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hearersv; zealously.w, with fervent love to God x and the fouls of his people y; fincerety z, aiming at his glory a, and

Chrift Jesus. 2 Tim. ii. 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman, that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

v1 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 fuch as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. v. 13. For every one that useth milk, is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. v. 14. But frong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to difcern both good and evil. Luke xii 42. And the Lord faid, Who then is that faithful and wife fteward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his houshold, 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 besides ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. v. 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 alfo of good will. v. 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not fincerely,

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supposing to add affliction to my bonds: v. 17. But the other of love, knowing that I am fet for the defence of the gospel.

y Col. iv. 12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a fervant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and compleat 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 mauy, who corrupt the word of God: but as of fincerity, but as of God, in the fight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Cor. iv. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftinefs, not handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's confcience in the fight of God.

a 1 Theff. ii. 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in truft with the gospel, even so we fpeak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts..v. 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetoufness; God is witness. v. 6. Nor of men fought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burthensome, as the apostles of Christ. John vii. 18. He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that fent him, the fame is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

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their converfion b, edificationc, and salvation d.

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached?

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A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligencee, preparation fand prayerg; examine what they hear by the scriptures b; receive the truth with

b1 Cor. ix. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet I have made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. v. 10. 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. v. 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 fome.

c 2 Cor. xii. 19. Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we fpeak before God in Christ: bnt we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification. Eph. iv. 12. For the perfecting of the faints, for the work of the ministry, for edify ing of the body of Christ.

d1 Tim. iv. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine, continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Acts xxvi. 19. But rife, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; v. 17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send

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 sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.

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

f Pet. ii. 1. Wherefore laying afide all malice and all guile, and hypocrifies, and envies, and all evilspeaking. v. 2. As new-born babes defire 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 whofoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

g Pfal. 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 fupplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and fupplication for all faints; v. 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 fearched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.

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with faith i, lovek, meekness s, and readiness of mind m, as the word of God n; meditate o and confer of it p; hide it in their hearts q, and bring forth the fruit of it in their livesr.

Q. 161. How do the facraments become effectual means of Salvation?

A. The facraments 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 administred; but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Chrift by whom they are instituted.

i Heb. iv. 2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as un to them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. k2 Theff. 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 faved.

I James i. 21. Wherefore lay as part all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and reqeive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to fave your fouls

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 thingsee.fo.

ni Thefl. ii. 13. For this caufe 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, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

• Luke ix 44. Let these sayings fink 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 we

Q. 162.

have heard, lest at any time we should let them flip.

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. v. 7. 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 thou risest up.

q Prov. ii. 1. My fon, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee. Pfal. cxix. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not fin against thee.

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. Jam, i. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

161.1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptifm, doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good confcience toward God) by the refurrection of Jefus Jesus Chrift. Ats 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 v. 23. For I perceive (faid Peter to Simon) that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. I Cor. iii. 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 watereth: but God that giveth the increase. I 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.

Q. 162. What is a facrament? A. A facrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his churcht, to fignify, feal, and exhibity unto those that are within the covenant of gracew, the benefits of his mediation x; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other gracesy, to oblige them to obediencez; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another a, and to diftinguish them from those that are without b

162.1 Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy feed after thee, in their generations for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy feed after thee. V. 10. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy feed after thee: Every man child among you shall be circumcised. Exod. ch. xii, containing the institution of the passover. Mat, 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. * Mat. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and faid, Take, eat; this is my body. v. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, faying, Drink ye all of it; v. 28.

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For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.

Rom. iv. 11 And he received the fign of circumcifion, a feal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumeised: that he might be the father of ali them that believe, though they be not circumcised: that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. 1 Cor. xi. 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and faid, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. v. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had fupped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

w Rom. xv. 8. Now I say, That Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcifion, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Exod. xii. 48. And when a stranger shall fojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land; for no uncircumcifed person shall eat thereof.

x Acts ii. 38. Then Peter faid unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of fins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blefling which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of

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Q 63. What are the parts of a facrament?

A The parts of a facrament are two: the one an outward and sensible fign used according to Christ's own appointment; the other, an inward and spiritual grace thereby fignified c. Q. 164. How many facraments hath Christ instituted in his church under the New Testament?

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y Rom. iv. 11. (See in v above.) Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as havė been baptized into Chrift, have put on Chrift.

Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? v. 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 the table of devils.

a Eph. iv. 2. With all lowliness and meekness, with long fuffering, iforbearing one another in love; v. 3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. v.4. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: v. 5. One Lord, one faith, one baptifm. 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.

6 Eph, ii. 11. Wherefore remem

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ber that ye being in times paffed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcifion by that which is called the circumcifion in the flesh made by hands; v. 12. That at that time ye were without Chrift, being aliens from the commonwealth of Ifrael, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Gen. xxxiv. 14. And they faid unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach to us.

163. Mat, 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 Ghoft, and with fire. 1 Pet, iii, 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptifm, doth also now fave us (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good confcience towards God) by the refurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom. ii. 28. For he is not a Jew, that is one outwardly; neither is that circumcifion, which is outward in the flesh: v. 29. But he is ? Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcifion is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men but of God.

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