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, (1) preparation, (2) and prayer; (3) examine what they hear by the Scriptures; (4) receive the truth with faith, (5) love, (6) meekness, (7) and readiness of mind, (8) as the word

the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 2 Tim. ii. 10. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Acts xxvi. 16-18. (1) Ps. lxxxiv. 1, 2, 4. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord.-Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Ps. xxvii. 4. Prov. viii. 34.

(2) Luke viii. 18. Take heed, therefore, how ye hear 1 Pet. ii. 1, 2. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. James i. 21.

(3) Ps. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Eph. vi. 18, 19. (4) Acts xvii. 11. And searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(5) 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.

(6) 2 Thess. ii. 10.-They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(7) James i. 21.-Receive with meekness the ingrafted word. Ps. xxv. 9.

(8) Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind. Acts ii. 41.

of God; (1) meditate, (2) and confer of it; (3) hide it in their hearts, (4) and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. (5)

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. (6)

(1) 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God, without ceasing, 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Deut. vi. 6, 7. And these words, which I command 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.

(4) Ps. cxix. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Prov. ii. 1.

(5) Luke viii. 15. But that on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with, patience. James i. 25.

(6) 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

Q. 162. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, (1) to signify, seal, and exhibit (2) unto those that are within the covenant of grace, (3) the benefits of his mediation; (4) to strengthen and increase their

done. [His baptism, notwithstanding, was ineffectual to any saving purpose, for Peter said to him] ver. 23,I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 1 Cor. iii. 7. So, then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Cor. vi. 11.-But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(1) Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matt. xxvi. 26, 27. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

(2) Rom. iv. 11. And he [Abraham] received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25.

(3) Rom. ix. 8.-The children of the promise are counted for the seed. Gal. iv. 28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Rom. xv. 8, 9.

(4) Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Acts xxii. 16.

faith, and all other graces, (1) to oblige them tc obedience; (2) to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another, (3) and to distinguish them from those that are without. (4)

Q. 163. What are the parts of a sacrament?

A. The parts of a sacrament are two: the one, an outward and sensible sign used according to Christ's own appointment; the other, an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified. (5)

(1) Rom. xv. 8, 9. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. Gal. iii. 27.

(2) Rom. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 1 Cor. x. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

(3). 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baprized 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. 1 Cor. x. 17.-We, being many, are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Eph. iv. 3, 4, 5.

(4) Eph. ii. 19. Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers, and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Gen. xxxiv. 14.

(5) Matt. iii. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire

iii. 21.

1 Pet.

Q. 164. How many sacraments hath Christ instituted under the New Testament?

A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's supper. (1)

Q. 165. What is baptism?

A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, (2) to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, (3) of remission of sins by his blood, (4) and regeneration by his Spirit; (5) of adoption, (6) and resurrection unto everlasting life: (7) and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly ad

(1) 1 Cor. xi. 23. See figure (1), page 335.

(2) Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

(3) Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Rom. vi. 3.

(4) Acts xxii. 16.-Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins. Mark i. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. Rev. i. 5.

(5) John iii. 5.-Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Tit. iii. 5.-According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

(6) Gal. iii. 26, 27. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.

(7) 1 Cor. xv. 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?