Shorter Catechism, part 2/3
Questions and answers Scripture proofs
Q39: What is the duty which (1) Mic.6:8 He hath shewed thee, O
God requireth of man? man, what is good; and what doth the
LORD require of thee, but to do
A: The duty which God justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
requireth of man, is humbly with thy God?
obedience to his revealed
will. (l)
Q40: What did God at first (1) Rom.2:14 For when the Gentiles,
reveal to man for the rule which have not the law, do by nature
of his obedience? the things contained in the law,
these, having not the law, are a law
A: The rule which God at unto themselves. V15 Which show the
first revealed to man for work of the law written in their
his obedience, was the hearts.
moral law. (1)
Q41: Where is the moral law (1) Deut.10:4 And he wrote on the
summarily comprehended? tables, according to the first
writing, the ten commandments.
A: The moral law is Matt.19:17 If thou wilt enter into
summarily comprehended in life, keep the commandments.
the ten commandments. (1)
Q42: What is the sum of the (1) Matt.22:37 Thou shalt love the
ten commandments? Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy
A: The sum of the ten mind. V38 This is the first and great
commandments is, To love commandment. V39 And the second is
the Lord our God with all like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
our heart, with all our neighbour as thyself. V40 On these two
soul, with all our commandments hang all the law and the
strength, and with all our prophets.
mind; and our neighbour as
ourselves. (l)
Q43: What is the preface to (1) Exod.22:2.
the ten commandments?
A: The preface to the ten
commandments is 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." (1)
Q44: What doth the preface (1) Deut.11:1 Thou shalt love the LORD
to the ten commandments thy God, and keep his charge, and his
teach us? statutes, and his judgments, and his
commandments, always.
A: The preface to the ten Luk.1:74 That we being delivered out
commandments teacheth us, of the hand of our enemies might serve
That because God is the him without fear. V75 In holiness and
Lord, and our God, and righteousness before him, all the days
Redeemer, therefore we are of our life.
bound to keep all his
commandments. (1)
Q45: Which is the first
commandment?
A: The first commandment
is, "Thou shalt have no
other gods before me."
Q46: What is required in (1) 1 Chron.28:9 And thou, Solomon my
the first commandment? son, know thou the God of thy father.
(2) Deut.26:17 Thou hast avouched the
A: The first commandment LORD this day to be thy God, and to
requireth us to know (1) walk in his ways, and to keep his
and acknowledge God to be statutes, and his commandments, and
the only true God, and our his judgments, and to hearken unto his
God; (2) and to worship and voice.
glorify him accordingly. (3) Matt.4:10 Thou shalt worship the
(3) Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou
serve.
Q47: What is forbidden in (1) Ps.14:1 The fool hath said in his
the first commandment? heart, There is no God.
(2) Rom.1:20 So that they are without
A: The first commandment excuse. V21 Because that, when they
forbiddeth the denying, (1) knew God, they glorified him not as
or not worshipping and God.
glorifying the true God as (3) Ps.81:11 But my people would not
God, (2) and our God; (3) hearken to my voice; and Israel would
and the giving of that none of me.
worship and glory to any (4) Rom.1:25 Who changed the truth of
other, which is due to him God into a lie, and worshipped and
alone. (4) served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed for ever.
Amen.
Q48: What are we specially (1) Ps.44:20 If we have forgotten the
taught by these words name of our God, or stretched out our
"before me" in the first hands to a strange god. V21 Shall not
commandment? God search this out?
A: These words "before me"
in the first commandment
teach us, That God, who
seeth all things, taketh
notice of, and is much
displeased with, the sin of
having any other God. (l)
Q49: Which is the second
commandment?
A: The second commandment
is, "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 thy self 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 showing
mercy unto thousands of
them that love me, and keep
my commandments."
Q50: What is required in (1) Deut.32:46 Set your hearts unto
the second commandment? all the words which I testify among
you this day, which ye shall command
A: The second commandment your children to observe to do, all
requireth the receiving, the words of this law.
observing, (1) and keeping Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe
pure and entire, all such all things whatsoever I have commanded
religious worship and you.
ordinances as God hath (2) Deut.12:32 What thing soever I
appointed in his Word. (2) command you, observe to do it: thou
shalt not add thereto, nor diminish
from it.
Q51: What is forbidden in (1) Deut.4:15 Take ye therefore good
the second commandment? heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no
manner of similitude on the day that
A: The second commandment the LORD spake unto you in Horeb. V16
forbiddeth the worshipping Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make
of God by images, (1) or you a graven image.
any other way not appointed (2) Col.2:18 Let no man beguile you of
in his Word. (2) your reward in a voluntary humility
and worshipping of angels, intruding
into those things which he hath not
seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly
mind.
Q52: What are the reasons (1) Ps.95:2 Let us come before his
annexed to the second presence with thanksgiving, and make a
commandment? joyful noise unto him with psalms. V3
For the LORD is a great God, and a
A: The reasons annexed to great King above all gods.
the second commandment are, (2) Ps.45:11 He is thy Lord; and
God's sovereignty over us, worship thou him.
(1) his propriety in us, (3) Exod.34:14 For thou shalt worship
(2) and the zeal he hath to no other god: for the LORD, whose name
his own worship. (3) is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Q53: Which is the third
commandment?
A: The third commandment
is, "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."
Q54: What is required in (1) Ps.29:2 Give unto the LORD the
the third commandment? glory due unto his name.
(2) Rev.15:3 Great and marvellous are
A: The third commandment thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and
requireth the holy and true are thy ways, thou King of
reverent use of God's saints. V4 Who shall not fear thee, O
names, (1) titles, Lord, and glorify thy name?
attributes, (2) ordinances, (3) Eccl.5:1 Keep thy foot when thou
(3) Word, (4) and works. goest to the house of God, and be more
(5) ready to hear, than to give the
sacrifice of fools.
(4) Ps.138:2 I will worship toward thy
holy temple, and praise thy name for
thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:
for thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name.
(5) Job 36:24 Remember that thou
magnify his work, which men behold.
Q55: What is forbidden in (1) Mal.2:2 If ye will not hear, and
the third commandment? if ye will not lay it to heart, to
give glory unto my name, saith the
A: The third commandment LORD of hosts, I will even send a
forbiddeth all profaning curse upon you.
and abusing of any thing
whereby God maketh himself
known. (l)
Q56: What is the reason (1) Deut.28:58 If thou wilt not
annexed to the third observe to do all the words of this
commandment? law that are written in this book,
that thou mayest fear this glorious
A: The reason annexed to and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;
the third commandment is, V59 Then the LORD will make thy
That however the breakers plagues wonderful.
of this commandment may
escape punishment from men,
yet the Lord our God will
not suffer them to escape
his righteous judgment. (l)
Q57: Which is the fourth
commandment?
A: The fourth commandment
is, "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 man-servant, nor thy
maid-servant, 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: therefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath-day,
and hallowed it."
Q58: What is required in (1) Lev.19:30 Ye shall keep my
the fourth commandment? sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary:
I am the LORD. Deut.5:12 Keep the
A: The fourth commandment sabbath-day to sanctify it, as the
requireth the keeping holy LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
to God such set times as he
hath appointed in his Word;
expressly one whole day in
seven, to be a holy Sabbath
to himself. (1)
Q59: Which day of the seven (1) Gen.2:3 And God blessed the
hath God appointed to be seventh day, and sanctified it:
the weekly Sabbath? because that in it he had rested from
all his work which God created and
A: From the beginning of made.
the world to the (2) Act.20:7 And upon the first day of
resurrection of Christ, God the week, when the disciples came
appointed the seventh day together to break bread, Paul preached
of the week to be the unto them. Rev.1:10 I was in the
weekly Sabbath; (1) and the Spirit on the Lord's day.
first day of the week ever
since, to continue to the
end of the world, which is
the Christian Sabbath. (2)
Q60: How is the Sabbath to (1) Lev.23:3 Six days shall work be
be sanctified? done: but the seventh day is the
sabbath of rest, an holy convocation;
A: The Sabbath is to be ye shall do no work therein.
sanctified by a holy (2) Ps.92:1 [A Psalm or Song for the
resting all that day, even sabbath day.] It is a good thing to
from such worldly give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing
employments and recreations praises unto thy name, O most High. V2
as are lawful on other To show forth thy lovingkindness in
days; (1) and spending the the morning, and thy faithfulness
whole time in the public every night.
and private exercises of (3) Matt.12:11 And he said unto them,
God's worship, (2) except What man shall there be among you,
so much as is to be taken that shall have one sheep, and if it
up in the works of fall into a pit on the sabbath day,
necessity and mercy. (3) will he not lay hold on it, and lift
it out? V12 How much then is a man
better than a sheep? Wherefore it is
lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Q61: What is forbidden in (1) Mal.1:13 Ye said also, Behold,
the fourth commandment? what a weariness is it! and ye have
snuffed at it, saith the LORD of
A: The fourth commandment hosts; and ye brought that which was
forbiddeth the omission or torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus
careless performance of the ye brought an offering: should I
duties required, (1) and accept this of your hand? saith the
the profaning the day by LORD.
idleness, or doing that (2) Ezek.23:38 They have defiled my
which is in itself sinful, sanctuary in the same day, and have
(2) or by unnecessary profaned my sabbaths.
thoughts, words, or works, (3) Isa.58:13 If thou turn away thy
about our worldly foot from the sabbath, from doing thy
employments or recreations. pleasure on my holy day; and call the
(3) sabbath a delight, the holy of the
LORD, honourable; and shalt honour
him, not doing thine own ways, nor
finding thine own pleasure, nor
speaking thine own words.
Q62: What are the reasons (1) Exod.31:15 Six days may work be
annexed to the fourth done; but in the seventh is the
commandment? sabbath of rest. V16 Exod.31:16
Wherefore the children of Israel shall
A: The reasons annexed to keep the sabbath.
the fourth commandment are, (2) Lev.23:3 Ye shall do no work
God's allowing us six days therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD
of the week for our own in all your dwellings.
employments, (1) his (3) Exod.31:17 It is a sign between me
challenging a special and the children of Israel for ever:
propriety in the seventh, for in six days the LORD made heaven
(2) his own example, (3) and earth, and on the seventh day he
and his blessing the rested, and was refreshed.
Sabbath-day. (4) (4) Gen.2:3 And God blessed the
seventh day, and sanctified it.
Q63: Which is the fifth
commandment?
A: The fifth commandment
is, "Honour thy father and
thy mother; that thy days
may be long upon the land
which the Lord thy God
giveth thee."
Q64: What is required in (1) Eph.5:21 Submitting yourselves one
the fifth commandment? to another in the fear of God. V22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
A: The fifth commandment husbands, as unto the Lord. Eph.6:1,5
requireth the preserving Children, obey your parents in the
the honour, and performing Lord. Servants, be obedient to them
the duties, belonging to that are your masters according to the
every one in their several flesh. Rom.13:1 Let every soul be
places and relations, as subject unto the higher powers.
superiors, (1) inferiors, (2) Eph.6:9 And, ye masters, do the
(2) or equals. (3) same things unto them: knowing that
your Master also is in heaven.
(3) Rom.12:10 Be kindly affectioned
one to another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another.
Q65: What is forbidden in (1) Rom.13:7 Render therefore to all
the fifth commandment? their dues: tribute to whom tribute is
due; custom to whom custom; fear to
A: The fifth commandment whom fear; honour to whom honour. V8
forbiddeth the neglecting Owe no man any thing, but to love one
of, or doing any thing another.
against, the honour and
duty which belongeth to
every one in their several
places and relations. (1)
Q66: What is the reason (1) Eph.6:2 Honour thy father and
annexed to the fifth mother; which is the first commandment
commandment? with promise; V3 That it may be well
with thee, and thou mayest live long
A: The reason annexed to on the earth.
the fifth commandment, is a
promise of long life and
prosperity [as far as it
shall serve for God's glory
and their own good] to all
such as keep this
commandment. (l)
Q67: Which is the sixth
commandment?
A: The sixth commandment
is, "Thou shalt not kill."
Q68: What is required in (1) Eph.5:28 So ought men to love
the sixth commandment? their wives as their own bodies. V29
For no man ever yet hated his own
A: The sixth commandment flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth
requireth all lawful it.
endeavours to preserve our (2) Ps.82.3 Defend the poor and
own life, (1) and the life fatherless. V4. Deliver the poor and
of others. (2) needy. Job 29:13 The blessing of him
that was ready to perish came upon me.
(1) Act.16:28 But Paul cried with a
Q69: What is forbidden in loud voice, saying, Do thyself no
the sixth commandment? harm.
(2) Gen.9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's
A: The sixth commandment blood, by man shall his blood be shed.
forbiddeth the taking away (3) Prov.24:11 If thou forbear to
of our own life, (1) or the deliver them that are drawn unto
life of our neighbour death, and those that are ready to be
unjustly, (2) or whatsoever slain. V12 If thou sayest, Behold, we
tendeth thereunto. (3) knew it not; doth not he that
pondereth the heart consider it?
Q70 Which is the seventh
commandment?
A: The seventh commandment
is, "Thou shalt not commit
adultery".
Q71: What is required in (1) 1 Thess.4:4 That every one of you
the seventh commandment? should know how to possess his vessel
in sanctification and honour.
A: The seventh commandment (2) Eph.5:11 And have no fellowship
requireth the preservation with the unfruitful works of darkness,
of our own (1) and our but rather reprove them. V12 For it is
neighbour's chastity, (2) a shame even to speak of those things
in heart, (3) speech, (4) which are done of them in secret.
and behaviour. (5) (3) 2 Tim.2:22 Flee also youthful
lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace.
(4) Col.4:6 Let your speech be alway
with grace, seasoned with salt.
(5) 1 Pet.3:2 While they behold your
chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Q72: What is forbidden in (1) Matt.5:28 Whosoever looketh on a
the seventh commandment? woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his
A: The seventh commandment heart.
forbiddeth all unchaste (2) Eph.5:4 Neither filthiness, nor
thoughts, (1) words, (2) foolish talking, nor jesting, which
and actions. (3) are not convenient.
(3) Eph.5:3 Fornication, and all
uncleanness, let it not be once named
among you.
Q73: Which is the eighth
commandment?
A: The eighth commandment
is, "Thou shalt not steal".
Q74: What is required in (1) Rom.12:17 Provide things honest in
the eighth commandment? the sight of all men. Prov.27:23 Be
thou diligent to know the state of thy
A: The eighth commandment flocks, and look well to thy herds.
requireth the lawful (2) Lev.25:35 And if thy brother be
procuring and furthering waxen poor, and fallen in decay with
the wealth and outward thee; then thou shalt relieve him.
estate of ourselves (1) and Philip.2:4 Look not every man on his
others. (2) own things, but every man also on the
things of others.
Q75: What is forbidden in (1) 1 Tim.5:8 If any provide not for
the eighth commandment? his own, and specially for those of
his own house, he hath denied the
A: The eighth commandment faith, and is worse than an infidel.
forbiddeth whatsoever doth (2) Prov.28:19 But he that followeth
or may unjustly hinder our after vain persons shall have poverty
own (1) or our neighbour's enough. Prov.21:6 The getting of
wealth or outward estate. treasures by a lying tongue is a
(2) vanity tossed to and fro of them that
seek death. Job 20:19 Because he hath
oppressed and hath forsaken the poor;
because he hath violently taken away
an house which he builded not. V20
Surely he shall not feel quietness in
his belly.
Q76: Which is the ninth
commandment?
A: The ninth commandment
is, "Thou shalt not bear
false witness against thy
neighbour".
Q77: What is required in (1) Zech.8:16 Speak ye every man the
the ninth commandment? truth to his neighbour.
(2) 1 Pet.3:16 Having a good
A: The ninth commandment conscience; that, whereas they speak
requireth the maintaining evil of you, as of evildoers, they may
and promoting of truth be ashamed that falsely accuse your
between man and man, (1) good conversation in Christ. Act.25:10
and of our own (1) and our Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's
neighbour's good name, (3) judgment seat; to the Jews have I done
e s p e c i a l l y i n no wrong.
witness-bearing. (4) (3) 3 Joh.:12 Demetrius hath good
report of all men, and of the truth
itself: yea, and we also bear record.
(4) Prov.14:5 A faithful witness will
not lie. V25 A true witness delivereth
souls.
Q78: What is forbidden in (1) Rom.3:13 With their tongues they
the ninth commandment? have used deceit.
(2) Job 27:5 God forbid that I should
A: The ninth commandment justify you: till I die I will not
forbiddeth whatsoever is remove mine integrity from me.
prejudicial to truth, (1) (3) Ps.15:3 He that backbiteth not
or injurious to our own (2) with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his
or our neighbour's good neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach
name. (3) against his neighbour.
Q79: Which is the tenth
commandment?
A: The tenth commandment
is, "Thou shalt not covet
thy neighbour's house, thou
shalt not covet thy
neighbour's wife, nor his
man-servant, nor his
maidservant, nor his ox,
nor his ass, nor any thing
that is thy neighbour's".
Q80: What is required in (1) Hebr.13:5 Let your conversation be
the tenth commandment? without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have.
A: The tenth commandment (2) Rom.12:15 Rejoice with them that
requireth full contentment do rejoice, and weep with them that
with our own condition, (1) weep. 1 Cor.13:4 Charity suffereth
with a right and charitable long, and is kind; charity envieth
frame of spirit toward our not; charity vaunteth not itself, is
neighbour, and all that is not puffed up. V5 Doth not behave
his. (2) itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked, thinketh no
evil. V6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth in the truth.
Q81: What is forbidden in (1) 1 Cor.10:10 Neither murmur ye, as
the tenth commandment? some of them also murmured, and were
destroyed of the destroyer.
A: The tenth commandment (2) Gal.5:26 Let us not be desirous of
f o r b i d d e t h a l l vain glory, provoking one another,
discontentment with our own envying one another.
estate, (1) envying or (3) Col.3:5 Mortify therefore your
grieving at the good of our members which are upon the earth;
neighbour, (2) and all fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
inordinate motions and affection, evil concupiscence, and
affections to any thing covetousness, which is idolatry.
that is his. (3)
Q82: Is any man able (1) Eccl.7:20 For there is not a just
perfectly to keep the man upon earth, that doeth good, and
commandments of God? sinneth not.
(2) Gen.8:21 The imagination of man's
A: No mere man since the heart is evil from his youth.
fall is able in this life (3) Jam.3:8 The tongue can no man
perfectly to keep the tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
commandments of God, (1) deadly poison.
but doth daily break them (4) Jam.3:2 In many things we offend
in thought, (2) word, (3) all.
and deed. (4)
(1) Joh.19:11 He that delivered me
Q83: Are all transgressions unto thee hath the greater sin.
of the law equally heinous?
A: Some sins in themselves,
and by reason of several
aggravations, are more
heinous in the sight of God
than others. (l)
Q84: What doth every sin (1) Gal.3:10 Cursed is every one that
deserve? continueth not in all things which are
written in the book of the law to do
A: Every sin deserveth them. Matt.25:41 Then shall he say
God's wrath and curse, both also unto them on the left hand,
in this life, and that Depart from me, ye cursed, into
which is to come. (l) everlasting fire, prepared for the
devil and his angels.
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