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.
death 5. All our good comes from God who must make us gracious and glorious if we be either 6. Our best duties tho done through Gods assistance yet are attended with many infirmities Isa 64.6 7. coldness weariness c. 7. There is no proportion between our work and this reward therefore it must be the gift of Gods free Grace Q. What improvement do you make of this Article A. 1. If eternal misery be the wages of sin it shews mans folly in daring to act sin when for a moments pleasure here he must meet with eternal torments hereafter 2. If eternal life be given to the godly it should engage us to the practice of godliness Our labour is not in vain 1 Cor. 15.58 Q. What is meant here by the word Amen A. It is here an Asseveration or Affirmation of our consent to the truth of all the premised Articles In which O Lord encrease our Faith and enable us to lead the Life of Faith that at the end of our lives we may have the end of our Faith the Salvation of our Souls SECT II. Q. THe Rule of Faith in the Articles of the Creed being considered What is yet remaining of your Baptismal Vow A. The Rule of obedience in my keeping all Gods Commandments and walking in the same all the days of my life Q. How many Commandments are there A. Ten and therefore they are sometimes called the Decalogue Q. Which be they A. The same which God spake in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus Exod 20. saying I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt and out of the house of bondage c. Q. What is considerable in this Preface to these Commandments A. 1. The Authority of the Law-giver I am the Lord thy God The Lord that made thee and thy God in Covenant with thee who may give Laws to my Creatures and declare my will to my People which they are bound to obey 2. The obligations on the people to obey their deliverance from the Aegyptian bondage Q. Do these Commandments oblige us A. Dr. Arrowsmiths Tact. Sac. lib. 2. Cap. 4. Sect. 4. Mar. 5 6 7 Chap. Rom. 13.9 Ephes 6.2 James 2.8 9. 1. The Jews if considered as a Church had a Ceremonial Law abolisht by Christ As a state they had a judicial Law not obliging all Nations But this Law they had as men and Gods rational Creatures given them by God as their Creator therefore it obligeth us as men so long as we continue our being 2. The precepts of this Law are repeated by Christ and his Apostles and proposed by them to us as a rule to walk by 3. The obligations on us are greater then on the Jews to observe them God is not only our Lord and our God in Covenant with us Bish Ni. cholson on Cat. p. 13.21.134 but we enjoy the substance of their shadows the fulfilling of their promises prophecies and Types And our deliverance by Christ is far greater then from an Aegyptian bondage ours was from an infernal Pharaoh the Devil a deliverance of both Soul and body from eternal misery by the blood of Christ Q. Why is it called the moral Law Hookers Polity lib 1. sect 8. Leighs body of Divinity p. 124. A. Because it relates to manners and containing our duties to God and Man Q. Why is it called the Law of nature A. 1. Because its duties were impressed on mans Nature at his Creation 2. Mans reason rightly improved will dictate all these dutys Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 81. for that reason which dictates the being of a God will certainly teach he ought to be worshipped and that there can be but one Almighty God to be worshipped who therefore ought to hear his name Reverenced his ordinances and Laws observed always and at sometimes more publickly and solemnly by his People And as it is the dictate of Nature to do to others as we desire they should do to us so it will teach us to Honour whom it is due to B. Wilkins Natural Religion to abstain from murthering of or committing uncleanness with or stealing from or bearing false witness against or inordinately coveting after any thing of our Neighbours 3. The Heathen have acknowledged a Deity to whom they paid worship and observed some more solemn times then others to do it in and have been so exemplary in declaiming against and punishing of 14 all sins against the second Table That they may be Witnesses against us unless we labour to keep these Laws of God Q. How are these ten Commandments divided A. Into two Tables relating to the twofold object of duty God and Man Q. Which Commandments contain our dutys towards God A. The four first Q. Which Commandments contain our dutys towards Man A. The six last Q. Why are more delivered Negatively then affirmatively A. 1. To shew our proneness to evil which requires so many restraints 2. To shew there must be a ceasing from sin before we can do good Q. What general Rules are there for the understanding these Commandments A. James 2.10 1. That the same Authority is offended in breaking one that is in breaking all 2. All Negative commands disswade not only from sin but command the contrary duty 3. All positive commands command not only the duty but also forbid the contrary sins 4. Both positive and Negative disswade from all Evil thoughts as well as Evil words and actions and oblige to have purity as well as to Holiness of the tongue or conversation 5. They both oblige to avoid all things tending to any sin and to use all means that may further us in any duty 6. Leigh 's Body of Divinity p. 205. Affirmative precepts are not so obliging as the Negative the first oblige to duty but not always as works of mercy and the like may be done on the Sabbath And obedience to God is better then Honour to a Superior without Gods Honour but the Negative oblige to avoid all sin and alwaies because it is never lawful to act Evill that good may come thereby Q. Why are the Commandments given in the second person singular A. 1. Leigh 's body p. 207. Because thus there can be no evasion from Duty 2. Every one is concerned in the obedience which is due to them 3. To shew God is no respecter of persons he speaks to Poor and Rich to all alike Q. What is the first Commandment A. Thou shalt have no other Gods but me Q. Which is here to be learned A. 1. That we are prone to Idolatry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuag in loc See Jun. Trem. in loc 2. That there is but one God whom alone we ought to worship 3. that we should not adore a plurality of Gods as the Heathens did 4. That God is every where present and beholds the Idolatry of heart and life Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q. What are the
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