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sanctifying it; Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it (n).

Q. 121. Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth commandment?

A. The word Remember is set in the beginning of the fourth commandment (o), partly because of the great benefit of remembering it, we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep it (p), and, in keeping it, better to keep all the rest of the commandments (q), and to continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of creation and redemption, which contain a short abridgment of religion (r); and partly because we are very ready to forget it (s), for that there is less light of nature for it (t), and yet it restraineth our natural liberty in things

(n) Exodus 20. 11. Co) Exodus 20. 8. Mark 15. 42. And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath. Neh. 13. 19.

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath-day.

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(9) Ezekiel 20. 12. 19, 20. Moreover also, I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them. And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.

(r) Gen. 2. 2, 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and

sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work, which God created and made. Psal. 118. 22. 24. The stone which the builders refused, is become the head-stone of the corner. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Compared with Acts 4. 10, 11. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.

(s) Ezek. 22. 26. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

(t) Neh. 9. 14. And madest known unto them thy holy Sab

at other times lawful (v); that it cometh but once in seven days, and many worldly businesses come between, and too often take off our minds from thinking of it, either to prepare for it, or to sanctify it (w); and that Satan with his instruments much labours to blot out the glory, and even the memory of it, to bring in all irreligion and impiety (x).

Q. 122. What is the sum of the six commandments which contain our duty to man?

A. The sum of the six commandments which contain our duty to man, is to love our neighbour as ourselves (y), and to do to others what we would have them to do to us (c).

Q. 123. 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 (a).

Q. 124. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant not only natural parents (b), but all superiors

bath, and commandest them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant.

( v ) Exod. 34. 21. Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing-time, and in harvest thou shalt rest.

(w) Amos 8. 5. Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit ?

(x) Lam. 1. 7. Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction, and of her miseries, all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the ene my, and none did help her; the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her Sabbaths. Jeremiah 17. 21.

Thus saith the Lord, take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath-day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem.

(y) Matthew 22. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

(z) Mat. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(a) Exodus 20. 12.

(b) Prov. 23. 22. 25. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. Eph. 6. 1, 2. Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise.)

in age (c), and gifts (d); and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family (e), church (f), or commonwealth (g).

Q. 125. Why are superiors styled Father and Mother? A. Superiors are styled Father and Mother, both to teach them in all duties towards their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations (h); and to work infe riors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents (i). Q126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?

A. The general scope of the fifth commandment, is the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or equals (k). Q. 127. What is the honour that inferiors one to their superiors?

A. The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors,

(c) 1 Tim. 5. 1, 2. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren: The elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.

(d) Gen. 4. 20. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

(e) 2 Kings 5. 13. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash and be clean?

(f) 2 Kings 2. 12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

(g) Isaiah 49. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursing-mothers. (h) Eph. 6. 4. And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in

the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 2 Cor. 12. 14. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 1 Thes. 2. 7, 8. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

(i) 1 Cor. 4. 14. 16. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

(k) Eph. 5. 21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 1 Peter 2. 17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King. Romans 12. 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another, with

is all due reverence in heart (1), word (in), and beliaviour (n); prayer and thanksgiving for them (o); imitation of their virtues and graces (p); willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels (q); due submission to their corrections (r); fidelity to (s), defence (t), and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places (v);

brotherly love; in honour preterring one another.

1) Mal. 1. 6. A son honour eth his father, and a servant his master; if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear.

(m) Prov. 31. 28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her. 1 Pet. 3. 6. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

(n) Lev. 19. 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God; I am the Lord.

(0) 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men: For kings, and for all that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

(p) Heb. 13. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Phil. 3. 17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample.

(9) Eph. 6. 1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right, 1 Peter 2. 13, 14. Submit yourselves to every ordin

ance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme: Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

(r) Heb. 12. 9. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence.

(s) Titus 2. 9. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again.

(t) Esther 6. 2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasu

erus.

(v) Rom. 13. 6, 7. For, for this cause pay you tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. Gal. 6. 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gen. 47. 12. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all

bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love (w), that so they may be an honour to them and to their government (x).

Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?

A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors, are all neglect of the duties required toward them (y); envying at (z), contempt of (a), and rebellion (b), against their persons (c), and places (d), in their lawful counsels (e), commands, and corrections (f); cursing, mocking (g), and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government (h).

his father's household with bread, according to their families.

(w) 1 Pet 2. 18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

(x) Psal. 127. 3. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord. Prov. 31. 23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (y) Matthew 15. 4. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

(z) Numb. 11. 28. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My Lord Moses, forbid them.

(a) 1 Samuel 8. 7. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

(b) 2 Sam. 15. from 1-12. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots, and horses, &c.

(c) Exod. 21. 15. And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

(d) 1 Sam. 10. 27. But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? and they de spised him, and brought him no presents: but he held hipeace.

(e) 1 Sam. 2. 25.-Notwith standing they (viz. the sons e Eli) hearkened not unto the voic of their father, because the Lor would slay them.

(f) Deut. 21. 18, 19. If a mai have a stubborn and rebellious son which will not obey the voice o his father, or the voice of his mo ther, and that, when they hav chastened him, will not hearke unto them: Then shall his fathe and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of the city, and unto the gate of his place.

(g) Prov. 30. 11. 17. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 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.

(h) Prov. 19. 26. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth re proach.

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