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

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

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VI Cor. iii. 2. I have fed 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 ftrong meat. v. 13. For every one that ufeth milk, is unfkilful 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 reafon of use have their fenfes exercifed to difcern both good and evil. Luke xii 42. And the Lord faid, Who then is that faithful and wife fteward, whom his Lord fhall make ruler over his houfhold, to give them their portion of meat in due feafon ?

w Acts xviii. 25. This man was inftructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the fpirit, he fpake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,

x 2 Cor. v. 13. For whether we be befides ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be fober, it is for your caufe. v. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us, becaufe we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. Phil. i. 15. Some indeed preach Chrift even of envy and ftrife: and fome alfo of good will. v. 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not fincerely,

their

fuppofing 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 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. xii. 15.

and I will very gladly fpend and be fpent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the lefs 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 fpeak we in Chrift.

2 Cor. iv. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of difhonefty, not walking in craftinefs, not handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifeftation of the truth, commending ourfelves to every man's confcience in the fight of God.

a1 Theff. ii. 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even fo we speak, not as pleafing 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 covetousnefs; God is witnefs. v. 6. Nor of men fought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burthenfome, as the apoftles of Chrift. John vii. 18. He that fpeaketh of himself, feeketh 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, edification, and falvation d. :

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

4. It is required of thofe that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence e, preparationfand prayer g; examine what they hear by the fcriptures h; receive the truth with

b1 Cor. ix. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet I have made myself fervant 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 Chrift) 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 fave fome.

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

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d1 Tim. iv. 16. Take heed unto thyfelf, and unto thy doctrine, continue in them for in doing this , thou shalt both fave thyfelf, and them that hear thee. Acts xxvi. 19. But rife, and ftand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minifter, and a witnefs both of thofe 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 who are fanctified 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 pofts of my doors.

f Pet. ii. 1. Wherefore laying afide all malice and all guile, and hypocrifies, and envies, and all evilfpeaking. v. 2. As new-born babes defire the fincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Luke viii. 18. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whofoever hath, to him fhall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him fhall be taken even that which he feemeth 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 fpirit, and watching thereunto with all perfeverance 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 myftery of the gospel.

h Acts xvii. 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 thofe things were fo.

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with faith i, love k, meekness 1, 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 lives r. Q. 161. How do the facraments become effectual means of Salvation?

A. The facraments become effectual means of falvation, not by any power in themfelves, 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 Christ by whom they are inftituted f

i 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 mix ed with faith in them that heard it.

k 2 Theff. ii. 10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, in them that perish; becaufe they received not the love of the truth, that they might be faved.

/ James i. 21. Wherefore lay a part all filthiness, and fuperfluity of naughtiness, and reqeive with meeknefs the ingrafted word, which is able to fave your fouls

m Acts xvii 11. Thefe were more noble than those in Theffalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and fearched the fcriprures daily, whether thofe things e e. fo.

Thefl. ii. 13. For this caufe also 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 also in

you that believe.

Luke ix 44 Let thefe fayings fink down into your ears: for the Son of man fhall 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, left at any time we fhould 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, fhall be in thine heart. v. 7. And thou fhalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and fhalt talk of them when thou fittest in thy houfe, and when thou walkeft by the way, and when thou lieft down, and when thou rifeft 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 honeft and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Jam, i. 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.

161. Pet. iii, 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptifm, doth alfo now fave 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

Q. 162. What is a facrament?

A. Á facrament is an holy ordinance inftituted by Christ in his church, to fignify, feal, and exhibit unto thofe that are within the covenant of gracew, the benefits of his mediation x;

Jefus Chrift. Acts viii. 13. Then Simon himfelf believed alfo: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and figns 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. 1 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. 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one fpirit 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 fpirit.

162.1 Gen.xvii. 7. And I will eftablish 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 fhall be circumcifed. Exod. ch. xii, containing the inftitution of the paffover. 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, Jefus took bread, and bleffed it, and brake it, and gave it to the difciples, 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 Teftament, which is fhed for many, for the remiffion of fins.

v Rom. iv. 11 And he received the fign of circumcifion, a feal of the righteoufefs of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcifed: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcifed: that righteousness might be imputed unto them alfo. 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 fame manner also he took the cup, when he had fupped, faying, This cup is the New Teftament in my blood this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

w Rom. xv. 8. Now I fay, That Jefus Chrift was a minifter of the circumcifion, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Exod. xii. 48. And when a ftranger fhall fojourn with thee, and will keep the paffover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcifed, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land; for no uncircumcifed perfon fhall eat thereof.

x Acts ii. 38. Then Peter faid unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jefus Chrift, for the remiffion of fins, and ye fhall receive the gift of the Holy Ghoft. 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of bleffing which we blefs, is it not the communion of the blood of

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to ftrengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces y, to oblige them to obedience z; to teftify and cherish their love and communion one with another a,. and to distinguish them from those that are without b

Q163. What are the parts of a facrament?

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

Chrift? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Chrift.

y Rom. iv. 17. (See in v above.) Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Chrift, have put on 'Chrift.

z Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not that fo many of us as were baptized into Jefus Chrift, were baptized into his death v. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptifm into death: that like as Chrift was raifed up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even fo we alfo fhould 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 meeknefs, with long fuffering, forbearing 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.

Eph. ii. 11. Wherefore remem

A. Under

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 ftrangers from the covenants of promife, 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 filter to one that is uncircumcifed; for that were a reproach

to us.

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163. c Mat, iii. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whofe fhoes I am not worthy to bear: he hall baptize you with the Holy Ghoft, and with fire. with fire. Pet. iii, 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptifm, doth alfo 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 Jefus Chrift. 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, whofe praife is not of men but of God.

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