ving predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself." Eph. i. 4, 5.

Q. Who are those whom God thus receives to the number of his children ?

A. They are those who truly believe in Christ. But to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John i. 12.

Q. What benefits do we derive from this adoption?

A. Innumerable and precious benefits; whom God adopts, he loves, guides, chastens, and protects, and makes them heirs of eternal life. "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John iii. 1. "And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." Rom. viii. 17.

Q. What is the duty of those whom God adopted ?

A. Holiness of life, and obedience to the commands of God. Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." John iii. 9.

Q. Who has taught to man the true manner of knowing and glorifying God?

A. Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. What is necessary in order that God's name be hallowed ?

A. It is necessary that men should know God and Christ, and render that homage and obedience that is due.

Q

Q. What is the second petition?

A. Thy kingdom come.

Q. What is the nature of this kingdom?
A. The reign of Christ.

Q. How may this be divided?

A. Into the reign which Christ exercises on earth, and that which exists in heaven.

Q. What is the nature of this reign on earth? A. Christ reigns generally over men by his power, but he reigns more particularly by his word and spirit over the hearts of the elect, who obey and submit to him.

Q. When did this reign commence ?

A. It commenced with the first promise in Paradise, and has been ever since continued, in various forms, through the patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.

Q. Is this reign now every where established?

A. No; there are yet many nations who know not Christ, and there are many errors, disorders, and corruptions among Christians, of whom it cannot be said that the kingdom of God is established among them as it should be. Q. When shall we see the reign of Christ established on earth?

A. When the gospel shall be preached and received every where, and when truth, piety, order, and peace shall reign among Christians.

Q. When will this kingdom be perfected? A. At the end of the world, when Jesus Christ shall come to receive the faithful to his glory, and to punish his enemies.

Q. What is it then that we ask, when we say, Thy kingdom come?

Á. That God would call to the knowledge of himself the nations who are now destitute of it; that he would sanctify us, and reign over our hearts in granting us grace to submit to him, and that he would receive us at last into his glory.

Q. What is meant by the third petition, Thy will be done on earth as in heaven?

A. We ask that God's will and our own may be fulfilled, and that he would grant us grace to obey his commandments.

Q. What are we to remark on these words, On earth as in heaven?

A. That there should be the same prompt and universal submission to the Divine will on earth, as among the angels in heaven.

Q. How can we imitate the angels?

A. In doing the will of God according to our state and ability as they do in theirs.

Q. What is meant by the daily bread which we ask of God?

A. All things are included in this which are necessary to our subsistence.

Q. Why has Christ enjoined this petition? A. To teach us that we are to limit our desires and requests to things that were necessary for us, and not to seek for those that are superfluous and useless. And having food and raiment, let us, therewith be content. 2 Tim. vi. 8. Q. Is it then not allowable to desire riches and ask God for them?

A. No; but we are allowed to possess them when God bestows them, and we obtain them lawfully.

Q. Of whom do we ask our daily bread?

A. Of the God of Providence from whom all things come.

Q. Must we not also labor for our daily bread?

A. Yes; for God has said, " In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." Gen. iii. 19. Q. Should all men, the rich as well as poor, make this prayer?

A. Yes; for all are equally dependent on the providence of God, who alone gives or withholds our daily blessings, from whom we receive life and health and all things.

Q. Why do we ask for bread only for the present day?

A. We pray only for our present necessities, as we know not how long we shall live. This is imposed on us also to enforce the duty of daily prayer. It is the means also of banishing all care for the future from our minds, as we thus cast our care and dependence on God. Q. Are all cares forbidden?

A. No; there are cares which are allowed, and even necessary, such as arise from a wise foresight and lawful industry, which are accompanied with contentment of mind, piety and resignation to the will of God.

Q. What cares are criminal?

A. All such as proceed from an inordinate

love of the world; those which tempt us to use bad means for the attainment of our object, such as are accompanied with undue inquietude, and distrust of God. Our Lord condemns this in Matth. vi.

Q. What is the fifth petition?

A. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us.

Q. Need all men to ask pardon for their offences?

A. Yes; because all are sinners; the regenerate have always some remains of corruption. We daily commit sin in thought, word, or deed, for which we should daily implore forgiveness.

Q. What is the temper required of us, that we may obtain pardon?

A. We must seek the mercy of God with true faith and serious repentance; but particularly our Lord has taught us that we must exercise a forgiving temper to those who have offended us.

Q. How are we to forgive our enemies?

A. We are to forgive all men, in all cases, with all our hearts, even as we would that God should forgive us; that is, retaining no vengeance or hatred, but on the contrary feel charity towards them and a willingness to do them good.

Q. Why are we thus to forgive our enemies? A. Because it is our Lord's command; he has given us an example, and has said unless we do it, we cannot hope for pardon from