A Puritan Catechism

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Questions 51-60

51.  Q. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified? 

A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days (Lev. 23:3), and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship (Ps. 92:1-2; Isa. 58:13-14), except so much as is taken up in the works of necessity and mercy (Matt. 12:11-12). 

52.  Q. 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." 

53.  Q. What is required in the fifth commandment? 

A. The fifth commandment requires the preserving the honour, and performing the duties belonging to every one in their various positions and relationships as superiors (Eph. 5:21-22; Eph. 6:1, 5; Rom. 13:1), inferiors (Eph. 6:9), or equals (Rom. 12:10). 

54.  Q. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment? 

A. 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 (Eph. 6:2-3).

55.  Q. Which is the sixth commandment? 

A. The sixth commandment is, "Thou shalt not kill." 

56.  Q. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment? 

A. The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life (Acts 16:28), or the life of our neighbour unjustly (Gen. 9:6), or whatever tends to it (Prov. 24:11-12).

57.  Q. Which is the seventh commandment? 

A. The seventh commandment is, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." 

58.  Q. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment? 

A. The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts (Matt. 5:28; Col. 4:6), words (Eph. 5:4; 2 Tim. 2:22), and actions (Eph. 5:3).

59.  Q. Which is the eighth commandment? 

A. The eighth commandment is, "Thou shalt not steal."

60.  Q. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment? 

A. The eighth commandment forbids whatever does or may unjustly hinder our own (1 Tim. 5:8; Prov. 28:19; Prov. 21:6), or our neighbour's wealth, or outward estate (Eph. 4:28). 

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