unto it for I am the Lord your God. Q. Is a Representation of the true God hereby forbidden as well as that of a false God A. Yes for the true God is incomprehensible and cannot be described Isa 40.17 18 c. All nations before him are as nothing c. To whom then will ye liken God c. 2. It was condemned when it was used as in the Golden Calf which was made for a Representation of Jehovah the Lord. Exod. 32.5 Aaron built an altar before it and made proclamation and said To morrow is a feast to the Lord or Jehovah Q. What are the Reasons annexed to this Commandment A. They are three 1. The Lord is a Jealous God. 1. Lest by this means men come to have gross Conceptions of him as if he was like to an Image a 2. Lest they are thereby estranged from him and think that to be God which is not God b a Acts 17.29 We ought not to think that the Godbead is like unto Gold or Silver or Stone graven by art and mens device Deut. 4.12 15. Ye heard the Voice of the Lord but saw no Similitude b Ezek. 14.5 The house of Israel are estranged from me through their Idols 2. The Persons guilty of this Sin are esteemed Haters of God and which he will punish to the third and fourth Generation 3. That on the contrary he will shew Mercy abundantly unto them that keep this Commandment Shewing Mercy unto thousands Q. How can the Church of Rome vindicate it self for their making an Image of God and giving Adoration to an Image A. They usually leave out this Commandment Q. Why so A. Because they say it 's the same with the first and so make the third Commandment to be the Second and divide the Tenth into two Q. But besides that the Scripture makes the first and second Commandment to be two Exod. 20.3 4. Deut. 5.7 8. Is there not a manifest difference between them A. Yes for the first Commandment forbids the having and owning that for God which is not God as did the Worshippers of Baal and Moloch a c. But the second Commandment forbids the worshipping of the true God by an Image as did the Israelites in the Wilderness and Jeroboam when they worshipped the Golden Calves b a 1 Kings 16.31 Amos 5.26 b Exod. 32.1 4. 1 Kings 12.28 Q. What is the Duty required in the second Commandment A. To give that Worship to God which is suitable to his Nature Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Rom. 12.1 Q. Command 3. 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 guiltiess that taketh his Name in vain Q. How is the Name of God taken in vain A. 1. By perjury or false swearing Levit. 19.12 Ye shall not swear by my Name falsly neither shall thou profane the name of thy God. 2. By rash and common swearing Mat. 5.34 35 36. 37. I say unto you Swear not at all but let your communication be yea yea nay nay 3. By blasphemy or speaking reproachfully of God and Religion 1 Tim. 6.1 That the name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed Levit. 24.16 4. By the irreverent use of the name of God a or of things belonging to him b and his service c a Levit. 21.6 They shall be holy unto their God and not profane the name of their God. b 1 Thes 4.8 He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man but God. c Levit. 22.2 That they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me Q. What is the reason annexed to this Commandment A. The Lord will not hold him guiltless but will most certainly punish him Zech. 5.3 4. The curse shall enter into the house of him that sweareth falsly by my name c. and shall consume it Levit. 24.15 16. Q. What is the Duty required in this Commandment A. To honour God's holy Name a and Word b so as to use it with reverence in Oaths c Vows d Promises Discourse e and Worship f and to use reverently whatever has a more immediate relation to him and his service a Psal 99.3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name for it is holy b Isa 66.2 To this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word c Jer. 4.2 Thou shalt swear As the Lord liveth in truth in judgement and righteousness d Eccl. 5.4 When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it Deut. 23.23 e Col. 4.6 Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt Mat. 5.37 f Levit. 10.3 I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me Isa 29.23 Q. What is the Fourth Commandment A. Command 4. Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath-Sabbath-day Six 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 nor thy Son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in six 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 sabbath-Sabbath-day and hallowed it Q. What doth the word Sabbath signifie A. It signifies Rest Q. Why was the seventh day so called A. 1. Because God rested that day from the work of Creation which he finished in six days Gen. 2.2 3. On the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it c. Q. What 's meant by God's Hallowing the soventh day A. It 's His setting it apart for sacred uses Jer. 17.24 Hallow the Sabbath day to do no work therein Q. What were the Sacred Uses it was set apart for A. 1. For the Publick Worship of God a which consisteth in Preaching Expounding and Reading b the Word of God and in Prayer c a Acts 13.42 The Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath Mark 6.2 b Acts 15.21 Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 13.27 c Acts 16.13 On the Sabbath day we went out of the city by a River-side where Prayer was wont to be made or where there was an Oratory 2. For private Worship and Meditation upon the Word and Works of God. Psal 92. A Psalm for the Sabbath day Q. What was further required in this Commandment A. To rest from all servile and ordinary employments In it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy servant c. Isa 58.13 Nehem. 13.15 Q. Why do Christians observe the First day of the Week as a Sabbath and not the
violated A. When either of them forsakes the others Bed in whole or in part for the Bed of another Prov. 5.20 21. Why wilt thou be ravisht with a strange woman and embrace the bosome of a stranger For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord c. Q. What was the punishment assigned for this sin under the Law A. Death Levit. 20.10 The adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death Q. What is farther forbidden in this Commandment A. 1. Fornication which is between single persons a and all uncleanness whatsoever b a Exod. 22.16 b Gal. 5.19 The works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness 1 Cor. 6.9 2. All sensual desires and inclinations consented to Matt. 5.28 Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart 3. All incitements thereunto in Words a Actions Behaviour and Garb b and by excess c a Ephes 5.4 Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient b 1 Tim. 2.9 That women adorn theselves in modest apparel c 1 Pet. 4.3 The time past of our life may suffice us when we walk'd in lasciviousness lusts excess of wine c. Q. What is enjoyned in this Commandment A. To keep my body in temperance soberness and chastity Rom. 13.13 14. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness not in chambering and wantonness 2. To be modest in my Thoughts a Words b and Behaviour c a Matt. 15.19 b Col. 3.8 c Tit. 2.3 3. To be watchful a and employed b a 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober be vigilant b Ezek. 16.49 50. This was the iniquity of Sodom abundance of idleness They were haughty and committed abomination Q. What is the Eighth Commandment A. Thou shalt not steal Command 8. Q. What is the Stealing forbidden in this Commandment A. The taking away or detaining from another that which is his right by force or fraud Levit. 19.11 13. Q. What are the kinds of it 1. Stealth especially so called or secret purloyning Ephes 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more 2. Robbery or forcible taking away Levit. 19.11 13. Ye shall not streal thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour neither rob him 3. Extortion a which is a forcible detaining or taking away upon the pretence of right and due call'd unjust gain Prov. 28.8 a 1 Cor. 5.11 Not to keep company If any man that is call'd a brother or Christian be an extortioner 4. Detention of another's Right as in not paying just debts when able a or withholding wages due to hireling b a Psal 37.21 The wicked borroweth and payeth not again Prov. 3.27 28. b Jam. 5.4 Behold thy hire of the labourers which is of you kept back by fraud crieth c. 5. Fraud in dealings by false weights and measures a and by fair words b imposing upon the ignorance or credulity of the buyer a Prov. 20.10 Divers weights and divers measures both of them are alike abomination to the Lord. b Prov. 29.5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet 6. Uncharitableness and hardness to the poor Prov. 22.16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches shall surely come to want Isa 3.15 What mean ye that ye grind the faces of the poor Q. What are the duties required in this Commandment A. 1. Honesty and Equity in dealings between man and man. Prov. 16.11 A just weight and balance are the Lords 2. Restitution in case of wrong Ezek. 33.15 16. If the wicked restore the pledge give again that he had robbed none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him Exod. 22.1 c. 3. Charity and Mercifulness to others Lev. 19.9 When ye reap the harvest of your land thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest c. thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger To have a lawful calling and be diligent in it Ephes 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth 2 Thes 3.11 12. Q. What is the ninth Commandment A. Command 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour Q. What is the sin here forbidden A. The bearing false witness and unjust accusation whether upon Oath usually call'd perjury a or otherwise b a See the third Commandment b Luk. 3.14 Neither accuse any falsly Luk. 19.8 Q. If Perjury was the thing principally forbidden in the third Commandment and again is in like manner here forbidden what is then the difference between the third Commandment and the ninth A. The third Commandment respects God as Swearing is an appeal to him and perjury an implicit denial of him But the ninth Commandment respects man and so perjury is here forbidden as it 's 1 intended to the wrong of another in body goods or name 2 As thereby the end of swearing is defeated which is for an end of strife Heb. 6.16 Q. What is further forbidden in this Commandment 1. All subornation of false witnesses as it was practiced by Jezebel against Naboth and by the Jews against our Saviour b a 1 King. 21.10 b Mat. 26.59 2. All evil speaking a lying b and slandering c a Jam. 1.26 If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue c. this mans religion is in vain b Ephes 4.25 Putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another c Psal 15.1 3. Who shall abide in thy Tabernacle he that backbiteth not with his tongue 3. Rash judging and censuring Mat. 7.1 2. Judge not that ye be not judged c. Q. What are the Duties required in this Commandment A. 1. To vindicate our Neighbour when he is wrong'd as Nicodemus did our Saviour Joh. 7.50 51. 2. To judge the most charitably of another 1 Cor. 13.5 Charity thinketh no evil Ver. 7. Believeth all things hopeth all things Q. Command 10. Which is the Tenth Commandment A. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife nor his servant nor his maid nor his or nor his ass nor any thing that is his Q. What is the sin forbidden in this Commandment A. The coveting of other mens goods or possessions reckon'd up here in order his house wife servants and cattel Act. 20.33 Q. What is the coveting here forbidden A. The unlawful desire of what is anothers Rom. 7.7 I had not known lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet Q. What then is there included in this Commandment A. It 's the sum of all the rest that respect my Neighbour and it 's as if it had been said Whatever can be supposed to be to his prejudice thou shalt not do So our Saviour instead of covet doth
one while put defraud not Mark 10.19 another while Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Mat. 19.19 Q. What is required in this Commandment A. A contentedness in my present state and condition a and to learn and labour truly to get my own living b in that state of life whereunto it shall please God to call me c a Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have c. Phil. 4.11 b 1 Thes 4.11 12. Study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands that ye may have lack of nothing c 1 Cor. 7.20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called PART IV. Of the Lords Prayer Q. MY good Child know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy self nor to walk in the Commandments of God and to serve him without his special grace which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer Let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lords Prayer Q. What are the things contained in this Preface set before the Lord's Prayer in the Catechism A. Therein is contained 1. The reason of all prayer to God which is an insufficiency in our selves a and an allsufficiency in him b So it 's said a Know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy self without his special grace b 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God. 2. It shews us the use which prayer is of as a means for obtaining the special grace of God contained in these words which thou must learn to call for by prayer Luk. 11.9 10 11 12 13. Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you c. 3. It teaches me what are the qualifications of a prevalent and effectual prayer viz. 1. That it be at all times without intermission and discouragement a 2. That it be diligent what is accompanied with a stedfast faith and attention b a Luk. 18.1 Christ spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint b Rom. 12.12 Continuing instant in prayer Eph. 6.18 Q. The Lords Prayer Why is that Form of Prayer which begins with Our Father call'd the Lord's Prayer A. Because it was composed by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Mat. 6.9 Luk. 11.2 Q. For what end did our Saviour compose this Prayer A. 1. As a pattern for our better help and direction what to pray for and of the order we are to pray in that we may not be at a loss what to pray for a nor use vain repetitions b a Luk. 11.1 2. His Disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray And he said unto them When ye pray say c. b Mat. 6.7 8 9. When ye pray use not vain repetitions After this manner therefore pray ye c. 2. As a Form that 's fit to be used when we pray Mat. 6.9 After this manner or so pray ye Luk. 11.2 When ye pray say Our Father c. Q. Say the Lords Prayer A. Our Father c. Q. What desirest thou of God in this Prayer A. I desire my Lord God our Heavenly Father who is the giver of all goodness to send his grace unto me and to all people that we may worship him serve him and obey him as we ought to do And I pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies and that he will be merciful unto us and forgive us our sins and that it will please him to save and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily and that he will keep us from all sin and wickedness and from our Ghostly enemy and from everlasting death And this I trust he will do of his mercy and goodness through our Lord Iesus Christ And therefore I say Amen So be it Q. What are the general parts which this Prayer doth consist of A. They are three viz. the Preface the Petitions and the Doxology or Conclusion Q. What is the Preface or Compellation A. Our father which art in Heaven Q. What are the things contained in this Preface A. It contains several Arguments to encourage us in the performance of this Duty Q. What are those Arguments A. 1. As God is a Father the giver of all goodness and so cannot but chuse and give and do what is best for us Luk. 11.11 12 13. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a Father will he give him a stone c If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit good things Mat. 7.11 to them that ask him 2. As he is a Father in Heaven and so is able to understand and will and do what is best Psal 115.3 Our God is in the Heavens he hath done whatsoever he pleased 3. As he is a common Father and whom all may freely resort to 2 Thes 2.16 God even our Father who hath loved us Ephes 2.18 Through him we both Jews and Gentiles have an access by one spirit unto the Father Q. What do you learn from hence A. 1. That God alone is the proper object of our prayers Psal 123.1 Vnto thee lift I up mine eyes O thou that dwellest in the Heavens 2. That we ought to approach to him with fear and reverence Mal. 1.6 A son honoureth his father If then I be a father where is mine honour Eccles 5.2 Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth 3. That we ought to come with a true affection to all mankind and with an hearty desire that they may be as well and happy as our selves which is implied when we say Our Father and therefore I desire that he will send his grace unto me and to all people Q. What doth the matter respect which is contained in the six Petitions of the Lord's Prayer A. The first three respect Gods glory and the three last our good Q. What is the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Petition 1. Q. What is here meant by the Name of God A. 1. Thereby is signified not only the Name of God but God himself Psal 44.20 If we have forgotten the Name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange god Psal 20.1 2. The Attributes and Perfections of his Nature Exod. 34.5 6. The Lord proclaimed the Name of the Lord The Lord God merciful and gracious c. 3. The things set apart for his honour and service as his Word and Day c. Psal 138.2 I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy Name for thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy
Name Q. What is meant by Hallowing A. 1. Thereby is meant the setting apart any thing for an holy use and service Thus God is said to Hallow the seventh day Exod. 20.11 and to Hallow the Children of Israel Levit. 22.32 2. By Hallowing is meant the using of what is holy after an holy manner So Levit. 22.32 I will be hallowed among the children of Israel See Levit. 10.3 Q. What then do you pray for in this Petition A. I pray that God himself may be honour'd known esteemed worshipped and praised a his Providence may be celebrated his service respected And especially that I and all others may be the happy instruments of doing honour to him his service and Religion by a holy and useful conversation b a Psal 113.2 3. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore From the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same the Lords name is to be praised b 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God. Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Q. What is the second Petition Petit. 2. A. Thy Kingdom come Q. What is meant by the Kingdom of God A. That state which is begun by Grace in this world a and is perfected by Glory in the world to come b a Rom. 6.14 Ye are not under the Law but under Grace Mat. 21.43 The Kingdom of God or the Gospel shall be taken from you c. Mat. 24.14 b Mat. 13.43 The righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father 1 Cor. 15.24 Q. What is signified by the coming of that Kingdom A. We therein pray that this Kingdom may so come with power a that it may prevail where it is and be received where it is not that the Kingdom of Sin and Satan may be utterly destroy'd b and all the Kingdoms of this world may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ when he shall reign for ever and ever Revel 11.15 a Mark 9.1 b 1 Cor. 15.25 He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet Q. What is the third Petition Petit. 3. A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven Q. What do you understand by the will of God which you pray may be done on earth A. I therein pray that God will accomplish in his good time whatever he hath promised a that I and all others may readily obey whatever he requires b and patiently submit to whatever he inflicts c a Ezek. 36.36 37. I the Lord have spoken it and I will do it I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them b 1 Chron. 28.9 Serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind c Act. 21.14 We ceased saying The will of the Lord be done Q. Petit. 4. What is the fourth Petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What 's meant by Bread A. All food for sustenance Gen. 43.31 34. He said unto them Set on Bread. Q. Is not this term Bread also used in a spiritual sense A. Yes as Joh. 6.32 And so it 's also applied in the Catechism when we are said to be taught from hence to pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies Q. What is meant by daily Bread A. That which is every day necessary for our subsistence and convenient for our comfort Prov. 30.8 Feed me with food convenient for me Q. Why do we every day pray Give us this day our daily bread A. Because we every day depend upon God for the supply of what we want and for the preserving continuing and blessing of what we have Deut. 8.3 Man doth not live by bread only but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live Mat. 4.4 1 Tim. 4.4 Q. What are you taught from hence A. 1. To be contented with my present portion in the world which God thinks fit to give me and I receive from him Heb. 13.5 Be content with such things as ye have 2. To depend continually upon God from whom all good doth proceed Jam. 1.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above c. 3. To have recourse to him for whatever good I want and to praise him daily for whatever I have and receive Phil. 4.6 In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Q. What is the fifth Petition A. And forgive us our trespasses Petit. 5. as we forgive them that trespass against us Q. What is meant by Trespasses A. All sins of what sort or degree soever Col. 2.13 You being dead in your sins hath he quickned together with him having forgiven you all Tresposses Q. What is contained in that Branch As we forgive them that trespass against us A. Therein is set forth 1. The excellency of this grace of forgiving others as a qualification that where ever it is renders our prayers acceptable to God. Luk. 6.37 Forgive and ye shall be forgiven 2. The necessity of it as it 's a condition without which we shall not be forgiven Mat. 6.15 If ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses 3. The importance of it as it 's an Argument for God to forgive us Luk. 11.4 Forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to has offended us Q. What is the sixth Petition A. Petit. 6. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Q. What is meant by Temptation A. Thereby is meant such an occasion as may try a person's integrity and stedfastness of mind and in the event may be a means of our falling into sin Gen. 22.1 God did tempt Abraham 2 Chron. 32.31 Q. What do you then pray against in this clause Lead us not into Temptation A. I pray that God would not bring or suffer me to be brought into such circumstances as may through the lust of the flesh the love of the world or instigation of the Devil endanger my innocency here or salvation hereafter 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able c. Q. What is the Evil you pray to be delivered from A. 1. The evil of sin Habac. 1.13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity 2. The evil of affliction and punishment Jer. 18.8 If that Nation turn from their evil I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them 3. The evil world a and all the allurements and terrors of it a Gal. 1.4 4. The Devil the Tempter to sin Mat. 4.3 5. Damnation which is the wages of it Rom. 6.23 The wages of