with meditation f, applications, self-denialb, and prayeri, 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, and also duly approved and called to that office 1. 1 swered right: this do, and thou shalt live. f Psal. i. 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psal. cxix. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 82 Chron. xxxiv. 21. Go, enquire 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 Tout upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book. ko h Prov. iii. 5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Deut. xxxiii. 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. 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. Ver. 8. So they read in the book, in the law of God distinctly, 158. k 1 Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Ver. 6. Not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Eph. iv 8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ver. 9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Ver. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teach i Prov. ii. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my comers. Hosea iv. 6. My people are mandments with thee; Ver. 2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding: Ver. 3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding: Ver. 4. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures: Ver. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Ver. 6. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Neh. viii. 6. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Mal. i. 7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 2 Cor. iii. 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. xiv. 15. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets 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 doctrinem, diligently ", in season and out of season; plainly P, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power ; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers "; that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, Rom. x. 15. And how shall they preach except they he sent?-Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Ver. 29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 1 Tim. iii. 10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man; neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 159. m Tit. ii. 1. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.. Ver. 8. Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. n Acts xviii. 25. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and, being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the the things of the Lord, • 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. p 1 Cor. xiv. 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. q1 Cor. ii. 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. xxiii. 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. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Ver. 2. Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful, s Acts xx. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. t Col. i. 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. ii. 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. u 1 Cor iii. 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. Heb. v. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Ver. 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. Ver. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern zealously ", with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely ", aiming at his glory 2, and their conversion b, both good and evil. Luke xii. 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 xviii. 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. v. 13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. Ver. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. Phil. i. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good. will: Ver. 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. Ver. 17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel. y Col. iv. 12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fer. vently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 2 Cor. xii. 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. ii. 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. 2 Cor iv. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, not handling the word of God deceitfully, but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. a 1 Thess. ii. 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. Ver. 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness: Godis witness. Ver. 6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. John vii. 18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. b1 Cor. ix. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. Ver. 20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under law; Ver. 21. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but. under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. Ver. 22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. edifications, and salvation d. 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, preparation f, and prayer &; examine what they hear by the scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the word of God"; medi c 2 Cor. xii. 19. Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Eph. iv. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. d 1 Tim. iv. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Acts xxvi. 16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a wit ness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Ver17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, Ver. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 160. e Prov. viii. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. f1 Pet. ii. 1. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evilspeakings. Ver. 2. As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Luke viii. 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. 8 Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints; Ver. 19. 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 xvii. 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. iv. 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. 2 Thess. ii. 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 i. 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 xvii. 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. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, tate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives". 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 derived 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 $. Q. 162. What is a sacrament? A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his churcht, to signify, seal, and ex because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye reeeived 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 ix. 44. Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. * Heb. ii. 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 xxiv. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. Deut. vi. 6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. Ver. 7. 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. q Prov. ii. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee. Psal. exix. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Luke viii. 15. But that on the good ground are they, which in an an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience, James i. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 161.s 1 Pet. iii. 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. Acts viii. 13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Compared with Ver. 23. For I perceive, (said Peter to Simon,) that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 1 Cor. iii. 6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Ver. 7. So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Cor. xii. 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. 162. t Gen. xvii. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, |