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and with their families (x): to which end, the holy scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages (y).

Q. 157. How is the word of God to be read?

A. The holy scriptures are to be read with an high and reverent esteem of them (z); with a firm persuasion that they are the very word of God (a), and that he only can enable us to understand them (b); with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them (c); with diligence (d), and attention to the matter and scope of them (e); with

the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail.

(x) Deut. 6. 6, 7. And these words which I commanded thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Psal. 78. 5. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children.

(y) 1 Cor. 14. 6. 9. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? So likewise you, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

(z) Psal. 19. 10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb,

(a) 2 Peter 1. 19-21. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light

that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(b) Luke 24. 45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

(c) Deut. 17. 19. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law, and these statutes, to do them.

(d) Acts 17. 11. These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(e) Acts 8. 30. 34. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

meditation (f), application (g), self-denial (h), and prayer (i).

Q. 158. By whom is the word of God to be preached? A. The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted (k), and also duly approved and called to that office (1).

Q. 159. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?

A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine (m), diligently (n), in season and out of season (o); plainly (p), not in the en

(f) Psal. 1. 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psal. 119. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

(g) 2 Chron. 34. 21. Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel, and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.

(h) Prov. 3. 5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own under

standing. Deut. 33. 3. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand; and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.

(i) Psal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Neh. 8. 6. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen, with lifting up their hands and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

(k) 1 Tim. 3. 2. 6. A bishop, then, must be blameless. the hushand of one wife, vigilant, sober,

of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 2 Cor. 3. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

(1) Jer. 14. 15. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not. Rom. 10. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent? Heb. 5. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

(m) Tit. 2. 1. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.

(n) Acts 18. 25. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord.

(0) 2 Tim. 4. 2. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.

(p) 1 Cor. 14. 19. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue,

ticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power (q); faithfully (r), making known the whole counsel of God (s); wisely (t), applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers (v); zealously (w), with fervent love to God (x) and the souls of his people (y); sincerely (z), aiming at his glory (a), and their conversion (b), edification (c), and salvation (d).

(9) 1 Cor. 2. 4. And my speech, and my preaching, was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.

(r) Jer. 23. 28. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. 1 Cor. 4. 1, 2. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (s) Acts 20. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

15.

(t) Col. 1. 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. 2. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (v) 1 Cor. 3. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. Luke 12. 42. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his house hold, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

(w) Acts 18. 25. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in the he spake and taught dilithe things of the Lord.

(x) 2 Cor. 5. 13. For whether we be besides ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us.

(y) Col. 4. 12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and complete in all the will of God. 2 Cor. 12. 15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

(z) 2 Cor. 2. 17. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

(a) 1 Thess. 2. 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

(b) 1 Cor. 9. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

(c) 2 Cor. 12. 19. Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Eph. 4. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

(d) 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doc trine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee..

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached?

A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence (e), preparation (ƒ), and prayer (g); examine what they hear by the scriptures (h); receive the truth with faith (i), love (k), meekness (1), and readiness of mind (m), as the word of God (n); meditate (o), and confer of it (p); hide it in their hearts (q), and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives (r).

(e) Prov. 8. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors

(f) Luke 8. 18. Take heed, therefore, how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

(g) Psal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Eph. 6. 18, 19. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

(h) Acts 17. 11. These were more noble-than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(i) Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that beard it.

(k) 2 Thess. 2. 10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(1) James 1. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

(m) Acts 17. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(n) 1 Thess. 2. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

(o) Luke 9. 44. Let these saiyngs sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. Heb. 2. 1. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

(p) Luke 24. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

(q) Prov. 2. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee. Psal. 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

(r) Luke 8. 15. But that on

Q. 161. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue deri ved from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered; but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted (s). Q. 162. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church (t), to signify, seal, and exhibit (v) unto those that are within the covenant of grace (w), the benefits of his mediation (x); to strengthen and increase

the good ground, are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

(s) 1 Pet. 3. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

(t) Mat. 26. 26. 28. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.

(v) Rom. 4. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be impu

ted unto them also. 1 Cor. 11. 24, 25. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

(w) Rom. 15. 8. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Exod. 12. 48. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

(x) Acts 2. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 10. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we

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