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النشر الإلكتروني

XXX. SELF-DENIAL.

A Christian duty-Motives to-Danger of sensual pleasures-Exhortations against.

1. Does Christ require us to deny ourselves?

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. (9 Lk. 23.)

2. What difference is there between the carnallyminded and the spiritually-minded?

They that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit: for to be carnally-minded is death, but to be spirituallyminded is life and peace. (8 Ro. 5, 6.)

3. By what urgent motives are we exhorted to avoid sensual pleasures?

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (13 Rom. 12, 13, 14.)

4. How did St. Paul keep under his body?

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. (I. Cor. 9. 27.)

5. How does St. Paul describe the selfish and sensual characters of those who should appear in the

last times?

Lovers of their own selves:-lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. (II. Tim. 3. 2, 4.)

6. How does St. Peter exhort against fleshly lusts? Dearly, beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. (I. Pet. 2. 11.)

XXXI. SELF-EXAMINATION AND WATCHFULNESS.

Self-deception-Duty of self-examination and watchfulness-Motives to these duties.

1. Are we prone to self-deception?

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness. (14 Pr. 12, 13.)

2. How is every one commanded to keep his heart? Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. (4 Pr. 23.)

3. How does God enforce serious thoughtfulness? Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Consider your ways. (I Hag. 5.)

4. Are Christians required to examine themselves? Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves. (II. Cor. 13. 5.)

5. Does Christ command us to watch?

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (25 Mt. 13.)

6. How does the Apostle enforce this duty?

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (I. Cor. 16. 13.)

7. Should the consideration of Satan's efforts for our destruction lead us to watchfulness?

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (I. Pet. 5. 8, 9.)

XXXII. DUTIES OF CHILDREN TO PARENTS.

Commands to-Punishment of disobedience-Exhortations to the duty.

1. What is the fifth Commandment?

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (20 Ex. 12.)

2. Is he cursed who slights his parents?

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father, or his mother. (27 Deu. 16.)

3. What punishment was denounced against him who cursed his parents?

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He that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. (21 Ex. 17.)

4. What punishment did God appoint for a "stubborn and rebellious son?"

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother; and that when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place: and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die. (21 Deu. 18 to 21.)

5. How are children to regard the instruction of their parents?

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. (1 Pr. 8.)

6. Does the conduct of children affect the happiness of their parents?

A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. (10 Pr. 1.)

7. Did Christ display an example of obedience to his mother, and Joseph?

He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. (2 Lk. 51.)

8. When Christ was dying on the cross how did he manifest his tender care for his mother?

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (19 Jn. 26, 27.)

9. Does Christ claim more from us than even our parents?

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. (10 Mt. 37.)

10. How does St. Paul command obedience to parents?

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment, with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (6 Eph. 1, 2, 3.)

11. Does God approve of obedient children?

Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (3 Col. 20.)

XXXIII. DUTIES OF BROTHERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBOURS.

Commands to-Love, a test of character-Manner of performing duty-Advantages of.

1. Are we forbidden to hate our brethren? Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. (19 Lev. 17.) 2. In our dealings are we required to guard against oppressing each other?

If thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another. (25 Lev. 14.)

3. What is our duty to a brother in distress?

If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him. (25 Lev. 35.)

4. What command did God give by Zechariah?

Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother.-Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (7 Zech. 9, 10.)

5. Will God punish those who are unforgiving to their brethren?

And his Lord was wrath, and delivered him to the tormentors. So likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (18 Mt. 34, 35.)

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