comparing spiritual things with spiritual Psal 119. 18 129. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law Thy Testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soul keep them and Purity h Psal 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times Psal 119. 140. Thy word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it by the consent of all the parts i Act. 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Act. 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come and the scope of the whole which is to give all glory to God k Rom. 3. 19. Now we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the World become guilty before God by their light and power to convince and convert sinners to comfort and build up believers to salvation l Act. 18. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly shewing by the Scripture that Jesus was Christ Heb. 4. 12. For the word of God is quick powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart I am 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Psal 19. 7 8 9. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple the statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes the fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Acts 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified but the Spirit of bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man is alone able fully to perswade it that they are the very word of God m Joh. 16. 13 14. Howbeit when He the Spirit of Truth is come He will guide you into all Truth for He shall not speak of himself but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak and He will shew you things to come 1 John 2. 20. 27. But ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things V. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him John 20. 31. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man n 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus Q. What do the Scriptures make known of God A The Scriptures make known what God is o Heb. 11. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please God for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him the Persons in the Godhead p 1 John 5. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. the Decrees q Act. 15. 14 15 18. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name V. 15. And to this agree the words of the Prophets as 't is written V. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World and the execution of His Decrees r Acts 4. 27 28. For of a truth against the holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together V. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy councâ—l dâ—terminâ—d before to be done Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit Å¿ Joh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worshâ—p him in Spirit and Truth in and of himself infinite in Being t Exod. 3. 14. And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I am hath sent me unto you Job 11. 7 8 9. Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection it is as high as Heaven what canst thou do deeper then Hell what canst thou know the measure thereof is longer then the earth and broader then the sea Glory u Act. 7. 2. The God of Glory appeared unto our Father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he dwelt in Charran Blessedness * 1 Tim. 6. 15. Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and Perfection x Mat. 5. 48. Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father who is in Heaven is perfect All-sufficient y Gen. 17. 1. When Abram was ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him I am God All sufficient walk before me and be thou perfect Eternal z Psal 90. 2. Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God Unchangeable a Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord I change not therefore ye the sons of Jacob are not consumed Jam. 1. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Incomprehensible b 1 King 8. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee how much lesse this house that I have built Every where present c Psal 139. 1. to 13. O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou knowest my down sitting and mine up-rising and thou understandest my thoughts afar off c. Whither
people for his name and to this agree the words of the Prophets as it is written After this I will return and build again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and I will build again the ruines thereof and I will set it up Isai 55. 4 5. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people a leader and commander to the people Behold thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy One of Israel for he hath glorified thee Gen. â—9 10. The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a law-giver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Psal 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth and giving them officers g Eph. 4. 11 12. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12. 28. And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that Miracles then gifts of healings helps governments diversities of tongues Laws h Isai 33. 22. For the Lord is our judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us and Censures by which he visibly governs them i Mat. 18. 17 18. And if he shall nâ—glect to hear them tell it to the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a Publican Verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven 1 Cor. 5. 4 5. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered togâ—ther and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus in bestowing saving grace upon his elect k Act. 5. 31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repenâ—ance to Israel and forgiveness of sins rewarding their obedience l Rev. 22. 12. And behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Rev. 2. 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten dayes be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life and correcting them for their sins m Rev. 3. 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings n Isai 63. 9. In all their affliction he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and he bare them and carried them all the dayes of old restraining and overcoming all their enemies o 1 Cor. 15. 25. For he must reign till he have put all his enemies under his feet Psal 110. throughout The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand untill I have made thine enemies thy footstool to the end and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory p Rom. 14. 10 11. But why dost thou judge thy brother or why dost thou set at naught thy brother We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ For it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God and their own good q Rom. 8. 28. We know that all things work together for good to them who love God to them who are the called according to his purpose and also in taking vengeance on the rest who know not God and obey not the Gospel r 2 Thess 1. 8 9. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Psal 2. 8 9. Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Thou shalt break them with a rod of Iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel Q. What was the state of Christs humiliation A. The estate of Christs humiliation was that low condition wherein he for our sakes emptying himself of his glory took upon him the form of a servant in his Conception and Birth Life Death and after his death untill his resurrection Å¿ Phil. 2. 6 7 8. Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Luke 1. 31. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus 2 Cor. 8. 9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich Acts 2. 24. Whom God hath raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it Q. How did Christ humble himself in his Conception and Birth A. Christ humbled himself in his Conception in that being from all eternity the Son of God in the Bosom of the Father he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the Son of Man made of a Woman of low estate and to be born of her with divers Circumstances of more then ordinary abasement t Joh. 1. 14-18 And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth V. 18. No man hath seen God at any time the onely begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him Gal. 4. 4. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law Luke 2. 7. And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling-clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inne Q. How did Christ humble himself in his life A. Christ humbled himself in his life by subjecting himself to the
Altar and ye say Where have we polluted thee In that ye say The table of the Lord is contemptible V. 8. And if ye offer the blind for a sacrifice is it not evil and if the lame and sick is it not evil Offer it now to thy Governor will he be pleased with thee or accept thy person saith the Lord of hosts V. 14. But cursed be the deceiver who hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of hosts and my name is dreadful among the heathen adding to it taking from it o Deut. 4. 2. Ye shall not adde unto the word which I command you nor shall ye diminish ought from it that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you whether invented and taken up of our selves p Psal 106. 39. Thus were they defiled with their own works and went a whoring with their own inventions or received by tradition from others q Mat. 15. 9. But in vain do they worship me teaching for doctrine the commandments of men though under the title of Antiquity r 1 Pet. 1. 18. Forasmuch as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers Custome Å¿ Jer. 44. 17. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth to burn incense to the Queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings unto her as we have done we and our fathers our Kings and our Princes in the Cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem for then we had plenty of victuals and were well and saw no evil Devotion t Isa 65. 3. 4 5. A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face that sacrificeth in gardens and burns incense upon Altars of brick V. 4. Which remain among the graves and lodge in the monuments which cat swines flesh and broth of abominable things is in their vessels V. 5. Which say Stand by thy self come not neer me for I am holier then thou these are a smoke in my nose a fire that burns all the day Gal. 1. 13 14. For ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Jewes religion how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God and wasted it V. 14. And profited in the Jewes religion above many mine equals in mine own nation being exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers good Intent or any other pretence whatsoever u 1 Sam. 15. 21. But the people said Saul took of the spoil sheep and oxen the chief of those things which should have been utterly destroyed to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal fimony * Act. 8. 18. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given he offered them money sacriledge x Rom. 2. 22. Thou that abhorrest Idols dost thou commit sacriledge Mal. 3. 8. Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me But ye say Wherein have we robbed thee in tithes and offerings all neglect y Exod. 4. 24 25. And it came to pass by the way in the Inne that the Lord met him and sought to kill him V. 25. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at his feet c. contempt z Mat. 22. 5. But they made light of it and went their way one to his farm another to his merchandize Mal. 1. 7-13 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine Altar and ye say Wherein have we polluted thee In that ye say The table of the Lord is contemptible V. 13. Ye said also Behold what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of hosts and ye brought that which was torn and the lame and sick should I accept this of your hand saith the Lord. hindering a Mat. 23. 13. But wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye shut up the kingdome of heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves nor suffer them that are entring to go in and opposing the worship and Ordinances which God hath appointed b Act. 13. 44 45. And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole City together to hear the word of God V. 45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes they were filled with envy and spake against those things which weee spoken by Paul contradicting and blaspheming 1 Thes 2. 15 16. Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets and have persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary to all men V. 16. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved to fill up their sins alwayes for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost Q What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment the more to enforce it A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment the more to enforce it contained in these words For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquities 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 c Exod. 20. 5 6. are besides Gods soveraignty over us and property in us d Psal 45. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him Rev. 15. 3 4. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints V. 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgements are made manifest his fervent zeal for his own worship e Exod. 34. 13 14. But ye shall destroy their Altars break their images and cut down their groves V. 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is jealous is a jealous God and his revengeful indignation against all false worship as being a spiritual whoredom f 1 Cor. 10. 20 21 22. But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to Devils and not to God and I would not ye should have fellowship with Devils V. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of Devils ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table and the table of Devils V. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger then he Jer. 7. 18 19 20. The children gather wood and the fathers kindle the fire and the women knead their dough to make cakes to the Queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to other gods that they may provoke me to anger V. 19. Do they provoke me
to anger saith the Lord do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces V. 20. Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold mine anger and fury shall be poured out upon this place upon man and beast and the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground and it shall burn and none shall quench it Ezek. 16. 26 27. Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbors great of flesh and hast encreased thy whoredomes to provoke me to anger V. 27. Behold therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee c. Deut. 32. 16 17 18 19 20. They provoked him to jealousie with strange Gods with abominations provoked him to anger V. 17. They sacrificed to Devils not to God to gods whom they know not to new gods c. V. 18. Of the rock that begat thee thou art unmindful and hast forgotten God that formed thee V. 19. And when the Lord saw it he abhorred them because of the provoking of his sons and daughterâ— V. 20. And he said I will hide my face from them I will see what their end shall be for they are a very froward generation children in whom there is no saith accounting the breakers of this Commandment such as hate him and threatning to punish them unto divers generations g Hos 2 2 3 4. Plead with your mother plead for she is not my wife neither am I her husband let her therefore put away her whoredomes out of her sight and her adulteries from between her breasts V. 3. Lest I strip her naked and set her as in the day that she was born and make her as a wilderness and set her like a dry land and slay her with thirst V. 4. And I will not have mercy upon her children for they are the children of whoredomes and esteeming the observers of it such as love him and keep his Commandments and promising mercy to them unto many generations h Deut. 5. 29. O that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep my Commandements alwayes that it might be well with them and with their children for ever Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is 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 i Exod. 20. 7. Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requires that the Name of God his titles attributes k Mat. 6. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy Name Deut. 28. 58. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law written in this book that thou maist fear this glorious and fearful name THE LORD THY GOD. Psal 29. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name c. Psal 68. 4. Sing unto God sing praises unto his Name extoll him that rideth upon the heavens by his Name JAH and rejoyce before him Rev. 15. 3 4. See above in d ordinances l Mal. 1. 14. Cursed be the deceiver that hath in his flock a male and offereth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of hosts and my name is dreadful among the heathen Eccl. 5. 1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to hear then to give the sacrifice of fools for they consider not that they do evil the word m Psal 138. 2. I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name Sacraments n 1 Cor. 11. 24. 25 -28 29. And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me V. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup c. V. 28. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup. V. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body prayer o 1 Tim. 2. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting oaths p Jer. 4. 2. And thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in truth in judgement and in righteousness and the nations shall bless themselves in him shall they glory vowes q Eccl. 5. 2-4 5 6. Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth therefore let thy words be few V. 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools pay that which thou hast vowed V. 5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow then that thou shouldest vow and not pay V. 6. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin neither say thou before the Angel that it was an errour Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice and destroy the work of thine hand lots r Act. 1. 24 26. And they prayed and said Thou Lord who knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these two thou hast chosen V. 26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell upon Matthias and he was numbred with the eleven Apostles his works Å¿ Job 36. 24. Remember that thou magnifie his work which men behold and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known be holily and reverently used in thought t Mal. 3. 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name meditation u Psal 8. throughout O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name throughout the earth to the end word * Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or in deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Psal 105. 2-5 Sing unto him sing Psalms unto him talk ye of all his wondrous works V. 5. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgements of his mouth writing x Psal 102. 18. This shall be written for the generation to come and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. by an holy profession y 1 Pet. 3. 15. But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear Mic. 4. 5. For all people will walk every one in the name of his God and we will walk in the name of our God for ever and ever and answerable conversation
the Lord. Phil. 1. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Luk. 23. 43. And Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in paradise and their bodies being still united to Christ Å¿ 1 Thes 4. 14. For if we believe that Jesus dyed and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him do rest in their graves t Isa 57. 2. He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in uprightness till the resurrection u Job 19. 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God V. 27. Whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me Q. What benefit do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection A. At the resurrection believers being raised up in glory * 1 Cor. 15. 43. It is sown in dishonour it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness it is raised in power shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment x Mat. 25. 23. His Lord said unto him well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Mat. 10. 32. Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God (y) 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as I am also known to all eternity (z) 1 Thes 4. 17. Then we which are are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we be ever with the Lord. v. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words Q. What is the duty which God requireth of man A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will (a) Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God 1 Sam 15. 22. And Samuel said hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offering and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord Behold to obey is better then sacrifice and to hearken then the fat of rams Q. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the Moral Law (b) Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the law these having not the law are a law unto themselves v. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their consciences also beating witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another Rom. 10. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Q. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The morall law is summarily comprehended in the ten Commandments (c) Deut. 10. 4. And he wrote on the Tables according to the first writing the ten Commandments which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and the Lord gave them unto me Mat. 19. 17. And he said unto him why callest thou me good there is none good but one that is God but if thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments Q. What is the sum of the ten Commandments A. The sum of the ten Commandments is To love the Lord our God with all our heart with all our soul with all our strength and with all our mind and our neighbour as our selves (d) Mat. 22. 37. Jesus said unto him thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind v. 38. This is the first and great Commandment v. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self v. 40. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the Prophets Q. 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 (e) Exod. 20. 2. Q. 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 (f) Luke 1. 74. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear v. 75. In holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our lives 1 Pet. 1 15. But as he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation v. 16. Because it is written be ye holy for I am holy v. 17. And if you call on the father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear v. 18. For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers v. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Q. Which is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me (g) Exod. 20. 3. Q. 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 (h) 1 Chron. 28. 9. And thou Solomon my son know thou the God of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Deut. 26. 17. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God and to walk in his wayes and to keep his statutes and his Commandments and his judgements and to hearken unto his voice and to worship and glorifie him accordingly (i) Mat. 4. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him
Get thee hence Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Psal 29. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Q. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying (k) Psal 14. 1. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God they are corrupt they have done abominable works there is none that doth good or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God (l) Rom. 1. 21. Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were they thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkned and our God (m) Psal 81. 10. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt open thy mouth wide and I will fill it v. 11. But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone (n) Rom. 1. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creatures more then the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen v. 26. For this cause God gave them up vnto vile affections for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature Q. 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 (o) Ezek. 8. 5. to theend Psal 44. 20 21. But if we have forgotten the name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange God v. 21. Shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the heart Q. 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 selfe to 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 (p) Exod 20 4 5 6. Q. 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 (q) Deut. 32. 46. And he said unto them Set your hearts unto all the words which I testifie among you this day which ye shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this law Mat. 28. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world Act. 2. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Q. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by Images (r) Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19. v. 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire v. 16. Lest you corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image the similitude of any figure the likeness of male or female v. 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air v. 18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth v. 19. And least thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven and when thou feest the Sun Moon and Starres even all the host of heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them which the Lord God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven Exod. 32. 5-8 And when Aaron saw it he built an Altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord. v. 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrificed thereunto and said These be thy Gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt or any other way not appointed in his word (Å¿) Deut. 12. 31 32. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God for every abomination to the Lord which he hateth have they done unto their gods for even their sons and their daughters have they burnt in the fire to their gods v. 32. What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods soveraignty over us (t) Psal 95. 2 3 6 Let us come before his prefence with thanksgiving and make a joiful noise unto him with Psalms v. 3. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all Gods v. 6. O come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our maker his property in us (u) Psal 45. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him and his zeal he hath to his own worship (*) Exod. 34. 13 14. But ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves V. 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is Jealous is a jealous God Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is 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 (x) Exod. 20. 7. Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of Gods Name (y) Mat. 6. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy Name Deut. 28. 58. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book that thou maist fear this glorious and fearful name THE LORD THY GOD. Title (z) Psal 68. 4. Sing unto God sing praises to his name extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH and rejoycâ— before him Attributes (a) Rev. 15. 3 4. And they sing the Song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying great and marvellous are thy words Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King