then he doth justice to disswade them from the sin he keepeth mercy for thousands he punisheth but to the third and fourth generation 5. God may justly punish the children for the Parents fault Traytors pollute their blood for their children as well as selves and their children oftentimes by the Laws of the Land suffer with their parents for their Parents faults Q. What is the third Commandment A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain Q. What is meant by Gods Name A. 1. His Title and Attributes as Lord God c. 2. His Word and Ordinances whereby his Name and Will is made known to us Q. What is meant by taking Gods Name in vain A. 1. To use it or his Ordinances idly without an Holy Reverence and to some serious and good purpose 2. To use them evilly as in rash Oaths and Curses Spells Charms c. Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. Buxtorf Heb. Lex 155.161 Schikard's Heb. Gram. All rash and idle naming of the name of God whose Name the Jews would not write in a small piece of Paper lest it might come to servile use and have but of late dared to pronounce the name Jehovah And as for Gods Name Jab which in its Numeral Letters amounts to 15 they use it not out of Reverence to God but Number by two other Letters 2. Here is forbidden all sinfull use of Gods Name in Blasphemy Zech. 3.5 Mal. 3.5 Oaths Curses c. 3. All lying and forswearing whereby the God of Truth is called to Witness a Lye which God and Man abhor Prov. 1.24.26 28 Titus 1. last as Scripture and Heathens Witness 4. All slight and abuse of Gods Word and Ordinances 5. All Profession of Religion without a suitable Practice for they use the Name of God in vain and live not accordingly Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. A Reverend esteem for and use of Gods Name Cat. Ch. of England Attributes Oaths Word Ordinances An Honouring his Holy Name and Word 2. A Life adorning the Gospel and suitable to the Name of Christ Q. What is the Sanction of this Precept A. The Lord is a Jealous God and will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Q. What is meant by this A. It is a Meiosis less is spoken than is intended for if God will not hold him guiltless it implies he will account him very guilty who taketh his Name in vain and will punish him accordingly As 1. John 8.44 The Blasphemer was to be stoned to Death Levit. 24.11 14 16 23. 2. The Lyar is a Child of the Devil here Rev. 21.8 Zech. 3.5 Mal. 3.4 5. Dr. Rawleigh Sermon on Oaths and a Fire-brand of Hell hereafter 3. The false Swearer is here Cursed and hath God a swift Witness as well as Judge against him So that it seems to be the strictest threat against the greatest sin of all the Commands Q. What improvement do you make of this A. 1. It shews us the extent of Gods Service not only to our Actions but to our Words and Thoughts Jer. 4.14 Mat. 12.36 Psal 139.1 to 10. 2. It should engage us to have a care of rash Oaths and Lying which is a great dishonour to the God of Truth 3. It should oblige us to Glorifie God with our Tongues 4. It should engage us to improve all the means of Grace whereby God discovers himself unto us for our good Q. What is the Fourth Commandment A. Remember that thou keep Holy the Sabbath Day Sir days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of Work Thou and thy Son and thy Daughter Thy Man-servant and thy Maid-servant Thy Cattel and the Stranger that is within thy Gates For in Sir days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord Blessed the Seventh day and Hallowed it Q. What is the design of this Commandment A. A setting apart a time for the more Publick Worship of God though our whole Life should be a Serving him yet some time is requisite to be observed for an unanimous Solemn Publick Serving him Q. Wherein is the Morality of this Commandment A. 1. In observing a set time Solemnly set apart for Gods Publick Worship 2. In ordering that this be a seventh part of our time Q. Why was the Jewish Sabbath changed into our Christian Lords Day or their Seventh altered and our first day of the Week observed A. 1. It s Institution or Sanction was not only in respect of the Creation Gen. 2. Deut. 5.15 but of the Deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt Now our Deliverance by Christ was Typified by their Deliverance from Egypt and was far greater than theirs and therefore might reasonably have a day set apart in Remembrance of it B. Pearson on Creed 264 265. And the Sanction of the Sabbath in Remembrance of that Deliverance might equally Typifie the Observation of our Sabbath on the day of our Deliverance B. Taylors holy Living p. 290. Exo. 12.1 since its Observance was not strictly confined to the remembrance of the Creation 2. The change of the Seventh day to the First seems to be Typified in the changing of the Seventh Month before the Israelites came out of Egypt into the First Month after it Psal 110.3 by Gods own appointment 3. It s change is Prophesied of in that Psalm which relates to Christs Prophetick Office where his People are said to be a willing People in the day of his Power in the beauty of Holiness Or as it is in our Divine Service Psal 118.22 The People shall Offer thee Free-will Offerings with an Holy Worship in the day of thy Power Now the day of Christs Power was that day of his Resurrection Mat. 28.1 Psal 118.24 wherein he manifested his Conquest over Death Hell and the Grave and that was on the First Day of the Week And we will rejoyce and be glad in it 4. Christ was Lord of the Sabbath Day and might alter it and by his Presence twice amongst his Disciples met together and Celebrating the Duties of that day Blessing them John 20.19 26. and pronouncing Peace to them warranted their Practice and Evidenced its Divine Authority 5. The Practice of the Church in the Apostles time John 20. 1 Cor. 16.1 and ever since Fox Acts (a) Vol. 1 p. 69 70. It was much observed in Justin Martyr's time 167 Years after Christ (b) Vol. 1 p. 134. Constantine the Great Commanded its being kept Holy And (c) Vol. 1 p. 203. B. Pearson on Creed p. 265. Edgar King of England Commanded the same here about 959 Years after Christ 6. The Commandment is fulfilled though the seventh
To vindicate their Reputation 6. To discover what Conspiracies they know of 7. To Pray for them Q. What are the Duties of your Spiritual Relation of Ministers and People A. 1. The Duties of Ministers are 1. Study 2. Preaching to and 3. 1 Tim. 4.14 15 16. 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Heb. 13.17 Ephes 6.19 Praying for and with the People 4. Love 5. Reproof 6. Exhortation 7. Example of Good 8. Visiting Sick 2. Duties of People are 1. To attend Ordinances 2. To Obey what is directed 3. Love 4. Honour 5. Pay dues to him 6. Pray for him Q. What are the Duties of the Conjugal Relation A. 1. The Duties of the Husband are 1. Ephes 5.25 Col. 3.19 1 Pet. 3.7 Ephes 5.26 Col. 3.18 1 Pet. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Love to Soul and Body of Wife 2. A due esteem of her 3. Protection 4. Provision for her 5. Fidelity 6. Prayer with and for her 2. The Duties of the Wife are 1. An Honourable esteem of her Husband 2. Outward Respect 3. Love to Soul and Body 4. Obedience to his fit Requests 5. Fidelity to Body and Estate 6. Joynt endeavours for the good of their Family 7. Prayer for him 8. Meekness towards him Q. What are the Duties of Masters and Servants A. 1. The Duties of Masters are 1. To take care they serve God Ephes 6.9 Col. 4.1 2. James 5.4 Ephes 6.5 6. Col. 3.22 2. To provide convenient things for them 3. To Command nothing but what is Lawful to be performed by them 4. To pay their dues of Wages 5. Meekness to them 6. Prayer for and with them 2. The Duties of Servants to Masters are 1. Sincerity 2. Honour 3. Obedience to Lawful Commands 4. Fidelity 5. Submission to Punishments 6. Prayer for them Q. What are the Duties of the Aged and Youth A. 1. The Duties of the Aged are 1. Prov. 16.31 Steadfastness in the Faith 2. Instruction of Youth 3. To communicate Experiences 4. To be Exemplary 5. To prepare for Heaven 2. The Duties of Youth are 1. To Honour the Hoary Head Eccles 12.1 2. Obey their good Advice 3. Observe their good Example 4. To Devote themselves to God betimes Q. What are the Duties of the Rich and Poor A. The Duties of the Rich are 1. To be rich in good Works 2. Humility 1 Tim. 6.17 2. The Duties of the Poor are 1. Humility 2. Contentment And 3. To prepare for a better Estate in another World James 2.5 Q. What is the Sanction of this Commandment A. That thy days may be long in the Land that the Lord thy God giveth thee Q. What doth this import A. 1. That the not performing the Duties of this Commandment may cause God or his Magistrate to cut us off as Malefactors 2. That the performance of them tend to the continuance of our Lives by Gods blessing 3. May entitle us to Heaven of which the Land here meant was a Type Q. What improvement do you make of this Commandment A. That we can be in no Relation or Condition but God expects Duty from us and we ought to perform it Q. What is the Sixth Commandment A. Thou shalt do no Murther Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All actual Murther of our selves or others 2. All with-holding due Relief from our selves or others whereby Life may be lost 3. Exposing our selves or others to manifest dangers 4. Malice and Envy 1 John 3 15. the Murther of the Heart 5. To hurt no body by word or deed Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. The preservation of our own and others Life and Health 2. Peace and Love amongst us Q. What is the Seventh Commandment A. Thou shalt not Commit Adultery Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All unclean thoughts and desires 2. Ephes 4.29 All Corrupt and obscene Speeches 3. All lewd Acts as Fornication Adultery Incest Sodomy Buggery 4. All Luxurious Eating and Drinking which tend to it 5. All wanton gestures which may tempt to the sin Q. What is Commanded A. To keep our Bodies in Temperance Soberness Tit. 2.11 and Chastity Q. What is the Eighth Commandment A. Thou shalt not Steal Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All close or open Theft 2. All Circumventing Cheating 1 Thes 4.6 and Oppression by reason of the want or Ignorance of those we deal with 3. All false Weights and Measures whereby is stollen what would make them just Q. What is here required A. 1. A just dealing in all things 2. Contentment 3. Labour in our Occupations 4. A care to preserve our own and our Neighbours good Q. What is the Ninth Commandment A. Thou shalt not bear false Witness against thy Neighbour Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All rash Oaths and Perjury 2. Lying and Slandering 3. Tale-bearing and Tale-hearing whereof one hath the Devil in his Tongue the other in his Ear. 4. All Subornation of others to be false Witnesses Q. What is Commanded A. 1. A preserving our own and others Credit 2. Speaking and Witnessing Truth Q. What is the Tenth Commandment A. Thou shalt not Covet thy Neighbours House Thou shalt not Covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Servant nor his Haid nor his Ox nor his Asse nor any thing that is his Q. Why is this Commandment set down since it is implyed in the other Nine A. 1. Lest being only implyed in them Men might through their Corruption suppose they might entertain evil Thoughts and be guiltless Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All evil Concupiscence and Lust 2. All Envy at or Covetousness of any thing that is our Neighbours Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. Diligence in our Callings 2. Contentment with our Estate 3. A suppression of our desires after other Mens Possessions And now let us put a period to the Decalogue with our Churches Prayer Lord have Mercy upon us in the Pardon of our past sins And incline our Hearts for the future to keep thy Laws SECT IV. Q. IS Man able to fulfil the Law of God A. No not without Gods Grace assisting him Rom. 3. at large 1. Because since Adams Fall all Men have their Souls and Bodies depraved 2. They have an averseness from all good and a proneness to all evil 3. Have a corrupt Heart ready to betray them to the least Temptation 4. Have Enemies to Engage with too Powerful and Mighty therein 5. Phil. 2.13 14. The Nature of the Duties are Spiritual and require more than a Natural Power to perform them Q. By what means may Man gain assistance from God to do his Will A. By diligent Faithful Prayer which through Christ is prevalent 1. To protect from all Troubles Temporal Spiritual James 1.5 John 14.13 Eternal 2. To supply all wants of all good Q. What is the Rule for Prayer A. That which was made by our Lord and Saviour and by him recommended to his Disciples and us Q. Rehearse the Lords Prayer A. Our Father which art
us A. It should make us consider 1. That we are not our own but Gods 2. That being his it is but reasonable we should serve him 3. It should shame us for our rebellious sins since all our fellow-creatures obey his pleasure 4. It should make us resolve on future obedience with out utmost sincerity and power to our lives end Q. Why is God set forth as a Father A. His Attribute of Almighty declares his power His Title of Father denotes his goodness the one evidenceth him able the other willing to do us good Q. How is God a Father to us A. 1. By Creation He made us and not we our selves 2. God as a Father takes care of us supplies our wants Gen. 1.26 protects our persons watcheth over us to do us good night and day 3. God is our Father thro Christ by Adoption 4. Joh. 1.12 God as our Father hath provided an inheritance for us as Sons whom he is pleased to account as co-heirs with Christ Q. What is it to believe God to be our Father Rom. 8.16 A. 1. To own him as such 2. To make our addresses to him for what we want 3. To receive comfort hence under all troubles they come from a Father 4. To engage our submission to God's corrections he is our Father John 14.13 14. Heb. 12.6 7. 5. To support us under sense of the Frailty of our duties we perform them not to a critical Judge but to a merciful Father 6. It may engage us to act as Children in love fear honour obedience to him and vindication of him and promoting his glory B. Pearson on Creed p. 29 30. Eph. 5.1 and an endeavour to imitate him 7. Not to murmur at any dispensation of his Providence but freely to rest contented in what God is pleased to order Q. What are these Works by which God is made known in the Creed A. His making Heaven and Earth Q. How is God proved to have made Heaven and Earth A. 1. They were not from Eternity but were made in time 2. Nothing could make it self every thing was made by another 3. B. Pearson on Creed p. 51 52. Leigh 's Body of Divinity p. 282. Scripture abundantly witnesseth they were made by God Gen. 1. 4. The Heathens also ascribe the Creation of all things to God 7. 5. Heaven and Earth with the creatures in them pay as creatures homage to God as their great Creator Q. What is meant by Heaven and Earth A. Not only themselves but all creatures in the Universe and as by them is meant the Universe so there is nothing in the whole World but God made it Q. Is nothing meant by Gods making the Heaven and Earth but only his Creating them A. Yes because his power is equally manifested in the preservation as in the Creation of things therefore his Providence may be here considered whereby God orders governs and disposeth of all things as he pleaseth Q. How do you prove there is a Providence A. 1. By the Regular motion of the Heavens 2. Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 1. c. 11. The preservation of each Species of creatures in the midst of so many devouring Enemies 3. The alternate course of day and night for manslabour and rest 4. The preying of Beasts in the night when man rests and their being in their Dens in the day when man labours 5. The preservation of the Child in the Womb. B. Ushers Body of Divinity p. 107 108. 6. The Exalting some and Deposing others 1 Sam. 2.6 7. 7. The delivering of his Church from its many enemies Turk and Antichrist Pagan and Heretic 8. The Government of Nations by one man whenas every man is naturally desirous to govern 9. The discovering * 1588. 1605. 1678. the designs and defeating the Plots of persons against those Nations and Churches that serve him 10. Mornzus lib. praed c. 13. Whoever do acknowledge a Deity and denies Providence do much affront God supposing him to be only an idle Spectator of things 11. The duties of God's People yea of all the World to him prove it why should any pray if he hears and answers not or worship if he seeth and rewardeth not 12. The Heathens grant a 8 Providence ordering Life and Death Peace and War Riches and Poverty c. Q. If God orders all things by his Providence how should we improve it A. 1. We should in all our wants go to God 2. Count what we have or receive as received from God 3. It will plead it our necessary duty to serve him Homil. of Engl. on Rogat Week without whose blessing we cannot subsist 4. It will also engage our labour in our callings for God's Providence orders means to obtain mercies as well as mercies to be obtained which tho they cannot be succesful without God's blessings Harmony of Confessions Confes Belg. Art 3. Helv. 6. yet he will bless our endeavours to the obtaining what he seeth good for us 5. It will make us under all troubles to be content and in use of means to wait patiently for a release God is too great to be contented with and too good to be questioned be gives us more then we deserve if not what we desire The part of the Creed concerning God the Father being considered Q. What is that part concerning God the Son A. I believe in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord c. Q. What is believed concerning Christ in the Creed A. Things respecting his Person and his Offices Q. What is in the Creed concerning his Person A. His twofold nature God and Man Q. Wherein is Christ's Divinity manifested A. In our believing him to be Gods only Son our Lord. Q. How prove you Christ to be God A. 1. He derived his being from the Father by a way above all creatures so that he is very God of very God Nicaean Creed Athanasian Creed and as really God of the substance of the Father begotten before the World as man of the substance of his Mother born in the World 2. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 14. s 5. The Attributes and Works of God are attributed to him in Scripture 3. The Miracles he wrought were beyond any creatures power to effect done in his own name frequently in publick and by his own power 4. Mark 5.7 to 13. The obedience of all creatures to him yea of the very Devils 5. The Testimony of God Mat. 3.17 Angels Mat. 1.21 Devils Mark 5.7 6. The Heathens were not ignorant of the notion of the Son of God 9. becoming man Q. Why was it necessary our Saviour should be God A. 1. Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 38. B. Ushers body Div. p. 93 162. Leigh 's body p. 257. Homily of Eng. on Nativ To bear the weight of God's anger which man could not do 2. To satisfie an infinite offended Justice 3. To conquer all our enemies 4. To procure Salvation for us most
day be changed to the first for the foregoing Reasons yet is a seventh day kept still The first day is observed because of Christs Resurrection for our Redemption and every first day which is every seventh day after Christs Resurrection is observed in memory of our Creation our Gracious Redeemer being also our Great Creator 7. Our Churches Service pleads its Divine Authority Communion Service in Command in that after the rehearsing this Fourth Commandment as well as after the other it puts us in mind to beg of God to incline our hearts to keep this Law which implies that our Church thinks our Christian Sabbath kept on our first day of the Week to be of Divine Authority and that in our due keeping of that we observe this Commandment Q. Is the Commandment Moral and Obliging us A. 1. Yes it had the same Author the other had Gen. 2.2 the Eternal God 2. It s Observation was Instituted before any Ceremony was before Christ was promised or any Type of him manifested 3. It was enjoyned to the stranger as well as the Jew 4. Ezek. 31 13.14 15 Num. 13.32 God usually accounts it as a sign between him and his People for ever 5. Examples of Gods Judgments on its Profaners Exod. 35.2 Jerem. 17.27 6. It is still a Command in force else there are but Nine Commandments and the Authority of the Law-maker God himself is opposed Q. What is in this Commandment disswaded from A. 1. All want of due Preparation for the Observance of our Sabbath 2. All Worldly Employs that might be done before Isa 58.13 Neh. 13.15.19 20. or safely may be omitted till the day after 3. All sins and sinful Pleasures and Pastimes 4. All neglect of Gods Ordinances in Publick and of Family Duties in Private Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. To rest from all unnecessary works of our Calling 2. To Dedicate that Rest to God and to spend every day as a rest from sin 3. To Sanctifie the Sabbaths rest 1 by publick and private Acts of Religion 2. By works of Mercy and Charity towards our Neighbours Q. What are the Motives to enforce the Observance of this Precept A. 1. It is introduced more Solemnly than the rest with a Remember 2. It is placed between both Tables as if both depended on its Observance or if as the last of the first Table its Observance perfects our Duty towards God 3. It is highly reasonable God might have Commanded Six days for his own Service and have left us but one day for our Employs but he requires but one and leaveth us six 4. We have no reason to expect a Blessing on our days of Labour if we neglect our Duties to God in his day of Worship 5. It is delivered both Negatively and Affirmatively that we might no ways avoid its Obligation Gen. 2. John 20. Ezek. 20 6. God himself Christ himself and the Men of God in all Ages have been exemplary in its Observance 7. It is a great Priviledge to any People to be admitted to speak to God in making known their wants and to have God speaking to them in making known their Duties in the Ordinances of the Day Amos 8.11 A Famine of the Word is the worst of Punishments 8. Amos 8.5.8 11. Sabbath-breaking hath generally been a sin pulling down Vengeance on Nations And indeed God may justly remove means of Grace from those who so neglect and slight them and it may be feared Judgments may hang over us when mens Tongues cry buder to damn themselves than to obtain Mercy from God Q. What improvement ought to be made of this Commandment A. 1. Rev. 2. 3 Chap. To lament the slight and abuse Gods Ordinances have met with among us which may justly provoke God to remove his Gospel from us 2. Phil. 1.27 It may teach us for the future to prize and improve them better 3. Josh 24.15 To take care not only our selves but our Families also serve God our Children have God for their Father and our Servants have him for their Master both ought to serve him Q. What is the sum of the Commandments of the Second Table A. Church Cat. Duty to Neighbour That I love my Neighbour as my self and do to all Men as I would they should do to me Q. What do the Commandments of the Second Table respect A. The Duty to be performed to our selves and Neighbours in Relation to Soul and Body Life Estate and Reputation Q. What is the Fifth Commandment which is the first of this Second Table A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q What doth this Commandment engage A. 1. A laying aside all undue Thoughts unbecoming Speeches or unsuitable Actions in any of our Relations 2. A performing of all due Honour Love Fear Care Obedience and other Duties to all our Relations Q. What Relations may man herein be considered A. 1. Some more especially implyed As 1. The Relation of Nature as Parent and Child whereby we have Duty to pay to Natural Parents 2. That of Magistrate and Subject where our Civil Parent is considered 3. That of Minister and People where our Spiritual Parent is Observable 2. Some more remote Relations may yet be hence inferred as 1. Conjugal of Husband and Wife 2. That of Masters and Servants 3. Of Age and Youth 4. Of Rich and Poor In all these Relations and Conditions Man may be considered and every one of them commands Duty from him Q. What are the Duties of the Natural Relation of Parents and Children A. 1. The Parents Duties are 1. To Instruct their Children in the Fear of God Ephes 6.1 4. Colos 3.21 2. To provide for them 3. To Correct them for evil 4. To dispose of them to Callings and in Marriage 5. To be a good Example to them 6. To Pray for and Pray with them Ephes 6.2 3. Colos 3.20 2. Childrens Duty to their Parents are 1. Love 2. Honour to their Persons 3. Obedience to their Lawful Commands 4. Vindication of their Reputation 5. Relieving their wants to their Powers 6. Praying for them Q. What are the Duties of your Civil Relation of Magistrates and Subjects Rom. 13.3 Rom. 13.4 A. 1. The Duties of Magistrates are 1. To establish the True Religion 2. To Protect their People 3. To preserve Peace if it may be 4. To Punish Sin 5. To be a good Example in the Observance of the Laws 6. To promote the good of the Nation 7. To Pray for his People 2. The Duty of Subjects are 1. Honour Calvin Instit l. 1. Cap. 4. Homil. of Eng. on Obed. Rom. 13.1.2 5 6. 2. Obedience active to all Lawful Commands and passive to others suffering the Punishment of the Law not Rebelling against the Law-maker 3. To pay Tribute and Taxes 4. To Defend with Lives and Estates their Person and Kingdom 5.