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law, deserveth his wrath and curse, both in this life f and that which is to come; and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ 1.

Q. 155. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law?

A. That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ', and the diligent use of the outward means whereby

d 1 John iii. 4. Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law. Rom. vii. 12. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

с Eph. v. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

f Lam. iii. 39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Deut. xxviii. from Verse 15. to the end. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. Ver. 16. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Ver. 17. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store, &c.

8 Mat. xxv. 41. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

h Heb. ix. 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 1 Pet. i. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers; Ver. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot.

153. i Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Mat. iii. 7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Ver. 8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. Luke xiii. 3, 5. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts xvi. 30. And (the jailor) brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Ver. 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house. John iii 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso

whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation k

Q. 154. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?

A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation1.

Q. 155. How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening", convincing,

ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Ver. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,

k Prov. ii. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my conmandments 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. Prov. viii. 33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Ver. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Ver. 35. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Ver. 36. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death,

154. 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: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Ver. 46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness, and singleness of heart; Ver. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

155. m Neh. viii. 8. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Acts xxvi, 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. Psal. xix. 8. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes, 1 Cor.

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convincing, and humbling sinners"; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of

n1 Cor. xiv. 24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: Ver. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 18. Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. Ver. 19. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his "clothes. Ver. 26. And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; Ver. 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. Ver. 28. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace,

Acts ii. 37. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Ver. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts

viii. from Ver. 27. to 39.-And, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority, Ver. 28. Was returning, and, sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet. Ver. 29. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Ver. 30. 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 his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Ver. 36.

And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Ver. 37. 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. Ver. 38. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

P2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the

Lord.

9 2 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

of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions'; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation *.

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.

Mat. iv. 4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Ver. 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Ver. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thon serve. Eph. vi. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ver. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Psal. xix. 11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward. 1 Cor. x. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are

come.

3 Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I 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. iii. 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 in.

Q. 156. Is

spiration 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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

t Rom. xvi. 25. Now to him that is of power to establish 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 began. 1 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 concerning your faith: Ver. 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

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they

Q. 156. Is the word of God to be read by all?

A Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publickly to the congregation", yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves ", and with their families:

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. i. 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.

156. Deut. xxxi. 9. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests, the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel. Ver. 11. When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Ver. 12. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: Ver. 13. And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. Neh. viii. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both of men and women, and

that could hear with understandng, upon the first day of the se

venth month. Ver. 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. Neh. ix. 3. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day, and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God. Ver. 4. Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, &c. and cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God, Ver. 5. Then the Levites, Joshua, and Kadmiel, &c. said, Stand up, and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever; and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

w 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. Rev. i. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. John v. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. xxxiv. 16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail,

Isa.

x Deut.

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