1. Is the Word to be read by us? Yes: I charge you that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren, 1 Thess. 5:27. Is it to be read in solemn assemblies? Yes: Moses is read in the synagogues every sabbath day, Acts 15:21. Is it profitable to expound the Scriptures? Yes: they that read in the law of God, gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading, Neh. 8:8. Is the Word of God to be preached? Yes: Preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, 2 Tim. 4:2. Is it the duty of all to hear the word? Yes: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, Rev. 2:7. Will the bare reading and hearing of the Word profit? No: the letter kills, the Spirit gives life, 2 Cor. 3:6.

2. But is the reading and hearing of the Word the ordinary means of convincing sinners? Yes: for it is mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds, 2 Cor. 10:4. And of startling the secure? Yes: by them is thy servant warned, Ps. 19:11. Is it the ordinary means of conversion? Yes: If the prophets had stood in my counsel, they should have turned people from their evil way, Jer. 13:22. And has it been the conversion of many? Yes: When the law of truth was in his mouth, he did turn many away from iniquity, Mal. 2:6. Is it the ordinary means of working faith? Yes: for faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10:17. And of renewing of the heart? Yes: for the seed is the Word of God, Luke 8:11. And of reforming the life? Yes: By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer, Ps. 17:4.

3. Is the reading and hearing of the word needful to those who are regenerate? Yes: for they are nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine, 1 Tim. 4:6. Is it a means of building them up in holiness? Yes: it is for the perfecting of the saints, Eph. 4:12. Will it furnish them for all good? Yes: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works, 2 Tim. 3:17. Will it fortify them against all evil? Yes: for the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, Eph. 6:17. Is it a means of building them up in comfort? Yes: That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope, Rom. 15:4.

4. Does the Spirit of God make the word effectual for all these good purposes? Yes: when the hand of the Lord was with them, a great number believed, and turned to the Lord, Acts 11:21. Is it effectual through faith unto salvation? Yes: It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes, Rom. 1:16. Is it not a great mercy then to have plenty of the Word of God? Yes: Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound, Ps. 89:15. And should we not welcome those that bring it? Yes: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Ps. 118:26.