(Heidelberg Catechism. part 4)
34. Lord's Day
Q. 92.
What is the law of God?
A.
God spake all these words,
Exodus 20:1-17 and Denteronomy 5:6-21, saying:
I am the LORD thy God,
which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage.
1st commandment:
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2nd commandment:
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 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.
3rd commandment:
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.
4th commandment:
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 manservant, nor thy maidservant,
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:
wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day,
and hallowed it.
5th commandment:
Honour thy father and thy mother:
that thy days may be long upon the land
which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6th commandment:
Thou shalt not kill.
7th commandment:
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8th commandment:
Thou shalt not steal.
9th commandment:
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10th commandment:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife,
nor his manservant, nor his maidservant,
nor his ox, nor his ass,
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Q. 93.
How are these commandments divided?
A.
Into two tables; (a)
the first of which teaches us how we must behave towards God;
the second, what duties we owe to our neighbour. (b)
(a) Exod.34:28; Deut.4:13; Deut.10:3,4. (b) Matt.22:37-40.
Q. 94.
What does God enjoin in the first commandment?
A.
That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul,
avoid and flee
from all idolatry, (a)
sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, (b)
invocation of saints, or any other creatures; (c)
and learn rightly to know the only true God; (d)
trust in him alone, (e)
with humility (f)
and patience submit to him; (g)
expect all good things from him only; (h)
love, (i)
fear, (j)
and glorify him with my whole heart; (k)
so that I renounce and forsake all creatures,
rather than commit even the least thing contrary to his will. (l)
(a) 1 John 5:21; 1 Cor.6:9,10; 1 Cor.10:7,14. (b) Lev.19:31; Deut.18:9-
12. (c) Matt.4:10; Rev.19:10; Rev.22:8,9. (d) John 17:3. (e)
Jer.17:5,7. (f) 1 Pet.5:5,6. (g) Heb.10:36; Col.1:11; Rom.5:3,4;
1 Cor.10:10; Philip.2:14. (h) Ps.104:27-30; Isa.45:7; James 1:17. (i)
Deut.6:5; Matt.22:37. (j) Deut.6:2; Ps.111:10; Prov.1:7; Prov.9:10;
Matt.10:28. (k) Matt.4:10; Deut.10:20,21. (l) Matt.5:29,30;
Matt.10:37; Acts 5:29.
Q. 95.
What is idolatry?
A.
Idolatry is,
instead of,
or besides that one true God,
who has manifested himself in his word,
to contrive, or have any other object,
in which men place their trust. (a)
(a) Eph.5:5; 1 Chron.16:26; Philip.3:19; Gal.4:8; Eph.2:12; 1 John
2:23; 2 John 1:9; John 5:23.
35. Lord's Day
Q. 96.
What does God require in the second commandment?
A.
That we in no wise represent God by images, (a)
nor worship him in any other way
than he has commanded in his word. (b)
(a) Deut.4:15-19; Isa.40:18-25; Rom.1:23,24; Acts 17:29. (b)
1 Sam.15:23; Deut.12:30-32; Matt.15:9.
Q. 97.
Are images then not at all to be made?
A.
God neither can, nor may be represented by any means: (a)
but as to creatures;
though they may be represented,
yet God forbids to make, or have any resemblance of them,
either in order to worship them or to serve God by them. (b)
(a) Isa.40:25. (b) Exod.23:24,25; Exod.34:13,14,17; Num.33:52;
Deut.7:5; Deut.12:3; Deut.16:21; 2 Kin.18:3,4.
Q. 98.
But may not images be tolerated in the churches,
as books to the laity?
A.
No:
for we must not pretend to be wiser than God,
who will have his people taught,
not by dump images, (a)
but by the lively preaching of his word. (b)
(a) Jer.10:8; Hab.2:18,19. (b) Rom.10:14,15,17; 2 Pet.1:19; 2
Tim.3:16,17.
36. Lord's Day
Q. 99.
What is required in the third commandment?
A.
That we, not only by cursing (a)
or perjury, (b)
but also by rash swearing, (c)
must not profane or abuse the name of God;
nor by silence or connivance
be partakers of these horrible sins in others; (d)
and, briefly,
that we use the holy name of God no otherwise
than with fear and reverence; (e)
so that he may be rightly confessed (f)
and worshipped by us, (g)
and be glorified in all our words and works. (h)
(a) Lev.24:11-16. (b) Lev.19:12. (c) Matt.5:37; James 5:12. (d)
Lev.5:1; Prov.29:24. (e) Jer.4:2; Isa.45:23. (f) Rom.10:9,10;
Matt.10:32. (g) Ps.50:15; 1 Tim.2:8. (h) Rom.2:24; 1 Tim.6:1;
Col.3:16,17.
Q. 100.
Is then the profaning of God's name, by swearing and cursing,
so heinous a sin,
that his wrath is kindled against those
who do not endeavour, as much as in them lies,
to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?
A.
It undoubtedly is, (a)
for there is no sin greater
or more provoking to God,
than the profaning of his name;
and therefore he has commanded this sin to be punished with death. (b)
(a) Prov.29:24; Lev.5:1. (b) Lev.24:15,16.
37. Lord's Day
Q. 101.
May we then swear religiously
by the name of God?
A.
Yes:
either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects;
or when necessity
requires us
thereby to confirm a fidelity and truth
to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbour:
for such an oath is founded on God's word, (a)
and therefore
was justly used by the saints,
both in the Old and New Testament. (b)
(a) Deut.6:13; Deut.10:20; Isa.48:1; Heb.6:16. (b) Gen.21:24;
Gen.31:53,54; Jos.9:15,19; 1 Sam.24:22; 2 Sam.3:35; 1 Kin.1:28-30;
Rom.1:9; 2 Cor.1:23.
Q. 102.
May we also swear
by saints
or any other creatures?
A.
No;
for a lawful oath is calling upon God,
as the only one who knows the heart,
that he will bear witness to the truth,
and punish me if I swear falsely; (a)
which honour is due to no creature. (b)
(a) 2 Cor.1:23; Rom.9:1. (b) Matt.5:34-36; James 5:12.
38. Lord's Day
Q. 103.
What does God require in the fourth commandment?
A.
First,
that the ministry of the gospel
and the schools be maintained; (a)
and that I,
especially on the sabbath,
that is, on the day of rest,
diligently frequent the church of God, (b)
to hear his word, (c)
to use the sacraments, (d)
publicly to call upon the Lord, (e)
and contribute to the relief of the poor. (f)
Secondly,
that all the days of my life
I cease from my evil works,
and yield myself to the Lord, to work by his Holy Spirit in me:
and thus begin in this life the eternal sabbath. (g)
(a) Tit.1:5; 2 Tim.3:14,15; 1 Tim.5:17; 1 Cor.9:11,13,14; 2 Tim.2:2.
(b) Ps.40:10,11; Ps.68:27; Acts 2:42,46. (c) 1 Tim.4:13,19;
1 Cor.14:29,31. (d) 1 Cor.11:33. (e) 1 Tim.2:1-3,8-11; 1 Cor.14:16.
(f) 1 Cor.16:2. (g) Isa.66:23.
39. Lord's Day
Q. 104.
What does God require in the fifth commandment?
A.
That I show all honour, love and fidelity,
to my father and mother,
and all in authority over me,
and submit myself to their good instruction and correction,
with due obedience; (a)
and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, (b)
since it pleases God to govern us by their hand. (c)
(a) Eph.5:22; Eph.6:1-5; Col.3:18,20-24; Prov.1:8; Prov.4:1;
Prov.15:20; Prov.20:20; Exod.21:17; Rom.13:1-7. (b) Prov.23:22;
Gen.9:24,25; 1 Pet.2:18. (c) Eph.6:4,9; Col.3:19-21; Rom.13:2,3;
Matt.22:21.
40. Lord's Day
Q. 105.
What does God require in the sixth commandment?
A.
That neither in thoughts,
nor words, nor gestures,
much less in deeds,
I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour,
by myself or by another: (a)
but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: (b)
also, that I hurt not myself,
nor wilfully expose myself to any danger. (c)
Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword,
to prevent murder. (d)
(a) Matt.5:21,22; Matt.26:52; Gen.9:6. (b) Eph.4:26; Rom.12:19;
Matt.5:25; Matt.18:35. (c) Rom.13:14; Col.2:23; Matt.4:7. (d) Gen.9:6;
Exod.21:14; Matt.26:52; Rom.13:4.
Q. 106.
But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?
A.
In forbidding murder,
God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof,
such as envy, (a)
hatred, (b)
anger, (c)
and desire of revenge;
and that he accounts all these as murder. (d)
(a) Prov.14:30; Rom.1:29. (b) 1 John 2:9,11. (c) James 1:20;
Gal.5:19,21. (d) 1 John 3:15.
Q. 107.
But is it enough that we do not kill any man
in the manner mentioned above?
A.
No:
for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger,
he commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves; (a)
to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy,
and all kindness, towards him, (b)
and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; (c)
and that we do good, even to our enemies. (d)
(a) Matt.7:12; Matt.22:39; Rom.12:10. (b) Eph.4:2; Gal.6:1,2;
Matt.5:5,7,9; Rom.12:18; Luke 6:36; 1 Pet.3:8; Col.3:12; Rom.12:10,15.
(c) Exod.23:5. (d) Matt.5:44,45; Rom.12:20,21.
41. Lord's Day
Q. 108.
What does the seventh commandment teach us?
A.
That all uncleanness is accursed of God: (a)
and that therefore
we must with all our hearts detest the same, (b)
and live chastely and temperately, (c)
whether in holy wedlock, or in single life. (d)
(a) Lev.18:27,28. (b) Jude 1:23. (c) 1 Thess.4:3-5. (d) Heb.13:4;
1 Cor.7:7-9,27.
Q. 109.
Does God forbid in this commandment,
only adultery, and such like gross sins?
A.
Since both our body and soul are temples of the holy Ghost,
he commands us to preserve them pure and holy:
therefore he forbids all unchaste actions,
gestures, words, (a)
thoughts, desires, (b)
and whatever can entice men thereto. (c)
(a) Eph.5:3,4; 1 Cor.6:18-20. (b) Matt.5:27,28. (c) Eph.5:18;
1 Cor.15:33.
42. Lord's Day
Q. 110.
What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
A.
God forbids not only those thefts, (a)
and robberies, (b)
which are punishable by the magistrate;
but he comprehends under the name of theft
all wicked tricks and devices,
whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves
the goods which belong to our neighbour: (c)
whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right,
as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, (d)
false coins, usury, (e)
or by any other way forbidden by God;
as also all covetousness, (f)
all abuse and waste of his gifts. (g)
(a) 1 Cor.6:10. (b) 1 Cor.5:10; Isa.33:1. (c) Luke 3:14; 1 Thess.4:6.
(d) Prov.11:1; Prov.16:11; Ezek.45:9-12; Deut.25:13-16. (e) Ps.15:5;
Luke 6:35. (f) 1 Cor.6:10. (g) Prov.23:20,21; Prov.21:20.
Q. 111.
But what does God require in this commandment?
A.
That I promote the advantage of my neighbour
in every instance I can or may;
and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: (a)
further also
that I faithfully labour,
so that I may be able to relieve the needy. (b)
(a) Matt.7:12. (b) Eph.4:28.
43. Lord's Day
Q. 112.
What is required in the ninth commandment?
A.
That I bear false witness against no man, (a)
nor falsify any man's words; (b)
that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; (c)
that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly,
or unheard; (d)
but that I avoid
all sorts of lies and deceit,
as the proper works of the devil, (e)
unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; (f)
likewise,
that in judgment
and all other dealings
I love the truth,
speak it uprightly and confess it; (g)
also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able,
the horror and good character of my neighbour. (h)
(a) Prov.19:5,9; Prov.21:28. (b) Ps.15:3; Ps.50:19,20. (c)
Rom.1:29,30. (d) Matt.7:1,2; Luke 6:37. (e) John 8:44. (f) Prov.12:22;
Prov.13:5. (g) 1 Cor.13:6; Eph.4:25. (h) 1 Pet.4:8.
44. Lord's Day
Q. 113.
What does the tenth commandment require of us?
A.
That even the smallest inclination or thought,
contrary to any of God's commandments,
never rise in our hearts;
but that at all times
we hate all sin with our whole heart,
and delight in all righteousness. (a)
(a) Rom.7:7.
Q. 114.
But can those who are converted to God
perfectly keep these commandments?
A.
No: but even the holiest men,
while in this life,
have only a small beginning of this obedience; (a)
yet so, that with a sincere resolution
they begin to live,
not only according to some, but all the commandments of God. (b)
(a) 1 John 1:8-10; Rom.7:14,15; Eccl.7:20; 1 Cor.13:9. (b) Rom.7:22;
Ps.1:2; James 2:10.
Q. 115.
Why will God then have
the ten commandments so strictly preached,
since no man in this life can keep them?
A.
First, that all our lifetime
we may learn more and more to know (a)
our sinful nature,
and thus become the more earnest
in seeking the remission of sin,
and righteousness in Christ; (b)
likewise, that we constantly endeavour
and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit,
that we may become more and more
conformable to the image of God,
till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us,
in a life to come. (c)
(a) Rom.3:20; 1 John 1:9; Ps.32:5. (b) Matt.5:6; Rom.7:24,25. (c)
1 Cor.9:24; Philip.3:11-14.
(continued in part 5...)
----------------------------------------------------
file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-03: hbctch-4.txt
.
