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158. Queft. By whom is the Word of God to be breached?

Anfw. The Word of God is to be preached only by fuch as are fufficiently gifted, and also duly aproved and called to that Office!.

159. Queft. How is the Word of God to be preached y thofe that are called thereunto?

Anfw. They that are called to labour in the Mi

niftry ondrous things out of thy law. dren. Mal. 2.7. For the priests lips Teh.8.6. And Ezra bleffed the Lord legreat God; and all the people nfwered, Amen, amen, with liftng up their hands: And they bowdtheir heads, and worshipped the ord with their faces to the ground. 8. So they read in the book, in e law of God diftinctly,--158. k 1 Tim. 3. 2. A bishop then 1 Jer. 14. 15. Therefore thus faith uft be blameless, the husband of the Lord concerning the prophets ne wife, vigilant, fober, of good that prophefie in my name, and I ehaviour, given to hofpitality, apt fent them not,--- Rom. 10. 15. And teach; v. 6. Not a novice, left how fhall they preach, except they eing lifted up with pride, he fall be fent--- Heb. s. 4. And no man to the condemnation of the de- taketh this honour unto himself,but il. Eph. 4.8. Wherefore he faith, he that is called of God, as was AaWhen he afcended up on high, he led ron. 1 Cor. 12. 28. And God hath aptivity captive, and gave gifts un- fet fome in the church, firft apoftles, omen, v. 9. (Now that he afcend- fecondarily prophets, thirdly teachd, what is it but that he alfo de- ers, after that miracles, then gifts cended firft into the lower parts of healings, helps, governments, of the earth. 10. He that de- diverfities of tongues. v. 29. Are cended, is the fame alfo that a- all apoftles? are all prophets? are cended up far above all heavens, all teachers? are all workers of mihat he might fill all things.) v. 11. racles? 1 Tim. 3. 10. And let these And he gave fome, apoftles: and alfo firft be proved; then let them ome, prophets: and fome, evan- use the office of a deacon, being gelifts: and fome,paftors and teach- found blamelefs. 1 Tim. 4.14. Neers. Hof. 4. 6. My people are de- glect not the gift that is in thee, troyed for lack of knowledge: which was given thee by prophecy, because thou haft rejected know- with the laying on of the hands of ledge, I will also reject thee, that the presbytery. 1 Tim. 5.22. Lay thou shalt be no prieft to me: fee- hands fuddenly on no man; neiing thou haft forgotten the law of ther be partaker of other mens fins, thy God, I will alfo forget thy chil- keep thy self pure.

fhould keep knowledge, and they fhould feek the law at his mouth: for he is the meffenger of the Lord of hofts. 2 Cor. 3. 6. Who alfo hath made us able minifters of the new teftament, not of the letter but of the fpirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

I59. m Titus

niftry of the Word, are to preach found Doctrine diligently", in Seafon and out of Seafon ; plain

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P, not in the enticing Words of Man's Wildom, but in Demonftration of the Spirit, and of Pow er ; faithully, making known the whole Counfel, of God ; wifely; applying themselves to the Neceffities and Capacities of the Hearers ▾; zea

159. m Titus 2. 1. But fpeak thou the things which become found doarine. v. 8. Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part, may be ashamed, having no evil thing to fay of you.

"Acts 18.25. This man was inftructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,--

4. 2. Preach the word, 2 Tim. be inftant in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doârine.

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

91 Cor. 2.4. And my speech,and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonftration of the spirit, and of

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is required in ftewards, that a man be found faithful.

Acts 20. 27. For I have not fhunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Col. 1. 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may prefent every man perfect in Chrift Jefus. 2 Tim. 2.15. Study to fhew thy felf approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be afhamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

▾ I 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. Heb. 5.12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the firft principles of the oracles of God; and are become fuch as have need of milk, and not of ftrong meat. v. 13. For every one that useth milk, is unskilful in the word of righteoulnefs: for he is a babe. v. 14. But ftrong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reafon of use have their fenfes exercised to difcern both good and evil. Luke 12. 42. And the Lord faid, Who then is that faithful and wife fteward, whom hi Lord fhall make ruler over his houfhold, to give the their portion of meat in due feafon?

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doufly w, with fervent Love to God and the Souls of his People; fincerely, aiming at his Glory", and their Converfion, Edification, and Salvation d

w Ads 18. 25. This man was inftru&ed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he pake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,--

x 2 Cor. 5.13. For whether we be besides our felves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your caufe. v. 14. For the love of Chrift conftraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. Phil. 1. 15. Some indeed preach Chrift even of envy and ftrife; and fome alfo of good will. v. 16. The one preach Chrift of contention, not fincerely, fuppofing to add affliction to my bonds: 17. But the other of love, knowing that I am fet for the defence of the gospel.

y Col. 4, 12. Epaphras who is one of you, a fervant of Chrift, faluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may ftand perfect, and compleat 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 lefs I be loved. 22 Cor.2.17. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God, but as of fincerity, but as of God, in the fight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Cor. 4. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftinefs, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifeftation of the truth, commending our felves to every mans confcience in the fight of God.

a 1 Theff. 2.4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with

160. Quest.

the gospel, even fo we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. v. s. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetoufuefs; God is witnefs. v. 6. Nor of men fought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdenfom, as the apoftles of Chrift. John 7. 18. He that fpeaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that feeketh his glory that fent him, the fame is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

b 1 Cor. 9. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made my self fervant unto all, that I might gain the more. v. 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 the law; v. 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. 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 fave fome.

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c2 Cor. 12. 19. Again, think you that we excufe our felves unto you? we speak before God in Chrift: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Eph. 4. 12. For the perfecting of the faints, for the work of the miniftry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

d1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed unto thy

160. Queft. What is required of those that hear the Word preached?

Anfw. It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they attend upon it with Diligence, Preparation, and Prayers; examine what they hear by the Scriptures h; receive the Truth with Faith, Love, Meeknefs, and Readiness of Mind mas

thy felf, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both fave thy felf, and them that hear thee. Acts 26. 16. But rife, and ftand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minifter, and a witness both of these things which thou haft feen, and of thofe things in the which I will appear unto thee; v. 17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I fend thee, v. 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 fins, and inheritance among them which are fanctified by faith that is in me.

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160. Prov. 8. 34. Bleffed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the pofts of my doors.

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things out of thy law. Eph. 6.18. Praying always with all prayer and fupplication in the fpirit,and watching thereunto with all perfeverance, and fupplication for all faints; . 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 17. 11. These were more noble than those in Theffalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and fearched the fcriptures daily, whether those things were fo.

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 Theff. 2. 10. And with all de ceivableness of unrighteousness, in them that perish; because they re ceived not the love of the truth, that they might be faved.

1 James 1. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthinefs, and fuperfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meeknefs the ingrafted word, which

f 1 Pet. 2. 1. Wherefore laying afide all malice and all guile, and hypocrifies, and envies, and all evilfpeakings, v. 2. As new-born babes defire the fincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Luke is able to fave your fouls. 8.18. Take heed therefore how ye hear for whofoever hath, to him fhall be given; and whofoever hath not, from him fhall be taken, even that which he feemeth to have.

8 Pfalm 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous

m Acts 17, 11. These were more noble than thofe in Theffalonica, in that they received the word with all readinefs of mind, and fearched the fcriptures daily, whether those things were fo.

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the Word of God "; meditate °, and confer of it P hide it in their Hearts, and bring forth the Fruit of it in their Lives".

161. Queft. How do the Sacraments become effectual Means of Salvation?

Anfw. 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 adminiftred; but only by the Working of the Holy Ghoft, and the Bleffing of Chrift by whom they are inftituted

I Theff. 2. 13. For this caufe alfo thank we God without ceafing, 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 alfo in you that believe.

• Luke 9. 44. Let these fayings fink down into your ears: for the Son of man fhall be delivered into the hands of men. * Heb. 2. I. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, left at any time we fhould let them flip.

P Luke 24. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. Deut. 6. 6. And thefe words which I command thee this day, fhall be in thine heart. 7.7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and fhalt talk of them when thou fitteft in thy house, and when thou walkeft by the way, and when thou lyeft down, and when thou rifeft up.

4 Prov. 2.1. My fon, ifthou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee. Pfalm 11. Thy word have I hid in

162. Quest.

mine heart, that I might not fin against thee.

Luke 8.15. But that on the good ground,are they, which in an honeft and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. fam. 1.25. But whofo looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man fhall be bleffed in his deed.

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161. 1 Pet. 3. 21. The like figure whereunto even baptifm, doth alfo now fave us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the anfwer of a good confcience toward God) by the refurrection of Jefus Christ. Acts 8. 13. Then Simon himself believed alfo: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondred, beholding the miracles and figns which were done. Compared with v. 23. For I perceive (said Peter to Simon) that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 1 Cor. 3. 6. I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase. v. 7. So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that wa

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