That this is a duty appears from the charge that the apostle gives, that the epistle which he wrote to the church at Thessalonica, should _be read unto all the holy brethren_, 1 Thess. v. 27. And he gives the like charge to the church at Colosse, Col. iv. 16. And to this we may add, that the scripture is not only to be read, but explained; which is the principal design of the preaching thereof. This is no new practice; for the Old Testament was not only read, but explained in the synagogues _every Sabbath-day_; which is called, by a metonymy, a _reading Moses_, Acts xv. 21. _viz._ explaining the law that was given by him. Thus Ezra _stood upon a pulpit of wood, opened the book in the sight of all the people_; and he, with some other of his brethren that assisted him herein, _read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading_, that is, the meaning thereof, Neh. viii. 4,-8. In like manner our Saviour _went into the synagogue the Sabbath-day_, and _stood up_ and _read_, that part of the holy scriptures, taken from the prophecy of Isaiah; which, when he had done, he applied it to himself, and shewed them how _it was fulfilled in their ears_, Luke iv. 16,-24. So that it is supposed that the word is to be publicly read. The only thing in this answer, that needs explaining is, what is meant by those words, all are not to be permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation. We are not to suppose that there is an order of men that Christ has appointed to be readers in the church, distinct from ministers; therefore the meaning of this expression may be, that all are not to read the word of God together, in a public assembly, with a loud voice; for that would tend rather to confusion than edification. Nor ought any to be appointed to do it, but such as are grave, pious, and able to read it distinctly, for the edification of others. And who is so fit for this work, as the minister whose office is not only to read, but explain it in the ordinary course of his ministry? 2. The word of God is to be read in our families; which is absolutely necessary for the propagating religion therein. This, indeed, is shamefully neglected; which is one great reason of the ignorance and decay of piety in the rising generation; and the neglect hereof is contrary to God’s command, Deut. vi. 6, 7. as well as the example of those who are highly commended for this practice; as Abraham was for _commanding his children, and his household after him, that they should keep the way of the Lord_, Gen. xviii. 19. Psal. lxxviii. 3, 4.