NOL
The confession of faith

Chapter 340

XV. 15. Henceforth I call you not

servants ; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I have call- ed you friends ; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John xx. 31. But these are written, that ye might be- lieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through hi» ii.ime, 25. * Heb.
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Q. 2.5. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest ^ A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once ofFering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice '% and reconcile us to God'' ; and in making continual inter- cession for us y.
Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king ^ A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself^, in ruling^ and defending us ^, and in restrain- ing and conqueriiig all his and our enemies ". Q. 27. Wherein did Christ^s humiliation consist ? A. Christ's humiliation consisted in hisbeingborn, and that in a low condition ^, made under the law % undergoing the
miseries
25. w Heb. ix. 1 4. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who throu.eh the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead woiks, to serve the hving God ? Ver. '28, So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many : and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto sal- vation.
^ Heb. ii. 17. "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
y Heb. vii. 24. But this man, be- cause he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Ver. 25. Wherefore he -is able also to save them to the uttermost that come un- to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
20. ^ Acts XV. \^. Simeon hath de- clared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ver. 1 5. And to this agree the words of the pro- 21
phets; as it Is written, Ver. 16. Af- ter this I will return, and will build again the tabei-nacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.
^ Isa. xxxiii. 22. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our law-giver, the Lord Is our king ; he will save us.
b Isa. xxxii. 1. Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. Ver. 2. And a man shall be as an hiding- place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place ; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary lan4,
^ 1 Cor. XV. 25. For* he must reign, till he hath put all enemies un- der his feet. Psal. ex. throughout.
27. ^ Luke ii. 7. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him In swaddling-clothes, and laid him In a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
*^ Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
f Iltb.
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miseries of this life^, the wrath of God ^, and the cursed death of the cross •* ; in being buried ', and continuing un- der the power of death lor a time ''.
Q. 28. Wherein consistclh ChrisCs exaltation ?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day', in ascending up. into heaven", in sitting at the right hand of God the Father", and in co- ming to judge the world at the last day**.
Q. 29. How
f Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; Dvho, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cro»«, despising the ahame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Ver. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against him- •elf, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind''. Isa. liii. 2, For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground : he hath no form nor come- lines9 ; and when we shall see him, there i»' no beauty that we should desire him. Ver. 3. He is despised a"nd rejected of men, a man of sor- rows, and acquainted witli grief; and we hid as it were pur faces from him: he was despised, and we ••teemed him not.
^I.uke xxli. 44. And, being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly : and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Mat. ixvii. 4G. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud vpice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama •abachthani? that is to say. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? h Phil. ii. 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled him- lelf, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
' 1 Cor. IV. 3. For I delivered un- to you lirst of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for
our sins, according to the scriptures; Ver. 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, ac- cording to the scriptures.
kActs ii. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ver. 25. For David speaketh con- cerning him, I foresaw the Lord al- ways before my face; for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved : Ver. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope : Ver. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nei- ther wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Ver. 31. He, seeing this before, spake of the re- surrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hull, neither his flesh did see corruption.
28 I 1 Cor. XV. f\. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scrip- tures.
™ Mark ivi. 1 9. So then, after the I-.ord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
"J-: ph. i. 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.
" Acts L 1 1. Which also said. Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing
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Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption pur- chased hy Christ ?
j A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased ./ by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us p by his Holy Spirit •^.
Q. 30. How doth the Spirit appli/ to u^ the redemption pur- chased by Christ ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us % and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling '.
Q. 31. What is eMctual calling? y^A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit *, where- by,
up into heaven ? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like man- ner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righte- ousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised. him from the dead.
29. P John i. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Ver. 12. But as many as re- ceived him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
'ITit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abun- dantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
30. "■ Eph. i. 1 3. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation : in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ver, 1 4.
Which is the earnest of ourlnherit- ance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. John vi. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me ; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Ver. 39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last" day. Eph. ii. 8, For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God.
SEph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith : that ye, being rooted and grounded in iove, l:fc. 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faith- ful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
31. t 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy call- ing, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, be- cause God hath from the beginning didsea
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Uy, convincing us of our sin and misery", enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ ^% and renewing our wills", he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel ^.
Q. 32. Wliat benefits do they that are effectuaUj/ called par- take of in this life ? "
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification', adoption*, and sanctification, and the se- veral benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them •*.
Q. 55. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins% and accepteth us as righteous in
his
chosen you to salvation, through
sanctification of the Spirit, and be-
' '" of the truth'. Ver. 14. Where-
he called you by our gospel, to
^pii obtaining of the glory of our
^Btafel Je3U9 Christ.
^^PActs ii. ."J?. Now when they
Hard thiff, they were pricked in
fbetr heart, and said unto Peter, and
to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do^
^Acts XKvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may re- ceive forj^iveness of sias, and inherit- ance among them which are sancti- fied by faith tluit is in me.
"Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of -jr flesh, and I will give you an :t of flesh. Ver. 27. And I will J.-: my Spirit within you, and cause j«i to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
' John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father, which
hatii sent me, draw him : and I will raise him up at the last day. Ver. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned oCthe Fa- ther, cometh unto me. Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasare.
?tl. ^Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, ' whom he did predestinate, thera he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified ; and whom he justi- fied, them he aho glorified.
* Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, accordmg to the good pleasure of his will.
b 1 Cor. i. 2G. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. Ver. 30. But. of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God ii made unto us wisdom, and righ- teousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
83. *= Rom. iii 24. Being justified
freeFy by his grace, through the re-
S 2 demption
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his sight ^y only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to *, and received by faith alone K
us
Q. 54. What is adoption ^
A^ Adoption is an act of God's free grace ^, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God ^.
Q. 35. What is sanctijication ?
A, Sanctification is the work of God's free grace', where- bj we are renewed in the whole man after the image of
Godi
iemptlon that is in Jesus Christ : Ver. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteous- ness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Rom. iv. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Ver. 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose ini- are covered. Ver. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not im- pute sin.
d2 Cor. V. 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ; and hath com- mitted unto us the word of recon- ciliation. Ver. 21. For he hath n>ade him to be sin for ws, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
^ Rom V. 1 7. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much Biore they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteous- sess, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Ver. 18. Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto Jistification of life. Ver. 1 9. For at
by one man's disobedience many were made sinners ; go by the obe- dience of one shall many be made righteous.
f Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law : for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that whicli is throi^h the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
34. Si John iii. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath be- stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God ! therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
h John i. 12. But as many as re- ceived him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on - his name. Rom. viiii 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ : if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glori- i fied together.
35. 12 Thess. ii. 13.— God hath from the beginning chosen you to ealvatioD, through sanctification
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God^, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto ri^^hteousness'.
Q. 56. What are the benefits which in this life do accom^ pany or flow J'rom Justification, adoption, and sanctificaiion^
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flo^v fromjustification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance ofGod'slove, peaceof conscience*", joy in the Holy Ghost", increase of ^race", and perseverance therein to the end p.
Q. 57. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death ?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness 1, and do immediately pass into glory'; and their
bodies.
of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.
- Epb. iv. 23. And be renewed in L- spirit of your mind; Ver. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created iix righ- teousness and true holines?.
• Rom. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death ; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we aloo should walk in newness of life. Ver. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of >in might be destroyed, that hence- fortli we should not serve sin.
fJG. ™Rom. V. 1. Therefore being i'lstified by faith, we have peace with God through our l^ord Jesus Christ : Ver. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we scand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ver. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed ; be- cause the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto U8.
" Rom. xiv. 1 7. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, aiid joy in the Holy Ghoft.
o Pr©v. iv. 1 8. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
P 1 John V. IS. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God ; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 Pet. L 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.
37. "1 Heb. xii. 23. To the general assembly and church of the first- born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of ju»c men n^de perfect.
'' 2 Cor. V. 1. For we know, that if our earthly house of this taber- nacle were diswlved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver. 6. I'herefore we are always confident, knowing tlxat, whiUt we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord : Ver. 8. VTe are confident, I say, and willing ra- ther to be absept from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Phil. L 23. For I am in a strait betwixt S 3 two,
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bodies, being still united to Christ', do rest in their graves^ till the resurrection ^
Q. 3S. What henejits do lelievcrs receive from Christ at the resurrection ?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory ^''j shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment ''j and made perfectly blessed in the kill enjoying of God ^ to all eternity ^.
Q. 59. What is the duty which God requireth of man?
A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will *.
Q. 40. What
two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; which i$ far bet- ter. Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
* 1 Thess. iv. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
tJsa. Ivii. 2. He shall enter into peace ; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
"Job xix. 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Ver. 27. Whom I shall see for my- self, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
38. '^ 1 Cor. XV. 43. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory : it is sown in weakcess, it is raised in power.
^ Mat. XXV. 23. His lord said un- to him, Well done, good aod 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. x. 32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Pather which is ia heaven.
y 1 John iil 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 ap- pear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 Cor, xiil 12. For now we sec through a glass, darkly; but then face to face : now I kiiow in part ; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
^ 1 Thess. iv. 1 7. Then we which are alive, and remain, shall b« caught up together with them in the c4ouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall w« ever be with the Lord. Ver. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
39. ^ Micah vi. 8. H« hath shew- ed 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. xv. 22. And Samuel said. Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacri- fices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams.
40. b Roa5.
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^^KQ. 40. What did God atjirst reveal to man for the rule of I^Bt obedience ?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for hig j obedience, was the moral law ^. \J
Q. 41. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended ?
A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments ^
Q. 42. 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 hII our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour
ourselves .
Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments ?
A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, / am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage '.
Q. 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us. That because God is the Lord, and our God, and Re- deemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his command- ments ^
Q. 45. Which
40. t» Rom. ii. 1 4. 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 : Ver. 1 5. Which shew the work of the law written in their heait«s, their con- Kience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while ac- cusing or else excusing one another. Rom. X. 3. For Moses describeth the righteousness wiiich is of the law. That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
41. *Deut. X. 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 assem-
bly : and the Lord gave them unto me
42. '^ Mat. xxii. 37. Jesus said un- to him. Thou shalt love the I^ord thy God with ail thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with ail thy mind, Ver. '3H. 'Ibis is the first and great commandment. Ver. 39. And the second is hke unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Ver. 40. On these two command- ments hang all the law and the pro- phets.
43. * Exod. XX. 2.
44. f Luke i. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we, being deliver- ed out of the hands of our enemits, might serve him without fear, Ver. 75. In holiness and righteous- Bess before him, all the days of our
S4 life:
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Q, 45. Which is the first commandment ?
A. The first commandment is. Thou shalt have no other gods before me ^.
Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment ?
A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God*"; and to worship and glorify him accordingly \
Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first command'nient ?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying ^, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God ', and our God"' ; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone ".
Q. 48. What
life. 1 Pet. i. 15. But as he which hatli called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation : Ver. 1 6. Because it is written, Be ye Jaoly; for I am holy. Ver. 17. And if ye call on the father, who without fespect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear : Ver. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corrup- tible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers: Ver. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
45. SExod. XX. 8.
46. h 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with St willing mind: for the Lord search- eth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts : if thou seel? him, he will be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Deut. xxvi. 17. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and
his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice.
i Mat. iv. 10. Then saith Jesus un- to him. Get thee hence, Satan : for It is written. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Psal. xxix. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name ; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
47. kpsal. xiv. I. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God : they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
iRom. i. 21. Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imagi- nations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
^ Psal. Ixxxi. 10. I am the Lord thy Ged, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt ; open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Ver. II. But my people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me.
"Rom. i. 25. Who changed tlje truth of God unto a lie, and wor- shipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed
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Q. 48. What are wc specially taught hy these words [before me J in the first comnuoKlrjicnt ^
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°.
Q. 49. Which is the second commandment ?
A: The gecond commandment is, Thou shah 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 how doivn thyself to them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments ^.
Q. 50. What is required in the second commandment ?
A. The second commandment requireth the receiving, , observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his word ">.
Q. 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment ?
A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping
of
blessed for erer. Amen. Ver. 26. yet again, and thou Shalt see greater
For this cau9« God gave them up abominations, \:fc, to the end of the
unto vile affections: far even tlieir Chapter.
women did change the natural use . 41). P Exod. xx. 4, 5, G. into that which is against nature. 50. "^ Deut. xxxii. 45'. And he said
48. ^ Ezek. viii. 5. Then said he unto them, Set your hearts unto all
unto me, Son of man, lift up thine the words which 1 testify among you
eyes now the way towards the north: this day; which ye sh^U command
«o I lifted up mine eyes the way to* your children to observe to do all the
ward the norU» ; and, behold, north- words of this law. Mat. xxviii. 20.
ward, at the gate of the altar, this Teaching them to observe all thingg
image of jealousy in the entry. whatsoever I have commanded you :
Vtr. 6. He said furthertijore unto and, loj I am with you alway, tven
Son of man, seest thou what unto the end of the world. Amen,
do ? even the great abomina- Acts ii. 42. And they continued sted-
tious that the house of Israel com- fastly in the apostles' doctrine and
mitteth here, that I should go far off feliowship, and in breaking of bread,
Irom my jjanctua^y I But turn thee and in pruyers.
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i of God by images % or any other way not appointed in his word '.
Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second command'- merit 9
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment / are, God'^s sovereignty over us^, his propriety in us", and ^ Ifie zeal he hath to his own worship "^
(^. 55. Which is the third commandment P 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 '*.
Q. 54 What
. 51. '"Deut. iv. 15. Take ye there- lore good heed unto yourselves, (for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unt6 you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire,) Ver. 16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a n;raven image, the similitude of any figure, the hkeness of male or female ; Ver. 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air; Ver. 18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is iu the waters beneath the earth : Ver. 1 9. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. Exod. xxxii. 5. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it ; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, 'I'o-morrow is a feast to the Lord. Ver. 8. 1'hey have turned aside quicldy out of the way wkich I commanded them ; they have made them a mol- ten calf, and have worshipped it, and kavc sacrificed thereunto, and said)
These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
^Deut. xii. 31. Thou shalt not do so unto th« 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 they have burned in the fire to their gods. Ver. 32. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
52. t Psal. xcv. 2, Let us come before his presence with thanks- giving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Ver. 3. For the LiOrd is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Ver. 6. Q come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
"Psal. xlv. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty : for he i» thy Lord, and worship thou him.
^Exod. xxxiv. 13. But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. Ver. 1 4. For thou shalt worship no other god : for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
53. * Elod. sx. 7.
54. y Mat*
The Shorter Catechism.
419"
What is required in the third commandment P A. The third commandment requireth the holy and erend use of God's names ^, titles % attributes ^^ ordi- ces'', word', and works'*. Q. b6. What is forbidden in the third commandment P A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known*.
Q. 66. What
54. y Mat. vi. 9. After this man- ner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven ; Hallowed be
thy name. Deut. xxvii. 58. If
thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE JLORD THY GOD —
^ Pbal. Ixviii. 4. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name : extol liim that rideth upon the heavens by his
ne JAH, and rejoice before him. Rev. XV. 3. Aini they «ing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying. Great and marvellous arc thy works, Lord God Almighty ; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Ver. 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and wership before thee ; fer thy judgments are made mani- fest.
b Mai. i. 11. For from the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be oflfered unto my name, and a pure offering : for my name shail be great among the heailien, saith th»; Lord of hosts. Ver. H. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and K4crifie«th unto the
Lord a cwnipt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of host's, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
^ Psal. cxxxviii. 1. I will pralae thee with my whole heart, before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. Ver. 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.
d Job xxxvi. 24. Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
55. ^ MaL i. 6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master : if then I be a father, where is mine honour .' and if I be a master, where is my fear ? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despL«;e my came : and ye say. Wherein have we despised thy name ? Ver. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon miue altar ; and ye say. Wherein have we polluted thee ? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. Ver. 1 2. But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, 'Ihe table of the Lord is pollut- ed, and the fruit tliereof, even his meat, is sontemptibk*. Mai. ii. 2. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not kiy it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I wiil even send a curse upon you, and I will curse youy blessings; yea, I have S. (>■ curatd
420 The Shorter Catechism.
Q. 56. What is the reason annexed to the third command- merit P
A. The reason annexed to the third commandment is. That however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment ^
Q. 57. Which is the fourth commandment P
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath- dai/^ to keep it holi/. Six da^s slialt thou laboiir, and do all thy liyork : but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thi/ God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nm- thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle^ nor thy 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 sab^ bath-day, and hallowed it ^.
Q. 58. What is required in the fourth commandment ?
A. The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy /to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word ; V expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself ^.
Q. 69. Which
cursed them already, because ye do above me, to make yourselves fat rot lay it to heart. Mai. iii. 14. Ye • with the chiefest of all the offerings have said, It is vain to serve God; of Israel my people? 1 Sam. iii. 13- iind what profit is it that we have For I have told him, that I will kept his ordinance, *nd that we have judge his house for ever, for the walked mournfully before the Lord iniquity which he knoweth ; be- ef hosts ? cause his sons made themselves vile, 56. f 1 Sam. ii. 12. Now the sons and he restrained them not. Deut. of Eli were sons of Belial, they knew xxviii, 58. If thou wilt not observe not the Lord. Ver. 17. Wherefore to do all the words of this law that the sin of the young men was very are written in this book, that thou great before the Lord ; for men mayest fear this glorious and fearful abhorred the offering of the Lord. name, THE LORD THY GOD ; Ver. 22. Now Eli was very old, and Ver. 59. Then the Lord will make heard all that his soiis did unto all thy plagues wonderful, and the Israel, and how they lay with the plagues of thy seed, even great women that assembled at the door plagues, and of long continuance, cf the tabernacle of the congrega- and sore sicknesses, and of long coc* tion. Ver. 29. Wherefore kick ye tinuance. at my sacrifice, and at mine offering 57. ^Exod. xx. 8,—Il. which I have comnvinded in my 5B. h Deut. v. 12. Keep the sab- biibi;utloii. and honourest thy sons bath-day to sanctify it, as the
Lord
The Shorttr Catechism.
421
w
^^Q^9. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to he the weekly sabbath ?
A. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to Ix* the weekly sabbath ; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath '.
Q. 60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified ?
A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day *", even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days • ; and spending the whole time
in
Lord thy God hath commanded thee. Ver. 13. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work : Ver. 14. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any o( thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-stervant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.
59. « Gen. ii. 3. And on the se- ▼enth day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Ver. ,'J. And G«d blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work, which God created and made. 1 Cor. xvi. 1. Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Ver. 2. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath pro- spered him, that there be no gather- ings when I come. Acts xx. 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break ^-•i^d, Paul preached unto ihem,
ready to depart on the morrow, and continued his speech until midnight.
60. ^ Exod. XX. 8. Remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Ver. 10. But the seventh day is the sab- bath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, ^c Exod. xvi. 25. And Moses said. Eat that to-day ; for to-day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to-day ye shall not find it in the field. Ver. 26. Six days ye shall gather it ; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. Ver. 27. And it came te pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to ga- ther, and they found none. Ver. 28. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws ?
• Neh. xiiL 15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine- presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses ; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all man- ner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath -day : and 1 testified against them in thjj day wherein they sold victuals. Ver. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath
422
7%e Shorter Catechism.
in the publick and private^ exercises of God's worship "^^ ex- cept so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy ".
Q. 61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required % and the pro- faning
sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Ver. 1 7, Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath-day ? Ver. 1 8. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon ue, and upon this city ? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the tabbath. Ver. 19. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jeru- salem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my ser- vants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath-day. Ver. 21. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall ? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. Ver. 22. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, ^nd that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath- day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
" Luke iv. 1 G. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up : and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath- eiay, and stood up for to i«3d. Acu