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Magisterium, Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests
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Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests
The Necessity Of Religious Instruction
Need of an Authoritative Catholic Catechism
The Ends of Religious Instruction
Observance Of The Commandments
The Means Required for Religious Instruction
Instruction Should Be Accommodated To The Capacity Of The Hearer
ARTICLE I : I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
Faith Requires Open Profession
Knowledge Of God More Easily Obtained Through Faith Than Through Reason
Knowledge Of God Obtained Through Faith Is Clearer
Knowledge Of God Obtained Through Faith Is More Certain
Knowledge Of God Obtained Through Faith Is More Ample And Exalted
God Is Called Father Because He Is Creator And Ruler
God Is Called Father Because He Adopts Christians Through Grace
The Name Father Also Discloses The Plurality Of Persons In God
Practical Admonitions Concerning The Mystery Of The Trinity
Why Omnipotence Alone Is Mentioned In The: Creed
Advantages Of Faith In God's Omnipotence
Not Three Almighties But One Almighty
Creation Of The World Of Spirits
Of all Things Visible and Invisible
God Preserves, Rules And Moves All Created Things
Creation Is The Work Of The Three Persons
ARTICLE II : AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD
Advantages Of Faith In This Article
Necessity Of Faith In This Article
ARTICLE III : WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY
Second Part Of This Article: Born Of The Virgin Mary
The Nativity Of Christ Transcends The Order Of Nature
Christ Compared to Adam Mary to Eve
Types and Prophecies of the Conception and Nativity
Lessons which this Article Teaches
ARTICLE IV : SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED'
First Part of this Article: 'Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, was Crucified,
Importance Of The History Of The Passion
Figures And Prophecies Of The Passion And Death Of The Saviour
Second Part Of This Article: Dead, And Buried
The Thought Of Christ's Death Should Excite Our Love And Gratitude
Circumstances Of Christ's Burial
Useful Considerations on the Passion
Christ Was Delivered Over To Death By The Father And By Himself
The: Bitterness Of Christ's Passion
Christ's Passion, -- A Satisfaction, A Sacrifice, A Redemption An Example
ARTICLE V : HE DESCENDED INTO HELL, THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD
First Part of this Article: He Descended into Hell
Second Part of this Article: The Third Day He arose again from the Dead
Three Useful Considerations on this Article
Signs Of Spiritual Resurrection
ARTICLE VI : HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, SITTETH AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
First Part of this Article: He Ascended into Heaven
Second Part of this Article: Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty
Virtues Promoted By The Ascension.
The Ascension Benefits The Church And The Individual
ARTICLE VII : FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
To Judge the Living and the Dead
This Truth has Rightly been made an Article of the Creed
Circumstances of the Judgment:
Importance of Instruction on this Article
ARTICLE VIII : I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST
The Holy Ghost Is Equal To The Father And The Son
The Holy Ghost Is Distinct From The Father And The Son
Who Proceedeth from the Father and the Son
Certain Divine Works are Appropriated to the Holy Ghost
ARTICLE IX : I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
The Importance Of This Article
First Part Of This Article : I Believe In The Holy Catholic Church
Mysteries Which The Word Church Comprises
Other Names Given The Church In Scripture
I Believe the Holy Catholic Church
Second Part of this Article: The Communion of Saints
Meaning of The Communion of Saints
Those Who Share In This Communion
ARTICLE X : THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
The Church Has the Power of Forgiving Sins
Sin Can Be Forgiven Only By The Power Of God
This Power Communicated To None Before Christ
Sin Remitted Through The Blood Of Christ
The Great Evil From Which Forgiveness Delivers Man
ARTICLE XI : THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY
Examples And Proofs Derived From Scripture
The Body Shall Rise Substantially the Same
Restoration Of All That Pertains To The Nature And Adornment Of The Body
Restoration Of All That Pertains To The Integrity Of The Body
The Condition of the Risen Body Shall be Different
The Qualities Of A Glorified Body
Advantages of Deep Meditation on this Article
ARTICLE XII : LIFE EVERLASTING
Negative and Positive Elements of Eternal Life
How to Arrive at the Enjoyment of this Happiness
Importance Of Instruction On The Sacraments
Sign of a Sacred Thing : Kind of Sign Meant Here
Kind of Sacred Thing Meant Here
Other Sacred Things Signified By The Sacraments
All The Sacraments Signify Something Present, Something Past, Something Future:
A Sacrament Sometimes Signifies The Presence Of More Than One Thing
Why the Sacraments were Instituted
Constituent Parts of the Sacraments
Ceremonies Used in the Administration of the Sacraments
Comparisons among the Sacraments
The Ministers of the Sacraments
Unworthiness Of The Minister And Validity
First Effect: Justifying Grace
Second Effect: Sacramental Character
How to Make Instruction on the Sacraments Profitable
Importance Of Instruction On Baptism
Constituent Elements Of Baptism
Testimony Of Scripture Concerning The Matter Of Baptism
Chrism Added To Water For Solemn Baptism
Essential And NonEssential Words Of The Form
Baptism Instituted At Christ's Baptism
Baptism Made Obligatory After Christ's Resurrection
Bishops And Priests The Ordinary Ministers
Deacons Extraordinary Ministers Of Baptism
Ministers In Case Of Necessity
Why Sponsors Are Required At Baptism
Affinity Contracted By Sponsors
Infant Baptism: It's Necessity
Infants Receive The Graces Of Baptism
Baptism Of Infants Should Not Be Delayed
They Should Not Delay Their Baptism Unduly
Ordinarily They Are Not Baptised At Once
In Case Of Necessity Adults May Be: Baptised At Once
Advantages To Be Derived From These Reflections
First Effect Of Baptism: Remission Of Sin
The Second Effect Of Baptism: Remission Of All Punishment Due To Sin
Third Effect Of Baptism: Grace Of Regeneration
Fourth Effect Of Baptism: Infused Virtues And Incorporation With Christ
Fifth Effect Of Baptism: Character Of Christian
Sixth Effect Of Baptism: Opening The Gates Of Heaven
Effects Of Baptism Foreshadowed In The Baptism Of Christ
Measure In Which Those Effects Are Obtained
Three Classes Of Ceremonies In Baptism
Ceremonies That Are Observed Before Coming To The Font: Consecration Of Baptismal Water
The Ceremonies Observed After Coming To The Font
The Ceremonies That Follow Baptism: Chrism
Importance Of Instruction On Confirmation
Confirmation is Distinct from Baptism
Component Parts of Confirmation
The Remote Matter Of Confirmation Is Chrism
Chrism To Be Consecrated By The Bishop
The Proper Age For Confirmation
Dispositions For Receiving Confirmation
Character Of Soldier Of Christ
Time When Confirmation Should Be Conferred
THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
Importance Of Instruction On The Eucharist
The Eucharist Is a Sacrament Properly So Called
In What Respect The Eucharist Is A Sacrament
How The Eucharist Differs From All The Other Sacraments
The Eucharist Is But One Sacrament
The Eucharist Signifies Three Things
Constituent Parts of the Eucharist
Three Mysteries Of The Eucharist
The Mystery of the Real Presence
The Mystery of Transubstantiation
The Mystery of the Accidents without a Subject
The Eucharist Contains Christ And Is The Food Of The Soul
The Grace Of The Eucharist Sustains
The Grace Of The Eucharist Invigorates And Delights
The Eucharist Remits Venial Sins
The Eucharist Strengthens Against Temptation
The Eucharist Facilitates The Attainment Of Eternal Life
How The Effects Of The Eucharist May Be Developed And Illustrated
Threefold Manner Of Communicating
Necessity Of Previous Preparation For Communion
How Often Must Communion Be Received?
The Church Desires The Faithful To Communicate Daily
The Church Commands The Faithful To Communicate Once A Year
Who Are Obliged By The Law Of Communion
The Rite of Administering Communion
Why The Celebrant Alone Receives Under Both Species
Only Priests Have Power To Consecrate And Administer The Eucharist
The Laity Prohibited To Touch The Sacred Vessels
The Unworthiness Of The Minister Does Not Invalidate The Sacrament
Importance Of Instruction On The Mass
Distinction of Sacrament and Sacrifice
Proof From The Council Of Trent
The Mass Is The Same Sacrifice As That Of The Cross
The Mass A Sacrifice Of Praise, Thanksgiving And Propitiation
The Mass Profits Both The Living And The Dead
The Rites and ceremonies of the Mass
Importance Of Instruction On This Sacrament
Different Meanings of the Word Penance
The Steps Which Lead Up To This Virtue
Why Christ Instituted This Sacrament
This Sacrament May Be Repeated
The Constituent Parts of Penance
The Rites Observed in the Sacrament of Penance
Effects of the Sacrament of Penance
The Necessity of the Sacrament of Penance
The Three Integral Parts of Penance
Necessity Of These Integral Parts
Contrition Is A Detestation Of Sin
Sorrow For Sin Should Be Intense
Sorrow For Sin Should Be Universal
Conditions Required for Contrition
Intention Of Confession And Satisfaction
Means of Arousing True Contrition
Confession Instituted By Christ
The Age At Which The Law Of Confession Obliges
At What Time The Law Of Confession Obliges
Confession Should Be Plain, Simple, Sincere
Confession Should Be Prudent, Modest, Brief
Confession Should Be Made Privately And Often
The Minister of the Sacrament of Penance
The Minister In Danger Of Death
Qualifications Of The Minister
The Confessor Must Observe The Seal Of Confession
Duties of the Confessor towards Various Classes of Penitents
The Well Disposed Should Be Exhorted To Thanksgiving And Perseverance
The Indisposed Should Be Helped
Those Who Seek To Excuse Their Sins Should Be Corrected
Those Who Are Ashamed To Confess Their Sins Should Be Instructed
The Careless Should Be Rebuked
The Unprepared Should Be Dismissed Or Led To Good Disposition
The Pastor Should Show The Wrong Of Human Respect
General Meaning Of The Word Satisfaction,
Various Kinds Of Satisfaction To God
Elements Of Sacramental Satisfaction
It Is Required By God's Justice And Mercy
Satisfaction Atones To The Church
Satisfaction Deters Others From Sin
By Satisfaction We Are Made Like Unto Christ
Satisfaction Heals The Wounds Of Sin
Satisfaction Disarms The Divine Vengeance
Source of the Efficacy of Satisfactory Works
Works Of Satisfaction Are Of Three Kinds
Duties of the Confessor as Regards Satisfaction
Restitution Must Be Insisted On
Quantity And Quality Of Penances Should Be Reasonable
Voluntary Works Of Penance Should Be Recommended
THE SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION
Importance Of Instruction On Extreme Unction
Extreme Unction Is a True Sacrament
Extreme Unction Is But One Sacrament
Essential Parts of Extreme Unction
The Ceremonies Of Extreme Unction
Institution of Extreme Unction
The Subject of Extreme Unction
The Subject Must Be In Danger Of Death
The Danger Must Arise From Sickness
The Person Anointed Must Have Attained The Use Of Reason
Administration of Extreme Unction
Dispositions for the Reception of Extreme Unction
The Minister of Extreme Unction
The Effects of Extreme Unction
Importance Of Instruction On This Sacrament
Requirements in Candidates for Orders
The Twofold Power Conferred by this Sacrament
Qualifications for the Priesthood
Importance Of Instruction On This Sacrament
Nature and Meaning of Marriage
The Kind of Consent Required in Matrimony
The Essence of Marriage Constituted by the Consent
Twofold Consideration of Marriage
Marriage As A Natural Contract
Marriage Is Indissoluble By Divine Law
Marriage Not Obligatory On All
The Motives And Ends Of Marriage
Marriage Considered as a Sacrament
Before Christ Marriage Had Fallen From Its Primitive Unity And Indissolubility
Christ Restored to Marriage its Primitive Qualities
The Three Blessings of Marriage
The Law of the Church on Marriage
Dispositions With Which The Sacrament Is To Be Approached
Importance Of Instruction On The Commandments
Motives for Observing the Commandments
God Is The Giver Of The Commandments
The Commandments Were Proclaimed With Great Solemnity
The Observance Of The Commandments Is Not Difficult
The Observance Of The Commandments Is Necessary
The Observance Of The Commandments Is Attended By Many Blessings
God's Goodness Invites Us To Keep His Commandments
The People To Whom The Law Was Given
Lessons To Be Drawn From Jewish History
The Time And Place In Which The Law Was Promulgated
Who Brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the House of
Thou shalt not have Strange Gods before Me
The Above Words Contain A Command And A Prohibition
Importance Of This Commandment
Veneration And Invocation Of Angels And Saints Not Forbidden By This Commandment
It Is Lawful To Honour And Invoke The Angels
It Is Lawful To Honour And Invoke The Saints
The Honour And Invocation Of Saints Is Approved By Miracles
The Above Words Do Not Forbid All Images
They Forbid Idols And Representations Of The Deity
They Do Not Forbid Representations Of The Divine Persons And Angels
They Do Not Forbid Images Of Christ And The Saints
How The Sanction Contained In The Above Words Should Be Proposed
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain
Why This Commandment Is Distinct From The First
Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment
Positive Part of this Commandment
Various Ways Of Honouring God's Name
Oaths Are Affirmatory And Promissory
Negative Part of this Commandment
Various Ways In Which Cod's Name Is Dishonoured: False Oaths
Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment
How The Third Differs From The Other Commandments
How The Third Is Like The Other Commandments
The Jewish Sabbath Changed To Sunday By The Apostles
Four Parts Of This Commandment
First Part of this Commandment
Second Part of this Commandment
The Seventh Day Is The Sabbath Of The Lord Thy God
Other Festivals Observed By The Jews
The Sabbath, Why Changed To Sunday
Other Festivals Observed By The Church
Six Days Shalt Thou Labour And Do All Thy Work
Third Part of this Commandment
Why Animals Are Not To Be Employed On The Sabbath
Works Commanded Or Recommended
Motives for the Observance of this Commandment
The Observance Of This Commandment Brings Many Blessings
Neglect Of This Commandment A Great Crime
Relative Importance Of The Preceding And The Following Commandments
Importance Of Instruction On The Fourth Commandment
Explanation of the Fourth Commandment: Honour
Why Parents Should Be Honoured
Manner Of Honouring Other Superiors
The Honour Due To Bishops And Priests
The Honour Due To Civil Rulers
'That Thou Mayest be Longlived, etc.
Reward Promised For Observance Of This Commandment
Why This Reward Is Not Always Conferred On Dutiful Children
Punishment For Violation Of This Commandment
Duties of Parents Towards their Children
Three Things To Be Avoided By Parents
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not kill
Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment
The Prohibitory Part of this Commandment
Exceptions: The Killing Of Animals
Negative Part Of This Commandment Forbids Murder And Suicide
Sinful Anger Is Also Forbidden By The Fifth Commandment
Remedies Against The Violation Of This Commandment
Positive Part of this commandment
Patience, Beneficence And Mildness Commanded
Forgiveness Of Injuries Commanded
How to Persuade Men to Forgive Injuries
All We Have To Endure Comes From God
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not commit adultery
The Position Of This Commandment In The Decalogue Is Most Suitable
Importance Of Careful Instruction On This Commandment
What this Commandment Prohibits
Other Sins Against Chastity Are Forbidden
Why Adultery Is Expressly Mentioned
What this Commandment Prescribes
Reflections which Help one to Practice Purity
Impurity Blinds The Mind And Hardens The Heart
Avoidance Of Impure Conversation, Reading, Pictures
Frequentation Of The Sacraments
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not steal
Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment
This Commandment A Proof Of The Love Of God Towards Us And A Claim On Our Gratitude
Negative Part of this Commandment
Various Names Given To Stealing
Gravity Of The Sin Of Stealing
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment
This Commandment Should Call Forth Our Gratitude
Negative Part Of This Commandment
False Testimony In Favour Of A Neighbour Is Also Forbidden
Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
All Falsehoods In Lawsuits Are Forbidden
False Testimony Out Of Court Is Forbidden
This Commandment Forbids Detraction
This Commandment Forbids Flattery
This Commandment Forbids Lies Of All Kinds
This Commandment Forbids Hypocrisy
Positive Part of this Commandment
Judges Must Pass Sentence According To Law And Justice
Witnesses Must Give Testimony Truthfully
Lawyers And Plaintiffs Must Be Guided By Love Of Justice
All Must Speak Truthfully And With Charity
The Pleas Of Frailty, Habit, And Bad. Example
The Pleas Of Convenience, Amusement, And Advantage
Importance Of Instruction On These Two Commandments
Why These Two Commandments Are Explained Here Together
Necessity Of Promulgating These Two Commandments
These Two Commandments Teach God's Love For Us And Our Need Of Him
Two Parts Of These Commandments
What Sort Of Concupiscence Is Not Forbidden
What Sort Of Concupiscence Is Here Prohibited
Two Kinds Of Sinful Concupiscence
The Various Objects We Are Forbidden To Covet
Goods For Sale Not Included Under This Prohibition
Detachment From Riches Enjoined
The Desire Of Heavenly And Spiritual Things Enjoined
Thoughts which Help one to Keep these Commandments
Chief Ways in which These two Commandments are Violated
Importance Of Instruction On Prayer
Prayer Obtains What We Request
Unwise And Indevout Prayers Unheard
To Devout Prayer And Dispositions God Grants More Than Is Asked
Prayer Exercises And Increases Faith
Prayer Strengthens Our Hope In God
Prayer Disposes The Soul For Divine Blessings
Prayer Makes Us Realise Our Own Needfulness
Prayer Is A Protection Against The Devil
Prayer Promotes A Virtuous Life
Prayer Disarms The Divine Vengeance
The Two Chief Parts Of Prayer Petition And Thanksgiving
Degrees Of Petition And Thanksgiving
The Highest Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of The Just
The Second Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of Sinners
The Third Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of Unbelievers
The Lowest Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of The Impenitent
External Goods And Goods Of Body
The Prayer Of Petition Should Be Offered For All
Those For Whom We Should Especially Offer Our Petitions: Pastors
Enemies And Those Outside The Church
The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Should Be Offered For All
Our Thanksgiving Should Especially Be Offered: For The Saints
God And The Saints Addressed Differently
Freedom From Violence, Anger, Hatred And Inhumanity
Freedom From Pride And Contempt Of God's Word
Motives Of Confidence In Prayer
Correspondence With God's Will
We Must Pray In Spirit And In Truth
Those Who Do Nor Pray In Spirit
Those Who Do Not Pray In Truth
We Must Pray With Perseverance
We Must Pray In The Name Of Jesus Christ
We Must Pray With Fervour, Uniting Petition To Thanksgiving
Fasting And Almsdeeds Should Be Joined To Prayer
OPENING WORDS OF THE LORD'S PRAYER
Importance Of Instruction On These Words
God Is Called Father Because He Created Us
God Is Called Father Because He Provides For Us
God's Care For Us Is Seen In The Appointment Of Guardian Angels
How We Are Helped By The Angels
God's Care For Us Seen In The Love He Has Ever Shown To Man
God Is Called Father Because He Has Granted Us Redemption
Duties We Owe Our Heavenly Father
Dispositions That Should Accompany The Words, Our Father: Fraternal Regard
Lessons Taught By The Words, Who Art In Heaven
THE FIRST PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: HALLOWED BE THY NAME
Why This Petition Is Placed First
Object Of The First Three Petitions
What Sanctification of God's Name we should Pray For
That The Faithful May Glorify Him
That Unbelievers May Be Converted
That God May Be Thanked For His Favours
That The Church May Be Recognised By All
What Sanctification Of God's Name We Should Practice
THE SECOND PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: THY KINGDOM COME
Importance Of Instruction On This Petition
Necessity Of Rightly Making This Petition
Motives For Adopting The Necessary Means
We Pray For The Propagation Of The Church
That Christ May Reign Over All
Dispositions That Should Accompany This Petition
We Should Prize God's Kingdom Above All Things
We Must Realise That We Are Exiles
We Must Labor To Obtain God's Kingdom
THE THIRD PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: THY WILL BE DONE
The Relation Of This Petition To The Previous One
Man's Proneness To Act Against God's Will
Man's Blindness Concerning God's Will
Man's Weakness In Fulfilling God's Will
Man's Passions Rebel Against God's Will
We Ask That We May Fulfil What God Desires Of Us
We Ask That We May Not Yield To Our Own Inordinate Desires
We Ask That Our Mistaken Requests Be Not Granted
We Ask That Even Our Good Requests Be Granted Only When They Are According To God's Will
We Ask That God May Perfect In Us What His Grace Has Begun
We Ask That All May Know God's Will
This Petition Contains an Act of Thanksgiving
The Dispositions that should Accompany this Petition
A Sense Of Our Own Weakness Of Will
Appreciation Of The Dignity Of Doing God's Will
THE FOURTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
The Relation Of The Following Petitions To Those That Preceded
How To Pray For Temporal Blessings
Means Of Ascertaining Purity Of Intention In Offering This Petition
Necessity of the Fourth Petition
Man Needs Many Things For His Bodily Life
To Supply His Bodily Wants Man Must Labor
Without God's Help Man's Labor Is Vain
Inducements to Use this Petition
It Is Lawful To Pray For Temporal Blessings
The Wants, Not The Luxuries Of This Life Are Meant By The Word Bread
The Spiritual Bread Asked for in this Petition
The Word Of God Is Our Spiritual Bread
Christ Is Our Spiritual Bread, Especially In The Holy Eucharist
Why The Holy Eucharist Is Called Our Daily Bread
THE FIFTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS
The Importance Of Explaining This Petition
Difference Between This And The Preceding Petitions
Dispositions with which this petition should be Offered
Motives For Sorrow Over Sin: The Baseness Of Sin
This Petition Should Not be Neglected
Those Unable To Forget Injuries
Those Who Do Not Love Their Enemies
How to Make this Petition Fruitful
Imitation Of Fervent Penitents
Frequent Use Of The Sacraments
THE SIXTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION.
Importance Of Instruction On This Petition
Necessity of the Sixth Petition
Malignity And Power Of The Demons
Prayer Protects Man's Weakness Against The Enemies Of His Soul
What We Pray For In This Petition
Dispositions which should Accompany this Petition
Distrust Of Self And Confidence In God
Remembrance Of The Victory Of Christ And His Saints
The Author of victory over Temptation
The Rewards of Victories over temptation
THE SEVENTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
The Importance Of Instruction On This Petition
How this Petition should be Made
Our Chief Hope Of Deliverance Should Be In God
We Must Confidently Expect His Help
Deliverance From Satan Especially Asked For
Patience and Joy under Continued Affliction
Necessity Of Explaining The Conclusion Of The Lord's Prayer
fruits that Come at the Conclusion of Prayer
Assurance That We Have Been Heard
After this it should be added that this is the first and principal Commandment, not only in order, but also in its nature, dignity and excellence. God is entitled to infinitely greater love and obedience from us than any lord or king. He created us, He governs us, He nurtured us even in the womb, brought us into the world, and still supplies us with all the necessaries of life and maintenance.