Of Thankfulness

The Third Part - Of Thankfulness

32 Lord's Day

Question 86
Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?

A. Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by His blood,
also renews us by His Holy Spirit after His own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for His blessings,(1) and that He may be praised by us;(2) also, that every one may be assured in Himself of His faith, by the fruits thereof;(3) and that, by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ(4)

(1) 1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to
God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:
1 Pet 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

(2) Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
1 Pet 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(3) 2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

(4) 1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Pet 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with
fear.
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Question 87
Cannot they then be saved, who, continuing in their wicked and ungrateful lives, are not converted to God?

A. By no means; for the Holy Scripture declares that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer,
robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God.(1)

(1) 1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

33 Lord's Day

Question 88
Of how many parts does the true conversion of man consist?

A. Of two parts; of the mortification of the old, and the quickening of the new man.(1)

(1) Rom 6:4 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 also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His
death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old
man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
1 Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new
lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Question 89
What is the mortification of the old man?

A. It is a sincere sorrow of heart, that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them.(1)

(1) Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to My Father, and will say unto Him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Joel 1:12 The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
Joel 1:13 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

Question 90
What is the quickening of the new man?

A. It is a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ,(1) and with love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.(2)

(1) Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

(2) Rom 6:10 For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Pet 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Question 91
But what are good works?

A. Only those which proceed from a true faith,(1) are performed according to the law of God,(2) and to His glory;(3) and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.(4)

(1) Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

(2) 1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(3) 1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

(4) Deut 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Ezek 20:18 But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
Matt 15:9 But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

34 Lord's Day

Question 92
What is the law of God?

A. God spake all these words, Exodus 20:1-17 and Denteronomy 5:6-21, saying: I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1st commandment:
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

2nd commandment:
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 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 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.

3rd commandment:
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.

4th commandment:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; 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, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, 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 Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5th commandment:
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

6th commandment:
Thou shalt not kill.

7th commandment:
Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8th commandment:
Thou shalt not steal.

9th commandment:
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

10th commandment:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Question 93
How are these commandments divided?

A. Into two tables;(1) the first of which teaches us how we must behave towards God; the second, what duties we owe to our neighbour.(2)

(1) Exod 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Exod 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.

(2) Deut 4:13 And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Deut 10:3 And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.
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.

Question 94
What does God enjoin in the first commandment?

A. That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul,
avoid and flee from all idolatry,(1) sorcery, soothsaying, superstition,(2) invocation of saints, or any other creatures;(3) and learn rightly to know the only true God;(4) trust in Him alone,(5)
with humility and patience(6) submit to Him;(7) expect all good things from Him only;(8) love,(9) fear,(10) and glorify(11) Him with my whole heart; so that I renounce and forsake all creatures,(12) rather than commit even the least thing contrary to His will.(13)

(2) Lev 18:21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Deut 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deut 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deut 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the
LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

(3) Matt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.
Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

(4) John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.

(5) Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

(6) Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings.

(7) 1 Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:

(8) Psa 104:27 These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
Is 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and
create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
James 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.

(9) Deut 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Matt 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.

(10) Deut 6:5 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell.

(11) Matt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.

(12) Matt 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members
should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matt 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Matt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

(13) Matt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Question 95
What is idolatry?

A. Idolatry is, instead of, or besides that one true God who has manifested Himself in His word, to contrive, or have any other object, in which men place their trust.(1)

(1) 2 Chron 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
Philip 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Philip 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

35 Lord's Day

Question 96
What does God require in the second commandment?

A. That we in no wise represent God by images,(1) nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His word.(2)

(1) Deut 4:15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; 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.
Isa 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

(2) 1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.
Deut 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.

Question 97
Are images then not at all to be made?

A. God neither can, nor may be represented by any means:(1) but as to creatures; though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make, or have any resemblance of them, either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.(2)

(1) Deut 4:15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; 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:
Deut 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Isa 46:5 To whom will ye liken Me, and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we may be like?
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

(2) Exod 23:24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
Exod 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
Exod 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Num 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
Deut 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their
altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and
burn their graven images with fire.

Question 98
But may not images be tolerated in the churches, as books to the laity?

A. No: for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have His people taught, not by dumb images (1) but by the lively preaching of His Word.(2)

(1) 2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Pet 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

(2) Jer 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Hab 2:18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Hab 2:19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

36 Lord's Day

Question 99
What is required in the third commandment?

A. That we, not only by cursing(1) or perjury, but also by rash swearing,(2) must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God(3) no otherwise than with fear and reverence; so that He may be rightly confessed(4) and worshipped by us,(5) and be glorified in all our words and works.

(1) Lev 24:11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)
Lev 19:12 And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Matt 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

(2) Isa 45:23 I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed.

(3) Matt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.

(4) 1 Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

(5) 1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Cor 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Question 100
Is then the profaning of God's name, by swearing and cursing,
so heinous a sin, that His wrath is kindled against those who do not endeavour, as much as in them lies, to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?

A. It undoubtedly is, for there is no sin greater or more provoking to God, than the profaning of His name;(1) and therefore He has commanded this sin to be punished with death.(2)

(1) Lev 5:1 And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear His iniquity.

(2) Lev 24:15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

37 Lord's Day

Question 101
May we then swear religiously by the name of God?

A. Yes, either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects; or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm fidelity and truth to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbour:(1) for such an oath is founded on God's Word,(2) and therefore was justly used by the saints, both in the Old and New Testament.(3)

(1) Exo 22:11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
Neh 13:25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

(2) Deut 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by His name.
Heb 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

(3) Gen 21:24 And Abraham said, I will swear.
Jos 9:15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
Jos 9:19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
1 Sam 24:22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
2 Cor 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to
spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the
gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Question 102
May we also swear by saints or any other creatures?

A. No; for a lawful oath is calling upon God, as the only one who knows the heart, that He will bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I swear falsely;(1) which honour is due to no creature.(2)

(1) 2 Cor 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

(2) Matt 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Matt 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

38 Lord's Day

Question 103
What does God require in the fourth commandment?

A. First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained;(1) and that I, especially on the Sabbath, that is, on the day of rest,(2) diligently frequent the church of God,(3) to hear His word, to use the sacraments,(4) publicly to call upon the Lord,(5) and contribute to the relief of the poor.(6) as becomes a Christian. Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by His Holy Spirit in me: and thus begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.(7)

(1) Deut 12:19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set
in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city,
as I had appointed thee:
1 Tim 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, and the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Cor 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

(2) Lev 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings

(3) Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.
1 Cor 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten
thousand words in an unknown tongue.
1 Cor 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1 Cor 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

(4) 1 Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

(5) 1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(6) 1 Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

(7) Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to
another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the LORD.

39 Lord's Day

Question 104
What does God require in the fifth commandment?

A. That I show all honour, love and fidelity, to my father and mother,
and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience;(1) and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities,(2) since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.(3)

(1) Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.

(2) Prov 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

(3) Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Eph 6:6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Col 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou
do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute
is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Matt 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

40 Lord's Day

Question 105
What does God require in the sixth commandment?

A. That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour, by myself or by another:(1) but that I lay aside all desire of revenge:(2) also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger.(3) Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder.(4)

(1) Matt 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
judgment:
Matt 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Prov 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Matt 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

(2) Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Matt 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matt 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

(3) Matt 4:5 Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Matt 4:6 And saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.
Matt 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

(4) Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.
Matt 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou
do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Question 106
But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?

A. In forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors the causes thereof, such as envy,(1) hatred,(2) anger, and desire of revenge; and that He accounts all these as murder.(3)

(1) James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Gal 5 :20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies.

(2) Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother,
is in darkness even until now.

(3) 1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Question 107
But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?

A. No; for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves;(1) to show patience,(2) peace, meekness,(3) mercy,(4) and all kindness towards him, and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies;(5) and that we do good, even to our enemies.(6)

(1) Matt 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matt 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(2) Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

(3) Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Matt 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men.

(4) Exod 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

(5) Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

(6) Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

41 Lord's Day

Question 108
What does the seventh commandment teach us?

A. That all uncleanness is accursed of God:(1) and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same,(2) and live chastely and temperately,(3) whether in holy wedlock, or in single life.(4)

(1) Lev 18:27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

(2) Deut 29:20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
Deut 29:21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
Deut 29:22 So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;
Deut 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath:

(3) 1 Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Thess 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

(4) Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
1 Cor 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Cor 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
1 Cor 7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
1 Cor 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another
after that.
1 Cor 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
1 Cor 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Question 109
Does God forbid in this commandment only adultery and such like gross sins?

A. Since both our body and soul are temples of the holy Ghost, He commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures,(1) words, thoughts, desires,(2) and whatever can entice men thereto.(3)

(1) Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
1 Cor 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

(2) Matt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

(3) Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

42 Lord's Day

Question 110
What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

A. God forbids not only those thefts,(1) and robberies,(2) which are punishable by the magistrate; but He comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbour:(3) whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights,(4) ells, measures,(5) fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury,(6) or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness,(7) all abuse and waste of His gifts.

(1) 1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

(2) 1 Cor 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

(3) Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And He said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
1 Thess 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any atter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

(4) Prov 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is His delight.

(5) Ezek 45:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from My people, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezek 45:10 Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.
Ezek 45:11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.
Deut 25:13 Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

(6) Psa 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

(7) 1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Question 111
But what does God require in this commandment?

A. That I promote the advantage of my neighbour in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others:(1) further also that I faithfully labour, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.(2)

(1) Matt 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(2) Prov 5:16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Eph 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.

43 Lord's Day

Question 112
What is required in the ninth commandment?

A. That I bear false witness against no man,(1) nor falsify any man's words;(2) that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer;(3) that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard;(4)
but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit,(5) as the proper works of the devil,(6) unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it;(7) also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the horror and good character of my neighbour.(8)

(1) Prov 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Prov 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Prov 21:28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

(2) Psa 15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

(3) Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.

(4) Matt 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

(5) Lev 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

(6) Prov 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are His delight.
Prov 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

(7) 1 Cor 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

(8) 1 Pet 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

44 Lord's Day

Question 113
What does the tenth commandment require of us?

A. That even the smallest inclination or thought contrary to any of God's commandments never rise in our hearts; but that at all times
we hate all sin with our whole heart, and delight in all righteousness.(1)

(1) Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Question 114
But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?

A. No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience;(1) yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God.(2)

(1) Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

(2) Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body

Question 115
Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

A. First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know(1) our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin and righteousness in Christ;(2) likewise, that we constantly endeavour and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us in a life to come.(3)

(1) 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom 5:13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

(2) Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

(3) 1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Philip 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Philip 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Philip 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.