{"number":90,"title":"How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may be effectual unto Salvation?","part":null,"questions":[90],"paragraphs":[],"clauses":[],"items":[{"question":"How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may be effectual unto Salvation?","answer":"That the Word may become effectual unto Salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, Preparation and Prayer, receive it with Faith and Love, lay it up in our Hearts, and practise it in our Lives.","segments":[{"text":"That the Word may become effectual unto Salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, Preparation and Prayer, receive it with Faith and Love, lay it up in our Hearts, and practise it in our Lives.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[{"question":"What is required before the hearing of the Word, that it may be effectual unto Salvation?","answer":"Before the hearing of the Word that it may become effectual to Salvation, two things are required; 1. Preparation. 2. Prayer.","segments":[{"text":"Before the hearing of the Word that it may become effectual to Salvation, two things are required; 1. Preparation. 2. Prayer.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is that Preparation that is required before the hearing of the Word?","answer":"The preparation which is required before hearing of the Word, is; 1. That we consider the Majesty of God, in whose presence we are to appear, and whose Word we are to hear. We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 2. That we examine our selves, to find out, and lay aside, whatever may hinder the saving operation of the Word of God upon us. I will wash my hands in innocency, so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord. Wherefore lay apart all superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and evil speakings: as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.","segments":[{"text":"The preparation which is required before hearing of the Word, is; 1. That we consider the Majesty of God, in whose presence we are to appear, and whose Word we are to hear. We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.","proofs":["Acts 10:33"],"refs":[{"printed":"Acts 10:33","osis":["Acts.10.33"]}],"note":null},{"text":"2. That we examine our selves, to find out, and lay aside, whatever may hinder the saving operation of the Word of God upon us. I will wash my hands in innocency, so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord.","proofs":["Psalm 26:6"],"refs":[{"printed":"Psalm 26:6","osis":["Ps.26.6"]}],"note":null},{"text":"Wherefore lay apart all superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.","proofs":["James 1:21"],"refs":[{"printed":"James 1:21","osis":["Jas.1.21"]}],"note":null},{"text":"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and evil speakings: as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.","proofs":["1 Peter 2:1–2"],"refs":[{"printed":"1 Peter 2:1–2","osis":["1Pet.2.1-1Pet.2.2"]}],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is that Prayer which is required before hearing the Word?","answer":"The Prayer which is required before hearing the Word, is Prayer in secret and in our Families for Gods assistance of his Ministers in Preaching the Word to us and for his blessing the Word and making it effectual to us by his spirit in our hearing of it. Pray for us that the Word of the Lord may have free course & be glorified.","segments":[{"text":"The Prayer which is required before hearing the Word, is Prayer in secret and in our Families for Gods assistance of his Ministers in Preaching the Word to us and for his blessing the Word and making it effectual to us by his spirit in our hearing of it. Pray for us that the Word of the Lord may have free course & be glorified.","proofs":["2 Thessalonians 3:1"],"refs":[{"printed":"2 Thessalonians 3:1","osis":["2Thess.3.1"]}],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is required in Reading and Hearing the Word, to make it effectual unto Salvation?","answer":"In Reading and Hearing the Word that it may become effectual unto Salvation, three things are required; 1. Attention. 2. Faith. 3. Love.","segments":[{"text":"In Reading and Hearing the Word that it may become effectual unto Salvation, three things are required; 1. Attention. 2. Faith. 3. Love.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is that Attention which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word?","answer":"The Attention which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word, is a diligent inclining the ear, and bending the mind, that we may understand what we Read and Hear. My Son, if thou wilt receive my Word, and hide my Commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto Wisdom; and apply thy heart unto understanding: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.","segments":[{"text":"The Attention which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word, is a diligent inclining the ear, and bending the mind, that we may understand what we Read and Hear. My Son, if thou wilt receive my Word, and hide my Commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto Wisdom; and apply thy heart unto understanding: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.","proofs":["Proverbs 2:1–2, 5"],"refs":[{"printed":"Proverbs 2:1–2, 5","osis":["Prov.2.1-Prov.2.2","Prov.2.5"]}],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is that Faith which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word?","answer":"The Faith which is required in Reading and Hearing of the Word, doth imply; 1. In general, a believing assent unto the Divine Authority of the whole Scripture, that it is indeed the Word of God, and however it were Penned by divers Holy Men in divers Ages, that yet the whole was Indighted, and they writ nothing but as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost. We thank God, because when ye received the Word of God which ye received of us, ye received it not as the Word of men, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God. 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. 2. The Faith required in Reading and Hearing the Word, doth imply in particular; 1. A believing assent unto the truth and excellency of all Scripture History as that which most certainly was; especially the History of our Lord Jesus Christ in his Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection and Ascention. 2. A believing assent unto the truth and excellency of all Scripture Prophecy, as that (so far as it is not yet fulfilled) which most certainly will be; especially the Prophecy concerning the consummation of all things and the general Judgment of the World by Jesus Christ at the last day. 3. A believing assent unto the truth and excellency of all Scripture Doctrine as that which is most high and most worthy of the Understanding; especially the Doctrine of the Trinity and Christs Incarnation and the way of Mans Redemption. 4. A believing assent unto the truth and righteousness of all Scripture-threatnings whether in the Law or Gospel, and that in the most severe executions of them. 5. A believing assent unto the holiness, righteousness and goodness of all Scripture-precepts; as also to the perfection of the Scripture rule for all things which concern our practice. 6. A fiducial application of all Scripture promises, so far as they have a general reference unto all believers as most firm, true, precious, and such as contain in them whatever is really for our good and happiness both in this and in the other world.","segments":[{"text":"The Faith which is required in Reading and Hearing of the Word, doth imply; 1. In general, a believing assent unto the Divine Authority of the whole Scripture, that it is indeed the Word of God, and however it were Penned by divers Holy Men in divers Ages, that yet the whole was Indighted, and they writ nothing but as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost. We thank God, because when ye received the Word of God which ye received of us, ye received it not as the Word of men, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God.","proofs":["1 Thessalonians 2:13"],"refs":[{"printed":"1 Thessalonians 2:13","osis":["1Thess.2.13"]}],"note":null},{"text":"All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God.","proofs":["2 Timothy 3:16"],"refs":[{"printed":"2 Timothy 3:16","osis":["2Tim.3.16"]}],"note":null},{"text":"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.","proofs":["2 Peter 1:21"],"refs":[{"printed":"2 Peter 1:21","osis":["2Pet.1.21"]}],"note":null},{"text":"2. The Faith required in Reading and Hearing the Word, doth imply in particular; 1. A believing assent unto the truth and excellency of all Scripture History as that which most certainly was; especially the History of our Lord Jesus Christ in his Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection and Ascention. 2. A believing assent unto the truth and excellency of all Scripture Prophecy, as that (so far as it is not yet fulfilled) which most certainly will be; especially the Prophecy concerning the consummation of all things and the general Judgment of the World by Jesus Christ at the last day. 3. A believing assent unto the truth and excellency of all Scripture Doctrine as that which is most high and most worthy of the Understanding; especially the Doctrine of the Trinity and Christs Incarnation and the way of Mans Redemption. 4. A believing assent unto the truth and righteousness of all Scripture-threatnings whether in the Law or Gospel, and that in the most severe executions of them. 5. A believing assent unto the holiness, righteousness and goodness of all Scripture-precepts; as also to the perfection of the Scripture rule for all things which concern our practice. 6. A fiducial application of all Scripture promises, so far as they have a general reference unto all believers as most firm, true, precious, and such as contain in them whatever is really for our good and happiness both in this and in the other world.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is that Love which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word of God?","answer":"The Love which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word of God, is Love of the Word because it is the Word of God, Consider how I love thy precepts, My soul hath kept thy Testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.","segments":[{"text":"The Love which is required in Reading and Hearing the Word of God, is Love of the Word because it is the Word of God, Consider how I love thy precepts, My soul hath kept thy Testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.","proofs":["Psalm 119:159, 167"],"refs":[{"printed":"Psalm 119:159, 167","osis":["Ps.119.159","Ps.119.167"]}],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Wherein should our Love to the Word of God shew it self?","answer":"Our Love to the Word of God should shew it self. 1. In our high prizing of the Word of God above things which are most necessary and precious in the World, I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food, The Law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. 2. In our earnest desires after the Word, My soul breaketh for the longing it hath unto thy judgments at all times. I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for thy Commandments. 3. In our delighting our selves in the Word, Thy Testimonies are my delight and my Counsellors. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart. I rejoyce at thy Word as one that findeth great spoil.","segments":[{"text":"Our Love to the Word of God should shew it self. 1. In our high prizing of the Word of God above things which are most necessary and precious in the World, I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food,","proofs":["Job 23:12"],"refs":[{"printed":"Job 23:12","osis":["Job.23.12"]}],"note":null},{"text":"The Law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.","proofs":["Psalm 119:72"],"refs":[{"printed":"Psalm 119:72","osis":["Ps.119.72"]}],"note":null},{"text":"2. In our earnest desires after the Word, My soul breaketh for the longing it hath unto thy judgments at all times. I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for thy Commandments.","proofs":["Psalm 119:20, 131"],"refs":[{"printed":"Psalm 119:20, 131","osis":["Ps.119.20","Ps.119.131"]}],"note":null},{"text":"3. In our delighting our selves in the Word, Thy Testimonies are my delight and my Counsellors. Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart. I rejoyce at thy Word as one that findeth great spoil.","proofs":["Psalm 119:24, 111, 162"],"refs":[{"printed":"Psalm 119:24, 111, 162","osis":["Ps.119.24","Ps.119.111","Ps.119.162"]}],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is required after the reading and hearing the Word that it may become effectual unto Salvation?","answer":"There is required after the reading and hearing of the Word that it may become effectual unto Salvation. 1. That we lay it up in our hearts and memories store-houses of this heavenly treasure, Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. 2. That we practise it in our lives, being ready to obey and do whatever we read or hear out of the Word to be our duty, Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves; 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.","segments":[{"text":"There is required after the reading and hearing of the Word that it may become effectual unto Salvation. 1. That we lay it up in our hearts and memories store-houses of this heavenly treasure, Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.","proofs":["Psalm 119:11"],"refs":[{"printed":"Psalm 119:11","osis":["Ps.119.11"]}],"note":null},{"text":"2. That we practise it in our lives, being ready to obey and do whatever we read or hear out of the Word to be our duty, Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves; 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.","proofs":["James 1:22, 25"],"refs":[{"printed":"James 1:22, 25","osis":["Jas.1.22","Jas.1.25"]}],"note":null}],"items":[]}]}],"text":null}