Week 1, Tuesday

Psalm 2

Psalm 2, from the Scottish Psalter.

Why rage the Heathen? and vain things
why do the people mind?
Kings of the earth do set themselves,
and Princes are combined
To plot against the Lord, and his
Anointed, saying thus,
Let us asunder break their band
and cast their cords from us.

He that in Heaven sits shall laugh:
the Lord shall scorn them all:
Then shall he speak to them in wrath,
in rage he vex them shall.
Yet notwithstanding I have him
to be my King appointed:
And over Sion, my holy hill,
I have him King anointed.

The sure decree I will declare:
the Lord hath said to me,
Thou art mine only Son, this day
I have begotten thee.
Ask of me, and for heritage
the Heathen I’ll make thine,
And for possession I to thee
will give earths utmost line.

Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod
of iron, break them all,
And, as a potters sherd, thou shalt
them dash in pieces small.
Now therefore, Kings, be wise, be taught
ye Judges of the earth.
Serve God in fear, and see that ye
join trembling with your mirth.

Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire
ye perish from the way,
If once his wrath begin to burn.
Blest all that on him stay.

Ezra 2

Ezra, chapter 2.

¹ These also are the sons of the province, that went up out of the captivity (whom Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel had carried away unto Babel) and returned to Jerusalem, and to Judah, every one unto his city,

² Which came up with Zerubbabel, to wit, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel was,

³ The sons of Parosh, two thousand, an hundred seventy and two:

⁴ The sons of Shephatiah, three hundred, seventy and two:

⁵ The sons of Arath, seven hundred, and seventy and five:

⁶ The sons of Phaath Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand, eight hundred and twelve:

⁷ The sons of Elam, a thousand, two hundred and four and fifty:

⁸ The sons of Zattu, nine hundred and five and forty:

⁹ The sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore:

¹⁰ The sons of Bani, six hundred and two and forty:

¹¹ The sons of Bebai, six hundred, and three and twenty:

¹² The sons of Azgad a thousand, two hundred and two and twenty:

¹³ The sons of Adonikam, six hundred, three score and six:

¹⁴ The sons of Bigvai, two thousand, and six and fifty:

¹⁵ The sons of Adin, four hundred and four and fifty:

¹⁶ The sons of Ater of Hizkiah, ninety and eight:

¹⁷ The sons of Bezai, three hundred and three and twenty:

¹⁸ The sons of Jorah, an hundred and twelve:

¹⁹ The sons of Hasshum, two hundred and three and twenty:

²⁰ The sons of Gibbar, ninety and five:

²¹ The sons of Beth-lehem, an hundred and three and twenty:

²² The men of Netophah, six and fifty:

²³ The men of Anathoth, an hundred and eight and twenty:

²⁴ The sons of Azmaveth, two and forty:

²⁵ The sons of Kiriath-arim, of Chephirah, and Beroth, seven hundred and three and forty:

²⁶ The sons of Haramah and Gaba, six hundred, and one and twenty:

²⁷ The men of Michmas, an hundred and two and twenty:

²⁸ The sons of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred, and three and twenty:

²⁹ The sons of Nebo, two and fifty:

³⁰ The sons of Magbish, an hundred and six and fifty:

³¹ The sons of the other Elam, a thousand, and two hundred, and four and fifty:

³² The sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty:

³³ The sons of Lod-hadid, and Ono, seven hundred, and five and twenty:

³⁴ The sons of Jericho, three hundred and five and forty:

³⁵ The sons of Senaah, three thousand, six hundred and thirty.

³⁶ The Priests: of the sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three:

³⁷ The sons of Immer, a thousand and two and fifty:

³⁸ The sons of Pashur, a thousand, two hundred and seven and forty:

³⁹ The sons of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

⁴⁰ The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, and Kadmiel of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy and four.

⁴¹ The Singers: the sons of Asaph, an hundred and eight and twenty.

⁴² The sons of the porters: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai: all were an hundred and nine and thirty.

⁴³ The Nethinims: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,

⁴⁴ The sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon,

⁴⁵ The sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub,

⁴⁶ The sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan,

⁴⁷ The sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah,

⁴⁸ The sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam,

⁴⁹ The sons of Uzzah, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai,

⁵⁰ The sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephusim,

⁵¹ The sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupa, the sons of Harhur,

⁵² The sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha,

⁵³ The sons of Barcos, the sons of Sisara, the sons of Thamah,

⁵⁴ The sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha,

⁵⁵ The sons of Salomons servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Peruda,

⁵⁶ The sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel,

⁵⁷ The sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the sons of Ami.

⁵⁸ All the Nethinims, and the sons of Salomons servants were three hundred ninety and two.

⁵⁹ And these went up from Telmelah, and from Telharsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not discern their fathers house and their seed, whether they were of Israel.

⁶⁰ The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and two and fifty.

⁶¹ And of the sons of the Priests, the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Coz, the sons of Barzillai: which took of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.

⁶² These sought their writing of the genealogies, but they were not found: therefore were they put from the Priesthood.

⁶³ And Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy thing, till there rose up a Priest with Urim and Thummim.

⁶⁴ The whole Congregation together was two and forty thousand, three hundred and threescore,

⁶⁵ Beside their servants and their maids: of whom were seven thousand, three hundred and seven and thirty: and among them were two hundred singing men and singing women.

⁶⁶ Their horses were seven hundred, and six and thirty: their mules, two hundred and five and forty:

⁶⁷ Their camels four hundred, and five and thirty: their asses, six thousand, seven hundred and twenty.

⁶⁸ And certain of the chief fathers, when they came to the house of Yahweh, which was in Jerusalem, they offered willingly for the house of God, to set it up upon his foundation.

⁶⁹ They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work, even one and threescore thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pieces of silver, and an hundred Priests garments.

⁷⁰ So the Priests and the Levites, and a certain of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Acts 2

Acts, chapter 2.

¹ And when the day of Pentecost was come, they were all with one accord in one place.

² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing and mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they sate.

³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like fire, and it sate upon each of them.

⁴ And they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ And there were dwelling at Hierusalem Jews, men that feared God, of every nation under heaven.

⁶ Now when this was noised, the multitude came together and were astonied, because that every man heard them speak his own language.

⁷ And they wondered all, and marveled, saying among themselves, Behold, are not all these which speak, of Galile?

⁸ How then hear we every man our own language, wherein we were born?

⁹ Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, and of Cappadocia, of Pontus, and Asia,

¹⁰ And of Phrygia, and Pamphylia, of Egypt, and of the parts of Libya, which is beside Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, and Jews, and Proselytes,

¹¹ Cretes, and Arabians: we heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.

¹² They were all then amazed, and doubted, saying one to another, What may this be?

¹³ And others mocked, and said, They are full of new wine.

¹⁴ But Peter standing with the Eleven, lift up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and ye all that inhabit Hierusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken unto my words.

¹⁵ For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, since it is but the third hour of the day.

¹⁶ But this is that, which was spoken by the Prophet Joel,

¹⁷ And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons, and your daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

¹⁸ And on my servants, and on mine handmaids I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophecy.

¹⁹ And I will show wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and the vapor of smoke.

²⁰ The Sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.

²¹ And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord, shall be saved.

²² Ye men of Israel, hear these words, JESUS of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you with great works, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

²³ Him, I say, being delivered by the determinate counsel, and foreknowledge of God, after you had taken, with wicked hands you have crucified and slain.

²⁴ Whom God hath raised up, and loosed the sorrows of death, because it was unpossible that he should be holden of it.

²⁵ For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before me: for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken.

²⁶ Therefore did mine heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad, and moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope,

²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in grave, neither wilt suffer thine Holy one to see corruption.

²⁸ Thou hast showed me the ways of life, and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

²⁹ Men and brethren, I may boldly speak unto you of the Patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher remaineth with us unto this day.

³⁰ Therefore, seeing he was a Prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would raise up Christ concerning the flesh, to set him upon his throne,

³¹ He knowing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul should not be left in grave, neither his flesh should see corruption.

³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

³³ Since then that he by the right hand of God hath been exalted, and hath received of his Father the promise of the holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.

³⁴ For David is not ascended into heaven, but he saith, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

³⁵ Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

³⁶ Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath made him both Lord, and Christ, this Jesus, I say, whom ye have crucified.

³⁷ Now when they heard it, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and the other Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Amend your lives, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins: and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost.

³⁹ For the promise is made unto you, and to your children, and to all that are a far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

⁴⁰ And with many other words he besought and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this froward generation.

⁴¹ Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized: and the same day there were added to the Church about three thousand souls.

⁴² And they continued in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and breaking of bread, and prayers.

⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles.

⁴⁴ And all that believed, were in one place, and had all things common.

⁴⁵ And they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every one had need.

⁴⁶ And they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread at home, did eat their meat together with gladness and singleness of heart,

⁴⁷ Praising God, and had favor with all the people: and the Lord added to the Church from day to day, such as should be saved.

The Heidelberg Catechism

The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1.

Question 1. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto him.

Question 2. How many things are necessary for you to know, that you in this comfort may live and die happily?

Three things: First, the greatness of my sin and misery. Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery. Third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.

Of Domestical Duties

From William Gouge, Of Domestical Duties, 1622.

3. The charge and office of parents bindeth them to teach their children piety: for they are by God made watchmen over their children: if therefore their children live and die in impiety through their parents negligence, their blood shall be required at their parents hands: instance the example of Elie.

Object. This duty appertaineth to Ministers.

Answer. 1. God hath given an express charge hereof to parents, as we heard before.

2. In the family a parent is all in all over his child: a King, a Priest, and a Prophet. Therefore that which a Minister is to do for matter of instruction in the Church, a parent must do at home.

3 Children have need of daily instruction: the parents pains in this kind must be added to the Ministers: and both are little enough.

4. Parents having more familiarity with their children than Ministers, must needs better know their capacity, and their disposition: and so may better know after what manner to instruct them: whether to give them milk or strong meat, whether to deal mildly or roughly with them.

5. Instructions from parents are commonly more kindly accepted than from others: and children will the better relish them, when they come from their parents. They say that a plant will best grow in the soil out of which it first sprung: so instructions coming from those who both brought us forth, and first brought us up, are like to do most good.

6. There is no such means to breed love in a childs heart, as to be an instrument of bringing piety thereinto. Now who should more seek the true love of a child than a parent? In this respect a parent is more bound to this duty than a Minister.

7. It is impossible, that a Minister, who, it may be, hath many hundred children under his charge, should well instruct them all: It is therefore requisite, that each parent look to his own children.

Let us pray.

Let us pray. A prayer of John Calvin.

Grant, Almighty God, that as we were from our beginning lost, when thou wert pleased to extend to us thy hand, and to restore us to salvation for the sake of thy Son; and that as we continue even daily to run headlong to our own ruin,—O grant that we may not, by sinning so often, so provoke at length thy displeasure as to cause thee to take away from us the mercy which thou hast hitherto exercised towards us, and through which thou hast adopted us: but by thy Spirit destroy the wickedness of our heart, and restore us to a sound mind, that we may ever cleave to thee with a true and sincere heart, that being fortified by thy defense, we may continue safe even amidst all kinds of danger, until at length thou gatherest us into that blessed rest, which has been prepared for us in heaven by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tonight at your table

Tonight at your table, read Genesis 2 and Matthew 2 with your household.

This week’s question for your table. What is your only comfort in life and in death?