Q1. Does the promise annexed to this commandment, respect temporal or spiritual good?

A. It respects temporal good, to show that "godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come," 1 Tim. 4:8.

Q2. What is the temporal good here promised?

A. It is long life; in these words, "That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Q3. Is it long life merely that is promised, without anything else?

A. No; it is long life and prosperity, or the blessings and comforts of life; without which, long life would be a grievous burden, Rev. 9:6.

Q4. Has not this promise a particular reference to obedient children among the Jews, their living long in the land of Judea, which God gave to them?

A. Any reference it had to them, is not exclusive of a reference or relation to children that shall honour their parents, in any other part of the earth, to the end of the world; for so the apostle explains it, Eph. 6:2, 3 - "Honour thy father and thy mother - that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth."

Q5. What is the difference between the promise of long life in this commandment, and the promise of mercy in the second?

A. The promise of showing mercy in the Second Commandment extends to all such as love God, and keep his commandments in general; but the promise of long life here, extends only to the keepers of this commandment in particular.

Q6. Has this promise always a literal accomplishment; or, do godly and obedient children always live long on earth?

A. If any of them are removed by death, in their younger years, it is either to take them "away from the evil to come," Isaiah 57:1; or to transplant them so much sooner "to a better country, that is, a heavenly," Heb. 11:16.

Q7. What are the things which tend to make a long life a happy and comfortable one?

A. They are these three, among others; growth in grace and holiness, in proportion to our advancing in years, Psalm 92:13, 14; retaining the entire exercise of reason, and some vigour of body, in old age, Deut. 34:7; and continuing useful to others, in our generation, to the end, Josh. 24:25, compared with ver. 29.

Q8. Why is the Fifth Commandment called the First Commandment with promise? Eph. 6:2.

A. Because it is the First Commandment of the second table, and the only commandment in it, that has an express promise annexed to it.

Q9. Why is there a special and express promise annexed to this commandment, when it is so strongly enforced by the light of nature?

A. To show the great regard that God has to the lawful authority of parents, Deut. 21:18-22; and to engage children to behave dutifully and obsequiously towards them, Proverbs 4:10.

Q10. Is the promise of long life, in this commandment, absolute or limited?

A. It is limited, and that in the most comfortable manner.

Q11. What is the comfortable limitation?

A. Long life, with prosperity, is promised as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good.

Q12. Could any wish for long life and prosperity upon other terms?

A. No child of God will desire any temporal blessing, but as it is for God's glory and their good, Proverbs 30:8.

Q13. What advantage have the godly, with respect to temporal blessings, above the wicked?

A. They are warranted by promise, which the wicked are not, to expect as many temporal good things, as are needful and necessary for them, Psalm 34:10; Isaiah 33:16; and God's blessing upon what they enjoy, however small their portion of temporal comforts may be, Psalm 37:16 - "A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked."

Q1. What relatives are directly and more especially concerned in this fifth commandment?

A. All superiors and inferiors are concerned in it; especially, (1.) Political fathers and their children; that is, kings and subjects; Mark 11:10. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, etc. (2.) Spiritual fathers, and their children; that is, ministers, and their people; 1 Corinthians 4:15. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus have I begotten you through the gospel. (3.) Natural parents, and their children; Ephesians 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. (4.) All civil superiors and inferiors, as husbands and wives, masters and servants; Ephesians 5:22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. And Ephesians 6:5. Servants be obedient to them that are your masters, according to the flesh, etc.

Q2. What is the duty of political fathers, or magistrates, to their political children, or subjects?

A. It is to rule and govern the people over whom God has set them with wisdom; 2 Chronicles 1:10. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people. Justice; 2 Chronicles 19:5, 6, 7. And he set judges in the land, throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city. And he said to the judges, take heed what you do; for you judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now, let the fear of the Lord be upon you, take heed, and do it, etc. And piety; 2 Samuel 23:3. He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. Carefully providing for their souls in every place of their dominion; 2 Chronicles 17:9. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And for their common outward peace and safety; 2 Chronicles 17:12. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly, and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.

Q3. What are the duties of subjects to their rulers?

A. It is to pray for them; 1 Timothy 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, etc. To honor them; 1 Peter 2:17.-Fear God, honor the king. To obey their just laws; Romans 13:1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, etc. And to pay them the tribute that is due to them; Romans 13:7. Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, etc.

Q4. What are the duties of ministers to their people?

A. Their duty is, (1.) To feed their flock constantly with wholesome food; 2 Timothy 4:2. Preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season; rebuke, reprove, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. (2.) To be full of affections of tender affection to them; 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes 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 you were dear unto us. (3.) To pray for them, Ephesians 1:15, 16. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. (4.) To watch over them; 1 Peter 5:2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, etc. And, (5.) To walk as an example of godliness before them; Titus 2:7. In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works, etc. All which duties require their residence among them; 1 Peter 5:2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, etc.

Q5. What are the people's duties towards their ministers?

A. Their duty is, (1.) To esteem and love them dearly for their work's sake; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. (2.) To attend on the word preached by them, as the word of God; 1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God. (3.) To pray for them, and the success of their labors; Hebrews 13:18. Pray for us, etc. (4.) Not to receive light and malicious reports against them; 1 Timothy 5:19. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (5.) To make a competent and comfortable provision for them; Galatians 6:6. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teaches in all good things.

Q6. What are the duties of natural parents to their children?

A. It is their duty, (1.) To be tenderly, but not fondly affection, ate to, and tender over them; Isaiah 49:15. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? (2.) To educate them for God; Ephesians 6:4. And you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (3.) To restrain their sins by correction; Proverbs 29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame. (4.) To provide for their livelihood; 1 Timothy 5:8. But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (5.) To pray daily for them; Job 1:5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morn, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts: Thus did Job continually. (6.) To encourage them with endearing language in the way of godliness; Proverbs 31:2, 3. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what the son of my womb? and what the son of my vows? Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Q7. What are the duties of children to parents?

A. Their duty is, (1.) To obey them only in the Lord; Ephesians 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. (2.) To reverence and honor them; Leviticus 19:3. You shall fear every man his mother and his father, etc. (3.) To submit to their reproofs and corrections; Hebrews 12:9. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence. (4.) To provide for them, if they be poor and needy, and we have ability; Genesis 47:12. And Joseph nourished his father and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.

Q8. What shall children do when parents abuse their authority, by forbidding duty, or commanding sin?

A. In such cases children are to obey God, rather than their parents; Acts 4:19. But Peter and John answered, and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you, more than unto God, judge you. But yet to manage their refusals of obedience with all meekness and humility.

Q9. What is the first duty of husbands to their wives?

A. The first duty, on which all other duties depend, is cohabitation with them; 1 Peter 3:7. Likewise you husbands, dwell with them, according to knowledge, etc. And nothing can make this duty void, but a lawful divorce for adultery; Matthew 5:31, 32. But I say unto you, That whoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery, etc.

Q10. What is the husband's second duty to his wife?

A. True and hearty love to soul and body; Ephesians 5:25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. Evidencing itself in careful provision for them; 1 Corinthians 7:33. But he who is married, cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. But especially to their souls, in winning them to Christ; 1 Corinthians 7:16. Or, how know you, O man, whether you shall save your wife? And building them up in Christ; 1 Peter 3:7. Likewise you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.

Q11. What are the duties of wives to their husbands?

A. It is their duty. (1.) to be in subjection to their own husbands; Ephesians 5:22, 23. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. (2.) To reverence them; Ephesians 5:33. And the wife see that she reverence her husband. (3.) To express their reverence in suitable words and actions; 1 Peter 3:6. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, etc. (4.) To be faithful to them; Proverbs 31:12. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. (5.) To adorn their relation with meekness, and quietness of spirit; 1 Peter 3:4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Q12. What are the duties of servants to their masters?

A. It is their duty, (1.) To be faithful in all things committed to their charge; Titus 2:10. Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, etc. (2.) To honor them in all respectful words and carriages; 1 Timothy 6:1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honor, etc. (5.) To bear patiently their rebukes; 1 Peter 2:18, 19. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

Q13. What is the first duty of masters to their servants?

A. The first duty is to rule over them with gentleness, and not with terror and rigor; Ephesians 6:9. And you masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: Knowing that your Master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him.

Q14. What is the second duty of masters to their servants?

A. To pay them their wages fully, and without delay; Deuteronomy 24:14, 15. You shall not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of your brethren, or of your strangers that are in your land within your gates. At his day you shall give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it, for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it; lest he cry against you unto the Lord, and it be sin unto you. And to provide food for them convenient; Proverbs 27:27. And you shall have goat's milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for maintenance for your maidens.

Q15. What is the third duty of masters to their servants?

A. The third and principal duty is, to engage them as much as in them lies, to the ways of God, and duties of religion, as Abraham did; Genesis 18:19. For I know him, that he will command his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, etc. And Joshua, Joshua 24:15. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Of the sixth Commandment

Q1. Is there a gracious promise made to those that honour their parents?

A. Yes: It is the first commandment with promise, Eph. 6:2.

Q2. Is long life promised?

A. Yes: That thy days may be long in the land.

Q3. Is outward prosperity promised?

A. Yes: That it may be well with thee, Eph. 6:3.

Q4. Are temporal blessings promised to good people?

A. Yes: Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, 1 Tim. 4:8.

Q5. And are they promised particularly to pious and dutiful children?

A. Yes: My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments; for length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee, Prov. 3:1, 2.

Q6. Do all good children prosper in this world?

A. No: For all things come alike to all, Eccl. 9:2.

Q7. But are they most likely to prosper?

A. Yes: For by humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour and life, Prov. 22:4.

Q8. Shall they prosper as far as is for God's glory?

A. Yes: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me, Ps. 50:15.

Q9. And as far as is for their own good?

A. Yes: For we read of those whom God sent into captivity for their good, Jer. 24:5.

Q10. But shall good children live for ever in, the heavenly Canaan?

A. Yes: There their inheritance shall be for ever, Ps. 37:18.

Q11. And are disobedient children often punished in this life?

A. Yes: As Absalom that was hanged in an oak, 2 Sam. 18:9.