of the holy nature and will of God (v), and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly (w); to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives (x); to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery (y), and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ (z), and of the perfection of his obedience (a).

Q. 96. What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men ?

A. The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from the wrath to come (b), and to drive them to Christ (c): or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable (d), and under the curse thereof (e)

(v) Lev, 11. 44. For I am the Lord your God: ye shall there fore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy : neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

(w) Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thoo, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

(x) Psal. 19. 11, 12. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can under stand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 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.

(y) Rom. 3. 9. 23. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

(z) Gal. 3. 21, 22. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid for if there had been a law given which could have

given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

(a) Rom. 10. 4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth,

(b) 1 Tim. 1. 9. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane.

(c) Gal. 3. 24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

(d) Rom. 1. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Compared with Romans 2. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one an other.

(e) Gal. 3. 10. For as many

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. Where fore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ: that ye should 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

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

(i) Gal. 3. 13. Christ hath redeemed ue from the euroo_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. Aud 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 (o).

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 com. mandments 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.

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.

(9) 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 your 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 accept his person? Will ye contend for God? Rom. 3. 8. And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, 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.

Q. 101. 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) i 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) Acts 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 establish 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.