Q1. What is forbidden in this commandment under the name of ADULTERY?

A. All sorts of unchastity or uncleanness, of what kind, or in what manner soever committed, Eph. 5:3.

Q2. In what respects may persons be guilty of unchastity or uncleanness?

A. They may be guilty this way, in their thoughts, words, and actions.

Q3. When are persons chargeable before God with unchaste thoughts?

A. When lustful desires are entertained and gratified in the mind; and, as it were, acted in the imagination; Proverbs 6:18; Matt. 5:28.

Q4. What are the usual incentives to unchaste thoughts?

A. "Lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage-plays, and the like."98

Q5. What influence have stage-plays upon fomenting unchaste thoughts?

A. They are generally stuffed with such amorous adventures, many of them of a most criminal nature, that they have a native tendency to debauch and defile the mind. If "no corrupt communication" is to "proceed out of our mouth," according to Eph. 4:29; neither ought we to listen to it with our ears, as is done by those who attend the profane diversions of the stage.

Q6. What is meant by unchaste words?

A. All filthy, obscene, or smutty discourse; than which, nothing can be more grating and disagreeable to modest ears, Eph. 5:4.

Q7. What are the unchaste actions that are forbidden in this commandment?

A. Besides several others, that ought not to be named among Heathens, far less Christians, there are these following: polygamy, unjust divorce, fornication, and adultery, properly so called.

Q8. What is POLYGAMY?

A. It is the having more wives or husbands than one at the same time, Mal. 2:14.

Q9. Is this a sin contrary to the law of nature?

A. Yes; for it is contrary to the first institution of marriage; God having created but one woman, as a help meet for man; Gen. 2:22-25, compared with Matt. 19:5, 6.

Q10. Is it a sin prohibited in scripture?

A. Yes; Lev 18:18 - "Thou shalt not take a wife to her sister, to vex her - in her lifetime."

Q11. What is the meaning of taking a wife to her sister?

A. The meaning is, (according to the marginal reading,) Thou shalt not take one wife to another; that is, thou shalt not have more wives than one at a time.

Q12. But may not this be a prohibition of incest, namely, of marrying the wife's sister?.

A. No; because it is said, Thou shalt not do it in her lifetime; whereas it would be incestuous in a man to marry his sister-in-law after his wife's death, as well as to do it in her lifetime; so that the meaning is, Thou shalt not take another wife to her whom thou hast married, by which means they would become sisters.

Q13. Who was the first polygamist we read of in scripture?

A. Lamech, of the posterity of Cain, who had two wives, Gen. 4:19.

Q14. Were not several of the godly likewise guilty in this matter, as Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon, and others?

A. Yes; but though these and other bad actions of good men are recorded in scripture, they are not approved of, nor proposed for our imitation; but rather set up as beacons, to prevent our making shipwreck on the same rocks.

Q15. Has not God even testified his displeasure at the sin of polygamy, in the godly, though we do not read of his reproving them for it in express words?

A. Yes; he has testified his displeasure in the course of his providence, by the emulations, quarrels, and disturbances, that were thus occasioned in their families; as in the instances of Sarah and Hagar, in Abraham's family, Gen. 21:10, 11; of Leah and Rachel, in Jacob's, Gen. 30:1, 15; and of Hannah and Peninnah, in Elkanah's family, 1 Sam. 1:6.

Q16. Does not God seem to approve of polygamy, when he says to David, "I gave thee thy master's wives into thy bosom?" 2 Sam. 12:8.

A. It being the custom of those times, for succeeding kings to take possession of all that belonged to their predecessors, the meaning is, I have made thee king, in room of Saul, and have given thee the property of all that appertained to him: but we do not read of David taking any of Saul's wives into his bed.

Q17. What is an unjust DIVORCE?

A. It is the prosecuting and obtaining a dissolution of marriage, upon other grounds than such as are warranted in the word of God, and by right reason.

Q18. What are the grounds upon which a divorce may be sued for, and obtained, according to the word of God and right reason?

A. "Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage; yet nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion, as can no way be remedied by the church, or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage, Matt. 19:8, 9; 1 Cor. 7:15."99

Q19. Did not Moses suffer the Israelites to put away their wives, upon slighter grounds than that of adultery as may be alleged from Deut. 24:1?

A. Moses, in the text cited, gives no positive command about divorces in such cases; but only, in order to restrain the licentious freedom of the Israelites, in turning off their wives, at their own hand, upon every trivial occasion, he enjoins that none put away his wife, but upon a legal process or a bill of divorce, obtained in the ordinary course of law; which is the true meaning of the place.

Q20. Why then does our Lord tell the Pharisees, Matt. 19:8, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives?"

A. The meaning is, Moses, because of the wicked and malicious disposition of the Jews, and in order to prevent a greater evil, namely, the ill usage, or even killing of their hated wives, (if they could not be separated from them) permitted processes of divorce to be legally commenced.

Q21. Why is it added, "but from the beginning it was not so?"

A. Because, according to the original institution of marriage, nothing could dissolve it but the death of one of the parties, Matt. 19:6 - "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."

Q22. Is it lawful to marry after a divorce is obtained?

A. "It is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce, and after the divorce, to marry another as if the offending party were dead."100

Q23. Is the innocent party obliged, from Matt. 5:32, to sue for a divorce?

A. No; divorces are not enjoined as a precept, but allowed as a privilege, which the innocent party may claim, or not, as they please.

Q24. What if the adultery be on both sides?

A. In that case the right of divorce seems to be taken away from each of them.

Q25. What is FORNICATION?

A. It is uncleanness committed between a man and a woman, both of them being unmarried; as it would seem Shechem and Dinah were, when guilty this way, Gen. 34:2.

Q26. Was this esteemed a sin among the Heathens?

A. No they made light of it, (as too many professed Christians have always done ) hence the synod of Jerusalem enjoined the converted Gentiles to "abstain from fornication," Acts 15:29.

Q27. In what lies the evil of this sin?

A. It defiles the body, 1 Cor. 6:18; stupefies the conscience, Hos. 4:11; and exposes to eternal wrath and damnation, 1 Cor. 6:9.

Q28. What is ADULTERY properly so called?

A. It is uncleanness committed between a man and a woman, either both or one of them at least, in a married relation.

Q29. What is it commonly called when both the guilty persons are married?

A. It is called double adultery, as was the case between David and Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 11:3, 4.

Q30. Whether are the consequences to families worse, when the man is married and the woman free; or when the woman is married and the man free?

A. The consequences to families seem to be worse when the woman is married; because a man's offspring is thus corrupted, and his inheritance is alienated to a spurious issue.

Q31. What are the aggravations of this heinous sin?

A. It is a breach of the marriage oath, Mal. 2:14; an involving of two at once in the same guilt, 1 Cor. 6:16; and is a crime committed after obtaining the remedy which God has provided against it, chap. 7:2.

Q32. What are the fatal effects of adultery in this life?

A. It consumes the body, Proverbs 5:11; wastes a man's estate, bringing him "to a piece of bread," chap. 6:26; and leaves an indelible blot upon his name: "His reproach shall not be wiped away," ver. 33.

Q33. What will be the effect of it in the life to come?

A. Eternal wrath and damnation, if rich mercy and grace prevent it not, Eph. 5:5.

Q34. How does God testify his abhorrence of this sin?

A. By declaring that he will reserve the punishment of it, in his own hand, to be inflicted in a very peculiar manner, upon such as are guilty of it, Heb. 13:4 - "Whore-mongers and adulterers God will judge."

Q35. What are the usual incentives to this and other acts of uncleanness?

A. Drunkenness, Gen. 19:33; "fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness," Ezek. 16:49.

Q36. What is the evil of idleness?

A. It is a deliberate wasting of precious time, to the manifest detriment both of soul and body, Eccl. 10:18; and is a fit season for temptations to lust, Proverbs 7:7, 8.

Q37. In what consists the evil of gluttony?

A. It indisposes for all duty, both religious and civil, Proverbs 23:21; and is making a god of our belly, Phil. 3:19.

Q38. What is the evil of drunkenness?

A. It deforms the image of God in the soul, by divesting a man of the right use of his reason; and leaves him defenceless against all temptations, Proverbs 23:29, 30.

Q39. What are the proper remedies against lust, and all the incentives to it?

A. A serious reflection upon the all-seeing eye of an infinitely holy God, Gen. 39:9; walking "in the Spirit," which will preserve us from fulfilling "the lusts of the flesh," Gal. 5:16; keeping a strict watch over our hearts, Proverbs 4:23; studying to shun all occasions of this sin by the external senses, Job 31:1; and fervent prayer to God to be kept from it, and all temptations to it, Psalm 119:37.

Q1. What is the duty required in this commandment?

A. The first duty required in this commandment is, the preservation of our own chastity in heart, lip, and life; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. And Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, etc.

Q2. Why must we preserve our own chastity?

A. Because our bodies are, or ought to be the temples of the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 6:15, 19. Know you not, that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What, don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? And it is the express charge of God that they be kept pure and clean; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.

Q3. What is the second reason?

A. The second reason is, because of the evil of it to ourselves: As, (1.) It injures the body; 1 Corinthians 6:18. He who commits fornication, sins against his own body. (2.) It levels us with the Heathen; Ephesians 4:17, 19. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk,-who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all impurity with greediness. (3.) Dishonors our names; Proverbs 6:32, 33. But whoever commits adultery with a woman, a wound and dishonor shall he get, etc. (4.) Scatters our estates; Proverbs 5:10. Lest strangers be filled with your wealth, and your labors be in the house of strangers. (5.) Destroys the soul; Proverbs 6:32.-He who does it, destroys his own soul.

Q4. What age is most incident to this sin?

A. The youthful age is most apt to be drawn into this sin; Proverbs 7:7. And behold among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding. And 2 Timothy 2:22. Flee also youthful lusts, etc.

Q5. How far does this command extend itself?

A. It extends itself to the heart, mind, and fancy, as well as to the body, and external actions; Matthew 5:28. But I say unto you, that whoever looks on a woman, to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Q6. What are the usual inducements to this sin?

A. The usual inducements to this sin are, (1.) Idleness and fullness of the creatures; Ezekiel 16:49, 50. Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom; pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her, and in her daughters, etc. (2.) Wanton gestures; Isaiah 3:16. Moreover, the Lord says, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, walking, and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet. (3.) Filthy communication; Ephesians 5:4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, etc.

Q7. What is the first remedy against this sin?

A. The first remedy, and the most effectual, is, to get the Spirit of God within us, to sanctify and rule us; Galatians 5:16.-Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Q8. What is the second remedy?

A. The keeping of a strict watch over the heart; Proverbs 4:23. Keep your heart with all diligence, etc. And over the external senses; Job 31:1. I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Q9. What is the third remedy against it?

A. Deep and serious consideration of the danger of this sin, and what God threatens against adulterers; Hebrews 13:4.-Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.-Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,-shall inherit the kingdom of God. And how he describes them, Proverbs 22:14. The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit; he who is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.

Q10. What is the fourth remedy against it?

A. Prayer; Psalm 119:37. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, etc. And, to evidence our sincerity in prayer, we must study to shun all occasions of this sin; Psalm 18:23. I was also upright before him; and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

Q11. What is the first inference from hence?

A. What cause those have to bless God, that have been kept from this sin; though the best ought to be humbled for their heart-pollutions.

Q12. What is the second inference from hence?

A. Let it warn parents to do what in them lies to prevent the ruin of their children by this sin, (1.) By filling their heads and hands with lawful business. (2.) By serious admonitions and prayers for them. (3.) By keeping them from vain and tempting company. (4.) By disposing them seasonably in suitable marriage.

Q13. What is the third inference from hence?

A. Let those that are defiled with this sin repent seriously of it as David did; Psalm 51:8. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. And apply the blood of Christ by faith; for in so doing it may be pardoned; 1 Corinthians 6:11. And such were some of you; but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. Of the eighth Commandment

Q1. Is adultery a very great sin?

A. Yes: How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Gen. 29:9.

Q2. Is it an iniquity to be punished by the judge?

A. Yes: The adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death, Lev. 20:10.

Q3. Is fornication a very great sin?

A. Yes: Fornication, and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among you, Eph. 5:3.

Q4. Will these sins certainly shut men out of heaven, if they be not repented of and forsaken?

A. Yes: For fornicators and adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6:10.

Q5. Are unclean thoughts sins?

A. Yes: For whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart, Matt. 5:28.

Q6. Are unclean reflections sins?

A. Yes: For some multiply their whoredoms by calling to remembrance the days of their youth, Ezek. 23:19.

Q7. Are unclean desires sins?

A. Yes: Inordinate affection, and evil concupiscence, are to be mortified in us, Col. 3:5.

Q8. And must all fleshly lusts be shunned?

A. Yes: Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, 1 Pet. 2:11.

Q9. Are unclean words sin?

A. Yes: For there must be neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, Eph. 5:4.

Q10. Must we therefore take heed of speaking any filthy words?

A. Yes: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, Eph. 4:29.

Q11. May we take delight in hearing filthy talk?

A. No: For evil communications corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15:33.

Q12. Are all unchaste actions forbidden in this commandment?

A. Yes: Not only adultery and fornication, but uncleanness and lasciviousness (Gal. 5:19), chambering and wantonness, Rom. 13:13.

Q13. Are the occasions of uncleanness here forbidden?

A. Yes: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, Eph. 5:11.

Q14. Is all uncleanness provoking to God?

A. Yes: For I the Lord am holy, Lev. 20:26.

Q15. Is it against our bodies?

A. Yes: For the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, 1 Cor. 6:13.

Q16. Is it a wrong to our souls?

A. Yes: For fleshly lusts war against the soul, 1 Pet. 2:11.

Q17. Is it wounding to conscience?

A. Yes: I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, Eccl. 7:26.

Q18. Are idleness and gluttony occasions of uncleanness, and forbidden in this commandment?

A. Yes: For this was the iniquity of Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness, Ezek. 16:49.

Q19. And is drunkenness also a sin of dangerous consequence?

A. Yes: For drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6:10.