Previous Lord's Day
Question 105.
What doth God require in the sixth commandment?
Answer. That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or [a] kill
my neighbor, by myself or by another; but that I lay [b] aside all desire of revenge: also, that I [c] hurt not
myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger. Wherefore also the magistrate [d] is armed with the
sword, to prevent murder.
Question 106.
But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?
Answer. In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof, such as [e] envy, [f] hatred,
anger, and desire of revenge; and that [g] he accounts all these as murder.
Question 107.
But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?
Answer. No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to [h] love our neighbor as
ourselves; to show [i] patience, peace, [j] meekness, [k] mercy, and all kindness, towards him, [l] and
prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; and that we [m] do good, even to our enemies.
[a]:
Mat. 5:21,22;
Prov. 12:18;
Mat. 26:52
[b]:
Eph. 4:26;
Rom. 12:19;
Mat. 5:39,40
[c]:
Mat. 4:5,6,7;
Col. 2:23
[d]:
Gen. 9:6;
Mat. 26:52;
Rom. 13:4
[e]:
James 1:20;
Gal. 5:20
[f]:
Rom. 1:29;
1John 2:9
[g]:
1John 3:15
[h]:
Mat. 22:39;
Mat. 7:12
[i]:
Rom. 12:10
[j]:
Eph. 4:2;
Gal. 6:1,2;
Mat. 5:5;
Rom. 12:18
[k]:
Ex. 23:5
[l]:
Mat. 5:45
[m]:
Rom. 12:20
Question 108.
What doth the seventh commandment teach us?
Answer. That all uncleanness is accursed [a] of God: and that therefore we must with all our hearts [b] detest the
same, and live [c] chastely and temperately, whether in [d] holy wedlock, or in single life.
Question 109.
Doth God forbid in this commandment, only adultery, and such like gross sins?
Answer. 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, [e] gestures, words, thoughts, [f] desires, and whatever
[g] can entice men thereto.
[a]:
Lev. 18:27
[b]:
Deut. 29:20-23
[c]:
1Thes. 4:3,4
[d]:
Heb. 13:4;
1Cor. 7:4-9
[e]:
Eph. 5:3;
1Cor. 6:18
[f]:
Mat. 5:28
[g]:
Eph. 5:18;
1Cor. 15:33
Question 110.
What doth God forbid in the eighth commandment?
Answer. God forbids not only those [a] thefts, and [b] robberies, which are punishable by the magistrate; but he
comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to [c] appropriate to
ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor: whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right,
as by unjust [d] weights, ells, [e] measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, [f] usury, or by any other
way forbidden by God; as also all [g] covetousness, all abuse and waste of his gifts.
Question 111.
But what doth God require in this commandment?
Answer. That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I [h]
desire to be dealt with by others: further also that I faithfully labor, so that I [i] may be able to relieve the
needy.
[a]:
1Cor. 6:10
[b]:
1Cor. 5:10
[c]:
Luke 3:14;
1Thes. 4:6
[d]:
Prov. 11:1
[e]:
Ezek. 45:9,10,11;
Deut. 25:13
[f]:
Psa. 15:5;
Luke 6:35
[g]:
1Cor. 6:10
[h]:
Mat. 7:12
[i]:
Prov. 5:16;
Eph. 4:28
Question 112.
What is required in the ninth commandment?
Answer. That I bear false witness [a] against no man, nor falsify [b] any man's words; that I be no backbiter, [c]
nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join [d] in condemning any man rashly, or unheard; but that I [e]
avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works [f] of the devil, 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 [g]
and confess it; also that I defend and promote, [h] as much as I am able, the honor and good character of
my neighbor.
[a]:
Prov. 19:5,9;
Prov. 21:28
[b]:
Psa. 15:3
[c]:
Rom. 1:29,30
[d]:
Mat. 7:1ff;
Luke 6:37
[e]:
Lev. 19:11
[f]:
Prov. 12:22;
Prov. 13:5
[g]:
1Cor. 13:6;
Eph. 4:25
[h]:
1Pet. 4:8
Question 113.
What doth the tenth commandment require of us?
Answer. 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, [a] and delight in all righteousness.
Question 114.
But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?
Answer. No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this [b] obedience; yet so,
that with a [c] sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all of the
commandments of God.
Question 115.
Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can
keep them?
Answer. First, that all our lifetime we may learn [d] more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become
the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, [e] and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly
endeavor 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. [f]
[a]:
Rom. 7:7ff
[b]:
Rom. 7:14
[c]:
Rom. 7:15ff;
James 3:2
[d]:
1John 1:9;
Rom. 3:20;
Rom. 5:13;
Rom. 7:7
[e]:
Rom. 7:24
[f]:
1Cor. 9:24;
Phil. 3:12,13,14
OF PRAYER
Question 116.
Why is prayer necessary for christians?
Answer. Because it is the chief part of [a] thankfulness which God requires of us: and also, because God will give
his grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and [b] are
thankful for them.
Question 117.
What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear?
Answer. First, that we from the heart pray to the one true God only, who hath [c] manifested himself in his word,
for all things, he hath commanded us to ask of him; [d] secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our
need and misery, that so we may [e] deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty; thirdly,
that we be fully persuaded that he, notwithstanding that we are [f] unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ
our Lord, certainly [g] hear our prayer, as he has [h] promised us in his word.
Question 118.
What hath God commanded us to ask of him?
Answer. All [i] things necessary for soul and body; which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer he himself
[j] has taught us.
Question 119.
What are the words of that prayer?
Answer. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever. Amen.
[a]:
Psa. 50:14,15
[b]:
Mat. 7:7,8;
Luke 11:9,13;
Mat. 13:12;
Psa. 50:15
[c]:
John 4:22,23
[d]:
Rom. 8:26;
1John 5:14
[e]:
John 4:23,24;
Psa. 145:18
[f]:
2Chron. 20:12
[g]:
Psa. 2:11;
Psa. 34:18,19;
Isa. 66:2
[h]:
Rom. 10:13;
Rom. 8:15,16;
James 1:6ff;
John 14:13;
Dan. 9:17,18;
Mat. 7:8;
Psa. 143:1
[i]:
James 1:17;
Mat. 6:33
[j]:
Mat. 6:9ff;
Luke 11:2ff
Question 120.
Why hath Christ commanded us to address God thus: "Our Father"?
Answer. That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, he might excite in us a childlike reverence for, and
confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer: namely, that God is become our Father in
Christ, [a] and will much less deny us what we ask of him in true faith, than our parents [b] will refuse us
earthly things.
Question 121.
Why is it here added, "Which art in heaven"?
Answer. Lest we should form any [c] earthly conceptions of God's heavenly majesty, and that we [d] may expect
from his almighty power all things necessary for soul and body.
[a]:
Mat. 6:9
[b]:
Mat. 7:9,10,11;
Luke 11:11;
Isa. 49:15
[c]:
Jer. 23:24
[d]:
Acts 17:24;
Rom. 10:12
Question 122.
Which is the first petition?
Answer. [a] "Hallowed be thy name"; that is, grant us, first, rightly [b] to know thee, and to [c] sanctify, glorify
and praise thee, in all thy works, in which thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are
clearly displayed; and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words
and actions, that thy name may never be blasphemed, but rather [d] honored and praised on our account.
[a]:
Mat. 6:9
[b]:
John 17:3;
Jer. 9:23,24;
Mat. 16:17;
James 1:5
[c]:
Psa. 119:137,138;
Luke 1:46;
Psa. 145:8,9
[d]:
Psa. 115:1;
Psa. 71:8
Question 123.
Which is the second petition?
Answer. [a] "Thy kingdom come"; that is, rule us so by thy word and Spirit, that we may [b] submit ourselves
more and more to thee; preserve and [c] increase thy church; destroy the [d] works of the devil, and all
violence which would exalt itself against thee; and also, all wicked counsels devised against thy holy word;
till the full [e] perfection of thy kingdom take place, [f] wherein thou shalt be all in all.
[a]:
Mat. 6:10
[b]:
Psa. 119:5
[c]:
Psa. 51:18
[d]:
1John 3:8;
Rom. 16:20
[e]:
Rev. 22:17,20
[f]:
1Cor. 15:15,28
Question 124.
Which is the third petition?
Answer. [a] "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"; that is, grant that we and all men may renounce [b] our
own will, and without murmuring [c] obey thy will, which is only good; that so every one may attend to,
and [d] perform the duties of his station and calling, as willingly and faithfully as the [e] angels do in
heaven.
[a]:
Mat. 6:10
[b]:
mat. 16:24;
Tit. 2:12
[c]:
Luke 22:42
[d]:
1Cor. 7:24;
Eph. 4:1
[e]:
Psa. 103:20
Question 125.
Which is the fourth petition?
Answer. [a] "Give us this day our daily bread"; that is, be pleased to provide us with all things [b] necessary for
the body, that we may thereby acknowledge thee to be the only fountain of all [c] good, and that neither our
care nor industry, nor even thy gifts, can [d] profit us without thy blessing; and therefore that we may
withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place [e] it alone in thee.
[a]:
Mat. 6:11
[b]:
Psa. 145:15;
Mat. 6:25ff
[c]:
Acts 17:25;
Acts 14:17
[d]:
1Cor. 15:58;
Deut. 8:3;
Psa. 127:1,2
[e]:
Psa. 62:11;
Psa. 55:22
Question 126.
What is the fifth petition?
Answer. [a] "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"; that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ's
blood, [b] not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to
us; even as we feel this evidence of thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to [c] forgive
our neighbor.
[a]:
Mat. 6:12
[b]:
Psa. 51:1;
1John 2:1,2
[c]:
Mat. 6:14,15
Question 127.
Which is the sixth petition?
Answer. [a] "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"; that is, since we are so weak in ourselves,
that we cannot stand [b] a moment; and besides this, since our mortal enemies, [c] the devil, the [d] world,
and our own [e] flesh, cease not to assault us, do thou therefore preserve and strength us by the power of
the Holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare, [f] but constantly and strenuously
may resist our foes, till at last we [g] obtain a complete victory.
Question 128.
How dost thou conclude thy prayer?
Answer. [h] "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever"; that is, all these we ask of thee,
because thou, being our King and almighty, art willing and able to [i] give us all good; and all this we pray
for, that thereby not we, but thy holy name, [j] may be glorified for ever.
Question 129.
What doth the word "Amen" signify?
Answer. [k] "Amen" signifies, it shall truly and certainly be: for my prayer is more assuredly heard of God, than I
feel in my heart that I desire these things of him.
[a]:
Mat. 6:13
[b]:
Rom. 8:26;
Psa. 103:14
[c]:
1Pet. 5:8
[d]:
Eph. 6:12;
John 15:19;
Rom. 7:23;
Gal. 5:17
[f]:
Mat. 26:41;
Mark 13:33
[g]:
1Thes. 3:13;
1Thes. 5:23
[h]:
Mat. 6:13
[i]:
Rom. 10:12;
2Pet. 2:9
[j]:
John 14:13;
Psa. 115:1;
Phil. 4:20
[k]:
2Cor. 1:20;
2Tim. 2:13
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