ing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. (1)

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

A. Although all are not permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation, (2) yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, (3) and with their families: (4) to

(1) Rom. xvi. 25. Now, to him that is of power to stablish 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, 13. 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, &c. Rom. x. 14 to 17.

(2) Deut. xxxi. 9, 12, 13. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi-and unto all the elders of Israel.-Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law, &c.

(3) Deut. xvii. 18, 19. And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is be fore the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life.-Isa. xxxiv. 16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read. John v. 39. Search the Scriptures. 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.

(4) Deut. vi. 6, 7. And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when

which end, the holy Scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages. (1)

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

A. The holy Scriptures are to be read with an high and reverend esteem of them; (2) with a firm persuasion that they are the very word of God, (3) and that he only can enable us to understand them ; (4) with desire to know, believe, and obey, the will of God revealed in them; (5)

thou risest up. Ps. lxxviii. 5, 6. 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; that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.

(1) 1 Cor. xiv. 2 to 29.-ver. 18, 19.-I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all; 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.

(2) Ps. cxix. 97. O how love I thy law!-Neh. viii. 5. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people and when he opened it, all the people stood up.

Isa. lxvi. 2.-But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

(3) 2 Pet. i. 21.-Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 1 Thess. ii. 13.

(4) Ps. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.-Luke xxiv.

45.

(5) James i. 21, 22.-Receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. 1 Pet. ii. 2. As new-born babes

with diligence, (1) and attention to the matter and scope of them; (2) with meditation, (3) application, (4) self-denial, (5) and prayer. (6)

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, (7) and also duly approved and called to that office. (8)

desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, Mark iv. 20.

(1) 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. Deut. xi. 13.

(2) Acts viii. 30, 34. And Philip-said, Understandest thou what thou readest?-And the eunuch answered Philip, Of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Matt. xiii. 23.

(3) Ps. i. 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. cxix. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

(4) Acts ii. 38, 39.-Repent, and be baptized every one of you-for the promise is unto you, and to your children. 2 Sam. xii. 7. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 21.

(5) Gal. i. 15, 16. But when it pleased God-to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Prov. iii. 5.

(6) Neh. viii. 6, 8. See figure (4), page 329.

(7) 1 Tim. iii. 2-6. A bishop-must be blamelessapt to teach-not a novice. 2 Tim. ii. 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Matt. ii. 7.

(8) Rom. x. 15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent ? Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is

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, (1) diligently, (2) in season, and out of season; (3) plainly, (4) not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; (5) faithfully, (6) making known the whole counsel of God; (7), wisely, (8) applying themselves to the necessities

in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

(1) Tit. ii. 1, 8. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine ;-sound speech that cannot be condemned.

(2) Acts xviii. 25.-Being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord.

(3) 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season.

(4) 1 Cor. xiv. 9.-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.

(5) 1 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..

(6) Jer. xxiii. 28.-He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. 1 Cor. iv. 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. Matt. xxiv. 45, 46, 47.

(7) Acts xx. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

(8) Col. i. 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom. 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.

and capacities of the hearers; (1) zealously, (2) with fervent love to God, (3) and the souls of his people; (4) sincerely, (5) aiming at his glory, (6) and their conversion, (7) edification, (8) and salvation. (9)

(1) 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, 13, 14. 1 Thess. ii. 7. Luke xii. 42.

(2) 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, knowing only the baptism of John. 2 Tim. iv. 5.

(3) 2 Cor. v. 13, 14. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. Phil. i. 15, 16, 17.

(4) 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." 1 Thess. iii. 12.

(5) 2 Cor. iv. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor. ii. 17.

(6) 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. 1 Thess. ii. 4, 5, 6.

(7) 1 Cor. ix. 19, 20, 21, 22. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 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, &c.-I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

(8) 2 Cor. xii. 19.-But we do all things, dearly be loved, for your edifying. Eph. iv. 12.

(9) 1 Tim. iv. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto