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Question 1: Who is the first and chiefest being?

Answer: God is the first and chiefest being.⁴⁹⁸

1. 498. Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Psalm 97:9

Question 2: Ought everyone to believe there is a God?

Answer: Everyone ought to believe there is a God;⁴⁹⁹ and it is their great sin and folly who do not.⁵⁰⁰

1. 499. Hebrews 11:6
2. 500. Psalm 14:1

Question 3: How may we know there is a God?

Answer: The light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God;⁵⁰¹ but his word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners.⁵⁰²

1. 501. Romans 1:19–20; Psalm 19:1–3; Acts 17:24
2. 502. 1 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:15,16

Question 4: What is the word of God?

Answer: The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience.⁵⁰³

1. 503. 2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 2:20

Question 5: May all men make use of the holy scriptures?

Answer: All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures.⁵⁰⁴

1. 504. John 5:38; 17:17–18; Revelation 1:3; Acts 8:30

Question 6: What things are chiefly contained in the holy scriptures?

Answer: The holy scriptures chiefly contain what man ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requireth of man.⁵⁰⁵

1. 505. 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:15–16

Question 7: What is God?

Answer: God is a Spirit,⁵⁰⁶ infinite,⁵⁰⁷ eternal,⁵⁰⁸ and unchangeable⁵⁰⁹ in his being,⁵¹⁰ wisdom,⁵¹¹ power,⁵¹² holiness,⁵¹³ justice, goodness, and truth.⁵¹⁴

1. 506. John 4:24
2. 507. Job 11:7, 8, 9
3. 508. Psalm 90:2
4. 509. James 1:17
5. 510. Exodus 3:14
6. 511. Psalm 147:5
7. 512. Revelation 4:8
8. 513. Revelation 15:4
9. 514. Exodus 34:6

Question 8: Are there more gods than one?

Answer: There is but one only, the living and true God.⁵¹⁵

1. 515. Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10

Question 9: How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Answer: There are three persons in the godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory.⁵¹⁶

1. 516. 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19

Question 10: What are the decrees of God?

Answer: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.⁵¹⁷

1. 517. Ephesians 1:4, 11; Romans 9:22–23; Isaiah 46:10; Lamentations 3:37

Question 11: How doth God execute his decrees?

Answer: God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

Question 12: What is the work of creation?

Answer: The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.⁵¹⁸

1. 518. Genesis 1 throughout; Hebrews 11:3

Question 13: How did God create man?

Answer: God created man, male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.⁵¹⁹

1. 519. Genesis 1:26–28; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24

Question 14: What are God’s works of providence?

Answer: God’s works of providence are his most holy,⁵²⁰ wise,⁵²¹ and powerful preserving⁵²² and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.⁵²³

1. 520. Psalm 145:17
2. 521. Isaiah 28:29; Psalm 104:24
3. 522. Hebrews 1:3
4. 523. Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29–31

Question 15: What special act of providence did God exercise towards man in the estate wherein he was created?

Answer: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.⁵²⁴

1. 524. Galatians 3:12; Genesis 2:17

Question 16: Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

Answer: Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.⁵²⁵

1. 525. Genesis 3:6–8, 13; Ecclesiastes 7:29

Question 17: What is sin?

Answer: Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.⁵²⁶

1. 526. 1 John 3:4

Question 18: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

Answer: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.⁵²⁷

1. 527. Genesis 3:6, 12, 16–17

Question 19: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?

Answer: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.⁵²⁸

1. 528. Genesis 2:16–17; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22

Question 20: Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

Answer: The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.⁵²⁹

1. 529. Romans 5:12

Question 21: Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

Answer: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.⁵³⁰

1. 530. Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3; James 1:14–15; Matthew 15:19

Question 22: What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

Answer: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God,⁵³¹ are under his wrath and curse,⁵³² and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.⁵³³

1. 531. Genesis 3:8, 10, 24
2. 532. Ephesians 2:2–3; Galatians 3:10
3. 533. Lamentations 3:39; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:41, 46

Question 23: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

Answer: God having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life,⁵³⁴ did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.⁵³⁵

1. 534. Ephesians 1:4–5
2. 535. Romans 3:20–22; Galatians 3:21–22

Question 24: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

Answer: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ;⁵³⁶ who, being the eternal Son of God, became man,⁵³⁷ and so was and continueth to be God and man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever.⁵³⁸

1. 536. 1 Timothy 2:5–6
2. 537. John 1:14; Galatians 4:4
3. 538. Romans 9:5; Luke 1:35; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 7:24–25

Question 25: How did Christ, being the Son of God become man?

Answer: Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body,⁵³⁹ and a reasonable soul;⁵⁴⁰ being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her,⁵⁴¹ yet without sin.⁵⁴²

1. 539. Hebrews 2:14, 17; 10:5
2. 540. Matthew 26:38
3. 541. Luke 1:27, 31, 34–35, 42; Galatians 4:4
4. 542. Hebrews 4:15; 7:26

Question 26: What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Answer: Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.⁵⁴³

1. 543. Acts 3:22; Hebrews 12:25; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Hebrews 5:5–7; 7:25; Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 9:6–7; Matthew 21:5; Psalm 2:8–11

Question 27: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of prophet in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.⁵⁴⁴

1. 544. John 1:18; 1 Peter 1:10–12; John 15:15; 20:31

Question 28: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of priest in his once offering up himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice⁵⁴⁵ and reconcile us to God,⁵⁴⁶ and in making continual intercession for us.⁵⁴⁷

1. 545. Hebrews 9:14, 28
2. 546. Hebrews 2:17
3. 547. Hebrews 7:24–25

Question 29: How doth Christ execute the office of king?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself,⁵⁴⁸ in ruling,⁵⁴⁹ and defending us,⁵⁵⁰ and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.⁵⁵¹

1. 548. Acts 15:14–16
2. 549. Isaiah 33:22
3. 550. Isaiah 32:1–2
4. 551. 1 Corinthians 15:25; Psalm 110 throughout

Question 30: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

Answer: Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition,⁵⁵² made under the law,⁵⁵³ undergoing the miseries of this life,⁵⁵⁴ the wrath of God,⁵⁵⁵ and the cursed death of the cross;⁵⁵⁶ in being buried,⁵⁵⁷ and continuing under the power of death for a time.⁵⁵⁸

1. 552. Luke 2:7
2. 553. Galatians 4:4
3. 554. Hebrews 12:2–3; Isaiah 53:2–3
4. 555. Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46
5. 556. Philippians 2:8
6. 557. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
7. 558. Acts 2:24–27, 31; Matthew 12:40

Question 31: Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

Answer: Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day,⁵⁵⁹ in ascending up into heaven,⁵⁶⁰ in sitting at the right hand of God the Father,⁵⁶¹ and in coming to judge the world at the last day.⁵⁶²

1. 559. 1 Corinthians 15:4
2. 560. Mark 16:19
3. 561. Ephesians 1:20
4. 562. Acts 1:11, 17:31

Question 32: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us⁵⁶³ by his Holy Spirit.⁵⁶⁴

1. 563. John 1:11–12
2. 564. Titus 3:5–6

Question 33: How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us,⁵⁶⁵ and thereby uniting us to Christ, in our effectual calling.⁵⁶⁶

1. 565. Ephesians 1:13–14; John 6:37, 39; Ephesians 2:8
2. 566. Ephesians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 1:9

Question 34: What is effectual calling?

Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit,⁵⁶⁷ whereby convincing us of our sin and misery,⁵⁶⁸ enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ,⁵⁶⁹ and renewing our wills,⁵⁷⁰ he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.⁵⁷¹

1. 567. 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14
2. 568. Acts 2:37
3. 569. Acts 26:18
4. 570. Ezekiel 36:26–27
5. 571. John 6:44–45; Philippians 2:13

Question 35: What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

Answer: They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification,⁵⁷² adoption,⁵⁷³ sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.⁵⁷⁴

1. 572. Romans 8:30
2. 573. Ephesians 1:5
3. 574. 1 Corinthians 1:30

Question 36: What is justification?

Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins,⁵⁷⁵ and accepteth us as righteous in his sight,⁵⁷⁶ only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us,⁵⁷⁷ and received by faith alone.⁵⁷⁸

1. 575. Romans 3:24–25; 4:6–8
2. 576. 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21
3. 577. Romans 5:17–19
4. 578. Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9

Question 37: What is adoption?

Answer: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace,⁵⁷⁹ whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.⁵⁸⁰

1. 579. 1 John 3:1
2. 580. John 1:12; Romans 8:14–17

Question 38: What is sanctification?

Answer: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace,⁵⁸¹ whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,⁵⁸² and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.⁵⁸³

1. 581. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
2. 582. Ephesians 4:23–24
3. 583. Romans 6:4,6; 8:1

Question 39: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification?

Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience,⁵⁸⁴ joy in the Holy Spirit,⁵⁸⁵ increase of grace,⁵⁸⁶ and perseverance therein to the end.⁵⁸⁷

1. 584. Romans 5:1–2, 5
2. 585. Romans 5:5, 17
3. 586. Proverbs 4:18
4. 587. 1 John 5:13; 1 Peter 1:5

Question 40: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

Answer: The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness,⁵⁸⁸ and do immediately pass into glory;⁵⁸⁹ and their bodies being still united to Christ,⁵⁹⁰ do rest in their graves⁵⁹¹ till the resurrection.⁵⁹²

1. 588. Hebrews 12:23
2. 589. 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6, 8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43
3. 590. 1 Thessalonians 4:14
4. 591. Isaiah 57:2
5. 592. Job 19:26–27

Question 41: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

Answer: At the resurrection believers, being raised up in glory,⁵⁹³ shall be openly acknowledged, and acquitted in the day of judgment,⁵⁹⁴ and made perfectly blessed, both in soul and body, in the full enjoyment of God⁵⁹⁵ to all eternity.⁵⁹⁶

1. 593. 1 Corinthians 15:43
2. 594. Matthew 25:23; Matthew 10:32
3. 595. 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12
4. 596. 1 Thessalonians 4:17–18

Question 42: But what shall be done to the wicked at their death?

Answer: The souls of the wicked shall, at their death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.⁵⁹⁷

1. 597. Luke 16:23–24; Acts 2:24; Jude 5, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Psalm 49:14

Question 43: What shall be done to the wicked, at the day of judgment?

Answer: At the day of judgment the bodies of the wicked, being raised out of their graves, shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels for ever.⁵⁹⁸

1. 598. John 5:28–29; Matthew 25:41, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9

Question 44: What is the duty which God requireth of man?

Answer: The duty which God requireth of man is, obedience to his revealed will.⁵⁹⁹

1. 599. Micah 6:8; 1 Samuel 15:22

Question 45: What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

Answer: The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.⁶⁰⁰

1. 600. Romans 2:14–15; 10:5

Question 46: Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?

Answer: The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.⁶⁰¹

1. 601. Deuteronomy 10:4; Matthew 19:17

Question 47: What is the sum of the ten commandments?

Answer: The sum of the ten commandments is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves.⁶⁰²

1. 602. Matthew 22:37–40

Question 48: What is the preface to the ten commandments?

Answer: 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.⁶⁰³

1. 603. Exodus 20:2

Question 49: What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?

Answer: The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.⁶⁰⁴

1. 604. Luke 1:74–75; 1 Peter 1:15–19

Question 50: Which is the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.⁶⁰⁵

1. 605. Exodus 20:3

Question 51: What is required in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God,⁶⁰⁶ and to worship and glorify him accordingly.⁶⁰⁷

1. 606. 1 Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17
2. 607. Matthew 4:10; Psalm 29:2

Question 52: What is forbidden in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment forbiddeth the denying,⁶⁰⁸ or not worshipping and glorifying the true God,⁶⁰⁹ as God and our God,⁶¹⁰ and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto him alone.⁶¹¹

1. 608. Psalm 14:1
2. 609. Romans 1:21
3. 610. Psalm 81:10–11
4. 611. Romans 1:25–26

Question 53: What are we especially taught by these words before me, in the first commandment?

Answer: 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.⁶¹²

1. 612. Exodus 8:5ff

Question 54: Which is the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything 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 thyself 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 shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.⁶¹³

1. 613. Exodus 20:4–6

Question 55: What is required in the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and ordinances, as God hath appointed in his word.⁶¹⁴

1. 614. Deuteronomy 32:46; Matthew 23:20; Acts 2:42

Question 56: What is forbidden in the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images⁶¹⁵ or any other way not appointed in his word.⁶¹⁶

1. 615. Deuteronomy 4:15–19; Exodus 32:5, 8
2. 616. Deuteronomy 12:31–32

Question 57: What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us,⁶¹⁷ his propriety in us,⁶¹⁸ and the zeal he hath to his own worship.⁶¹⁹

1. 617. Psalm 45:2–3, 6
2. 618. Psalm 45:11
3. 619. Exodus 34:13–14

Question 58: Which is the third commandment?

Answer: 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.⁶²⁰

1. 620. Exodus 20:7

Question 59: What is required in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names,⁶²¹ titles,⁶²² attributes,⁶²³ ordinances,⁶²⁴ word⁶²⁵ and works.⁶²⁶

1. 621. Matthew 6:9; Deuteronomy 28:58
2. 622. Psalm 68:4
3. 623. Revelation 15:3–4
4. 624. Malachi 1:11,14
5. 625. Psalm 136:1–2
6. 626. Job 36:24

Question 60: What is forbidden in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning and abusing of any thing whereby God makes himself known.⁶²⁷

1. 627. Malachi 1:6–7, 12; 2:2; 3:14

Question 61: What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

Answer: The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.⁶²⁸

1. 628. 1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 22, 29; 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:58–59

Question 62: What is the fourth commandment?

Answer: 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, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor the 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; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.⁶²⁹

1. 629. Exodus 20:8–11

Question 63: What is required in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God one whole day in seven to be a Sabbath to Himself.⁶³⁰

1. 630. Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–14

Question 64: Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?

Answer: Before the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath;⁶³¹ and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath.⁶³²

1. 631. Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–14
2. 632. Psalm 118:24; Matthew 28:1; Mark 2:27–28; John 20:19–20, 26; Revelation 1:10; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1, 30–36; John 20:1; Acts 1:3; 2:1–2; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2

Question 65: How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?

Answer: The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day,⁶³³ even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days;⁶³⁴ and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship,⁶³⁵ except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.⁶³⁶

1. 633. Exodus 20:8, 10
2. 634. Exodus 16:25–28; Nehemiah 13:15–22
3. 635. Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; Psalm 92:title; Isaiah 66:23
4. 636. Matthew 12:1–13

Question 66: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required,⁶³⁷ and the profaning the day by idleness,⁶³⁸ or doing that which is in itself sinful,⁶³⁹ or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about worldly employments or recreations.⁶⁴⁰

1. 637. Ezekiel 22:26; Amos 8:5; Malachi 1:13
2. 638. Acts 20:7,9
3. 639. Ezekiel 23:38
4. 640. Jeremiah 17:24–27; Isaiah 58:13

Question 67: What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment, are God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own lawful employments,⁶⁴¹ his challenging a special propriety in a seventh, his own example, and his blessing the Sabbath day.⁶⁴²

1. 641. Exodus 20:9
2. 642. Exodus 20:11

Question 68: Which is the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.⁶⁴³

1. 643. Exodus 20:12

Question 69: What is required in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors,⁶⁴⁴ inferiors,⁶⁴⁵ or equals.⁶⁴⁶

1. 644. Ephesians 5:21
2. 645. 1 Peter 2:17
3. 646. Romans 12:10

Question 70: What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglect of, or doing any thing against the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations.⁶⁴⁷

1. 647. Matthew 15:4–6; Ezekiel 34:24; Romans 13:8

Question 71: What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

Answer: The reason annexed to 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.⁶⁴⁸

1. 648. Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2–3

Question 72: What is the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.⁶⁴⁹

1. 649. Exodus 20:13

Question 73: What is required in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life⁶⁵⁰ and the life of others.⁶⁵¹

1. 650. Ephesians 5:28–29
2. 651. 1 Kings 18:4

Question 74: What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment absolutely forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.⁶⁵²

1. 652. Acts 26:28; Genesis 9:9

Question 75: Which is the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.⁶⁵³

1. 653. Exodus 20:14

Question 76: What is required in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbour’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.⁶⁵⁴

1. 654. 1 Corinthians 7:2–3, 5, 34, 36; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:2

Question 77: What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.⁶⁵⁵

1. 655. Matthew 15:19; 5:28; Ephesians 5:3–4

Question 78: Which is the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.⁶⁵⁶

1. 656. Exodus 20:15

Question 79: What is required in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.⁶⁵⁷

1. 657. Genesis 30:30; 1 Timothy 5:8; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 22:1–5; Exodus 23:4–5; Genesis 47:14, 20

Question 80: What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own⁶⁵⁸ or our neighbour’s wealth or outward estate.⁶⁵⁹

1. 658. 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 28:19
2. 659. Proverbs 21:17, 23:20–21; Ephesians 4:28

Question 81: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.⁶⁶⁰

1. 660. Exodus 20:16

Question 82: What is required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man,⁶⁶¹ and of our own and our neighbour’s good name,⁶⁶² especially in witness bearing.⁶⁶³

1. 661. Zechariah 8:16
2. 662. John 5:12
3. 663. Proverbs 14:5, 25

Question 83: What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to the truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour’s good name.⁶⁶⁴

1. 664. 1 Samuel 17:28; Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:2–3

Question 84: Which is the tenth commandment?

Answer: 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 maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.⁶⁶⁵

1. 665. Exodus 20:17

Question 85: What is required in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition,⁶⁶⁶ with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.⁶⁶⁷

1. 666. Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6
2. 667. Job 31:29; Romans 7:15; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 8:4,7

Question 86: What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate,⁶⁶⁸ envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour,⁶⁶⁹ and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.⁶⁷⁰

1. 668. 1 Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; 1 Corinthians 10:10
2. 669. Galatians 5:26; James 3:14,16
3. 670. Romans 7:7–8, 13:9; Deuteronomy 5:21

Question 87: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

Answer: No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God,⁶⁷¹ but doth daily break them in thought, word, or deed.⁶⁷²

1. 671. Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10; Galatians 5:17
2. 672. Genesis 6:5, 8:21; Rom. 3:9–21; James 3:2–13

Question 88: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

Answer: Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.⁶⁷³

1. 673. Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15; 1 John 5:16; Psalm 78:17, 32, 56

Question 89: What doth every sin deserve?

Answer: Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come.⁶⁷⁴

1. 674. Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10; Lamentations 3:39; Matthew 25:41; Romans 6:23

Question 90: What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?

Answer: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life,⁶⁷⁵ with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.⁶⁷⁶

1. 675. Acts 20:21
2. 676. Proverbs 2:1–6, 8:33 to the end; Isaiah 55:2–3

Question 91: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace,⁶⁷⁷ whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.⁶⁷⁸

1. 677. Hebrews 10:39
2. 678. John 1:12; Isaiah 26:3–4; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16

Question 92: What is repentance unto life?

Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace,⁶⁷⁹ whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin,⁶⁸⁰ and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ,⁶⁸¹ doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,⁶⁸² with full purpose of and endeavour after new obedience.⁶⁸³

1. 679. Acts 11:28
2. 680. Acts 2:37–38
3. 681. Joel 2:12; Jeremiah 3:22
4. 682. Jeremiah 31:18–19; Ezekiel 36:31
5. 683. 2 Corinthians 7:11; Isaiah 1:16–17

Question 93: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

Answer: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, baptism, the Lord’s supper, and prayer; all which means are made effectual to the elect for salvation.⁶⁸⁴

1. 684. Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:42, 46–47

Question 94: How is the word made effectual to salvation?

Answer: The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.⁶⁸⁵

1. 685. Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 26:18; Psalm 19:8; Acts 20:32; Romans 1:15–16; 10:13–17; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25; 2 Timothy 3:15–17

Question 95: How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?

Answer: That the word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence,⁶⁸⁶ preparation,⁶⁸⁷ and prayer;⁶⁸⁸ receive it with faith and love,⁶⁸⁹ lay it up in our hearts,⁶⁹⁰ and practice it in our lives.⁶⁹¹

1. 686. Proverbs 8:34
2. 687. 1 Peter 2:1–2
3. 688. Psalm 119:18
4. 689. Hebrews 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:10
5. 690. Psalm 119:18
6. 691. Luke 8:15; James 1:25

Question 96: How do baptism and the Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation?

Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ,⁶⁹² and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them.⁶⁹³

1. 692. 1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 3:11; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7
2. 693. 1 Corinthians 12:3; Matthew 28:19

Question 97: What is baptism?

Answer: Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, burial, and resurrection; of his being ingrafted into him;⁶⁹⁴ of remission of sins;⁶⁹⁵ and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.⁶⁹⁶

1. 694. Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27
2. 695. Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38, 22:16
3. 696. Romans 6:3–4

Question 98: To whom is baptism to be administered?

Answer: Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God,⁶⁹⁷ faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other.⁶⁹⁸

1. 697. Acts 2:38; Matthew 3:6
2. 698. Acts 8:12, 36–38; 10:47–48

Question 99: Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?

Answer: The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command or example in the holy scriptures, or certain consequence from them to baptize such.⁶⁹⁹

1. 699. Proverbs 30:6; Luke 3:7–8

Question 100: How is Baptism rightly administered?

Answer: Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the party in water, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s institution, and the practice of the apostles,⁷⁰⁰ and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men.

1. 700. Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; 4:1–2; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 8:38; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12

Question 101: What is the duty of such who are rightly baptized?

Answer: It is the duty of such who are rightly baptized to give up themselves to some particular and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.⁷⁰¹

1. 701. Acts 2:41–42; 5:13–14; 9:26; 1 Peter 2:5; Luke 1:6

Question 102: What is the Lord’s supper?

Answer: The Lord’s supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.⁷⁰²

1. 702. Matthew 26:26–28; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; 10:16

Question 103: Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?

Answer: They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works.⁷⁰³

1. 703. Acts 2:41–42

Question 104: What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s supper?

Answer: It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body,⁷⁰⁴ of their faith to feed upon him,⁷⁰⁵ of their repentance,⁷⁰⁶ love,⁷⁰⁷ and new obedience,⁷⁰⁸ lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves.⁷⁰⁹

1. 704. 1 Corinthians 11:28–29
2. 705. 2 Corinthians 13:5
3. 706. 1 Corinthians 11:31
4. 707. 1 Corinthians 10:16–17
5. 708. 1 Corinthians 5:7–8
6. 709. 1 Corinthians 11:28–29

Question 105: What is prayer?

Answer: Prayer is an offering up our desires to God,⁷¹⁰ by the assistance of the Holy Spirit,⁷¹¹ for things agreeable to his will,⁷¹² in the name of Christ,⁷¹³ believing,⁷¹⁴ with confession of our sins,⁷¹⁵ and thankful acknowledgments of his mercies.⁷¹⁶

1. 710. Psalm 62:8
2. 711. Romans 8:26
3. 712. 1 John 5:14; Romans 8:27
4. 713. John 16:23
5. 714. Matthew 21:22; James 1:6
6. 715. Psalm 32:5–6; Daniel 9:4
7. 716. Philippians 4:6

Question 106: What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

Answer: The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer;⁷¹⁷ but the special rule of direction is that prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord’s prayer.⁷¹⁸

1. 717. 1 John 5:14
2. 718. Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4

Question 107: What doth the preface of the Lord’s prayer teach us?

Answer: The preface of the Lord’s prayer, which is Our Father which art in heaven,⁷¹⁹ teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us;⁷²⁰ and that we should pray with and for others.⁷²¹

1. 719. Matthew 6:9
2. 720. Romans 8:15; Luke 11:13; Isaiah 24:8
3. 721. Acts 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:1–2

Question 108: What do we pray for in the first petition?

Answer: In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name,⁷²² we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known,⁷²³ and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.⁷²⁴

1. 722. Matthew 6:9
2. 723. Psalm 67:2–3
3. 724. Psalm 83 throughout; Romans 11:36

Question 109: What do we pray for in the second petition?

Answer: In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come,⁷²⁵ we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed,⁷²⁶ and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced⁷²⁷ ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it,⁷²⁸ and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.⁷²⁹

1. 725. Matthew 6:10
2. 726. Psalm 68:1, 18
3. 727. Revelation 12:10–11
4. 728. 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Romans 10:1; John 17:19–20
5. 729. Revelation 22:10

Question 110: What do we pray for in the third petition?

Answer: In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven⁷³⁰ we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things,⁷³¹ as the angels do in heaven.⁷³²

1. 730. Matthew 6:10
2. 731. Psalm 67 throughout; Psalm 119:36; 2 Samuel 15:25; Job 1:21
3. 732. Psalm 103:20–21

Question 111: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

Answer: In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread,⁷³³ we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.⁷³⁴

1. 733. Matthew 6:11
2. 734. Proverbs 30:8; Genesis 28:20; 1 Timothy 4:4–5

Question 112: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

Answer: In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,⁷³⁵ we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins⁷³⁶ which we are rather encouraged to ask because of his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.⁷³⁷

1. 735. Matthew 6:12
2. 736. Psalm 51:1–2,7,9; Daniel 9:17–19
3. 737. Luke 11:4; Matthew 18:35

Question 113: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

Answer: In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,⁷³⁸ we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin,⁷³⁹ or support and deliver us when we are tempted.⁷⁴⁰

1. 738. Matthew 6:13
2. 739. Matthew 26:31
3. 740. 2 Corinthians 12:8

Question 114: What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s prayer teach us?

Answer: The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, which is, For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen,⁷⁴¹ teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only,⁷⁴² and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory, to Him.⁷⁴³ And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.⁷⁴⁴

1. 741. Matthew 6:13
2. 742. Daniel 9:4,7–9,16–19
3. 743. 1 Chronicles 29:10–13
4. 744. 1 Corinthians 4:16; Revelation 22:20–21