Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

RPM Volume 19, Number 1, January 1 to January 7, 2017 Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism By Dr. Zacharias Ursinus TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL LATIN, BY THE REV. G. W. WILLIARD, A. M. Reproduction of the SECOND AMERICAN EDITION, WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COM. Grand Rapids 1956 Michigan TABLE OF CONTENTS Translators Preface Introduction GENERAL PROLEGOMENA. What the doctrine of the church is 31 What the parts of this doctrine are, with their differences 32 In what the doctrine of the church differs from that of other systems of religion, philosophy, &c. 33 By what testimonies the truth of the Christian religion, or the doctrine of the church is confirmed 35 How manifold the method of teaching and learning the doctrine of the church is 39 SPECIAL PROLEGOMENA. What Catechizing is 40 Of the origin of Catechization 41 Of the parts or principal heads of the doctrine of the Catechism 42 Of the necessity of Catechization 43 What the design of Catechism and the doctrine of the church is 45

OF TRUE CHRISTIAN COMFORT. Question 1: What is thy only comfort in life and death? 47 What Comfort is 47 The parts of which it consists 48 Why this comfort alone is solid 49 Why it is necessary 50 How this comfort may be obtained 50 OF THE MISERY OF MAN. What it is, and whence it may be known 50 Question 2: What is thy only comfort in life and death? 50 Question 3: How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happy? 53 What the law of God requires 53 Question 4: What doth the law of God require of us? 53 Question 5: Canst thou keep all these things perfectly? 56 OF THE CREATION OF MAN. Question 6: Did God then create man so wicked and perverse? 58 The state in which man was originally created 58 The end for which God created man 59 OF THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN. What it is, and what the parts thereof 61 To what extent it is lost, and what remains 62 How it may be restored in us 63 OF THE FALL AND FIRST SIN OF MAN. Question 7: Whence, then, proceeds this depravity of human nature? 64 What the sin of our first parents was 64 What the causes of it were 65 What the effects thereof 66 Why God permitted it 66 OF SIN IN GENERAL.

The proofs of our sinfulness 67 What sin is 68 Original sin, and what it is 69 The proofs of original sin 70 Objections against original sin refuted 71 Actual sin 74 Reigning sin and sin not reigning 74 Mortal and venial sin 75 Sin against the conscience, &c. 75 The sin against the Holy Ghost 76 Rules to be observed in reference to the sin against the Holy Ghost 77 Sin per se, and sin by accident 77 The causes of sin 79 The effects of sin 84 THE FREEDOM OF THE WILL. Question 8: Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, and inclined to all wickedness? 85 The principal question to be considered in reference to this subject 86 What the freedom of the will is 86 In what the Liberty which is in God differs from that which is in his creatures, angels and men 87 Whether there be any Freedom of the human will 90 What Liberty belongs to man according to his four-fold state 91 Question 9: The question, whether God does any injustice to man, by requiring from him in his 96 law what he cannot perform, considered 96 Question 10: Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished? 97 The punishment of sin 97 Question 11: But is not God also merciful? 98 How this comports with the mercy of God 99 CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. How many kinds of affliction there are 100 A table of the afflictions of man 102 The causes of afflictions 102 Comforts under afflictions 103 THE DELIVERANCE OF MAN.

Question 12: Since, then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favor? 106 In how many ways satisfaction may be made 106 What the deliverance of man is 107 Whether such a deliverance be possible 107 Whether deliverance be necessary and certain 109 Whether perfect deliverance may be expected 110 How this deliverance is accomplished 110 Question 13: Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction? 111 The question whether we ourselves can make this satisfaction, considered 111 Question 14: Can there be found anywhere one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us? 113 The question whether any mere creature can make satisfaction for us, considered 113 Question 15: What sort of a mediator and deliverer, then, must we seek for? 113 What sort of a mediator we must seek for 113 Question 16: Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous? 115 Why he must be very man and perfectly righteous 115 Question 17: Why must he in one person be also very God? 116 Why he must be very God 116 THE DOCTRINE OF THE MEDIATOR. Question 18: Who, then, is that Mediator, who is, in one person, both very God, and a real righteous man? 119 What a mediator is 121 Whether we need a mediator 122 What the office of the mediator is 123 What kind of a mediator is necessary 124 Who this mediator is 124 Whether there can be more than one mediator 125 THE COVENANT OF GOD. What this covenant is 126 Whether it be one or more 127 In what the old and new Covenants agree and differ 128

OF THE GOSPEL. Question 19: Whence knowest thou this? 130 What the Gospel is 130 The question, Whether the gospel has always been known, considered 131 In what the Gospel differs from the Law 133 What the effects of the Gospel are 134 From what the truth of the Gospel appears 134 Question 20: Are all men, then, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ? 135 The, question, Whether all men as they perished in Adam, are saved in Christ, considered 135 THE SUBJECT OF FAITH. Question 21: What is true faith? 136 What faith is 137 How many kinds of faith there are 137 In what faith and hope differ 140 What the causes of faith are 141 What the effects of faith 142 To whom faith is given 142 The assurance of faith, with a refutation of certain objections 142 Question 22: What is then necessary for a Christian to believe? 144 The objects or contents of faith 145 THE APOSTLES CREED. Question 23: What are these articles? 146 Why it is called apostolic 146 Why other creeds were introduced 146 Why the greatest authority should be attached to the Apostles Creed 147 Question 24: How are these articles divided? 148 The division of the Creed 148 CONCERNING THE ONE TRUE GOD. Question 25: Since there is but one divine essence, why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? 149 The evidences of the existence of God 149 Who, and what God is 152 The unity of God 156 What the terms Essence, Person, and Trinity signify, and in what they differ 158

Whether the church should retain these terms 160 The number of persons in the Godhead 161 How these persons are distinguished 163 Why the church should retain the doctrine of the Trinity 165 Objections against the doctrine of the Trinity refuted 166 OF GOD THE FATHER. Question 26. What believest thou when thou sayest, I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth? 168 What it is to believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker, &c. 168 OF THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. Whether God created the world 170 How God created the world 172 The end for which God created the world 174 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Question 27. What dost thou mean by the providence of God? 175 Whether there be any providence of God 175 Arguments from the works of God 176 Arguments from the nature and attributes of God 178 What the Providence of God is 179 A table of those things which fall under the providence of God 183 Objections to this doctrine refuted 185 Question 28. What dost thou mean by the providence of God? 190 The benefit and use of this doctrine 191 OF GOD THE SON, AND THE NAMES WHICH ARE APPLIED TO HIM. CONCERNING THE NAME JESUS. Question 29. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is, a Savior? 192 What it imports 192 The difference between this Jesus and other saviors 193 What it is to believe in Jesus 195 Question 30. Do such then believe in Jesus the only Savior, who seek their salvation and happiness of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else? 195 The question, Whether such as seek their salvation out of Jesus really believe in him, considered. 195

CONCERNING THE NAME, CHRIST. Question 31. Why is he called Christ, that is, anointed? 197 What the anointing of Christ signifies 197 What the prophetical office of Christ is 199 What the priestly office of Christ is 201 What the kingly office of Christ is 202 Question 32. But why art thou called a Christian? 203 What the term Christian imports 203 What the prophetical, priestly, and regal dignity of Christians consists in 205 OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. Question 33. Why is Christ called the only begotten Son of God, since we are also the children of God? 208 In what sense Christ is the only begotten Son of God 208 A table of the Sons of God 210 THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. Whether Christ was a subsistent or person before he assumed our nature 212 Whether he is a person distinct from the Father and the Holy Ghost 218 Whether he is equal with the Father and the Holy Ghost 219 Whether he is consubstantial 222 General rules according to which an answer may be given to the sophisms of heretics 223 Special rules serving the same ends 224 A refutation of the sophisms against the Divinity of the Son 226 CONCERNING THE NAME, LORD. Question 34. Wherefore callest thou him our Lord? 228 In what sense Christ is called Lord 228 In how many ways, and why he is called our Lord 228 What it is to believe in Christ, our Lord 229 OF THE CONCEPTION AND NATIVITY OF CHRIST. Question 35. What is the meaning of these words, He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? 231

What Christ's conception by the Holy Ghost means 231 Why he was born of the Virgin Mary 232 Question 36. What profit dost thou receive by Christ's holy conception and nativity? 233 The profit of Christ's holy conception and nativity 233 What it is, to believe in the conception and nativity of Christ 233 OF THE TWO NATURES IN CHRIST. Whether there be two natures in Christ 234 Whether these two natures constitute one or more persons 236 What the hypostatical union is 237 Why it was necessary to constitute this union 237 THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. Question 37. What dost thou understand by he words, he suffered? 238 What the term passion signifies 238 Whether Christ suffered according to both natures 241 What the moving causes of his passion were 242 What the final causes, or fruits 242 Question 38. Why did he suffer under Pontius Pilate, as his judge? 242 The question, Why Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, considered 242 Question 39. Is there anything more in his being crucified, than if he had died some other death? 243 Whether there is anything more in his being crucified, than if he had died some other death 243 THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF CHRIST. Question 40. Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even unto death? 245 How Christ is said to have been dead 245 Whether the death of Christ was necessary 246 Whether Christ died for all 247 Question 41. Why was he also buried? 250 Why Christ was buried 250 Question 42. Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die? 251 Why believers must die 251 Question 43. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross? 252 The benefits, or fruits of Christ s death 252

CHRIST'S DESCENT INTO HELL. Question 44. Why is there added, he descended into hell? 253 What Christ's descent into hell signifies 254 What the fruits of his descent into hell are 257 THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. Question 45. What doth the resurrection of Christ profit us? 259 Whether Christ rose from the dead 259 How Christ rose from the dead 260 Why he rose 261 The fruits or benefits of Christ s resurrection 263 THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. Question 46. How dost thou understand these words, he ascended into heaven? 267 Whither Christ ascended 267 How Christ ascended 268 Question 47. Is not Christ then with us, even to the end of the world, as he hath promised? 272 Certain objections of the Ubiquitarians refuted 272 Question 48. But if his human nature is not present wherever his God head is, are then these two natures in Christ separated from one another. 273 For what purpose Christ ascended 274 In what Christ's ascension differs from ours 275 Question 49. Of what advantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven? 275 What the fruits of Christ s ascension are 276 CHRIST'S SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER. Question 50. Why is it added, and sitteth at the right hand of God? 278 What the right hand of God signifies 278 What it is to sit at the right hand of God 278 Whether Christ always sat at the right hand of God 281 Question 51. What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us? 283 What the fruits of Christ s sitting at the right hand of God are 283 CHRIST'S RETURN TO JUDGMENT.

Question 52. What comfort is it to thee, that Christ s shall come again to judge the quick and the dead? 284 Whether there be a future judgment 284 What the final judgment is 286 Who the Judge will be 288 Whence and whither he will come 289 How he will come 289 Whom he will judge 289 What the process, sentence and execution of the final judgment will be 290 The objects of this judgment 291 When this judgment will take place 291 The reasons why we should look for it 291 The reasons why God has not revealed the time when it will take place 292 Why it is deferred 292 Whether it may be desired 292 OF GOD THE HOLY GHOST. Question 53. What dost thou believe concerning the Holy Ghost? 294 What the term Spirit signifies 294 Who and what the Holy Ghost is 295 What the office of the Holy Ghost 300 What, and how manifold the gifts of the Holy Ghost are 302 By whom and why the Holy Ghost was given 303 To whom and to what extent he is given 304 When and how the Holy Ghost is given and received 304 How the Holy Ghost may be retained 306 Whether and how the Holy Ghost may be lost 306 Why the Holy Ghost is necessary 307 How we may know that the Holy Ghost is in us 307 THE CHURCH. Question 54. What believest thou concerning the Holy Catholic Church of Christ? 308 What the church is 308 How manifold it is 309 What the marks of the true church are 310 Why the church is called one, holy and Catholic 311 In what the church differs from the state 313 The cause of the difference between the church and the rest of mankind 314 Whether there is any salvation out of the church 314

THE ETERNAL PREDESTINATION OF GOD. Whether there be any predestination 315 What it is 318 What the causes of it are 319 What the effects of it are 321 Whether it be unchangeable 321 To what extent it may be known 322 Whether the elect are always members of the church and the reprobate never 323 Whether the elect may fall from the church and the reprobate always remain in it 323 What the use of this doctrine is 324 THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. Question 55. What do you understand by the communion of saints? 324 What the communion of saints is 324 THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. Question 56. What believest thou concerning the forgiveness of sins? 326 What the forgiveness of sins is 326 By whom forgiveness of sins is granted 327 On account of what is forgiveness granted 327 Whether forgiveness of sins agrees with divine justice 328 Whether it be gratuitous 328 To whom it is granted 329 How and when it is granted 329 THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. Question. 57. What comfort doth the resurrection of the body afford thee? 329 Whether the soul be immortal 330 Where the soul is when separated from the body 331 What the resurrection is, and what the errors in reference to it 332 From what the truth of a future resurrection is inferred 333 The kind of bodies which will rise in the resurrection 335 How the resurrection will be effected 336 When it will take place 336

By whose power the dead will be raised 336 Why and to what state the dead will be raised 337 THE LIFE EVERLASTING. Question 58. What comfort takest thou from the article of life everlasting?" 338 What everlasting life is 338 By whom it is given 340 To whom it is given 341 Why it is given 341 How it is given 342 When it is given 342 Whether and whence we may be assured of it 342 THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION. Question 59. But what doth it profit thee now, that thou believest all this? 344 Question 60. How art thou righteous before God? 344 What righteousness in general is 344 How manifold it is 345 In what righteousness differs from justification 346 What our righteousness before God is 346 How the satisfaction of Christ is made ours 348 Why it is made ours 349 Question. 61. Why sayest thou that thou art righteous by faith only? 350 Why we are justified by faith only 350 Question. 62. But why cannot our good works be the whole or part of our righteousness before God? 352 Why our good works cannot justify us 352 Question 63. What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and a future life? 353 How a reward is promised to our works 353 Question 64. But doth not this doctrine make men careless and profane? 355 Whether this doctrine makes men careless 355 Other objections to this doctrine refuted 355 THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL. Question. 65. Since then we are made partakers of Christ, and all his benefits, by faith only, whence doth this faith proceed? 359

Question 66. What are the sacraments? 359 What sacraments are 360 What the designs of the sacraments 362 In what sacraments differ from sacrifices 363 In what the sacraments of the Old and New Testaments agree and differ 364 What the signs are; and what the things signified in the sacraments, and in what they differ 365 What the sacramental union is 366 What sacramental phrases are 367 What the lawful use of the sacraments consists in 368 What the ungodly receive in the sacraments 368 Question 67. Are both word and sacraments then ordained and appointed for this end, that they may direct our faith to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, on the cross, as the only ground for our salvation? 369 What the sacraments and word have in common, and in what they differ 369 Question 68. How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant or testament? 371 How many sacraments there are 371 Theses concerning the sacraments in general 372 HOLY BAPTISM. Question 69. How art thou admonished and assured, by holy baptism, that the one sacrifice of Christ upon the cross is of real advantage to thee? 375 What Baptism is 375 What the ends of Baptism are 377 Question 70. What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ? 379 Question 71. Where has Christ promised us that he will as certainly wash us by his blood and Spirit, as we are washed with the water of baptism? 380 The institution of Baptism, and what the words of the institution signify 380 What the lawful use of Baptism consists in 381 Sacramental phrases in reference to Baptism 382 Question 72. Is then the external baptism with water, the washing away of sin itself? 383 Question 73. Why then doth the Holy Ghost call baptism the washing of regeneration, and the washing away of sins? 383 Question 74. Are infants also to be baptized? 384 The question of infant Baptism considered 384 The objections of the Anabaptists refuted 389 Theses concerning Baptism 389

OF CIRCUMCISION. What circumcision is 391 Why circumcision was instituted 392 Why it was abolished 393 What there is in the place of circumcision 393 In what circumcision and baptism agree and differ 393 Why Christ was circumcised 394 THE LORD'S SUPPER. Question 75. How art thou admonished and assured in the Lord s supper, that thou art a partaker of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross, and of all his benefits? 395 What the Lord's Supper is 395 What the design of it is 397 In what the Lord s Supper differs from Baptism 398 Question 76. What is it then to eat the crucified body, and drink the shed blood of Christ? 399 The institution of the Supper and the true sense of the words of the institution 399 Question 77. Where has Christ promised, that he will as certainly feed and nourish believers with his body and blood, as they eat of this broken bread, and drink of this cup? 400 Question 78. Do then the bread and wine become the very body and blood of Christ? 407 The controversy respecting the words of the institution of the holy Supper 408 Four classes of arguments in favor of the orthodox interpretation of the words of Christ 410 The testimony of the Fathers 420 Of transubstantiation 423 Of consubstantiation 426 The schism of the Consubstantialists 428 Objections in favor of consubstantiation refuted 429 Question 79. Why then doth Christ call the bread his body, and the cup his blood, or the new covenant in his blood; and Paul the communion of the body and blood of Christ? 432 Question 80. What difference is there between the Lord s supper and the Popish mass? 434 The difference between the Lord s Supper and the Popish Mass 434 Question 81. For whom is the Lord s supper instituted? 441 For whom the Lord's Supper was instituted 441 What the wicked receive in the use of the Supper 443 What the lawful use of the Supper consists in 445

Question 82. Are they also to be admitted to this supper, who, by confession and life, declare themselves infidels and ungodly? 445 Whom the church should admit to the Supper 445 Certain arguments of the Consubstantialists noticed 451 The general points in which the churches professing the gospel agree and differ in the controversy respecting the Lord s Supper 452 THE PASSOVER. What the Passover was 452 What the design of the Passover was 453 The points of resemblance between Christ and the Paschal Lamb 455 Whether the Passover be abolished 455 THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Question 83. What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven? 457 Question 84. How is the kingdom of heaven opened and shut by the preaching of the holy gospel? (this question is not in Ursinus commentary) 457 Question 85. How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by church discipline? (this question is not in Ursinus commentary) 457 What the power of the keys given to the church is 458 Whether ecclesiastical discipline be necessary 459 How it is to be exercised 463 What the design of it is, and what abuses are to be avoided 465 In what the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven differs from civil power 466 A disputation respecting excommunication 470 OF THANKFULNESS. What thankfulness is 479 Question 86. Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works? 480 Why it is necessary 480 MAN'S CONVERSION TO GOD. Question 87. Cannot they then be saved, who, continuing in their wicked and ungrateful lives, are not converted to God? 481

Question 88. In how many parts doth the true conversion of man consist? 483 Question 89. What is the mortification of the old man? 483 Question 90. What is the quickening of the new man? 483 Whether conversion be necessary 483 What conversion to God is 484 What the parts of man s conversion are 485 What the causes of it 487 What the fruits of it 488 Whether it be perfect in this life 489 In what the repentance of the godly differs from that of the ungodly 490 CONCERNING GOOD WORKS. Question 91. But what are good works? 491 What good works are 491 A table of good works 494 How they may be performed 494 Whether the works of the regenerate are perfectly good 495 How they please God 496 Why they should be done 497 Whether they merit anything in the sight of God 500 THE LAW OF GOD. Question 92. What is the law of God? 503 What the law of God is 504 What the parts of the law and their differences 505 To what extent the law has been abrogated 507 In what the law differs from the gospel 512 Question 93. How are these ten commandments divided? 512 The division of the law 512 A table of the division of the Decalogue 516 General rules for the understanding of the Decalogue 516 Theses concerning the Decalogue 519 THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. Question 94. What doth God enjoin in the first command? 521 The preface to the Decalogue considered 521 The design of this commandment 522 The virtues of the first commandment 522 Question 95: What is idolatry (this question is not in Ursinus commentary) 530

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. Question 96. What does God require in the second command? 531 The design of this commandment 531 What it prohibits and sanctions 531 Of human precepts and the authority of tradition 533 Question 97. Are images then not at all to be made? 538 Whether all statues and images are here forbidden 538 Whether all worshipping of images is forbidden 541 Question 98. But may not images be tolerated in the churches, as books to the laity? 543 Why images are not to be tolerated in our churches 543 How and by whom they are to be removed 544 Objections against the removal of images refuted 545 The exhortation added to this commandment considered 547 THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. Question 99. What is required in the third command? 549 Question 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 endeavor, as much as in them lies, to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing? 549 What the name of God signifies 549 What this commandment forbids, and enjoins, with the design thereof 549 The virtues of this commandment, with the vices opposed thereto 554 The arguments of the Papists in favor of the invocation of the saints considered and refuted 555 THE DOCTRINE OF THE OATH. Question 101. May we then swear religiously by the name of God? 562 Question 102. May we also swear by saints, or any other creatures? 562 What an oath is 562 By whom we are to swear 563 Whether it is lawful for Christians to take an oath 564 What oaths are lawful and what unlawful 566 Whether all oaths should be kept 567 THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

Question 103. What doth God require in the fourth command? 569 The design of this commandment 569 An explanation of the words of the commandment 570 What and how manifold the sabbath is 573 How far the sabbath pertains to us 575 The design of the Sabbath 577 How it is sanctified and how profaned 578 The virtues of this commandment, with the vices opposed thereto 580 THE ECCLESIASTICAL MINISTRY. What the ministry of the church is 583 Why it was instituted 583 What the grades of ministers are 584 What the duties of ministers 584 To whom the ministry should be committed 584 CONCERNING CEREMONIES. What ceremonies are 585 In what they differ from moral works 585 How many kinds of ceremonies there are 585 Whether the church may institute ceremonies 586 THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT. Question 104. What doth God require in the fifth command? 587 Why obedience to the second table is necessary 587 The design of this commandment 588 The commandment itself 588 The promise annexed thereto 589 The virtues peculiar to superiors 590 The virtues peculiar to inferiors 592 The virtues common to both 592 THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT. Question 105. What doth God require in the sixth command? 596 Question 106. But this command seems only to speak of murder. 596 Question 107. But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above? 596 The design of this commandment 596

The virtues which do not injure the safety of men 598 The virtues which contribute to the safety of men 599 A table of the sixth commandment 601 THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT. Question 108. What doth the seventh command teach us? 602 Question 109. Doth God forbid, in this command, only adultery, and such like gross sins? 602 The design of this commandment 602 The virtues of this commandment 602 Three classes of lusts 603 OF MARRIAGE. What marriage is 605 Why it was instituted 605 What marriages are lawful 605 Whether it be a thing indifferent 606 What the duties of married persons are 607 What things are contrary to marriage 607 THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. Question 110, What doth God forbid in the eighth command. 608 Question 111. But what doth God require in this command? 608 The design of this commandment 608 The virtues of the eighth commandment 608 Ten kinds of contracts 609 Objections against the division of property 610 THE NINTH COMMANDMENT. Question 112. What is required in the ninth command? 613 The design of this commandment 613 The virtues of this commandment with the vices opposed thereto 613 THE TENTH COMMANDMENT. Question 113. What doth the tenth commandment require of us? 618 The commandment respecting concupiscence one and not two 618

The design of this commandment 618 The principal arguments of the Pelagians 619 THE POSSIBILITY OF OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW. Question 114. But can those who are converted to God, perfectly keep these commands? 619 How the law was possible before the fall, and how since the fall 619 Objections against the imperfection of the works of the regenerate 621 THE USE OF THE LAW. Question 115. Why will God then have the ten commands so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them? 624 The use of the ceremonial law 624 The use of the judicial law 625 The use of the moral law in nature as pure and holy 625 In nature fallen and depraved 625 In nature restored by Christ 626 In nature perfectly glorified 627 Principal arguments of the Antinomians against the use of the law 627 OF PRAYER. Question 116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians? 632 What prayer is 632 Why it is necessary 633 Question 117. What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear? 634 Question 118. What hath God commanded us to ask of him? 634 What the conditions of acceptable prayer are 634 Question 119. What are the words of that prayer? 637 The Lord's Prayer 637 Question 120. Why hath Christ commanded us to address God thus, OUR FATHER? 639 The preface to the Lord s Prayer 639 Question 121. Why is here added, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN? 641 THE FIRST PETITION. Question 122. Which is the first petition? 643 What the name of God signifies 643

What it is to hallow the name of God 643 THE SECOND PETITION. Question 123. Which is the second petition? 646 What the kingdom of God is 646 How manifold it is 647 Who the Head and King is 648 Who the subjects are 648 What the laws are 648 What benefits pertain to the subjects of this kingdom 648 Who the enemies of this kingdom are 648 Where it is administered 649 How long it will continue 649 How it comes to us 649 Why we should pray for the coming of this kingdom 649 THE THIRD PETITION. Question 124. Which is the third petition? 651 What the Will of God is 651 What we desire in this petition, and in what it differs from the second 651 Why it is necessary 653 Why it is added, As in heaven 653 THE FOURTH PETITION. Question 125. Which is the fourth petition? 655 Why temporal blessings should be prayed for 655 How they should be prayed for 656 Why Christ comprehends temporal blessings under the term bread 657 Why Christ calls it our bread 658 Why Christ calls it daily bread 658 Why Christ adds, This day 658 Whether it be lawful to pray for riches 659 Whether it be lawful to lay anything by for the time to come 660 THE FIFTH PETITION. Question 126. What is the fifth petition? 662 What Christ means by debts 662 What it is to forgive debts 663

Why we should desire the forgiveness of sins 663 How our sins are remitted unto us 664 THE SIXTH PETITION. Question 127. Which is the sixth petition? 666 What temptation is 666 What it is to lead into temptation 668 What is implied in delivering us from evil 668 Why this petition is necessary 668 What is the benefit of this petition 669 The order and connection of these petitions 670 Question 128. How dost thou conclude thy prayer? 670 The conclusion of this prayer. 670 Question 129. What doth the word AMEN signify? 671 The meaning of the word, Amen 671 This article is provided as a ministry of Third Millennium Ministries. If you have a question about this article, please email our Theological Editor. If you would like to discuss this article in our online community, please visit our RPM Forum. Subscribe to RPM RPM subscribers receive an email notification each time a new issue is published. Notifications include the title, author, and description of each article in the issue, as well as links directly to the articles. Like RPM itself, subscriptions are free. To subscribe to RPM, please select this link. This article is provided as a ministry of Third Millennium Ministries. If you have a question about this article, please email our Theological Editor. If you would like to discuss this article in our online community, please visit our RPM Forum.

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