Q1. What has God enjoined upon us, in order to our reading and hearing his word in a right manner?

A. That we attend thereunto; that we receive it; and that we lay it up in our hearts, and practise it in our lives.

Q2. What is it to attend to the reading and hearing of the word?

A. It is to make the reading and hearing of it the main business of our life; to have it mostly at heart, because the word contains "that good part which shall not be taken away," Luke 10:42.

Q3. How ought we to attend to, or set about the reading and hearing of the word?

A. With diligence, preparation, and prayer.

Q4. What do you understand by attending to the word with diligence?

A. A careful observing and embracing every seasonable opportunity, that may offer in providence, for reading and hearing the same, Proverbs 8:34.

Q5. What preparation should we make for reading and hearing the word?

A. We should consider, that the word has the authority of God stamped upon it, 2 Tim. 3:16; that it is he himself who speaks to us in it, Heb. 12:25; that it is his ordinance for our salvation, John 5:39; and will be the savour either of life or death to us, 2 Cor. 2:16.

Q6. Why is prayer requisite for reading and hearing the word in a right manner?

A. Because as it is God alone, and none else, who can dispose our hearts for the right performance of those religious exercises, so he ought always to be addressed and supplicated for that end, Psalm 119:18.

Q7. What should we pray for, when setting about the reading and hearing of the word?

A. That it may be "the power of God unto our salvation," Rom. 1:16; or an effectual means in his hand for convincing, converting, and edifying our souls, John 6:63.

Q8. What is our immediate duty, when we are actually engaged in reading or hearing of the word?

A. Our immediate duty, in that case, is to receive it.

Q9. What is it to receive the word?

A. It is, with all readiness of mind, to take it in, as the dictates of the Holy Ghost to our souls, Acts 17:11.

Q10. Why is the right improvement of the word, in time of reading and hearing of it, called a receiving it?

A. Because we can reap no real benefit to our souls, by the offer and exhibition of all the blessings that are brought nigh to us in it, unless we receive them as God's free gift to us, John 3:27.

Q11. How are we to receive the word, and all the good that is in it?

A. With faith and love.

Q12. When is the word received with faith, in time of reading and hearing of it?

A. When there is an application of it to the soul in particular, in a suitableness to the state and case of the person, and the nature of the word, whether in a way of promise, Lam. 3:24, or threatening, Psalm 119:120.

Q13. How may a person know if he receives the word with faith?

A. By the quickening, Psalm 119:50, enlightening, ver. 130, sanctifying, ver. 9, and strengthening effect of it, Dan. 10:19.

Q14. What is the native consequence of receiving the word with faith?

A. A receiving it also with love; for "faith worketh by love," Gal. 5:6.

Q15. How may our receiving the word with love be discerned?

A. When our affections are drawn out to the blessed truths and objects revealed in it; so as to esteem them more than "thousands of gold and silver," Psalm 119:72, or even than our "necessary food," Job 23:12.

Q16. What improvement ought we to make of the word after reading or hearing of it?

A. We should lay it up in our hearts, and practise it in our lives.

Q17. What do you understand by the heart, where the word should be laid up?

A. The soul, with all its faculties, Proverbs 23:26; the understanding, to know the word; the will to comply with it; the affections to love it; and the memory to retain it.

Q18. What is implied in laying up the word in our hearts?

A. That we account it the most valuable treasure, Psalm 119:127; that we keep it with the utmost care, ver. 11; and that we resolve to use it in all the future exigencies129 of our souls, ver. 24.

Q19. How may we know if the word is really laid up in our hearts?

A. By our delighting to meditate upon it, Psalm 119:97; by the Spirit's bringing it to our remembrance, John 14:26; and by our habitual desire of farther conformity and subjection unto it, Psalm 119:5.

Q20. For what end should we lay up the word in our hearts?

A. That we may practise it in our lives.

Q21. What is it to practise the word in our lives?

A. It is to have a conversation becoming the gospel, Phil. 1:27; or to have both the outward and inward man regulated according to the unerring rule of the word, Psalm 119:105.

Q22. What does the right manner of reading and hearing of the word teach us?

A. That the bare outward performance of duty will not be acceptable to God, unless the heart is engaged in it, Isaiah 29:13.

Q1. If the matter we read or hear be good, is not that enough for our salvation?

A. No, God requires that the word be read and heard in a due manner, and the manner of hearing is of special regard with God; Luke 8:18. Take heed therefore how you hear, etc.

Q2. How many things belong to the due manner of hearing?

A. Three sorts of duties belong to it; some antecedent, as preparation and prayer; some concomitant, as due diligence and retention; and some subsequent, as practice.

Q3. What is due preparation for hearing?

A. It consists in serious consideration of the greatness and holiness of that God whom we approach in hearing the word; Acts 10:33. Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. And awing the heart even to a degree of holy trembling thereby; Isaiah 66:2. To him will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.

Q4. What is the principal consideration thus to awe the heart?

A. The word is in its own nature a heart-searching word; Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And that eventually it will be the savor of life or death to us; 2 Corinthians 2:16. To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life, etc.

Q5. What else belongs to due preparation to hear?

A. The discharging of the heart from worldly cares; Matthew 13:7. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. And carnal lusts; James 1:21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Q6. What is the third act of due preparation?

A. Longing after the word for further communications of grace by it; 1 Peter 2:2. As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. Isaiah 2:3. And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Q7. What is the second antecedent duty of hearing?

A. Prayer is an antecedent duty to hearing the word, and that both for the assistance of the minister; 2 Thessalonians 3:1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. And our own illumination; Psalm 119:18. Open you mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Q8. What else should we pray for?

A. That God would pour out his Spirit with the word, according to that promise, Proverbs 1:23. I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you.

Q9. Does unpreparedness for the word always hinder its efficacy on the heart?

A. No, God sometimes is found of them that sought him not; Isaiah 65:1. I was found of them that sought me not, etc. But it is a sin to neglect it, and needs a pardon of God.

Q10. What is the first motive to prepare for solemn duties?

A. That it argues the sincerity of the heart, and in that case God will be merciful to infirmities; 2 Chronicles 30:18, 19. For a multitude of the people, even a multitude of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did eat the Passover, but not as it is written; wherefore Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord be merciful towards him that prepares his whole heart to seek the Lord God, the God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

Q11. What is the second motive?

A. It is a sweet sign that God will make that duty successful for which the heart is prepared; Psalm 10:17. You prepare their heart; you bend your ear to them.

Q12. What is the third motive to preparation?

A. The majesty and jealousy of God, to whom we approach, obliges us to solemn preparation; Hebrews 12:28, 29. Whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a consuming fire.

Q13. But must a man neglect the duty, if his heart be not duly prepared for it?

A. No; for that would be to add a new sin to a former, and aggravate it the more.

Q14. In what manner must the prepared heart go to the word?

A. Not in dependence on its own preparations, but upon the Spirit's assistance; Psalm 71:16. I will go forward in the strength of the Lord God, etc.

Q15. What is the first act of faith due to the word?

A. The assenting act of faith is required to the word read or preached, whereby we acknowledge it to be of divine authority; 2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; 2 Peter 1:21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Q16. What is the second act of faith required of us?

A. An applying act of faith is also required of us; Romans 15:4. For whatever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Q17. What is the first end in applying the word?

A. It is first to be applied to our conviction both of sin and misery; Acts 2:37. Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Q18. What is the second end, or use of applying it?

A. It must be applied for our guidance and direction to Christ; John 6:45. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, Comes unto me.

Q19. What is the third use to which it must be applied?

A. We must apply it for our direction through the whole course of Christian duties: 2 Peter 1:19. We have also a most sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.

Q20. What other use must we apply it to?

A. It must be applied for our comfort in all inward and outward troubles: Romans 15:4. For whatever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Q21. On what account are we to receive it with love?

A. We are to love it for its author's sake, because it is the word of God; Psalm 119:159. Consider how I love your precepts, etc.

Q22. What is the second motive of love to the word?

A. The holiness and purity of it deserves and engages our love to it; Psalm 119:140. Your word is very pure; therefore your servant loves it.

Q23. What is the third motive to engage our love to it?

A. The great and constant usefulness of it to our souls, as that we cannot exist without; Job 23:12. I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Q24. How does this love to the word manifest itself?

A. Our love manifests itself in our longing after it; Psalm 119:20. My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto your judgments at all times. Our diligent attendance on it; Acts 10:33. Immediately therefore I sent unto you, and you have well done that you are come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God.

Q25. How is faith and love evidenced to the word after hearing it?

A. By preserving it carefully in our hearts and memories; Psalm 119:11. Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Q26. What is the best cure for a bad memory?

A. Labor to get an high esteem of it, and an experimental feeling of it, and frequently meditate on it; Psalm 119:16. I will delight myself in your statutes: I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:93. I will never forget your precepts; for with them you have quickened me. Psalm 119:99. Your testimonies are my meditation.

Q27. How is faith and love principally manifested to the word after hearing?

A. It is principally manifested by bringing forth the fruits of it in our lives; Colossians 1:5, 6. For the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you have heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.

Q28. What is the use of all this?

A. This serves to reprove our formal and dead hearing the word, and excites us all to evidence and exercise more faith, love, and obedience, in hearing it. Of Sacraments as Means of Salvation

Q1. Must we read the Word of God with seriousness?

A. Yes: We must give attendance to reading, 1 Tim. 4:13.

Q2. And not read it as a common book?

A. No: It is not a vain thing, for it is your life, Deut. 32:47.

Q3. Must we be diligent to hear the word?

A. Yes: Watching daily at Wisdom's gates, waiting at the posts of her doors, Prov. 8:34.

Q4. Must we prepare for hearing it?

A. Yes: Lay aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisy, and filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, 1 Pet. 2:1.

Q5. Must we come to it with a spiritual appetite?

A. Yes: As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, 1 Pet. 2:2.

Q6. Must we set ourselves to receive it?

A. Yes: As Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear his word, Luke 10:39.

Q7. Must we bow our souls before it?

A. Yes: Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears, 1 Sam. 3:9.

Q8. Must we diligently hearken to it?

A. Yes: Be swift to hear, Jam. 1:19.

Q9. Must we hear the word with reverence?

A. Yes: When Ezra opened the book all the people stood up, Neh. 8:5.

Q10. Must we hear it with care?

A. Yes: Take heed how ye hear, Luke 8:18.

Q11. And with meekness?

A. Yes: Receive with meekness the engrafted word, Jam. 1:21.

Q12. And with delight?

A. Yes: How sweet are thy words unto my taste: Ps. 119:103.

Q13. And with a holy fear?

A. Yes: We must tremble at the word, Isa. 66:2.

Q14. Must we receive it as the word of men?

A. No: But as it is in truth, the Word of God, 1 Thess. 2:13.

Q15. Must we take heed of sleeping under the word?

A. Yes: Could ye not watch with me one hour? Matt. 26:40.

Q16. Must we pray for a blessing upon the word?

A. Yes: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law, Ps. 119:18.

Q17. Must we receive the word with faith?

A. Yes: For it will not profit if it be not mixed with faith, Heb. 4:2.

Q18. Must we receive men's words with an implicit faith?

A. No: Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, 1 John 4:1.

Q19. But must we receive God's word with an implicit faith?

A. Yes: For every word of God is pure, Prov. 30:5.

Q20. Must we receive it with love?

A. Yes: I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food, Job 23:12.

Q21. Must we remember the word we read and hear?

A. Yes: Lest at any time we let it slip, Heb. 2:1.

Q22. Must we lay it up in our hearts?

A. Yes: Thy word have I hid in my heart, Ps. 119:11.

Q23. Must we meditate on it?

A. Yes: In that law doth he meditate day and night, Ps. 1:2.

Q24. Must we practise it in our lives?

A. Yes: Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, James 1:22.

Q25. Will it suffice to hear, though we do not practise?

A. No: If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them, John 13:17.