tand subduingdthem stoohis willage ofsstrengthening them against temptations and corruptions of building then uprind grace and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort througli faith tuto salvation. 29pengual bi tlife thousand souls Acts vill Front 1776, 27, 14 30.-And, behold, a man or Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority, Ver. 28. Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet. Ver. 929. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Ver. 3 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 Q. 156. Is the word of God to be read by allow it as Halo Inert Although all are hot to be permitted to read the word publiekly 7197 90 91 91 todt moiasuer9q uit & diwed to mostes and they are written for our admonition, upon whom, the ends of the come. 901 978 doidwived to me odr Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, 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. ii, 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 given 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, throughly furnished unto all good works. his mouth, and began at the famus. Ver. P2 Cor. iil. 18. But we all, w 12 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. 9 Mat. iv. 4. But he answered and said, 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 be gan. 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, concern. ing your faith vert 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 before 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 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. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first, and also to the Greek toithe congregation anyete all sorts of people and band doerendait hapart by themselves; and with their familiesos tow licitendurthe holy scriptures are to be translated duti of the original minitol vulgar languages. Q. 157. How is the word of God to be read) to hrou set al .ac. AdThe holy scriptures are to be read with an higly and reverent esteem of them; with a firm persuasion that they are the very this law, and dad Moses wrote talk of them when thou sittest in thine I 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now Brethren, 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 likewise 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, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me, Ver. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to edifying or 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 befieveth 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. 23. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and fet him speak to himself, and to God. 157 Psal. xix. 10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine word of God, and that he only can enable us to understand them; with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them; with diligence, and attention to the matter and scope of theme; with meditation, applications, self-denial, and prayer i. gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb. Neh. viii. 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. 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: 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 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. 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. a 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto 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 Moscs, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: Ver. 14. But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. Ver. 15. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Ver. 16. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. e 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 scrip tures 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 speaketli 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 answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. Psal. i. 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he medi tate day and night. Psal. cxix. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. #2 Chron. xxxiv. 21. Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book. h Prov. iii. 5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Deut. xxxiii. 3. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. i Prov. ii. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; Ver. 2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Ver, 3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; Ver 4. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Ver. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Ver. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of 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, and also duly approved and called to that office'. Q. 159. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto 2 A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine m, diligently", in season and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of Gods; wiselyt, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the heavers'; zealously w, with fervent love to thy law. Neh. viii. 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. Ver. 8. So they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly, 158. k 1 Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Ver. 6. Not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Eph. iv. 8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ver. 9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Ver. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ver. 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. Hosea iv. 6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Mal. ii. 7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 2 Cor. iii. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 1 Jer. xiv. 15. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not,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 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Ver. 29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 1 Tim. iii. 10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless, 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 159. Tit. ii. 1. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Ver. 8. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. n 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, • 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. P1 Cor. xiv. 19. 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. 91 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. Jer. xxiii. 28. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully: what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. 1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Ver. 2. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. s Acts xx. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. t Col. i. 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 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. 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. 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 such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Ver. 13. For every God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory and their conversion, edification, and salvation". Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached?* *hol A. 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; receive the truth with faith, one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. Ver. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Luke xii. 42. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, 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, * 2 Cor. v. 13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. Ver. 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 also of good will. Ver. 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, Supposing to add affliction to my bonds; Ver. 17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. y Col. iv. 12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 2 Cor. xi. 15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. * 2 Cor. ii. 17. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 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. a 1 Thess. ii. 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. Ver. 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: Ver. 6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 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. b1 Cor. ix. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. Ver. 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; Ver. 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. Ver. 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 some. e 2 Cor. xii. 19. Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak be fore God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Eph. iv. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. d 1 Tim. iv. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self, and them that hear thee. Acts xxvi. 16. But rise, and stand upon thy fett: for I have appeared unto thee for this pur pose, to make thee a minister and a wit ness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Ver. 17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, Ver. 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. 160. Prov. viii. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. f1 Pet. ii. 1. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envie, and all evil speakings, Ver. 2. As new-born babes, desire 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 whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 8 Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Eph. vi. 13. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all persever ance and supplication for all saints 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. Ver. h Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they |