a

his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.d

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,e preparation,f and prayer 8 examine what they hear by the scriptures ; re

deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

a 1 Thess. ii. 4, 5, 6. 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. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness: God is witness. 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.

b 1 Cor. ix. 19 to 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; 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. 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.

c 2 Cor. xii. 19. Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before 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 thy doctrine; continue in them: for, in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Acts xxvi. 16, 17, 18. But rise, and stand upon thy feet for, I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; deli. vering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 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. e Prov. viii. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors.

f 1 Peter 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. 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.

g Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Eph. vi. 18, 19. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with

ceive the truth with faith,i love,k meekness,1 and readiness of mind,m as the word of God;n meditate, and confer of it ;P hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives."

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.

all perseverance, and supplication for all saints; and for me, that ut. terance 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 searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

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 mixed with faith in them that heard it,

k 2 Thess. 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 saved.

7 James i. 21. Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

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 things were so.

n 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, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Heb. ii. 1.

o Luke ix. 44. Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 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.

Luke xxiv. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 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.

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

r 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. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 161. s 1 Peter i. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism.

Q. 162. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal, and exhibity unto those that are within the covenant of grace,w the benefits of his mediation; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all

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 done. Compared with verse 23. For I perceive, said Peter to Simon, that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 1 Cor. iii. 6, 7.— I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase. 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 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.

162. t Gen. xvii. 7, 10. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me, and you, and thy seed 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, 27, 28. 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. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.

v Rom. iv. 11. And he 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. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, 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 circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Exod. xii. 48. And when a stranger shall sojourn 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 uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

x Acts ii. 33. 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?

other graces; to oblige them to obedience ; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another; and ;a to distinguish them from those that are without.b 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.c

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

A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's supper.d

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

z Rom. vi. 3, 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? 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.

a Eph. iv. 2 to 5. With all lowliness and meeekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 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.

b Eph. ii. 11, 12. Wherefore remember that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise; having no hope, and without God in the world. Gen. xxxiv. 14. And they said unto them, we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised for that were a reproach unto us.

163. c 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 Ghost and with fire. 1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom. ii. 28, 29. For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

164. d Mat. xxvii. 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. 1 Cor. xi. 20, 23. When ye come together, therefore, into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For I have re

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,e to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself,f of remission of sins by his blood,g and regeneration by his Spirit;h of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life;k and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord's.m

Q. 166. Unto whom is baptism to be administered?

A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but infants, descending from parents, either both or but one of them, professing faith in Christ ceived of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread.— Mat. xxvi. 26, 27, 28. (See above in t.)

165. e 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.

f Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.

g Mark i. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. Rev. i. 5.-Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

h Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. v. 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

i 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.

k 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? Rom. vi. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

11 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.

m 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.

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166. n Acts viii. 36, 37. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptised? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 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.