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meet the bridegroom. And five of air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, labour is not in vain in the Lord. Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;

3 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.

4 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your

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THURSDAY.

Same subject continued.

From St. Paul's Epistles to the
Philippians and Galatians.

and they that were ready went in WHAT things were gain to me,

those I counted loss for with him to the marriage; and the Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I door was shut. Afterward came count all things but loss for the also the other virgins, saying, Lord, excellency of the knowledge of Lord, open to us. But he answered Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom and said, Verily I say unto you, II have suffered the loss of all things, know you not. Watch therefore, and do count them but dung, that for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.

TUESDAY.

Perseverance in good works. From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, from St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, and First Epistle to the Corinthians.

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T that time Jesus said, He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, 2 Brethren, know ye not that they either were already perfect: but I which run in a race run all, but one follow after, if that I may apprereceiveth the prize? So run, that hend that for which also I am apye may obtain. And every man prehended of Christ Jesus. Brethat striveth for the mastery is tem- thren, I count not myself to have perate in all things. Now they do apprehended; but this one thing I it to obtain a corruptible crown; do, forgetting those things which but we an incorruptible. I there-are behind, and reaching forth unto fore so run, not as uncertainly; so those things which are before, I fight I, not as one that beateth the press toward the mark for the prize

1 St. Matt. xxiv. 13.

4 1 Cor. xv. 58.

21 Cor. ix. 24.
5 Phil. iii. 7.

3 Heb. iii. 14.

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1 And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

SATURDAY.

The Christian course progressive.

From the Book of Proverbs, and from the Second General Epistle of St. Peter.

2

THE

HE path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the present day.

3 Ye, therefore, beloved, grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

4 And giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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and thy neighbour as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

TUESDAY.

2. Love of our neighbour. From the Book of Leviticus, and from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

HOU shalt love thy neighbour

Tas thyself: I am the Lord.

7 Jesus said, I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them

2 Prov. iv. 18. 5 St. Luke x. 25.

32 St. Pet. iii. 17, 18. 6 Lev. xix. 18.

SATURDAY.

Humility.

that curse you, and pray for them | pleasing in His sight. And this is which despitefully use you. His commandment, That we should And as ye would that men should believe on the name of His Son do to you, do ye also to them like-Jesus Christ, and love one another, wise. For if ye love them which as He gave us commandment. And love you, what thank have ye? for he that keepeth His commandments sinners also love those that love dwelleth in Him, and He in him. them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be 2 great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

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From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, and from the First General Epistle of St. Peter.

HUS saith the high and lofty

One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

3 And Jesus opened His mouth, and taught, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek. meek: for they shall inherit the

4 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Sixth Week.

His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall Same subject continued. assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is From the Holy Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Luke. greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart 5 T the same time came the discondemn us not, then have we conciples unto Jesus, saying, fidence toward God. And whatso- Who is the greatest in the kingdom ever we ask, we receive of Him, of heaven? And Jesus called a little because we keep His command-child unto Him, and set him in the ments, and do those things that are midst of them, and said, Verily I

1 St. John iii. 16.
41 St. Pet. v. 6.

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say unto you, Except ye be con- Furthermore we have had fathers of verted, and become as little chil- our flesh which corrected us, and dren, ye shall not enter into the we gave them reverence: shall we kingdom of heaven. Whosoever not much rather be in subjection therefore shall humble himself as unto the Father of spirits, and live? this little child, the same is greatest For they verily for a few days chasin the kingdom of heaven. And tened us after their own pleasure; whoso shall receive one such little but He for our profit, that we might child in My name receiveth Me. be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

THURSDAY.

Same subject continued. From the General Epistle of St. James.

1 And Jesus put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when He marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But 3when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be ex-against another, brethren, lest ye alted.

TUESDAY.

Patience in trouble.
From St. Paul's Epistle to the
Hebrews.

B

ELOVED, forget not the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

1 St. Luke xiv. 7.

*BE

E patient, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one

be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath : but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of

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the church; and let them pray over | escape, if we turn away from Him him, anointing him with oil in the that speaketh from heaven: whose name of the Lord: and the prayer voice then shook the earth: but of faith shall save the sick, and the now He hath promised, saying, Yet Lord shall raise him up; and if he once more I shake not the earth have committed sins, they shall be only, but also heaven. And this forgiven him. word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken, may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire.

SATURDAY.

Holiness and reverence. From St. Paul's Epistle to the

B

Hebrews.

RETHREN, follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for

one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words. ... But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we

1 Heb. xii. 14.
4 Heb. iv. 14.

Seventh Week.

MONDAY.

:

Same subject continued. From the First General Epistle of St. Peter, and from St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews. RETHREN, let us fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2

2BR

3 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

4 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling 2 Heb. iv. 1.

31 Pet. i. 15.

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