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Q. 97. What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?

A. Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works (f), so as thereby they are neither justified (g) nor condemned (h); yet, beside the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to shew them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead and for their good (i); and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness (k), and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience (1).

Q. 98. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?

A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone (m); and are recorded in the twentieth chap

as are of the works of the law, are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

(f) Rom. 6. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. 7. 4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ: that ye shonld be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God,

(g) 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.

(h) Gal. 5. 23, Meekness, temperance against such there is no law. Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Je

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sus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

(i) Gal. 3. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

(k) Luke 1. 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people. Col. 1. 12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

(1) Rom. 7. 22. For I delight in the law of God, after the inward man. 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.

(m) Deut. 10. 4. And he wrote on the tables, according to

ter of Exodus. The first four commandments containing our duty to God, and the other six our duty to man (n). Q. 99. What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the ten commandments?

A. For the right understanding of the ten commandments, these rules are to be observed:

1. That the law is perfect, and bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience for ever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin (0).

2. That is spiritual, and so reacheth the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works, and gestures (p).

3. That one and the same thing, in diverse respects, is required or forbidden in several commandments (q).

4. That as, where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden (r); and, where a sin is forbidden, the

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. Exod. 34. 1. And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest.

(n) Mat. 22. 37. 40. 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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hangs all the law and the prophets.

(o) Psal. 19. 7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. James 2. 10. For whoso ever shall keep the whole law,

and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Mat. 5. 21. to the end.

(P) Romans 7. 14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Deut.. 6. 5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

(g) Col. 3. 5. Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

(r) Mat. 15. 4-6. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by youg tradition.

contrary duty is commanded (s); so, where a promise is annexed, the contrary threatening is included (t); and, where a threatening is annexed, the contrary promise is included (v).

5. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done (w); what he commands, is always our duty (x); and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times (y).

6. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded, together with all the causes, means, occasions, and appearances thereof, and provocations thereunto (z).

7. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavour that it may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places (a).

(s) 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.

(t) Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Compared with Prov. 30. 17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

(v) Jer. 18. 7, 8. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it: If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

(w) Job 13. 7, 8. Will you speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? Will ye acoept his person? Will ye contend for God? Rom. 3. 8. And not rather, (as we be slanderously reorted, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good

may come? whose damnation is just.

(x) Deut. 4. 8, 9. And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons.

(y) Mat. 12. 7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

(z) Heb. 10. 24, 25. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 1 Thess. 5. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Jude 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

(a) Exod. 20. 10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the

8. That, in what is commanded to others, we are bound, according to our places and callings, to be helpful to them (b); and to take heed of partaking with others in what is forbidden them (c).

Q. 100. What special things are we to consider in the ten commandments?

A. We are to consider in the ten commandments, the preface, the substance of the commandments themselves, and several reasons annexed to some of them the more to enforce them.

Q101. What is the preface to the ten commandments? A. The preface to the ten commandments is contained in these words, I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage (d). Wherein God manifesteth his sovereignty, as being JEHOVAH, the eternal, immutable, and almighty God (e); having his being in and of himself (f), and giving being to all his words (g), and works (h): and that he is a God in covenant, as with Israel of old, so with all his people (i); who, as he brought them out of

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 thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart : thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

(b) 2 Cor. 1. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.

(c) 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins : keep thyself pure. Eph. 5. 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

(d) Exodus 20. 2.

Isa. 44. 6. Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts, I am the first, and I am the last; and

beside me there is no God.

(f) Exodus 3. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

(g) Exod. 6. 3. And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

(h) Aets 17. 24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.

(i) Gen. 17. 7. And I will es tablish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Compared with Rom. 3. 29. Is he the God of the Jews only is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.

their bondage in Egypt, so he delivereth us from our spi ritual thraldrom (k); and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone, and to keep all his commandments (1).

Q. 102. What is the sum of the four commandments which contain our duty to God?

A. The sum of the four commandments containing our duty to God, is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind (m).

Q. 103. What is the first commandment?

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A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me (n).

Q. 104. Which are the duties required in the first commandment?

A. The duties required in the first commandment are, the knowing and acknowledging of God, to be the only true God, and our God (o); and to worship and glorify him accordingly (p), by thinking (q), meditating (r), remembering (s), highly esteeming (1), honour

(k) Luke 1. 74, 75. That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

() 1 Peter 1. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Lev. 19. 37. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.

(m) Luke 10. 27. And he answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

(n) Exodus 20. 3.

o) Deut. 26. 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.

(p) Psal. 95. 6. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

(7) Mal. 3. 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

(r) Psal. 63. 6. When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

(s) Eccl. 12. 1. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

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