ceived gifts for men ; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among us." (Psalm lxviii.; Eph. iv.) The gift of tongues was a demonstration of his glorious power: "He hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear." (Acts ii. 33.)

Q. What were the objects of his ascension?

A. To prepare us a place, to send down the Comforter, and to reign in glory with the Father. Q. What other things are added?

A. He ascended to make known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places by the church the manifold wisdom of God, to vanquish his enemies, and superintend the gospel to the end of the world. (Eph. iii. 10.)

Q. Are not the glories he there enjoys models of our future felicity?

A. "We are raised up and quickened together with Christ, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. ii. 7.)

Q. What return shall we make to him for the unbounded riches of his grace?

A. As he confesses us before his Father, we are bound to confess him before men, that we may be approved in the day of his coming.

SECTION XXV.

OF REPENTANCE.

Q. The light of the gospel being come, God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. What is that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto life?

A. It proceeds from a sight and sense of our sins, excited by the terrors of the Lord; from self-abhorrence for past offences.

Q It is said of Saul, struck down with rebukes for persecuting the saints, "Behold, he prayeth." A. It is wise in the awakened soul to cry for mercy, as in Psalm cxxx.: "Out of the depths have I cried to thee; Lord, hear my prayer, hear thou the voice of my supplication."

Q. Should not the penitent instantly withdraw from worldly parties, and renounce all his sins, though dear to him as a right hand, or a right eye?

A. Yes, most surely. David says, "I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments." Otherwise the penitent would lose all his good impressions.

Q. But Satan suggests, "You are young, and in health, and God is gracious; therefore you need not be alarmed for the indiscretions of youth."

A. But truth says, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." All young people do not live to be aged; and on a death-bed repentance may be denied: at midnight the door was shut against the foolish virgins.

Q. But do not all console themselves with hopes of the divine mercy?

A. So it would seem; but men should not hope for inheritance without the title-deeds; for "the wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous hath hope in his death."

Q. What is the best wisdom and first duty of a man who feels the word of God quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword?

A. It is, to open his heart to his pious minister, whose office it is "to bind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort all that mourn." So the Lord sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus, and by the ministry of that good man Saul's conversion was perfected.

Q. But do not men expect fruits meet for repentance?

A. They expect the convert to come out from among the wicked, and not to touch or taste the unclean thing; to restore that which he has taken away, and to make the becoming apologies even to men for offences.

Q. But is there not more pleasure in weeping for sin than there can be in revolts against Heaven?

A. "Let the hearts of them rejoice that seek the Lord;" they that seek shall find him to their unspeakable joy.

SECTION XXVI.

OF FAITH.

Q. WHAT is the confession of the Christian faith?

A. To believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. (John i. 49; Acts viii. 37.) Q. What is it to believe with the heart unto righteousness?

A. To experience a conviction "that Christ has loved me, and given himself for me."

Q. Do the Homilies speak as St. Paul does on the full act of justifying faith?

A. They call it, "A sure trust and confidence in God, that my sins are forgiven through the merits of Christ, and that my soul is restored to the favour of God."

Q. How does this faith save the soul?

A. By a full consent to Christ, embracing the covenant and promises, by which "Christ is made of God unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Cor. i. 30.)

Q. What are the happy effects of thus embracing Christ?

A. "To as many as believed on him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name."

Q. Does that victorious power of faith fill the mind with all peace and joy through believing?

A. So much so as to enable the Christian to "account all things but dross and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord."

Q. Is it not to be regretted that many Christians seem to know but little of the hope and glory to which they are called?

A. They rest in the paths of duty, and, having no spiritual guide, are not exhorted to go on to perfection.

Q. But what if the Bridegroom should come and find them unprepared; would there not be a great alarm, and sending for physicians for the body, and holy presbyters to pray for the soul?

A. Alas! we have sometimes seen it so; and sometimes they die with a conscience not composed.