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Q. 155. How is the word made effectual to salvation? A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening ", convincing, and humbling sinners"; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of .con

them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Ver. 46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness, and singleness of heart; Ver. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

155. m Neh. viii. 8. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Acts xxvi. 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. Psal. xix. 8.-The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

n 1 Cor. xiv. 24. But if all prophe. sy, and there come in one that believ eth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: Ver. 25. And thus are 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. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. Ver. 19. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. Ver. 26. And as for the king of Judah,

who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; Ver. 27. Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God. when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord. Ver. 28. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shait be gathered to thy grave in peace.

o Acts ii. 37. 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? Ver. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts viii. from Ver. 27. to 39.-And, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority,-Ver. 28. Was returning, and, sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet. Ver. 29. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Ver. 30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?-Ver. 35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Ver. 36.-And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Ver. 37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Ver. 38.

And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

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forming them to his image P, and subduing them to his will a; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions *; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation *.

p 2 Cor. iii. 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.

q 2 Cor. x. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds: Ver. 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ: Ver. 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Rom. vi. 17. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin; but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

r Matt. iv. 4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Ver. 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Ver. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Eph. vi. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, where with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ver 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Psal. xix.. 11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward. 1 Cor. x. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon

whom the ends of the world are come.

& Acts xx. 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. 2 Tim. iii, 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 16. All scripture is gi ven by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

t Rom. xvi. 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 mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. 1 Thess. iii. 2. And sent Timotheus our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; Ver. 10. Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Ver. 11. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you: Ver. 13. To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness be. fore God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might

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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 ", yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves ", and with their fa

have hope. Rom. x. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ver. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Ver. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent ? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Ver. 16. But they have not all obeyed the Gospel; for Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Ver. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the pow. er of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

156. u Deut. xxxi. 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. Ver. 11. When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Ver. 12. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: Ver 13. And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

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Neh. viii. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congre. gation, both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. Ver. 3. 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. Neh. ix. 3. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God, one fourth part of the day, and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God. Ver. 4. Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, &c. and cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God. Ver. 5. Then the Levites, Joshua, and Kadmiel, &c. said, Stand up, and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

w Deut. xvii. 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. i. 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 v. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. Isa. xxxiv. 16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail,—

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milies to which end, the holy scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages .

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; with a firm persuasion that they

x Deut. vi. 6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thy 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. Ver. 8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontless between thine eyes. Ver. 9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on tby gates. Gen. xviii. 17. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? Ver. 19. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord,. Psal. Ixxviii. 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; Ver. 6. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children: Ver. 7. That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

y 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? Ver. 9. So like wise ye, 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. Ver. 11. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice,

unto me.

I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian Ver. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Ver. 15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit. and I will sing with the understanding also. Ver. 16. Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? Ver. 24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. Ver. 27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. Ver. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

157. z Psal. xix 10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb. Neh. viii. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the watergate, from the morning until midday, 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. Ver 4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose ;- -Ver. 5. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people ;) and, when he opened it, all the people stood up:

are the very word of God, and that he only can enable us to understand them b; with desire to know, believe, any obey the will of God revealed in them; with diligence, and attention to the matter and scope of them*;

Ver. 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, c. to Verse 10. Exod. xxiv. 7. And he (Moses) took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 27. Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heard. est his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord. Isa. Ixvi. 2-But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."

a 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where. unto 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. Ver. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. Ver. 21. 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 xxiv. 45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. 2 Cor. iii. 13. And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is

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c Deut. xvii. 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: Ver. 20. That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days,

d Acts xvii. 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 viii. 30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? Ver. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Luke x. 26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? Ver. 27. And he answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Ver. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast an

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