you that A. 1. Because the Will of God as secret is a peculiar Treasure which he hath put in his own power and will keep to himself 2. Because a man may sometimes sin in fulfilling the secret Will of God and be ashamed repenting in dust and ashes that he hath done it 3. Because all Creatures do this Will of God and none ever resisted it Q. Is the revealing of an event which God hath determined or those Actions whereby that event shall be brought to pass the Rule of Mans obedience A. No Q. But are not Gods own positive and ceremonial Laws this Rule of Mans obedience A. No. Q. How prove you that A. 1. Because they were so burdensome a yoke that neither we nor the Jews themselves were ever able to bear them 2. Because they were never pleasing to God irrespectively of themselves neither did he at all ever take delight in these Laws themselves simply considered 3. Because these positive Laws were such by which men should never obtain Eternal Life Q. What Law then is that which is the Rule of Mans obedience A. The Moral Law Q. Why is it so called A. Because it hath a perpetual binding power in all Ages unto the end of the world Q. When was this revealed A. At first Q. How understand you that A. Two waies 1. This Law was at first given to Adam in Innocency God having written it on his heart some small remainders whereof abide yet in mans nature 2. This Law was first revealed by Gods immediate voice after written in Tables of Stone and given to the Church as a perpetual Rule for their obedience Q. 41. Wherein is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the ten Commandments Explic. Q What is it for the Moral Law to be summarily comprehended in the ten Commindments A. To have the summ and chief Heads of the Law contained in them Q. 42. What is the summ of the ten Commandments A. The summ of the ten Commandments is to Love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Mind and with all our Strength and our Neighbour as our selves Explic. Q In how many Tables were the teâ— Commandments at first written A. In two Tables of Stone Deut. 10. 1 2 4. Q. How many Commandments are comprized under the first Table or first great Commandment A. The soâ—r first Q How many under the second Table or second great Commandment A. Six Q. Do the Papists well in leaving out the second Commandment and in their dividing the tenth into two A. No Q. What is the comprehensive Duty of all the Commandments written in these two Tables A. Love Rom. 13. 9. For this Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not Kill Thou shalt not Steal Thou shalt not bear false Witness Thou shalt not Covet And if there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying Namely Thou shalt Love thy Neighbour as thy self The like may be said of all the Commandments of the first Table Q What is the summ of the first Table of the Law A. To love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Mind and with all our Strength Q. What mean you by the word Summ A. A general or chief Head which comprehends other particulars in it Ibid. Rom. 13. 8. Q. What is it to love the Lord our God with all our Heart c A. It doth imply the supremacy ardency and activity of our Love whereby we chuse the Lord cleave to him and delight in him as our chief Good and employ all our faculties and powers in his service in obedience to him out of Love Q. What is the summ of the second Table of the Law A. To love our Neighbour as our selves Q Who is our Neighbour A. Every man Luk. 10. 29 38. Q. What is it to love our Neighbour as our selves A. To love him with the same truth and constancy of Love as we do our selves Q. But are we not bound to love our Neighbour with the same Degree of Love as we do our selves A. No. Q. 43. What is the Preface to the ten Commandments A. The Preface to the ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage Q. 44. What doth the Preface to the ten Commandments teach us A. The Preface to the ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments Explic. Q. How many reasons or arguments are there in the Preface to oblige and perswade us to keep all Gods Commandments A. Two 1. God is the Lord. I am the Lord. 2. God is our God and Redeemer I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage Q. How are we bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments as he is the Lord A. As he is the Lord he is our Creator and supream Soveraign and we owe him obedience as we are his Creatures and Subjects Q. You say you owe God obedience as you are his Creatures and Subjects what mean you thereby A. We mean that once we were not were made and are preserved by God or that we derived our Being from anâ— hold it of God and that we are undâ—â— the unlimited and absolute Dominioâ— and Soveraignty of God and thereforâ— ought to serve and glorifie God in 〈◊〉 Body and in our Spirit which 〈◊〉 Gods and to be in perfect subjection 〈◊〉 the Laws of Heaven Q. How are we bound and obliged 〈◊〉 keep Gods Commandments as he is our God and Redeemer A. As our God and Redeemer our Father and Benefactor he hath brought us into the special relation of Children to himself and hath entred into Covenanâ—â—â— with us to bring us out of spiritual Egypt and Bondage under sin as he brought his people of old out of the earthly Egypt and the Bondage of men These two Rules must be learn'd for the understanding of the Commandments Rule 1. That when any sin is forbidden the contrary Duty is required and when any Duty is required the contrary sin is forbidden Rule 2. That where any sin is forbidden all the Kinds and Degrees of it temptations and incentments to it are likewise forbidden and when any Duty is required all the kinds and the highest perfection of it together with all the means and helps to it are also required Q. 45. What is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q. 46. What is required in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God and to worship and glorifie him accordingly Explic. Q Is
The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required and the profaning the day by idleness or doing that which is in it self sinful or by unnecessâ—ry thoughts words or works about worldly imployments or recreations Explic. Q. What are the chief siâ—â— forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The chief sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment are 1. Idleness which is either 1. The omission of the duties required which are works of Piety Necessity and Mercy when men spend not the day in the exercises of Gods worship and out of superstition forbear works of Necâ—ssity and Mercy or 2. The careless performance of the duties of the day when men neither do the works of Necessity and Mercy with chearfulness and freedom from groundless fears nor are servent in Spirit serving the Lord. 2. Profaneness or the defiling the Sanctuary by doing that which is in it self sinful on the Sabbaâ—h day Ezek. 23. 38 39. 3. Earthly-mindedness by unnecessary thoughts words or works about worldly employments or recreations Isa. 58. 13. Q 62. What are the reasons annexed in the fouâ—th Commandment A. The reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment are Gods allowing six daies of the week for worldly employments his challenging a special propriety in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath day Q. Did not Christ rise on the first day of the week A. Yes Mat. 28. 1 6. Mark 16. 2 6. Luk. 24. 1 5 6. Q And is not the work of Redemption greater and more glorious than the work of Creation A. Yes Q. Then as God rested the seventh day from his works and appointed that in Commemoration of the works of Creation so Christ rested from his works and rose the first day which is observed in Commemoration of the wonderful work of mans Redemption A. Yes Q. Hath not Christ allowed us the same proportion of time now under the Gospel which God did his own people under the Law A. Yes Christ hath likewise allowed us now under the Gospel six daies of the week for worldly employments Acts 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. with 1 Cor. 7. 6 10 12 25. 4. Q. And is this a reason why we should not cut short Gods allowance of one day for his work because we have still allowed 〈◊〉 six times as much for our own A. Yes Q. Doth God the Son challenge a special propriety in the first day of the week which bears his Name as God the Father did in the sevenâ—â— A. 2. Yes Exod. 20. 10. with Rev. 1. 10. Q. And hath God the Son blessed the first day of the week by his own example as God the Father did the seventh A. Yes Heb. 4. 10. Q. 63. Which is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy daies may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q. 64. What is required in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and Relations as Superiours Inferiours or Equals Explic. Q. What doth the fifth Commandment require in reference to our Relations A. Preserving the honour and performing the duty belonging to them Q. Is there any honour belonging to any man since the greatest Potentate is but a Creature beholding to God for what ever he is or hath A. Every one hath some honour and respect belonging to him Q. Are all duties to be performed â—like to aâ— A. No but according to their several places and relations Q. What places and relations do men stand in one to another A. They stand in the relations of Superiours Inferiours or Equals Q. What do you think as Inferiours you are bound to practise by this Commandment A. 1. To Reverence Love and Obey in all things not disagreeing with Gods commands our natural Parents 2. To respect the Aged and those that excel us in gifts 3. To be ruled with humility by the Governours of the Family Kingdom or Church where we live Q. What do you think Superiours are bound to practise by this Commandment A. 1. Not to provoke their Children to wrath but to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord 2. Not to despise Youth especially where there is pre-eminence in gifts 3. To rule well their own Family and in the Kingdom or Church where they live Q. What do you think as Equals you are bound to practise by this Commandment A. We ought to order our selves and to carry affably courteously and kindly towards our Equals readily to yield to them and prefer them before our selves Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of or doing any thing against the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and Relations Explic. Q. How many sorts of sins are there in this Commandment A. Three sorts the sins against Superiours Inferiours or Equals Q. What are the sins against Superiours A. 1. Disobedience to Parents 2. Not regarding the Person of Old And 3. Contempt of the Governours the Family Kingdom or Church where men live Q. What are the sins against Inferiour A. 1. Provoking Children to wratâ— and not bringing them up in the nurtuâ— and admonition of the Lord. Ephes. 6. 2 Sam. 13. 39. and 14. 1 33. and 15. 10 1 Kings 1. 6 7 25. 2. Despising Youth 1 Tim. 4. 12. 3. Neglect of Government or bringing any evil upon the Family Kingdom or Church by Superiours 1 Sim. 3. 〈◊〉 and 8. 3. and 2. 12 18. wiâ—â— 4. 10 11. Q. What are the sins against Equals A. Morosiâ—y unkindness and self-assuming Arrogance Q. 66. What is the reason annexed â— the fifth Commandment A. The reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity as far forth as it shall serve for Gods glory and their own good to all such as keep this Commandment Explic. Q. What is the promise it self which is annexed for the encouragement of those that keep this fifth Commandment A. Long life or prosperity Exod. 20. 12. Deut. 5. 16. and Eph. 6. 2. Q How is this Promise to be understood and limited A. All that keep this Commandment shall have long life or prosperity as far as it shall serve for Gods glory and their good Q. 67. Which is the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment is Thou shalt not Kill Q. 68. What is required in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life and the life of others Explic. Q. What doth the sixth Commandment respect A. The sixth Commandment respects our own and others life Q. May we endeavour by any means whatsoever to preserve our own life and the life of others A. No. Q. What endeavours may
AN Explicatory Catechism OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE ASSEMBLIES SHORTER Catechism WHEREIN Those Principles are enlarged upon especially which obviate the great and growing Errors of Popery useful for those Families that desire to hold fast the Form of sound words Aug. lib. 15. de Trin. Cap. ult Domine Deus quaecunque dixi de tuo agnoscant tui Siqua de meo tu ignosce tui London Printed for Henry Mortlock at the Phoenix in St. Paul's Church-yard and White-Hart in Westminster Hall 1675. To the Christian Reader especially Heads of Families THose Catechisms may very well be esteemed the best which are Explanatory of the Creed ten Commandments and the Lords Prayer because these Summaries or Abstracts contain the Essentials of the true Religion or those choice truths which God would have us take extraordinary notice of in our course of reading the holy Scriptures And therefore those that begin with Catechizing begin the most easie and profitable way for any because the weightier matters of the Law are not hard to be understood and such words being Spirit and Life and the very marrow of Christianity must needs feed and nourish us up unto eternal life I have fixed my thoughts upon the Assemblies shorter Catechism because the Principles in it are mostly agreed upon by all sober intelligent unprejudiced Protestant Divines You have also something of the nature of the two Covenants superadded to or rather enlarged upon more particularly and expresly than in the Catechism And because Catechisms ought to contain nothing but received truths you have mostly the Explication of Antient and Modern Divines And therefore where you meet with any thing that is not so elaborate and exact you may conclude it mine and not theirs Hearing occasionally a Discourse of a very learned and godly Divine out of Deut. 6. 6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children c. who recommended to Parents with the greatest earnestness the work of Catechizing I shall make bold to transcribe a part of it and offer it to publick view You shall have 1. His Reasons to prove that Parents ought diligently to Catechize or teach their Children Servants also included 2. His Answers to the Objections against it And 3. The Motives he laid down to provoke and stir up all Parents to this necessary duty 10. Reasons for the proof of it 1. Every man ought to promote the Glory of God to advance the Kingdom of Christ and to further the Salvation of others as far forth as they are able and have opportunity to it And can we effect these any better way We pray Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come thy will be done Surely the coming of Christs Kingdom into our hearts is one way of his Kingdom 's coming 2. God hath set Parents in Authority over them and they cannot improve it to better purpose This is the most ancient Government Before there was King or Common-wealth there was Parental Government This being most ancient afterwards was the Priest and Prophet God hath laid a command upon Children to obedience in the fifth Commandment Ephes. 6. 1. Only Dignity requires duty improve your authority for God and use it to instruct your Household in the Word of God Do not think you have done till you have done this 3. Even nature it self dictates thus much The Birds and Beasts of the field yea the Sea-monsters take care of their young ones If you do nothing but feed and cloath your Children you do no more than Heathens nay than brute beasts 'T is said of the Ostrich Job 39. 16. that she is hardened against her young ones as though they were not hers And what do ignorant Parents less who are hardened against their own Children who are parts of themselves 4. Children have Souls to be saved or damned therefore some must take care of them and the soul that sinneth must die We see Children die as well as Aged persons In Golgatha there are Skulls of all sorts Yea do but look into the Register of a Parish and you shall see as many young as old have died in it Children may die and what if they die without knowledge in their sins better were it with those Children mentioned 2 Kings 2. 23 24. than these Isa. 27. 11. 2 Thes. 1. 7 8. Thus unchastised Children shall suffer but the Parents shall not go Scot-free If you would have them profit by the publick Ministry you must Catechize them at home To bring them to the publick before they be thus Catechized is setting before them an hard loaf You must give them milk at home that they may be fit for higher truths in publick 5. Your Children are Children of wrath and you have been instruments to conveigh this to them They die and that proves this When your Children are sick you forthwith go to the Physitian and will you take no care of their Souls inheriting their spiritual maladies from you You may say as David to Abiathar 1 Sam. 22. 22. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy Fathers house 6. What will become of Religion in future Ages if Parents neglect this duty at present If all Parents were as careless as some the Church of God would soon cease on the earth Isa. 38. 19. The Father to the Children shall make known thy truth Psal. 78. 3 4. Which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us We will not hide them from their Children shewing to the Generation to come the praises of the Lord. If we do not teach our Children how should they teach theirs It was above two thousand years before the Scripture was written how then was piety preserved but by one Generation teaching another Adam taught his Children The sacrificing of Cain and Abel's piety therein were both the fruit of Adam's teaching Noah taught his Children to Abraham and he taught his houshold Isa. 1. 9. Except the Lord of Hosts had left unto us a very small Remnant we should have been as Sodom and we should have been like unto Gomorrah We should have been as Heathenish as Paganish as they 7. God is highly pleased with piety in younger ones The Lord had respect to Abel the younger and Enoch of all the Patriarchs before the Flood the youngest is said to please God How was God pleased with the piety of Samuel and Josiah And we read of Jehojachin that began very young to Reign and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord 2 Kings 24. 8 9. God takes notice of the evil as well as the good Children might sing Hosanna as well as cry bold-head if they were taught Iesus said Mat. 19. 14. Suffer little Children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Of such not untaught Children 8. You cannot expect the blessings of the Covenant except yâ—u teach them
the Câ—mmandments of God Ps. 103. 17 18. Dan. 9. 4. 9. Assure your selves if you neglect this duty God will require their blood at your hands Gen. 9. 5. with Acts 20. 26. It is here with Parents as with Ministers if you do not warn and teach them God will require their blood at your hands Ezek. 3. 18. Object But teaching is the work of the Minister Answ. It is not only his but yours his in publick yours in your Families 10. Sin and corruption is so inherent in Children in their nature that all the care of Ministers in publick and Parents at home will be little enough to heal this plague of original corruption This plague is like the Leprosie There must be scraping and if cleansing will not do there must be pulling down So that you see all is little enough without teaching your Children may perish and you smart for it Object 1. But Children may do well that are not thus carefully instructed Answ. 1. They may do well as to the outward man they may prosper in the world God may cause his Sun to shine upon the unjust and the unthankful But Parents are to wish that their Children may do well as to the inward man and prosper in their Souls as John for his friend Gaâ—us 3 Joh. 2. 2. They may perish eternally for want of Knowledge Hos. 4. 6. 3. If some Children happen to come to good no thanks to such careless graceless Parents that neglect instruction at home Object 2. But we have known them that have been taught well enough to have made bad proof A. 1. This is too sadly true to be denied But the fault may be in one of the Parents by their bad example And Children as well as the conclusion in syllogizing will follow the worse and weaker part yet this is blame-worthy in Parents 2. Good Parents have severely smarted for their neglect of strict Discipline in their Families and their over great fondness in cockâ—ring their Children as you may read in Eli and David 1 Sam. 3. 13. 2 Sam 13 and 14 and 15. 1 Kings 1. 6. 3. But if the Children of good Parents prove bad this should make us more diligent If a Garden well weeded and kept down prove thus ill Is this any encouragement to sloth but rather a spur to double diligence Two or three Motives to excite to the Duty of Catechizing Let it be remembred that you are not perswaded to invade the ministerial office or to become of this or that Opinion or Party but to fall forthwith upon the practice of a manifest yet indispensable Duty 1. How doth the love of God dwell in your hearts when they are hardened against your Children Simon lovest thou me then feed my Lambs They are Gods Children and therefore you must bring them up in the â—â—ture and admonition of the Lord. The Children of any in Covenant with God are called his Children Ezek. 15. 21. When the woman of Samaria knew Christ she desired that all her Neighbours might also know him 2. Are they not your Children You shall diligently teach them to your Children they are bone of your hone and flesh of your flesh Are we to instruct one another and not our own Children 3. What a comfort will this be to you if you faithfully discharge this most profitahle Duty For 1. Such Parents shall have joy of their Children Prov. 23. 24. Ruth 4. 15. David and Bathâ—sheba had much comfort of Solomon which they had not of their other Children 2. You shall have spiritual rejoycing 2 Joh. 4. 3. You will gain a good evidence of the truth of grace in your hearts 4. You that thus propagate piety shall sow good seed that will endure to many Generations Jer. 33. 18. 5. You may avoid many crosses and heart-breaking sorrows which negligent Parents ordinarily meet with Abraham taught his Children and see what comfort he had of them He had a numerous Family 318. instructed Servants born in his own house Gen. 14. 14. and yet no disorder or disturbance there He had a numerous Family and yet a peaceable Family 1. Abraham Circumciseth Ishmael and yet it was a painful Sacrament 2. Isaac makes no oppâ—sitiâ—n when to be made a sacrifice to the Will of God 3. Yâ—u have a religious Servant Gen. 15 and 24. 4. At his death he gives what portions he pleaseth and yet you find no discord among them Gen. 25. 5 6. As you therefore desire peace in your Families and in after Generations bring them up in the fear of the Lord. On the contrary you Parents that teach your Children Arts and Trades and not Gods Commandments why you are making way for your own cross and vexation what heart-breaking will they be to you As 1. In their matching Prov. 17. 21 25. Gâ—n 26. 34. 35. 2. Their sins will be put upon your score and have you not sins enough of your own 3. Their perishing will be put upon your account Oh what fretting and cursing will there be at your meeting your Children in Hâ—ll Have you not heard of Children that have cursed Parents upon the Gallows Oh when the Word of God tells you that some evil will befall your Children how should this trouble you As it was said of Jeroboam that he made Israel to sin for all that succeeded pursued his sins even so you by your cursed ignorance negligence and slâ—th may propagate sin and misery from Generation to Generation to your Children We are to look upon this duty as one of the prime Ordinances of divine institution there was Family teaching before there was any other teaching 'T is the opinion of an eminent Divine that more Children are seasoned with grace by iâ—steâ—ction of Paâ—ents than by preaching Towns are made up of Families and where they are wicked in Towns Kingdoms cannot â—e righteous Our misery begins in bad Families This duty of Catechizing therefore is of as great weight as any which is commanded in the word of God Thus far he whose name I shall conceal because I have published it without his privity and consent though I hope not against his liking and approbation If any of you shall please diliâ—ently and impartially to examine Concordâ—nces and most Catechisms you will soon find that the former do furnish us rather with sounds than sense and that in the latter upon comparing the truths and the alledged Texts together there is so wide a distance that you will the better perceive the dâ—fficulty of our present undertaking notwithstanding all the forementioned helps than at first possibly you have imagined If you find any pertinency of the Scriptures produced for confirmation of the truths they refer unto in this Explication I know it will be acceptable to you and it is no less than what I have endeavoured after If you espie many proofs under any Principle of Religion it is either because that the truths there are more weighty or that the cavils against them are more
there something then required as well as forbidden in this and every Commandment A. Yes Q How many duties are there chiefly required in the first Commandment A. Three Q. What is the first A. The first Duty required is to know God Q. What ought we to know of God A. 1. That he is 2. What he is Heb. 11. 6. Q. What is the second Duty herein required A. To acknowledge God Q. How ought we to acknowledge God A. We ought to acknowledge God 1. To be as he is the only 〈◊〉 God 2. We ought to acknowledge him 〈◊〉 our God Q. What is the third Duty required 〈◊〉 this Commandment A. To worship and glorifie God accordingly Q How is that A. As the only true God and our God Q. Are we required to worship God with the inward worship of the mind viz. 〈◊〉 trust in him and to love fear esteem desire and obey him A. Yes Q. And with the outward worship also A. Yes Q. What do you mean by outward worship A. The expressing the inward worship of the mind in our Faith Love and obedience towards God by the reverteâ— performance of all external acts of divine worship commanded by him and more especially by our daily Prayerâ— unto him and praises of him Q. Doth the first Commandment determine of the only right object of divine worship or whom only we must serve A. Yes Mat 4. 10. Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God and our God and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone Explic. Q. What are the chief sins forbidden in the first Commandment A. 1. Atheism which is the denying any God or the true God 2. Idolatry which is 1. The not worshipping and glorifying the true God The which we do 1. If we do not worship him as God Or 2. Not as our God 2. The giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone Q. It is Idolatry to give outward worship to any other viz. to pray to Saints or Angels or any Creature A. Yes Q. And is it Idolatry to give inward worship to any other viz. to Love Fear Desire or Trust in any thing more than God A. Yes Q. Why so A. Because hereby is given that worship and glory to another which is due to God alone Rom. 1. 25. Ibid. Q. 48. What are we especially taught by these words before me in the first Commandment A. These words before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God Explic. Q. What things are to be learn'd from these words before me A. Two things 1. That God seeth all things 2. That God taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God Q. 49. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow down thy self unto them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Q. 50. What is required in the second Commandment A. The Second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word Explic. Q. How doth the worship required in the second Commandment differ from the worship required in the first A. The worship required in the first Commandment hath a respect unto the object of worship whereby we are bound to worship the true God and none else The worship required in the second hath a respect unto the means and manner of worship whereby we are bound to worship God according to the way and means of his own appointment Q. What is the way and means which God hath appointed for his worship A. The only way and means which God hath appointed for his worship is his Ordinances which he hath prescribed in his Word Q. What Ordinances A. 1. Prâ—yer unto God with thanksgiving and that publickly in Assemblies privately in Families and secretly in Closets 2. Reading and searching the Scriptures 1 Tim. 4. 13. Ioh. 5. 39. Neh. 8. 8. Acts 15. 21. 3. Preaching and hearing of the Word 2 Tim. 4. 2. Isa. 55. 3. 4. Singing of Psalms Psal. 149. 1. Iam. 5. 13. 5. Administration and receiving of the Sacraments both of Baptism and the Lords Supper Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23 26. 6. Fasting Ioel 2. 12. Esther 4. 3 16. 1 Kings 21. 27 28 29. 1 Sam. 7. 6 10. Ionab 3. 5 10. Luk. 5. 35. 7. Instruction of Children and Households in the way of the Lord. Gen. 18. 19. Deut. 6. 6 10. Ephes. 6. 4. 8. Holy Conference and Religious Discourse Mal. 3. 16. Luke 24. 17 32. 9. Meditation Psal 1. 2. and 77. 12. 1 Tim. 4. 15. 10. Vows to the Lord. Psal. 76. 11. 11. Swearing by the Name of the Lord when lawfully called Deut. 6. 13. Ier. 4. 2. and 12. 16. 12. Exercise of Church-Discipline 1 Cor. 5. 3 4 5 11. with 2 Cor. 2 6 7 8. Mat. 18. 18. Q. What doth God require in the second Commandment in reference to his Ordinances and means of worship A. He requireth the receiving observing and keeping of them pure and entire Q. What is it to receive and observe Gods Worship and Ordinances A. To receive and observe them is heartily to entertain embrace and attend on them as oft as opportunity is offered and to make answerable improvement of them Q. What is it to keep them pure and entire A. To take diligent heed that they be not corrupted by our own inventions and additions Q. How know you what Worship and Ordinances God hath required A. God hath appointed all his worsh'p and Ordinances in his Word Q. 51. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbideth the worshipping of God by Images or any other way not appointed in his Word Explie Q. What are the chief sins forbidden in this Commandment A. Idolatry and Superstition Q. Is it Idolatry not only to worship Idols instead of God which is forbidden in the first Commandment but also to worship God by Images A. Yes Q. How can persons be guilty of Idolatry in worshipping God by Images when they worship the true God the God that made the Heavens and the Earth A. Because the Images of these men either do bear resemblance to the object of their worship
or they do not If they do then they worship false Gods and are guilty of gross Idolatry there being no similitude or likeness of the true God If they do not then is ignorance the Mother of that Dâ— votion and with the Samaritans they worship they know not what Or if they do worship the true God they worship him ignorantly and know not the manner of the God that made the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 4. 12 15. Isa. 40. 18. Ioh. 4. 22. Acts 17. 23. 2 Kings 7. 26. Q. Why can there be no manner of similitude of the true God A. Because he dwelleth not in Temples made with hands and is the unapproachable invisible God Acts 17. 24. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Q. The Papists worship God by Images the Protestants worship God without them which way therefore are we to worship the true God A. The way the only infallible Judge of Controversies hath declared unto us Q. Is the Pope this infallible Iudge A. There is no infallible Judge upon Earth and the Pope being but the Hâ—ad of a Party the supream Head of the Romanists neither he nor they can be Judge in their own Cause Iam. 4. 12. Mat. 23. 9 10. Prov. 18. 17. Q. Who then is the infallible Iudge of Controversies A. Christ the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father He is the only infallible Judge of Controversies who hath told us all things and wâ— have his Determinations upon Record Q. Where are his Determinations Recorded A. In the holy Scriptures Q. What are his Determinations concerning God and the manner of his worship A. They are 1. Negative that God dwelleth not in Temples neither is to be worshipped by Images made with mens hands Acts 17. 24. with 1 Kings 8. 27. Acts 17. 25. 2. They are affirmative viz. That God is a Spirit and that they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and truth Ioh. 4. 23 24. Q What other sin is chiefly forbidden in this Commandment A. Superstition Q. What is Superstition A. Superstition in the proper and strict notion of the word is the worshipping of Idols or dead men Act. 17. 22. But this is the same with that Idolatry the giving that worship and glory to others which is due to God alone which is forbidden in the first Commandment Q. What is therefore Superstition in the 〈◊〉 generally received notion and as it is forbidden in this Commandment A. It is when things are either abhorred or observed with a zealous or fearful but erroneous relation to God by means of which the superstitious serve either the true God with needless Offices or defraud him of necessary Duties or bestow such honours and service upon others as is proper for and should be peculiar for him only Or More plainly thus It is the worshipping of God in any other way or by any other means than what he hath appointed in his Word called Ordinances the Commandments and Doctrines of men Q. How manifold is this Superstition A. Twofold Affirmative and Negative Q. What is Affirmative Superstition A. That whereby the Superstitious serve the true God with needless Offices Q. And what the Negative A. That whereby men out of a sâ—â—â—pulous Conscience or ignorant fear of displeasing God abstain from things lawful and laudable as sinful and ungodly Q. Doth the Scripture warrant this distinction A. Yes Q. 1. What is the Idolatry and Superstition of the Church of Rome A. The worshipping of the Bread and Wine in the Eucharist out of a false and groundless perswasion that they are substantially changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. 2. The worshipping and invocation of Saints and Angels and particularly of the Virgin Mary which hath now for some Ages been a principal part of their Religion 3. Their worshipping of Images Which practice notwithstanding all their distinctions about it which are no other but what the Heathens used in the same case flies as full in the face of the second Commandment as deliberate and malicious killing of a man is against the sixâ—h Acts 17. 29. Rom. 1. 23. 4. Their superstitious Fasting and ab staining from Flesh in Lent Their superstitious Holy-daies Their adding Cream Oyl and Spittle to the water in Baptism and their Baptizing of Bells Their praying upon Beads and mary more superstitious customs For which there is not the least command in the Scriptures Q. What if the Doctrine of Transubstantiation be not true A. Then by the confession of several of their own learned Writers they are guilty of gross Idolatry Q. Doth not the Bread in the Communion remain Bread after the words of Consecration A. Yes the Scripture expresly calls it so after the words of Consecration 1 Cor. 11. 26 27 28. Q. But what if the Bread be transubstantiâ—te and turned into the very Body of Christ A. Then all mens senses are deceived in a plain sensible matter wherein 't is as hard for them to be deceived as in any thing in the world Q. Why so A. For two things can hardly be imagined more different a little bit of Waâ—er and the whole Body of â— man Q. But what if the Testimony of sensâ— be not to be relied upon A. Then no man is sure that Christianâ—ty it self is true Q. Why so A. For the utmost assurance that the Apostles had of the Truth of Christianity was the Testimony of their own senses concerning our Saviours Miracles Q. And what if the Testimony of sense 〈◊〉 to be relied upon A. Then it plainly follows that no man no not the Apostles themselves had more reason to believe Christianity to be true than every man hath to believe Transubstantiation to be false Q. But if the case be so plain a man would think that at least the Teachers and Guides of that Church should be sensible of it A. Why they are so and afraid the People should be so too and therefore by their corrupt Glosses and Phâ—risaiâ—al Traditions in their interpreting the holy Scriptures they tye up and keep the Pâ—ople in ignorance of the true meaning of those places which do more expresly condemn their damnable Idolatrous practises and their superstitious customs and in their ordinary Caâ—â—chisms and Manuals of Devotion they leave out the second Commandment and divide the tenth into two to make up the Number lest if the common people should know it their Consciences should startle at the doing of a thing so directly contrary to the plain command of God Q. And is it not well observed by the learned from Deut. 11. 28. That he that professeth Idolatry is as if he denied the whole Law A. Yes Q. But because after all the unanswerable Objections and Arguments of the Protestants against Transubstantiation that Monster aâ—d shame of humane nature and the other Blasphenies and absurd Doctrines of the Papists they do all unanimously betake themselves to the authority of their Church as their main and last Refuge and tell us
we use A. Aâ—l lawful endeavours Q Is not a sâ—ber and moderate use of Meat Drink Physick Sleep Labour and Recreation required as tending to the preservation of life A. Yes Q. When men presecute us in one City may we flee into another A. Yes Q. And may we pray that the Magistrate might not bear the Sword of Iustice in vain but be the Minister of God a revenger to execute weath upon every one that doth evil for the preservaâ—ion of our own life and the life of others A. Yes Q. 69. What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life or the life of our Neighbour unjustly and whatsoever rendeth thereunto Explic. Q. What is chiefly forbidden in this Commandment A. The taking away of our own life or the life of others unjustly Gen. 4. 8 c. Acts 16. 27 28. Q. Since these are but the chief sins forbidden what are the other sins you take your self to be necessarily engaged against by vâ—rtue of this Commandment A. 1. Câ—useless and immoderate anger and long continued though not causeless anger 2. Contumelious Railing and Contentious language 3. Malice and Hatred 4. Meditating Revenge of wrongs 5. Oppression biting Usury and hardning our hearts against others in their extreamest necessiâ—y 6. Pride and Envy 7. Murmuring against and complaining of Gods providential administrations not conâ—ented with such things as we have 8. Fear of want and distrust of Gods All-sufficiency 9. Impatiency of Spirit under vexing frustrations and disappointments Q. How are these sins forbidden in this Commandment A. As they are degrees of or temptations and incentments to Murder or tending thereunto Q. 70. Which is the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment is Thou shalt not commit Adultery Q. 71. What is required in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our Neighbours Chastity in heart speech and behaviour Explic. Q. What doth the seventh Commandment respect A. The seventh Commandment respects our own and others Chastity Q. What are the duties required in this Commandment A. They are two the preservation of our own and our Neighbours Chastity Q Wherein are we bound to preserve our own and our Neighbours Chastity A. 1. In thought and affection of the heart 2. In speech using modest words and savoury expressions tending to edification and sanctification Col. 4. 6. Ephes. 4. 29. 3. In behaviour apparelling and carrying our selves modestly every way as becometh Saints 1 Tim. 2. 9. Eph 5. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 1 2. Q. By what means may we thus preserve our own and our Neighbours Chastity A. We may preserye our own and our Neighbours Chastity 1. By watchfulness over our hearts and Senses 2. By diligence in our Callings 3. By temperance in eating and drinking and keeping under the Body when there is need with frequent Fastings 4. By the fear of God and awful apâ—â—hensions of his omni-presence and allâ—â—ing eye 5. By frequent and servent Prayer 6. By diligent observation according to the Word of God 7. By keeping of chast company â—voiding society with those that are lascivious 8. When no other means will avail to â—â—ench burning desires Marriage is to be made us of and that must be in the Lord by serious meditation of Death and Judgement Q â—2 What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchast thoughts words and actions Explic. Q. What unchastity is forbidden in this Commandment A. All manner of unchastity 1. In thoughts viz Contemplaiâ— wickedness filthy dreams inordinaâ—â— affâ—ctions evil concupiscence or lustiâ—â— after a woman in the heart which 〈◊〉 be called heart Adultery 2. In words viz. corrupt communication foolish talking jesting and â—scivious Songs which are not conveâ—â—ent 3. In actions viz. 1. Adultery which is single or double single when a man and woman whereof the one is Marâ—yâ—â— or contracted that is have mutually promised Marriage in the presence of witnesses commit filthiness together Double when both parties Married 〈◊〉 contracted do commit lewdness together which is a most hainous Offence as being committed against four Persons 2. Fornication when two single persons come together out of the state of Marriage which is either by mutual consent or by the violent dâ—flouring of a woman against her will And this may very properly be called a Râ—pe although that may be committed upon â— Married and beâ—rothed or contracted woman also 3. Incest 4. Polygamy or the having of many Wives at once which was ever unlawful in the Court of Conscience howsoever for a time it was born with of God and not punished by any positive Law 5. The putting away of a mans Wife except for Adultery and Marrying another or the Marrying her that is so put away 6. Self-pollution or that wicked wastful spilling a mans own Seed exemplified in Er and Onan Gen. 38. 6 c. 7. Sodomy 8. Buggery 9. The unseasonable and immoderate use of the Marriage-bed Q. Are all other acts and lusts of uncleanness â—and whatsoever may be the cause or beginning of them or have any tendency unto them forbidden in this Commandment A. Yes upon this account Drunkenness Gluttony and Idleness wanton gestures and attires promiscuous Dancing of Men and Women unnecessary companyings with light and leud Persons reading lascivious Books beholding unchast Pictures Interludes and Stage-Plays and whatsoever doth any waies provoke lust is forbidden in this Commandment Q. 73. Which is the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment is Thou shalt not Steal Q. What is required in the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves and others Explic. Q. What doth the eighth Commandment respect A. The wealth and outward estate of our selves and others Q. What doth this Commandment require in reference unto our own and others wealth and outward estate A. The lawful procuring and furthering thereof Q. How is this to be done A. By diligence and fugality seeking unto the Lord for his blessing upon all our endeavours by preventing loss to others and relieving them in case of necessity giving or lending freely according to our ability c. Q. Are Iustice and Charity the chief vertues and graces required to be exercised in this Commandment A. Yes Isa. 56. 1. Psal. 82. 3 4. Isa. 33. 15. Prov. 14. 21. Lev. 19. 9 10 11. Deut. 24. 19. Q. Doth not this Commandment require that men should make restitution of what they have unjustly taken and kept from the right owners thereof and in case that cannot be done to give it to the poor A. Yes Lev. 6. 2 3 4 5. Numb 5. 6 7 8. Luke 19. 8. Dan. 4. 27. Q. Is there any one
precept which you think will secure all the Duties of this Commandment and the rest of the second Table A. Yes that of our Saviours Whatsoever you would that men should do unto you do ye even so to them Mat. 7. 12. Luke 6. 3. Q. 75. What is forbidden in the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our Neighbours wealth and outward estate Explic. Q. What is chiefly forbidden in this Commandment A. Theft viz. The taking away of that which belongeth not to us Q What are the kinds of Theff A. They are â—ither Thefts committed in the Family or out of the Family Q. What are the Thefts committed in the Family A. They are the purloinings of Wife Children and Servants Q. How is Theft that is committed out of the Family distinguished A. It is either of Goods or of Persons Of Goods either common or sacred and those either private or publick Q. What is the Theft of Goods A. It is the fraudulent taking away of such Goods that belong not to us without the knowledge and against the will of the owner Q. What is the Theft of Persons A. It is the Stealing of Men and Children by the Sons of Be ial to sell them to Heathens for Slaves and the stealing of mens Daughters by lustful or covetous Wooers to make them their Wives which hainous sin was punished by the Law of God with Death being so much worse than the theft of Goods as the persons of men are better than they Q. How doth the theft of Goods common and Sacred differ A. The â—ormer is a purloining and imbezâ—ling of things common and temporary the latter is of things spiritual or of things consecrated to an holy and sacred use Q. What mean you by private Theft A. The fraudulent taking away of such Goods as belong to private men Q. What by publick A. The stealing of those things which belong to the publick state or Body of the Common-wealth Q We have now spoken of Theft prâ—perly so called what is the other kind which is more improper A. Rapine which is the taking away of another Mans Goods openly by force and violence the taking a thing secretly is properly called Theft Q. How is Rapine committed A. It is committed â—i her under the pretext of authority and legal power or else without it The former whereof is worse than that which is properly called Theft as being more publick open and daring and shall be more severely punished because this sin is aggravated by the abuse of authority and because commonly violence and cruelty is joyned with it Q. What is this Rapine called A. Oppression and Extortion when Ministers of State under colour of Law despoil or wring out money or moneys worth from any man Q. What is that Rapine which is committed without any pretext of authority A. It is either in War or in Peace In War either by Land when Souldiers being not content with their wages do spoil and plunder not only their enemies but also their Friends Deut. 2. 5 6. Luk. 3. 14. Or by Sea when as Pirats they rob and spoil all they meet with and can master Q. What is that Rapine which is exercised on the Land A. It is either Robbery by the high-way Luke 10. 30. Ioh. 18. 40. or Burglary when as they break open houses that they may rob the Inhabitants Exod. 22. 2. Q. Are there no other to be esteemed Thieves but those only who act theft themselves A. Yes they also who are accessaries and do consent to the Theft of others And these Thefts are either common to all or proper to Superiours The former is committed before with or after the Theft Q. How is a man an accessary before the Theft A. When he counselleth or provoketh another unto it Q. How with or in the Theft A. Either when he aideth the Thief or doth not hinder him when it is in his power to do it Q. How after the Theft A. 1. When he receiveth and concealeth what is stoln or hideth or keepeth the Thief from being apprehended 2. When he partaketh with him in the stoln Goods Q. How is this done A. 1. When he taketh the Goods from the Thief that he may keep them to himself 2. When he knowingly buyeth stoln Goods which ought to be restored to the owners 3. When by silence he concealeth the Thief Q. How are the Superiours accessary A. When they do any waies incourage or do not punish them especially when they do acquit them for a Bribe Q. Doth this Commandment also forbid us all cozâ—nage circumvention and the Denial of Alâ—ns to the Poor A. Yes Lev. 19 11 13. 1 Thes. 4. 6. Luke 6. 30. 1 Ioh. 3. 17. Pâ—â—v 14. 21. Q. And doth it forbid all waies and means whereby either publickly or privately by force or by fraud we may acquire or detain from any what either by the rule of righteousness or Charity belongs unto them A. Yes it doth Q. How are these things forbidden in this Commandment A. Aâ— they do or may unjustly hinder our own or our Neighbours wealth and ouâ—ward estate Q. May not men be Thieves as to themselves and their own wealth and outward estate A. Yes they may be depriving themselves of those temporal blessings which of natural right belong to them Q How are men guilty of this kind of Theft A. 1. By impoverishing vices viz. Drunknness and Gluttony and the accompanying of such vitious persons h Idleness i Covetousness k and Uâ—cleanness l. h Prov. 23. 20 21. and 28. 19. i and 23. 21. and 18. 9. k and 11. 23. 〈◊〉 6. 26. 2. By the making and keeping of rash Vows which oblige men to nothing but Repentance viz. of Pilgrimaging c. which waste that outward estate God hath given such ignorant Z â—aloâ—s and Votariâ—s for their comfortable subsistence in tâ—is world and which might have been better improved to the relieving of the poor for the furtherance of their own account in the other world 3. By unnecessary sufferings Q. What mean you by unnecessary sufferings A. 1. Those that were not unavoidable but might be flight or other lawful means have been well enough declined or escaped Mat. 10. 23. 2. Those that men suffer for their faults viz. Heresies Sâ—ditions and Schisms or for damnable Doctrines and Bandyings into Parties destructive to all Government in Church and State Q. But do not the holy Scriptures make an honourable mention of those that took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods that chose to suffer afflictions with the people of God and esteemed the reproach of Christ more than all the pleasures advantages and treasures in the world A. Yes Heb. 10. 34. and 11. 24 25 26. Q And ought we not to forsake Houses and Lands and all we have for the sake of Christ A. Yes or else we cannot be Christs Disciples Q. But shall we
not be greatly losers hereby A. We shall be so far from being losers by it that we shall in this very life by that means be abundantly more richly provided for in the same proportion that they are which in the Harvest have the most plentiful returns to their seed and pains-â—aking and in the world to come they shall inherit everlasting life Q. 76. Which is the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment is Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour Q. 77. What is required in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of Truth between Man and Man and of our own and our Neighbours good Name especially in witness-bearing Explic. Q What doth the ninth Commandment respect A. The ninth Commandment respects our own and our Neighbours good Name Q. Ought we to maintain and promote our own and our Neighbours good Name A. Yes Q. How may our own and our Neighbours good Name be effectually maintained and promoted A. By putting away Lying and speaking every man the Truth with his Neighbour Q. Wherein especially is this to be done A. In witness-bearing Q. 78. What is forbidden in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to Truth or injurious to our own or our Neighbours good Name Explic. Q. What sins are forbidden in this Commandment A. Lying Equivâ—â—cating mental reservation and unseasonable profession of the truth Q How are lies usually distinguished A. Into three sorts Merry Officious Pernicious Lies Q. What are Merry Lies A. Such as are spoken only to delight others and make sport Q What are Officious Lies A. Such as are spoken either for our own or our Neighbours profit and do not hurt any man Q. But what is the sin chiefly forbidden in this Commandment A. The giving of false Testimonies which are pernicious to our Neighbours Life Goods and good Name Q. How are the aforesaid sins here forbidden A. As they are prejudicial to truth Q. What other sins are there forbidden in this Commandment A. Back biting slandering and the taking up a reproach against our Neighbour going up and down as a Tale-bearer bitterness and evil-speaking which is Tongue-Persecution the rash censuring of others and putting bad constructions on their words and actions and the procuring to ourselves an ill Name either 1. By walking undiscreetly or Offensively Or 2. By a needless lessening the good opinion others have of us by bewraying our weakness as want of learning c. to the Carper Q How are these sins here forbidden A. As they are injurious to our own or our Neighbours good Name Q. Which is the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment is Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Man-Servant nor his Maid-Servant nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is thy Neighbours Q. 80. What is required in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition with a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our Neighbour and all that is his Explic. Q Doth not the fifth Commandment enjoyn us to give respect to the persons of all men A. Yes 1 Sam. 1. 15. Acts 16 30. Gen. 23. 7. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Q. Doth not the sixth Commandment respect our own and our Neighbours Life A. Yes Q And the seventh our own and our Neighbours Chastity A. Yes Q. And the eighth our own and our Neighbours wealth and outward estate A. Yes Q. And the ninth our own and our Neighbours good Name A. Yes Q. And do not all these Laws of God bind the inward as well as the outward man A. Yes Q. Doth then the tenth Commandment Thou shalt not covet differ from the rest especially in that it doth forbid and restrain the first motions and inclinations of the heart to sin before the consent of the will A. Yes Q. What duties are required in this Commandment A. Chiefly two 1. Full contentment with our own condition Q. What is meant by contentment A. Complacency and satisfaction of mind with our own condition whatever it is Q. What is the other duty here chiefly required A. A right and charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbour and all that is his Q. What mean you by that A. That disposition of mind whereby we think and wish well to our Neighbour and do readily and suitably sympathize or have a fellow-feeling with him in any condition he is in Q 81. What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate envying and grieving at the good of our Neighbour and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his Explic. Q. What are the sins forbidden in the tenth Commandment A. The sins forbidden in the tenth Commandment are 1. All discontentment displicency and dissatisfaction of mind with our own estate 2. All envying or grieving at the good of our Neighbour 3. All inordinate motions and affections towards any thing that is his or coveting any thing that is our Neighbours Q 82. Is any man able to keep the Commandment of God A No meer man since the Fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the Commandments of God but daily doth break them in thought word and deed Explic. Q. Was Adam able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God before the Fall A. Yes Gen. 1 26 27. Eccl. 7 29. Q Is man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God now A. No. Eccl. 7 20. Iam. 3. 2. 1 Kings 8. 46. 1 Ioh. 1. 8 10. Q. How long hath man been rendred unable perfectly to keep the Commandments of God A. Ever since the Fall Q. But how long shall man continue in this impotency A. As long as he continues in this life Q. Christ was true man but was not he able perfectly in this life to keep the Commandment of God since the Fall A. He was not a meer man Q. What mean you by that A. That he was God as well as man Q. How oft doth man break the Commandments of God A. He doth daily break them Q How many waies doth he break them A. Three waies viz. in thought word and deed Q. If this be true must not that doctrine of the Papists and others be false that teacheth perfection attainable in this life and that men may do works of supererogation and that good works are meritorious A. Yes this their proud and self-advancing Doctrine must needs be false Q. But what do you mean by that perfection which is not attainable in this life A. Absolute unsinning obedience Q. Was not this perfection attained in this life by the ever blessed Virgin Mary A. No Q. Why can none merit everlasting life by good works A. 1. Because works as good are not their own â— Because all such
57. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Rememmber the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six daies shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattle nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates For in six daies the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Q 58. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath unto the Lord. Explic. Q. Doth the fourth Commandment require any special time to be kâ—pt holy A. Yes Q. What time A. Such set time as God hath appointed in his Word Q. What mean you by a set time A. Such a time as is set apart for Gods worship only and wholly all business being laid aside Q. Doth the fourth Commandment then determine of the special time for divine worship as the three foregoing Commandments do of the Object means and manner of worship A. Yes Q. In whose power is it to appoint times for worship A. God who appoints the worship appoints also the time for it in his Word he hath not deputed any of this Power to any other Q. Hath God left us to keep what time we please A. No. Q. What proportion of time hath God more solemnly set apart for his worship A. One whole day in Seven Q. Is this Commandment to be understood of the seventh day in order so as to be limited to the last of the seven or is it to be understood of a seventh in number that is One in Seven A. It is to be understood of a seventh in number and this proportion of time the Gospel-Law never repealed Q. Is the fourth Commandment then a moral precept that is to say of perpetual force binding Christians now as well as the Iews heretofore to the observation of it A. Yes Q. How is this day to be spent A. As an holy Sabbath unto God Q. What is meant by that A. It is meant that we spend this whole day to Gods glory as he hath commanded us Deut. 5. 12. Q. 59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbâ—â—â— A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath and the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath Explic. Q. How long did God appoint the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection Q. Was it not only from the time of the giving of the Law by Moses A. No it was ordained for man in Paradise in the beginning of the World Q. Is that to continue or is it changed A. It is changed to the first day of the week Q. But why do you observe the first day of the week when the Commandment speaks of the seventh A. In memory of Christs rising from the Dead on the first day that he might enter into his glorious rest having here finished his work of Redemption For which there is the example of the holy Apostles and the Church of God Q. Is this day any more to be changed â— is it to continue A. It is to continue to the end of the World Q What is it câ—lled A. The Christian Sabbath to distinguish it from the Jewish seventh day Sabbath Q May it be lawfully so called A. Yes it is no where forbidden to be so called though the most proper Name be the Lords Day Rev. 1. 10. Q. 60. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by an holy resting all that day even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other daies and spending the whole time in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship except so much as is to be taken up in the works of Necessity and Mercy Explic. Q. Is the Sabbath to be sanctâ—fiâ—d A. Yes Q. In what sense is God said to sanctifie the holy Sabbath A. In making it holy by way of Consecration Q. In what sense are we said to sanctifie the Sabbath A. In keeping it holy by way of application viz. applying it to those ends and exercises for which God did consecrate it Q. What is required that the Sabbath may be sanctified A. Two things 1. Resting is required Q. What kind of resting must it be a meer civil rest A. No. Q. Or a meer carnal and bodily resting such as the Ox and the Ass must have on the Sabbath A. No Q. What kind of resting then is required on the Sabbath day A. An holy resting Q. How long must this be A. All that day Q. From what must we rest from spiritiual employments and recreations A. No. Q. From what then A. From worldly employments and recreations Q. When may these lawfully be used A. On other days so we use them aright Q. What else is required that the Sabbath may be sanctified A. 2. Spending the time in the exercises of Gods worship and this makes the rest to be an holy rest Q May we stay at home and spend our time in the private exercises of Gods worship with the neglect of the publick A. No Q. May we not rest satisfied in giving attendance on the publick worship but must we be also careful at home in private A. Yes Q. How much time must we spend in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship A. The whole time except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy Q. What do you mean by works of Necessity A. Such as could not be done before and cannot be deferred until after the Sabbath Q. How are we to perform the duties of the day A. 1. We are to perform the publick and private exercises of Gods worship on the Sabath day 1. With sincerity having a single respect unto the honour and glory of God whose day the Sabbath is Isa. 58. 13. 2. With reverence and that both of body and mind Eccl. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Heb. 12. 28 29. Isa. 66. 1. 3. With diligence and attention Acts 16. 13 14. Deut 6. 7. Acts 17. 11. and 10. 33. 4. With Love and fervour of Spirit Rom. 12. 11. 5. With delight Psal. 42. 4. Deut. 16. 14. Isa. 58. 13. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. 2. We must do works of Necessity and Mercy with chearfulness and without anxiety of mind and doubtful scrupulosity Rom. 12. 8. Mat. 12. 11 12. Q. 61. What is forbidden in the fourth Commandment A.