A Catechism, Chapter 32
CHAP. 32. Of the life that beievers ought to live in the world, and of the Law of God.
Q. WHat ought to be the life of them that are in Christ?
A. A course of holy obedience, and service to God all the daies of their life, Luke 1. 74, 75. 1 Pet. 1. 14, 15, 16, 17. Tit. 3. 8. Eph. 2. 10.
Q. VVhat is the generall rule of obedience?
A. Not the commandements of men aHos. 5. 11. Col. 2. 22., nor that which is good in our own eyes bDeut. 12. 8., but that will of God which is therefore revealed unto us that we might do itcMat. 6. 10. & 26. 39, 42. Ephes. 6. 6, 7. Deut. 29. 29. Micah 6. 8.
Q. VVhether may not unbelievers perform duties of obedience?
A. They may performe many things which are good for the matter of them dIsai 58. 2. Mat. 6. 1, 2, 5. & 23. 2, 4, 5., but not so as to please God in any thing they doe eHeb. 11. 6. Mat. 7. 18. Iohn 15. 5..
Q. If they cannot please God in any thing they doe, had they not best then to neglect goods duties altogether?
A. Not so: for they are nowhere exempted from the commandement.
Q. Are believers able to performe obedience to God?
A. They are able by the power of Christ that strengthens them, to doe the will of God in some measure of truth, as being now alive from the dead, and created in Christ Jesus to good works, Phil. 4 13. Eph. 2. 10. Rom. 6. 11.
Q. But can they doe this in such perfection as the Law of God requireth?
A. No, in no wise fExod. 28. 38. Neb. 13. 22. Isai 64. 6., and the reason is because they know but in part g1 Gor. 13. 9, 12., and have flesh dwelling in them, and lusting against the Spirit hGal. 5. 17. Rom. 7. 14. 21, 23..
Q. Should they not then omit good duties altogether, seeing they cannot perform them in that perfection which the Law requireth?
A. Not so, but doe them in uprightnesse of heart, as God shall inable them iMat. 5. 16. Col. 1. 10., because God of his mercy through Christ hath promised to pardon their infirmities and sinnes, and to accept their sincere, though weake endeavours kMal. 3. 17. 2 Cor. 8. 12. Num. 23. 21..
Q. VVhat is the speciall rule according to which the life of a christian ought to be framed?
A. The life of a christian ought to be framed according to the morrall Law of God, Rom. 13. 8, 9. Eph 6 2, 3 Iam 2 8.
Q. How may that be further cleared?
A. Because christians are not set at liberty to sinne lRom. 6. 1, 15., and no man knoweth what is sinne but by the Law mRom. 7. 7. & 3 20. 1 Iohn 3. 4..
Q. How else?
A. Because in the new covenant God doth not promise to take away the Law, but to write it in our hearts nIer. 31 33. Ezek. 26. 37..
Q. VVhat rules are to be observed for our better understanding the commandements of the Law?
A. Every commandement of the Law is spirituall. reaching not onelyonly to the outward man, but also to the heart, soule, and conscience, Rom. 7. 14. Mat. 5. 22, 28.
Q. What is another rule?
A. Under the negative part the affirmative is comprehended, and under the affirmative the negative, Mark 3. 4. Psal. 34. 14.
Q. What may be a third rule for the same purpose?
A. Under one vice forbidden, all of the same kind are forbidden also; with all the causes, occasions, and signes thereof. And under one duty are commanded all of the same kind, with all the means and helps thereof.
Q. VVhat may be a fourth rule?
A. God requireth not only that we keep the Law our selves, but that as much as is in us we cause others to keep it also.
Q. How many are the commandements of the Law?
A. In respect of the generall heads they are ten oDeut. 4. 13. & 10. 4.; but all may be referred to two kinds: duties to God in the foure first Commandements, and duties to our neighbour in the six latter.
Q. VVhat is the main scope of the first commandement, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me?
A. Here is required all that naturall worship of God, whether the same be inward or outward, which is such as if there were no Law prescribed, yet if we well know his nature, we would undoubtedly perform it to him.
Q. Name some principall duties that are here required, with the contrary vices forbidden?
A. Here is required faith in God p2 Chro. 20. 20. Psal. 27. 1. 3. and 37. 3. 5., love to his Majesty qDeut. 6 5. Mat. 10. 37., and hope in him rLam. 3. 23, 26. Ier. 17. 13. Psal. 78. 7., hearing his voice sIer 13. 15. Isay 58. 2. Acts 16. 14., calling upon him by prayer tPsal. 50. 15. and 32. 6. and 65. 2. Phil. 4. 6., and such like.
Q. And what are the evils forbidden in this first commandement?
A. Here is forbidden Atheisme uPsal. 14. 1. Titus 1. 16., Ignorance of God wPsa. 79. 6. Ier. 10. 25. Iohn 8. 19., unbeliefe xIsay 7. 9. Heb. 10. 38. Ier. 17. 5, 6., dispaire yGen. 4. 13. Mat. 27. 3, 4. 5., pride zActs 12. 23. Dan. 4. 29. 30. and 5. 20., hatered aRom. 1. 30. Psal. 139. 21., and contempt of God bExod. 5. 2. Psal. 10. 13., and all inordinate setting of our hearts upon any creature cIer. 17. 5. Math. 10. 37. Eph. 5. 5. Phil. 3. 19.,
Q What is the maine scope of the second commandement?
A. The second commandement enjoyneth all that worship of God which is by divine Institution and ordinance Mat. 28. 20. Deut. 12. 32.
Q What are some of the particulars?
A. The publike and solemne preaching and hearing of his word dDeut. 33. 10. Acts 15. 21. Luke 4. 15, 16., and prayer e1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. Acts. 3. 1. and 16. 13. Luke 1. 10., celebration of Sacraments fMat. 3. 1, 6. and 26. 26. &c.,Church, fellowship gActs 2. 42. and 9. 26., election and ordaining of ministers and their whole ministration hActs 14. 23. and 6. 2, 3. &c., with the due observation of Church discipline iMat. 18. 15 &c. 1 Cor. 5. 4, 5.,
Q. What is the evill here forbidden?
A. All neglect of the instituted worship of God kMat. 28. 20 Deut. 12. 32. Zech. 14. 16, 17, 18, 19. Luke 14. 18, 19, and all worshipping of him after the Images, Imaginations or Inventions of menlExod. 20. 4. 5. Num. 15. 39. 1 Kings 12, 31, 32, 33. and 13. 33. Mat. 15. 9. Col. 2. 20, 21, 22, 23.
Q. What is the sum of the third commandement?
A. The things here required are the due manner of observing and using all things that pertaine to the naturall or instituted worship of God, and all that name of God whereby he makes himselfe knowne unto his people?
Q. Shew it by some instances?
A. Here is required preparations to Gods service mEccl. 5. 1. Psal. 26. 2. Exod. 19. 10, 11, 14, 15, Reverence nHeb. 12. 28, 29. Psal. 5. 7., devotion o1 Chro. 29. 9. Isay 58. 13 Luke 2. 37., sincerity pRom. 1. 9. Iohn 423. 24▪ 2 Tim. 2. 22., fruitfulnesse under ordinances qLuke 13. 6. Mat. 21. 34., comlinesse r1 Cor. 24. 40. 1 Cor. 11. 13., or der s1 Cor. 14. 29, 30, 31, 33, 40., and such like.
Q. What is the evill forbidden in the third commandement?
A. All rash vaine and light using of the titles tDeut. 28. 58., word uPsa. 138. 2. Isay 66. 2, 5., and ordinances of the Lord w1 Chron 15 13., as sleeping at sermons xActs 20. 9.or at prayer, and wandering thoughts at the same ymat. 15. 8. Ezek. 33 31, all confusions in Church meeting z1 Cor. 14. 33., and all using of any thing that is called Gods name, otherwise then it ought to be usedaMal. 1. 1, 6, 7, 12, 14.
Q. What is the summe of the fourth commandement?
A. The consecrating and observing of that seventh part of time in Gods solemne worship which he hath instituted and ordayned, which is the holy keeping of the Sabbath Isay 58. 13.
Q. What is the maine sinne here forbidden?
A. All holy dayes of mens devising without warrant of his word b1 King 12. 32, 33. Exod. 32. 5., and all profaining of the Lords holy time or any part of it cIsay 58. 13. Exod. 16. 29. 30. and 34. 21. Neh. 13. 15, 16, 17. Ier. 17. 21. 22., by needlesse words, works, or thoughts.
Q VVhat is required in the fifth commandement?
A. To maintaine and yeeld unto men that honour that is due unto them in respect of their places and degrees, whether they be naturall parents dLev. 19. 3. Eph. 6. 1, 2, 3., husbands eEph. 5. 22, 24., masters fEph. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8., magistrates gRom. 13. 1, 2. Tit. 3 1., ministers h1 Tim. 5. 17. 1 Thes. 5. 12, 13., aged persons iLev. 19. 32. Iob. 32. 4, 6., or any other superiours, or qualls, and inferiorkRom. 12. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 17.
Q. VVhat is the contrary evill here forbidden?
A. All such carriage as tends to the dishonour of our neighbours.
Q. VVhat is required in the sixth commandement?
A. Due care of the life and person of our neighbour the contrary whereof is murder lExod. 21. 12. Numb. 35. 20. 21, 30, 31.; fighting and quarrelling mTit. 3. 2., rash anger nMat. 5. 22. Eph. 4. 26, 27., malice, hatred oTit. 3. 3., and envy pProv. 27. 4. Acts 7. 9., and such like.
Q. VVhat is the summe of the seventh commandement?
A. Due care of chastity and purity from all the lusts of uncleannesse.
Q. Instance in some of the sinnes here forbidden?
A. Here is forbidden all unchast thoughts and lust of the heart qMat. 5. 28. Col. 3. 5., filthy dreames rDeut. 23. 10. Iude 8., lookes sMath. 5. 28. 2 Pet 2. 14. Gen. 39. 7., speeches t1 Cor. 15. 33. Eph. 4. 29. and 5. 4., and apparrell uPro. 7. 10. 1 Tim. 2. 9, 10. Eph. 1. 8., gestures of dalliance wPro. 7. 13. Gen. 26. 8., actions of Sodomie xLev. 20. 13. Rom. 1. 26, 27., bestiality yLev. 20. 15, 16., selfe polution zGen. 38. 9. 1 Cor. 6. 9., adultery aLev. 20. 10., fornication b1 Cor. 6. 13, 18., and wantonnesse cGal. 5. 19. Eph. 4. 19.,
Q. VVhat is the summe of the Eight commandement?
A. Due care of our neighbours outward estate whether it be lands, houses, cattell, corne, or ought else.
Q. Name some of the sins forbidden in this commandement?
A. Here is forbidden all neglect or hindrance of our neighbours outward estate, whether it be by idlenesse dGen. 3. 19. 2 Thes. 3. 10, 11., covetousnesse eHeb. 13. 5. Eph. 5. 3. 1 Tim. 6. 9, 10., non payment of debts fPsal. 37. 21. 2 Kings 6. 5. Rom. 13. 8., oppression gLev. 15. 14, 17. Amos 8. 5., by excessive prices or wages, Robbery hLev. 19. 13. Pro. 22. 22. Ezek. 18. 10. & 33 15., Theevery iEph. 4. 28. Zech. 5. 3, 4., or deceit k1 Thes. 4. 6. Lev. 19, 35, 36.,
Q VVhat is the summe of the ninth commandement?
A. Truth in speeches, promises and our dealings amongst men; and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking, Eph. 4. 25. Col. 3. 9, 10 Psal. 15, 2. Micah 6. 12. Psa. 12. 2.
Q What is the summe of the tenth commandement?
A. Contentment with out owne outward estate lHeb. 13 5 Phil. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 6. 6., and not to covet that which is our neighbours m1 Kings 21. 2, 4. Rom. 7 7., but hartily to desire and rejoyce in his good, as well as in our own nRom 12. 15. Iob. 31. 29.,