16 July 2008

Westminster Wednesday #89 Part 2

Continuing from last week...

Q. 8. What else is the word useful for? A. To build up the saints to perfection in Christ; Ephesians 4:11-13. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man; unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Acts 20:32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
Q. 9. May the common people read the scriptures? A. Yes, it is a duty commanded by Christ; John 5:39. Search the scriptures, &c. And commended by the apostle; Acts 17:11. 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.
Q. 10. Is it their duty or liberty also to preach it? A. No, it is not; for besides abilities for that work, there must be a call; Romans 10:14-15. How shall they hear without a preacher? and how, shall they preach, except they be sent, &c.
Q. 11. What is the first instruction from hence? A. That the enjoyments of the scriptures, and an able, faithful ministry to expound and apply them, is a special mercy to any people; Psalm 147:19-20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and judgments unto Israel; he hath not dealt so with any nation; and as or his judgments they have not known them.
Q. 12. What is the second instruction? A. That men cannot expect special and spiritual blessings from God in the wilful neglect of the ordinances; Proverbs 28:9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Q. 13. What is the third inference? A. That sad is their condition, who sit all their days under the word to no purpose at all; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine into them.
Q. 14. What is the last inference? A. That Christ’s ordinances and ministers should be most welcome to the people to whom God sends them; Isaiah 52:7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.
- John Flavel

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