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driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ (o); of conforming them to his image (p), and subduing them to his will (q); of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions (r); of building them up in grace (s), and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation (t).

Q. 156. Is the word of God to be read by all?

A. Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation (v), yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves (w);

the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

(0) Acts 2. 37. 41. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

(P) 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a. glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

(2 Cor. 10. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not earnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

(7) Mat. 4. 4. But he answer ed and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

(s) Acts 20. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(1) Rom. 16. 25. Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the

preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mys tery, which was kept secret since the world began.

(v) Deut. 31. 9. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel. Neh. 8. 2, 3. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street, that was before the water-gate, from the morning until mid-day, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

(w) 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. Rev. 1. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. John 5. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. Isa. S4. 16. Seck ye out of the book of

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 Iprofit 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 thec, 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 understanding. 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 hospi tality, 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). ¡

(q) 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. (8) Acts 20. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

(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. 15. 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 household, 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 spirit, he spake and taught diligently the 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 doe 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 (f), 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 (4), 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 who soever 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 heard 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 Thessa lonica, 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 receiv ed 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.

(9) Prov. 2. 1. My son, ᎥᏝ 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

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