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Genre
Catechism
Date
1665
Full Title
A brief Exposition of the Ten Commandments and the Lords Prayer.
Source
Wing P757A
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Sample 1
The original format is octavo.
The original contains contains footnotes,contains elements such as italics,
A Brief EXPOSITION OF THE Ten Commandments AND THE Lords Prayer.
Question.
WHat doth the Preface to the
Commandments teach you?
WHat doth the Preface to the
Commandments teach you?
Answer. The right that
God hath to Command,
and the reason that I have
to obey, both as he is my Creator and
Benefactor.
God hath to Command,
and the reason that I have
to obey, both as he is my Creator and
Benefactor.
Q. Unto what Duties doth the first
Commandment engage you?
Commandment engage you?
A. To acknowledge the one God of
Israel to be the onely true God, so as to
honour, worship, fear, love, and
believe him , to trust , and hope in
him, to offer the sacrifices of Prayer and
Praise to him, and perform all other duties,
which a creature owes to his all-seeing
Creator, and to him only.
Israel to be the onely true God, so as to
honour, worship, fear, love, and
believe him , to trust , and hope in
him, to offer the sacrifices of Prayer and
Praise to him, and perform all other duties,
which a creature owes to his all-seeing
Creator, and to him only.
Q. What Duties do you think are required
of you by the second Commandment?
of you by the second Commandment?
A4
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A. That I give all that external worship
to the invisible God which he hath
prescribed, but by no means make any
corporeal image of him, nor give such
religious worship to the image of any
thing whatsoever it be.
to the invisible God which he hath
prescribed, but by no means make any
corporeal image of him, nor give such
religious worship to the image of any
thing whatsoever it be.
Q. Can you discern any reason whereby
God doth inforce this Command?
God doth inforce this Command?
A. Yes, I observe first that he was
jealous of his own people, that the very
having of an Image would estrange them
from him. And secondly, That such
worshippers of other things he accounts
Haters of him, and will punish them even
in their Posterity, to the Third and
Fourth Generation. And thirdly, that
he will multiply mercies. To many Ages
upon those who onely serve him, as the
persons who truely Love and obey him.
jealous of his own people, that the very
having of an Image would estrange them
from him. And secondly, That such
worshippers of other things he accounts
Haters of him, and will punish them even
in their Posterity, to the Third and
Fourth Generation. And thirdly, that
he will multiply mercies. To many Ages
upon those who onely serve him, as the
persons who truely Love and obey him.
Q. What are the Duties to which by the
third Commandment you take your self to
be obliged?
third Commandment you take your self to
be obliged?
A. First, Not voluntarily upon any
occasion, or for any purpose to swear at
all; and secondly, when upon weighty
causes I am legally required, never to
swear falsely, nor promise that which I
mean not to perform; and thirdly, not to
use the name of God but with great reverence.
occasion, or for any purpose to swear at
all; and secondly, when upon weighty
causes I am legally required, never to
swear falsely, nor promise that which I
mean not to perform; and thirdly, not to
use the name of God but with great reverence.
Q. Are the sins against this Commandment
more dangerous than others?
more dangerous than others?
A. Yes, Gods plagues shall certainly
light upon such sinners. For he saith
expresly He will not hold them guiltless.
light upon such sinners. For he saith
expresly He will not hold them guiltless.
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Q. What do you think the fourth Commandment
teacheth you?
teacheth you?
A. First, To set apart from my lawful,
worldly imployments and recreations,
one day in seven for the solemn worship
of God; That I may advance my soul
in Piety, and learn to cease all my life
from sin, thereby preparing my self for
the eternal praising of God and my Redeemer,
in the Rest which remains for his
people: and secondly, to endeavour to
bring those who are under my charge to
the same observation.
worldly imployments and recreations,
one day in seven for the solemn worship
of God; That I may advance my soul
in Piety, and learn to cease all my life
from sin, thereby preparing my self for
the eternal praising of God and my Redeemer,
in the Rest which remains for his
people: and secondly, to endeavour to
bring those who are under my charge to
the same observation.
Q. But why do you observe the first day
of the Week, when the Commandment speaks
of the seventh?
of the Week, when the Commandment speaks
of the seventh?
A. In memory of Christs rising from
the dead on the first day, that he might
enter into his glorious rest, having here
finished his work of redemption; for
which I have the example of the holy
Apostles, and the Church of God.
the dead on the first day, that he might
enter into his glorious rest, having here
finished his work of redemption; for
which I have the example of the holy
Apostles, and the Church of God.
Q. What do you here take notice of, that
enforces your allowing Gods worship such a
portion of your time?
enforces your allowing Gods worship such a
portion of your time?
A. I see that he hath allowed me six
times as much for my worldly business;
and that he himself hath by his proceeding
in the Creation, signified so much to
me, and thereupon allowed one day, after
six daies labour, to be a day of blessings
unto me.
times as much for my worldly business;
and that he himself hath by his proceeding
in the Creation, signified so much to
me, and thereupon allowed one day, after
six daies labour, to be a day of blessings
unto me.
Q. What do you think, you are bound to
practise by the fifth Commandment?
practise by the fifth Commandment?
A. First, To reverence, love and
with Gods Commands my natural Parents.
Secondly, to respect the Aged.
Thirdly, To be ruled with humility by
the Governours of the family, Kingdome,
or Church where I live.
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obey in all things not disagreeingwith Gods Commands my natural Parents.
Secondly, to respect the Aged.
Thirdly, To be ruled with humility by
the Governours of the family, Kingdome,
or Church where I live.
Q. What blessings attend upon such obedient
persons?
persons?
A. Commonly a long and prosperous
life, Eph. 6.2, 3. Rom. 13, 3. 1 Pet. 2.14.
Psal. 34 12, 13, 14.
life, Eph. 6.2, 3. Rom. 13, 3. 1 Pet. 2.14.
Psal. 34 12, 13, 14.
Q. What duties do you charge your self
withal from the sixt Commandment?
withal from the sixt Commandment?
A. Not to take away my own life,
nor any other mans unless publique
Justice, and necessary defence of my own
life make it unavoidable nor willingly
to go to war, unless when I am lawfully
commanded, for preservation of the
peace. Jam 4.1, 2.
nor any other mans unless publique
Justice, and necessary defence of my own
life make it unavoidable nor willingly
to go to war, unless when I am lawfully
commanded, for preservation of the
peace. Jam 4.1, 2.
Q Are these all?
A. No, I take my self necessarily engaged,
First, to suppress all causeless,
and immoderate, long continued though
not causeless anger. Secondly, to put
away all contumelious, railing, and contentious
language. Thirdly, To root
out all hatred, and to love even my enemies,
and to do them good. Fourthly,
to meditate no revenge of wrongs. Fifthly,
Not to oppress and gripe any man,
but to relieve the poor.
First, to suppress all causeless,
and immoderate, long continued though
not causeless anger. Secondly, to put
away all contumelious, railing, and contentious
language. Thirdly, To root
out all hatred, and to love even my enemies,
and to do them good. Fourthly,
to meditate no revenge of wrongs. Fifthly,
Not to oppress and gripe any man,
but to relieve the poor.
Q Do you take your self to be restrained
by the seventh Commandment from more
than that which we call adultery?
by the seventh Commandment from more
than that which we call adultery?
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A. Yes, I think all other acts and
lusts of uncleanness, and whatsoever
may be the cause or beginning of them,
are thereby prohibited; And that I may
not so much as gaze upon a womans beauty
to satisfie my lust, without being guilty
of hidden Adultery.
lusts of uncleanness, and whatsoever
may be the cause or beginning of them,
are thereby prohibited; And that I may
not so much as gaze upon a womans beauty
to satisfie my lust, without being guilty
of hidden Adultery.
Q Is there any thing else that you can
here observe also to be forbidden?
here observe also to be forbidden?
A. Yes, the putting away of a mans
wife except for adultery and marrying
another, or the marrying her that is so
put away.
wife except for adultery and marrying
another, or the marrying her that is so
put away.
Q. What charge doth the eighth Commandment
give you?
give you?
A. First, Not to take away or detain
my Neighbours goods, either by
force or fraud. Secondly, not to withhold
relief from those that need it.
my Neighbours goods, either by
force or fraud. Secondly, not to withhold
relief from those that need it.
Q. Is there any one precept which you
think will secure all the duties of this Commandment?
think will secure all the duties of this Commandment?
A. Yes, that of our Saviours. As you
would that men should do to you, do to
them likewise, Luk 6.31. Matth. 7.12.
would that men should do to you, do to
them likewise, Luk 6.31. Matth. 7.12.
Q. What do you apprehend to be the
things forbidden in the ninth Commandment?
things forbidden in the ninth Commandment?
A. Chiefly the giving any false Testimony
before a Judge against any man.
And also lying, and false accusation.
Whatsoever likewise may defame my
brother, or detract from him before men
and all rash judgment, and censures of
him in my own breast.
before a Judge against any man.
And also lying, and false accusation.
Whatsoever likewise may defame my
brother, or detract from him before men
and all rash judgment, and censures of
him in my own breast.
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Q. What Obligations do you think the
tenth Commandment laies upon you?
tenth Commandment laies upon you?
A. Not to desire to my self the possessions
of my Neighbour, nor to envy
them to him; but to be content in whatsoever
state I am, without carefulness for
the future, Phil. 4.6, 11. Mat. 6 alt. Heb.
13.5.
of my Neighbour, nor to envy
them to him; but to be content in whatsoever
state I am, without carefulness for
the future, Phil. 4.6, 11. Mat. 6 alt. Heb.
13.5.
Q Have you never observed any place of
scripture that briefly comprehends the sum
of all these Commandments?
scripture that briefly comprehends the sum
of all these Commandments?
A. Yes, Christ tels me of two Commandments
upon which the whole Law
and Prophes hang; which are mentioned
besides other places in Mat. 22.
37, Mar. 12.30, &c. Rom. 13.8,
9, 10.
upon which the whole Law
and Prophes hang; which are mentioned
besides other places in Mat. 22.
37, Mar. 12.30, &c. Rom. 13.8,
9, 10.
Q. What is the meaning of those words
which secure all your duty to God, viz.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and all thy soul, and all thy
mind, and all thy strength?
which secure all your duty to God, viz.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and all thy soul, and all thy
mind, and all thy strength?
A. That I esteem and desire him above
all things, and bestow upon him
my whole self.
all things, and bestow upon him
my whole self.
Q. What mean you by these words which
give your neighbour security from you? viz.
Love thy Neighbour as thy self?
give your neighbour security from you? viz.
Love thy Neighbour as thy self?
A. That I deal with every man so
justly as I would he should deal with me;
and so mercifully as I wish to be dealt
withal by God.
justly as I would he should deal with me;
and so mercifully as I wish to be dealt
withal by God.
Q. Canst thou do all these things of thy
self without Gods special grace?
self without Gods special grace?
A. No, without me, saith Christ, ye
can do nothing.
can do nothing.
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Q. How do you think to obtain his grace?
A. One way is by frequent prayer of
faith.
faith.
Q. What is frequent prayer?
A. That which bears some proportion
to my minutely needs, to the greatness
of the blessings which I ask, and to
the favour of being invited to be much in
the presence of God, by praying without
ceasing. 1 Thes. 5.17.
to my minutely needs, to the greatness
of the blessings which I ask, and to
the favour of being invited to be much in
the presence of God, by praying without
ceasing. 1 Thes. 5.17.
Q. When do you pray in faith?
A. When I pray with an humble confidence
that God will give what I ask,
and with an obedient readiness to do that
my self which I desire he would do for
me.
that God will give what I ask,
and with an obedient readiness to do that
my self which I desire he would do for
me.
Q. Hath Christ left any direction for
your prayers?
your prayers?
A. Yes, he hath taught me when I
pray to say, Our Father which art in
Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. &c.
pray to say, Our Father which art in
Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. &c.
Q. To whom do you direct your Prayer?
A. To our Father who is in heaven.
Q. What do you mean by that appellation?
A. I express by it my reverence to
him, and my faith in him, that his goodness
will, and his power can, grant
my request for my self and others.
him, and my faith in him, that his goodness
will, and his power can, grant
my request for my self and others.
Q. What are those requests which you
have such an humble confidence that he will
grant?
have such an humble confidence that he will
grant?
A. They are six. In the three first,
I more immediately respect his glory, in
the three last my own good.
I more immediately respect his glory, in
the three last my own good.
Q. What do you desire in the first Petition,
Name?
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when you say, Hallowed be thyName?
A. That God may be known to be
what he is, and accordingly esteemed,
worshipped, and praised, in word,
and deed, throughout the world.
what he is, and accordingly esteemed,
worshipped, and praised, in word,
and deed, throughout the world.
Q. What is it that you pray for in the
second, saying, Thy Kingdom come?
second, saying, Thy Kingdom come?
A. That Christ may so rule in mine own,
and all mens hearts by his holy Laws and
spirit, that his Kingdom in this world
attaining its just height, the eternal
Kingdome of the Father may appear.
and all mens hearts by his holy Laws and
spirit, that his Kingdom in this world
attaining its just height, the eternal
Kingdome of the Father may appear.
Q. What do you beg in the third, saying,
Thy will be done in earth as it is in
heaven?
Thy will be done in earth as it is in
heaven?
A. That he will give to me and to all
men else his grace, whereby we may as
cheerfully, unanimously, and impartially
execute his Commands, and submit to
his disposals, as the Angels do.
men else his grace, whereby we may as
cheerfully, unanimously, and impartially
execute his Commands, and submit to
his disposals, as the Angels do.
Q. What do you intreat of God in the
fourth, saying, Give us this day our
daily bread?
fourth, saying, Give us this day our
daily bread?
A. That he would day by day while
we are in this world, grant us in the use
of honest means all things fitting and
sufficient for the support of our bodily,
and spiritual life.
we are in this world, grant us in the use
of honest means all things fitting and
sufficient for the support of our bodily,
and spiritual life.
Q. What is it that you ask in the fifth,
saying, Forgive us our trespasses as we? &c.
saying, Forgive us our trespasses as we? &c.
A. That he would not so charge us with
our sins as to punish us; we promising
the like kindness and mercy to the persons
who offend us.
our sins as to punish us; we promising
the like kindness and mercy to the persons
who offend us.
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Q. But Why doth Christ teach us to beg
this thing conditionally, rather than any of
the rest?
this thing conditionally, rather than any of
the rest?
A. For two reasons.
Q. What is your first?
A. To learn us that forgiveness of sin
upon which all our Religion depends,
and without which we can expect none of
the other blessings is not absolutely
granted to any.
upon which all our Religion depends,
and without which we can expect none of
the other blessings is not absolutely
granted to any.
Q. What is your second?
A. To learn us that this particular of
forgiving others, is one of the most befitting,
yet difficult conditions.
forgiving others, is one of the most befitting,
yet difficult conditions.
Q. What do you pray for in the sixth
and last petition, saying, Lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil?
and last petition, saying, Lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil?
A. That God would give us grace to
persevere, and go on to perfection, that
we may not fall back to our sins again,
by the force of any temptation from
the world, the flesh or the Devil.
persevere, and go on to perfection, that
we may not fall back to our sins again,
by the force of any temptation from
the world, the flesh or the Devil.
Q. Why do you so conclude all your requests,
saying, For thine is the Kingdom,
the Power, and the Glory, for ever
and ever? Amen.
saying, For thine is the Kingdom,
the Power, and the Glory, for ever
and ever? Amen.
A. We do again express, First, our
sense, that to God of right belongs eternally
that dominion, obedience, and honour,
which we ascribed unto him; and
Secondly, our confidence that he is willing,
able, and in honour, ingaged to
grant all these our petitions.
The Lord fulfill all thy Petitions, Ps 20.5.
FINIS.
sense, that to God of right belongs eternally
that dominion, obedience, and honour,
which we ascribed unto him; and
Secondly, our confidence that he is willing,
able, and in honour, ingaged to
grant all these our petitions.
The Lord fulfill all thy Petitions, Ps 20.5.
FINIS.