The when a doctrine is liable to be perverted, full caution is supplied. whole is arranged in such order that the successive days have a due dependence upon each other. Thus the disciple is led forward, step by step, in a study of divinity which scarcely leaves room for question or controversy, from the simplicity with which the truth is set forth, and the authority on which it rests. We have drawn up, and now offer, a brief analysis. It will not altogether spare the reader the necessity for thinking closely on the subject, but it will assist and direct his thoughts. The Hymns we have applied to each day will afford, at once, a commentary and an application. ADVENT. FIRST SUNDAY. The Coming of Christ, and the Preparation required in us. God proclaims the guilt of his people, and calls them to amendment of life, promising grace to the penitent. M. Less. Isa. i. He declares that his kingdom shall be established in all the earth, with glorious power and terrible majesty. E. Less. Isa. ii. The Apostle enforces the duties of repentance, holiness, and heavenly-mindedness, by the approaching advent of the Lord. Ep. Rom. xiii. 8—14. Christ publicly enters Jerusalem, and casts out from the temple those who defiled it with worldly business. Gosp. Matt. xxi. 1—13. SECOND SUNDAY. God's Judgments on the Earth, and the Hope of the Saints. God condemns utterly a worldly spirit; M. Less. Isa. v. E. Less. Isa. xxiv. The hope and comfort of his people are found in the Scriptures. Ep. Rom. xv. 4-13. The coming of Christ to exalt his people shall be preceded with fearful signs and judgments. Gosp. Luke xxi. 25-33. THIRD SUNDAY. The Redemption of God's People. God's people praise him for his judgments and their salvation. Less. Isa. xxv. and xxvi. The mission of Christ is evidenced by the blessings he imparts. xi. 2-5. M. and E. Gosp. Matt. Ep. 1 Cor. iv. As John was sent to prepare the way before him; Gosp. Matt. xi. 7-10. So God's ministers are sent to prepare us for his coming. 1-5. FOURTH SUNDAY. Christ is our only Trust, and our sure Salvation. God denounces those who turn away from him, and trust in earthly help. M. Less. Isa. xxx. 1-17. He promises deliverance and blessing to all who wait for him. M. Less. Isa. xxx. 18-33. Christ predicted to reign with judgment, righteousness, and peace. Isa. xxxii. E. Less. His coming and his greatness foretold by John. Gosp. John i. 19—28. VOL. XVIII. NO. III. CHRISTMAS DAY. The Birth, Nature, and Office of Christ. Christ's Deity. M. Less. Isa. ix. 6, 7; Gosp. John i. 1–3; Ep. Heb. i. 1—12. Sonship. Ep. Heb. i. 2—9. Humanity. E. Less. Isa. vii. 14; M. Less. ix. 6; Gosp. John i. 10-14. Birth. 2d M. Less. Luke ii. 1-15. and Office. Gosp. John i. 12, 13; 2d E. Less. Titus iii. 5—7. The blessings we receive through him. Gosp. John i. 12, 13; 2d E Less. Titus iii. 5-7. And the duties enjoined on us. 2d E. Less. Titus iii. 8.) FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY. God the Saviour of his People. God's saving power and mercy shown in delivering Jerusalem from Sennacherib; M. Less. Isa. xxxvii. And in raising up Hezekiah from his sickness. E. Less. Isa. xxxviii. The blessing of redemption in the adoption of sons. Ep. Gal. iv. 1-7. CIRCUMCISION. The Seal of the Covenant. Circumcision ordained as the seal of the promise to Abraham. M. Less. Gen. xvii. The promise is not to the works of the law, but to the righteousness of faith. Christians joined to Christ by baptism. 2d E. Less. Col. ii. 11—17. Rom. ii. 2d M. Less. God gives the blessing of his free grace, and he requires perfect obedience. E. Less. Deut. x. 12. Christ obedient to the law in being circumsised. Gosp. Luke ii. 21. SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY. God's Power and Goodness displayed in delivering his People. God Almighty is the deliverer of his people. M. Less. Isa. xli. Not saving them for their merits, but for his own sake. E. Less. Isa. xliii. THE EPIPHANY. Christ manifested to all. The Church shall be filled with God's glory. M. Less. Isa. lx. Christ foretold to restore Israel, and enlighten the Gentiles. E. Less. Isa. xlix. He is manifested at his birth by the star. Gosp. Matt. ii. 1—12. proclaimed by John the Baptist. 2d M. Less. Luke iii. 1-17. owned at his baptism by the Holy Ghost. Luke iii. 21, 22. manifested at Cana by his first miracle. 2d E. Less. John ii. 11. The mystery of redemption made known to Jews and Gentiles. iii. 1-12. FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. Devoted Service to God. Ep. Ephes. The God of infinite majesty and goodness is the salvation of his people, and is Ep. Rom. xii. 1, Gosp. Luke ii. 49. SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. The Salvation and Duty of God's People. God's people are redeemed from captivity with an everlasting salvation. M. Less. Isa. li. This deliverance is effected through the humiliation, sufferings and triumph of Christ our Saviour. E. Less. Isa. liii. They who share this salvation, must prove their devoted zeal and gratitude, by love, brotherly kindness, and humility. Ep. Rom. vi. 6—16. This duty enforced by the condescension and benevolence of Christ. Gosp. THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. The blessings of the gospel are offered fully and freely to all. M. Less. Faith is the effectual means whereby these are obtained. Gosp. Matt. viii. 1——13. Holy Service, the condition of their enjoyment. E. Less. Isa. lvi. A peaceable and forgiving temper the fruit and evidence. Ep. Rom. xii. 16-21. FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. The Sovereignty of God. God, the high and holy one, rules with justice and mercy. M. Less. Isa. lvii. He judges hypocrites, and blesses the obedient. E. Less. Isa. lviii. Christ commands with authority the material and spiritual powers. Gosp. Matt. viii. 23, 24. Rulers receive their authority from God, and we must obey them for conscience sake. Ep. Rom. xiii. İ—7. FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. God's Judgment and Mercy in his Church. Our blindness and misery are caused by our sin, but our salvation is from the grace of God. M. Less. Isa. lix. The Church therefore deeply laments her sin and wretchedness, and implores his almighty succour. E. Less. Isa. lxiv. Devotedness to God, holy service, and brotherly love, are strictly enjoined on all who profess his name. Ep. Col. iii. 12-17. For sinners in the Church, like tares among the wheat, shall be separated and condemned in the Judgment. Gosp. Matt. xiii. 24—30. SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. The Judgment; the blessed Hope of the Redeemed, and the nature of their Preparation. The terrible judgment of the unfaithful, and the glory and blessedness of the New Creation. M. and. E. Less. Isa. lxv. and lxvi. Christ will come to judgment; Gosp. Matt. xxiv. 23—31. When his children will appear in glory like him. Ep. 1 John iii. 1, 2. Having this hope, they purify themselves even as he is pure; 1 John iii. 13. For holiness is the only test of a sincere profession. 1 John iii. 4-10. SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. Man's Duty to his Creator. God created all things. M. Less. Gen. i. Every man is called to serve him. Gosp. Matt. xx. 1—16. And looking for a Sabbath of glorious rest in heaven, as the end of his labour. SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. A Ministry is the appointed Means of calling sinners to Salvation. Man is fallen and guilty. M. Less. Gen. iii. God is long-suffering and merciful, but just to punish the impenitent. E. Less. Gen. vi. His word, given to all, is fruitful only when properly received and kept. Gosp. Luke viii. 4-15. The charge of a faithful minister is arduous and anxious. Ep. 2 Cor. xi. 19—31. QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. God's Covenant of Mercy. God establishes his covenant of mercy with Noah; M. Less. Gen. ix. 1, 2. And his covenant of blessing with Abraham. E. Less. Gen. xii. 1-3. His mercy must be sought with faith and perseverance. Gosp. Luke xviii. 38-42. Christian love is essential to the character of those who receive it. Ep. 1 Cor. xiii. 1-13. ASH WEDNESDAY. God encourages penitents. Ep. Joel ii. 12-17. A true fast described, and hypocrisy exposed. Gosp. Matt. vi. 16-18. FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. Sinners judged, and Christians tried. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha. M. Less. Gen. xix. 1-29. SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. Faith, Truth, and Purity. Rebecca's unbelief and deception. M. Less. Gen. xxvii. Purity and justice enjoined. Ep. I Thess. iv. 1-8. God's help is obtained by faithful and persevering prayer. Gosp. Matt. xv. 21-28. THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. Purity amidst Temptation, and Constancy in serving God. Purity recommended by Joseph's example. M. Less. Gen. xxxix. 23-28. Gosp. Luke xi. Encouragement to walk stedfastly in God's ways, afforded by the end and reward of Joseph's trials. E. Less. Gen. xlii. FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Free and unmerited Grace. God's undeserved grace illustrated by Joseph's kindness to his brethren. M. and E. Less. Gen. xliii. and xliv. Christians are heirs of the covenant of promise. Ep. Gal. iv. 21-30. God's abounding goodness illustrated in the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Gosp. John vi. 1—14. FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. God our almighty Deliverer from the Bondage of Sin. God appears to deliver his people from Egypt, and to bring them to Canaan. M. Less. Exod. iii. The miserable bondage in which they lay. E. Less. Exod. v. Christ, the God of Abraham, “I ÁM,” our Saviour. Gosp. John viii. 46-59. Came to redeem us to serve God, and that we might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. Ep. Heb. ix. 11—15. SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER. God's Judgments on his People's Enemies. Christ our Example of Obedience and Humility. God glorified in his judgments to deliver his people. M. and E. Less. Exod. ix. and x. Christ betrayed, forsaken, denied, mocked, and crucified. 2d M. Less. and Gosp. Matt. xxvi. and xxvii. Having been thus obedient unto sufferings and death, 2d E. Less. Heb. v. 7-9. He is our example of obedience and humility. Ep. Phil. ii. 5—11. MONDAY BEFORE EASTER. Christ suffers and triumphs for his people. 1st Less. Isa. lxiii. TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER. Christ's example of patient endurance, and firm trust. 1st Less. Isa. 1. 5—11. WEDNESDAY BEFORE EASTER. Redemption. God redeems his people from the grave; M. Less. Hosea xiii. 14. 49-52. Christ's agony and condemnation. Gosp. Luke xxii. THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER. 2d M. Less. John xi. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks. M. Less. Daniel ix. God will redeem Israel, and bless them with a new covenant of everlasting salvation. E. Less. Jeremiah xxxi. Christ, at the Passover, enforces the duties of humility and brotherly love. 2d M. Less. John xiii. The Apostle declares the nature and use of the Sacrament. Ep. 1 Cor. xi. 17. Christ condemned and crucified. Gosp. Luke xxiii. GOOD FRIDAY. The Crucifixion. The offering of Isaac, a type of Christ. M. Less. Gen. xxii. 1-20. Christ's humiliation and death foretold. E. Less. Isa. liii. Christ betrayed, denied, judged, and crucified. 2d M. Less. and Gosp. John xviii. xix. He suffered patiently to redeem us, bearing our sins, that we henceforth might live to righteousness. 2d E. Less. 1 Pet. ii. 21-25. His one offering is all sufficient for remission of sin. Ep. Heb. x. 1-25. |