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The Shorter Catechism
A. To search our hearts with pious care, and learn
If we have knowledge proper to discern
Christ's broken body a, faith on it to feed b,
Repentance genuine c, and love indeed d,
And new obedience too e, lest haply we
Unworthily eat, and so more guilty be f.
a 1 Cor. xi. 28, 29. b 2 Cor. xiii. v. c 1 Cor. xi. 3i. d 1 Cor. xi. 18, 20.
e l Cor. V. 8. f 1 Cor. xi. 27.
Q. And what is pray'r ? A. An off'ring up to God98
Of our desires a, for things to be bestow'd
On us according to his holy will b,
In name of Christ c, with full confession still
Of all our sins d, and due acknowledgement
Of all the mercies he to us hath sent e.
a Psalm lxvi. 8. b Rom. viii. 27. c John xvi. 23. d Dan. ix. 4.
e Phil. iv. 6.
Q. What rule hath God for our direction given,99
How we may supplicate the throne of heaven?
A. His whole word is of use in that respect a;
But the chief rule, us rightly to direct,
Is that which Christ for his disciples fram'd,
And now is therefore the Lord's Prayer nam'd b.
a 1 John v. 14. b Matt. vi. 9.
Q. Can you the prayer of the Lord repeat?100
A. Our Father who in heaven hast thy seat,
Thy name be hallowed; thy kingdom won;
And as in heav'n, on earth thy will be done.
May we each day our daily bread receive.
Forgive our debts, as debtors we forgive.
And lead us not into temptation's pow'r;
But keep us safe from ev'ry evil hour:
For thine's the kingdom, thine's the pow'r to reign,
And thine's the glory, evermore. Amen.
Q. What's taught us in the preface of this prayer?101
A. That, as Jehovah's styl'd our Father there,
We may, with holy confidence and awe a,
As children to a father b, near him draw,
