THE

Christian Hearer :

DESIGNED TO SHEW THE IMPORTANCE OF

HEARING THE WORD,

AND TO ASSIST CHRISTIANS IN

HEARING WITH PROFIT.

BY THE REV. EDW. BICKERSTETH,

ASSISTANT MINISTER OF WHELER CHAPEL.

PRINTED FOR L. B. SEELEY AND SON,

FLEET-STREET, LONDON.

MDCCCXXvi.

CONTENTS.

PREFACE.

CHAP. -

PAGE

1. The general Importance of Hearing the Word, .. 1

2. National Benefits of Hearing the Word,

3. Preaching the Word the Special Ordinance of God

for Salvation, ............................ 49

4. The Presence of Christ the Glory of Christian

Assemblies, .....

5. The Holy Spirit received in Hearing the only Source

of Genuine Profit,

6. The relative Situation and respective Duties of

Ministers and People, .... .......... 105

7. Directions for Hearing the Word, ............ 146

8. The Importance of reflecting on what we have heard, 176

9. Practical Obedience to the Word,

190

10. Answers to Objections against Practical Obedience, 206

11. Observations on the Parable of the Sower, .... 219

12. The promised universal Diffusion of Divine Know-

ledge, .................................. 241

13. The Danger of Neglecting divine Truth, .... 268

14. The blessed Results of faithful Hearing,

287

15. Address to different Classes, exhorting them to

attend to this Duty,

306

INDEX,

PLATE --Chronological Chart of the Progress of

Christianity,