A. Longing after the word for further communications of grace by it ; 1 Pet. ii. 2. As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Isa. ii. 3. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, 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.
Q. 7. 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 Thess. iii. 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 il- lumination ; Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may be- hold wondrous things out of thy law.
Q. 8. What else should we pray for ?
A. That God would pour out his Spirit with the word, according to that promise, Prov. i. 23. I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you.
Q. 9. Doth unpreparedness for the word always hinder its efficacy on the heart ?
A. No, God sometimes is found of them that sought him not ; Isa. Ixv. 1. I was found of them that sought me not, S^c. But it is a sin to neglect it, and needs a pardon of God.
Q. 10. 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 Chron. xxx. 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 prepareth 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.
Q. 11. W^hat is the second motive ?
A. It is a sweet sign that God will make that duty successful for which the heart is prepared ; Psalm x. 17. Thou .preparest their heart ; thou bendest thine ear to them.
Q. 12. What is the third motive to preparation?
A. The majesty and jealousy of God, to whom we approach, obliges us to solemn preparation ; Ileb. xii. 28, 29. Whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear ; for our God is a consuming fire.
Q. 13. 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 ag- gravate it the more.
274 AN ExrosiTioN of the assembly's catechism.
Q. ] 4 In what manner must the prepared heart go to the word p A. Not in dependence on its own preparations, but upon the Spirifs assistance; Psal. Ixxi. 16. I will go forward in the strength of the Lord God, &c.
Q. 15. 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 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; 2 Pet. i. 21. 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.
Q. 16. What is the second act of faith required of us ? A. An applying act of faith is also required of us; 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.
Q. 17. 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 ii. 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 ?
Q. 18. What is the second end, or use of applying it ? A. It must be applied for our guidance and direction to Christ ; John vi. 45. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Q. ID. 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 Pet. i. 19- We have also a most sure word of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in 3'Oin' hearts.
Q. 20. What other use must we apply it to ? A. It must be applied for our comfort in all inward and outward troubles: Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore- time, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Q. 21. On what account are we to receive it with love .'' A. We are to love it for its author's sake, because it is tlie word ef God ; Psal. cxix. 159- Consider how I love thy precepts, &c. Q. 22. What is the second motive of love to the word ? A. The holiness and purity of it deserves and engages our love to it; Psal. cxix. 140. Thy word is very pure; therefore thy ser- vant loveth it.
Q. 23. 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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. 275
cannot subsist without ; Job xxiii. 1% I have esteemetl the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Q. 24s. How doth this love to the word manifest itseh\^
A. Our love manifests itself in our longing after it ; Psalm cxix. SO. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judg- ments at all times. Our diligent attendance on it ; Acts x. 33. Im- mediately therefore I sent unto thee, and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
Q. 25. How is faith and love evidenced to the word after hear- ing it ?
A. By preserving it carefully in our hearts and memories ; Psalm cxix. 11. Thy word have I hid in ray heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Q. 26. What is the best cure for a bad memory ?
A. Labour to get an high esteem of it, and an experimental feel- ing of it, and frequently meditate on it ; Psal. cxix. 16. I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget thy word. Psal. cxix. 93. I will never forget thy precepts ; for with them thou hast quickened me. Psalm cxix. 99. Thy testimonies are my meditation.
Q. 27. 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 ; Col. i. 5, 6. For the hope which is laid up for you in hea- ven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the trutli of the gos}>el, which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye have heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.
Q. 28. What is the use of all this ?