Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness bearing.
Q1. In what does the Ninth Commandment differ from the three preceding ones?
A. The three commands immediately preceding, have a respect to the injuries that may be done to ourselves or others by deeds or actions; but the ninth has a reference to wrongs done by words.
Q2. What is the general duty required in this commandment?
A. It is the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man.
Q3. What is the TRUTH, between man and man, we are required to maintain and promote?
A. It is the strict veracity of our words or speeches, in whatever we assert or deny; whether in our ordinary conversation, or in our oaths, promises, bargains, and contracts, Zech. 8:16 - "Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour."
Q4. In what consists the strict veracity that ought to be in our words and speeches?
A. In uttering things as they really are in themselves, according to our belief of them; that is, that there be an exact agreement and harmony between our thoughts, words, and the things themselves, Psalm 15:1, 2 - "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that - speaketh truth is his heart."
Q5. Why will God have nothing to be uttered but strict truth?
A. Because he is "a God of truth, and without iniquity; just and right is he," Deut. 32:4.
Q6. Is it lawful at any time to conceal part of the truth?
A. Yes; when neither the glory of God, nor our own, or our neighbour's good requires that the whole of it be told; only no untruth must be uttered in concealing it, 1 Sam. 16:2, 5.
Q7. What is the chief end for which the tongue or gift of speech is conferred upon us?
A. That we may thus glorify God by praying to, Psalm 50:15, and praising him, verse 23; and by contending earnestly for, Jude verse 3, and confessing his truth, Rom. 10:10; hence is the tongue called our glory, Psalm 30:12 - "To the end that my GLORY (that is, my tongue, as on the margin) may sing praise unto thee, and not be silent."
Q8. What is the subordinate end of it?
A. The edification and profit of our fellow-creatures, Eph. 4:29 - "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edifying;" (margin, "to edify profitably,") in opposition to the insipid and vain talk which is in the mouths of most men.
Q9. What is the particular duty required in the Ninth Commandment?
A. That we maintain and promote our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing.
Q10. What is a good name?
A. It is the having of reputation and esteem, especially among the sober and religious, Psalm 16:3, and 101:6.
Q11. How may a good name be obtained?
A. By being useful in the world, in the several stations and relations in which adorable providence has placed us, Psalm 112:9.
Q12. Is self-commendation a fit mean to obtain a good name?
A. No; it is ordinarily the highway to procure scorn and contempt, 2 Cor. 10:12.
Q13. Does not the apostle commend himself, when he says, "In nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles?" 2 Cor. 12:11.
A. He only magnifies and exalts his office, and at the same time lessens and disparages himself; for, although he says, "In nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles," yet he immediately subjoins, "though I be nothing;" and 1 Cor. 15:9 - "I am the least of the apostles, who am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
Q14. May we not commend the grace of God in us?
A. To be sure we may; for, whatever is spoken to the commendation of free grace, is for the abasement of self, 1 Cor. 15:10 - "By the grace of God I am what I am."
Q15. How ought we to maintain and promote our own good name?
A. Not only by a blameless walk and conversation before the world, Phil, 2:15; but likewise by vindicating ourselves from the calumnies and aspersions that may be injuriously cast upon us, Acts 24:12, 13.
Q16. With what frame of spirit ought the lawful vindication of ourselves to be managed?
A. With moderation, meekness, and readiness to forgive those who have reproached and injured us, Col. 3:12, 13.
Q17. Who ought, in a special manner, to maintain and promote their own good name?
A. This is especially incumbent on professors of religion, Matt. 5:16; and such as are in places of public trust, Titus 2:7, 8.
Q18. Why should professors be careful to maintain their good name?
A. Because the loss of it tends to reflect dishonour on religion, by which the enemies of it take occasion to blaspheme, 2 Sam. 12:14.
Q19. What is the advantage of a good name?
A. A good name procures mutual love to, and confidence in one another; and, consequently, tends to promote the interests both of sacred and civil society; on which account "a good name" is said to be "better than precious ointment," Eccl. 7:1; and "rather to be chosen than great riches," Proverbs 22:1.
Q20. What does this command require in reference to our neighbour's good name?
A. The maintaining and promoting it, "as we would do our own," Phil. 2:4; and that both in his presence and in his absence.
Q21. How should we behave in the presence of our neighbour, for maintaining and promoting of his good name?
A. When we observe any thing faulty in him, which deserves present notice, we should reprove it with meekness and love, Lev. 19:17; and what is really commendable we should prudently encourage and applaud, Rom. 1:8.
Q22. How should we maintain and promote the good name of others in their absence?
A. By commending what is praise-worthy in them, 3 John ver. 12; vindicating their character when unjustly attacked, Proverbs 25:23; and by covering their infirmities and blemishes, so far as can be done in a consistency with truth, and the credit of religion, 1 Pet. 4:8.
Q23. Why is the word ESPECIALLY subjoined to witness-bearing?
A. Because, as we should give testimony to truth on all occasions, so, in a special manner, when called by lawful authority to declare the matter of fact upon oath, Jer. 4:2.
Q24. What special obligation lies upon us, to declare the true matter of fact, between man and man, when called to do it upon oath?
A. In an oath, God is appealed to, that we will declare nothing but the truth, as we shall answer to him at the great day; and therefore, our doing otherwise, either out of hatred, or favour, is laying ourselves open to his immediate wrath and displeasure, according to Mal. 3:5 - "I will be a swift witness - against false swearers, - saith the Lord of hosts."
Q1. Is it our duty to govern our tongues?
A. Yes: I said, I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue, Ps. 39:1.
Q2. Is he a good Christian that does not?
A. No: For if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, that man's religion is vain, James 1:26.
Q3. Must we therefore pray to God to keep us from tongue-sins?
A. Yes: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, Ps. 141:3.
Q4. Is it our duty to speak truth?
A. Yes: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour, Zech. 8:16.
Q5. Is there good reason for it?
A. Yes: For we are members one of another, Eph. 4:25.
Q6. And is this the character of a good man?
A. Yes: That he speaketh the truth in his heart, Ps. 15:2.
Q7. Are all truths to be spoken at all times?
A. No: For there is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak, Eccl. 3:7.
Q8. But may an untruth be spoken at any time?
A. No: For God's people are children that will not lie, Isa. 63:8.
Q9. Is it our duty, especially in witness-bearing, to speak truth?
A. Yes: For a faithful witness will not lie, Prov. 14:5.
Q10. And the whole truth?
A. Yes: Samuel told Eli every whit, and hid nothing from him, 1 Sam. 3:18.
Q11. And nothing but the truth?
A. Yes: For a lying tongue is but for a moment, Prov. 12:19.
Q12. Is it our duty to strive to have a good name with God?
A. Yes: For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth, 2 Cor. 10:16.
Q13. And should we endeavour to have a good name with good people?
A. Yes: Let those that fear thee turn unto me, Ps. 119:79.
Q14. And if possible a good name with all people?
A. Yes: Demetrius hath a good report of all men, 3 John 1:12.
Q15. Must we abound in those things that are of good report?
A. Yes: If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on those things, Phil. 4:8.
Q16. In order to our getting a good name must we live by faith?
A. Yes: For by it the elders obtained a good report, Heb. 11:2.
Q17. Must we walk wisely?
A. Yes: For a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, Eccl. 8:1.
Q18. Must we do justly?
A. Yes: Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, 1 Pet. 2:12.
Q19. And be humble?
A. Yes: For before honour is humility, Prov. 18:12.
Q20. And must we abound in good works?
A. Yes: Let your light so shine before men, Matt. 5:16.
Q21. But can good people expect to have everyone's good word?
A. No: Woe unto you when all men speak well of you, Luke 6:26.
Q22. May we hazard a good conscience to preserve our reputation?
A. No: For our praise is not of men, but of God, Rom. 2:29.
Q23. Ought we to be very tender of the good names of others?
A. Yes: We must honour all men, 1 Pet. 2:17.
Q24. Must we give them the praise of that in them which is good?
A. Yes: We also bear record, 3 John 1:12.
Q25. But may we flatter them?
A. No: He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail, Job 17:5.
Q26. Must we charitably conceal their faults?
A. Yes: For charity covers a multitude of sins, 1 Pet. 4:8.
Q27. Must we discourage slandering and censoriousness?
A. Yes: We must with an angry countenance drive away a backbiting tongue, Prov. 25:23.
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The Ten Commandments
The moral law and what God requires of man
Q39. What is the duty which God requireth of man?
A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will.
Q40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.
Q41. Wherein is the moral law summarily comprehended?
A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
Q42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves.
Q43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?
A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Q44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, That because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.
Q45. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Q46. What is required in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
Q47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.
Q48. What are we specially taught by these words, 'before me', in the first commandment?
A. These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.
Q49. Which is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Q50. What is required in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word.
Q51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word.
Q52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.
Q53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Q54. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.
Q55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known.
Q56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
A. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.
Q57. Which is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Q58. What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself.
Q59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath?
A. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath.
Q60. 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; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
Q61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.
Q62. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the sabbath day.
Q63. 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.
Q64. What is required in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
Q65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.
Q66. 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.
Q67. Which is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.
Q68. What is required in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
Q69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour, unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
Q70. Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Q71. What is required in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbour's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.
Q72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
Q73. Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.
Q74. What is required in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.
Q75. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour's, wealth or outward estate.
Q76. Which is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness bearing.
Q78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbour's, good name.
Q79. Which is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's.
Q80. What is required in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.
Q81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.
Q82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Q83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
Q84. What doth every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.