget that kings rule for the people's sake.

4. They, who complain of the tediousness of prayer for kings, to pray for whom is to pray for all.

For Clergy and People.

162. What is the known date of this collect? We find it in the services of the Roman Church, previous to the coming of Augustine, 1350 years ago; and it has been used in our services for more than 1200 years.

163. When was it introduced into the Liturgy? In the reign of Elizabeth.

164. What is here the doctrine of our Church? 1. That congregations are committed to the care of the clergy.

2. That the clergy need for their work the continued aid of God's blessing.

165. Confirm this as the doctrine which God has taught: 1.