Why as though living in the world, are ye subject unto ordinances. (Touch not, taste not, handle not; which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments add doctrines of men which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship.

Q. 9. May nothing be added in the worship of God, but what is prescribed in the word of God?

A. Nothing may be added in the worship of God as part of worship, but what is prescribed or appointed in the word of God, because without divine institution it is but vain worship neither pleasing unto God nor profitable unto them that worship, Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Q. 10. Are no significant ceremonies allowable that the dull minds of men may be quickened unto the more devotion?

A. 1. The ceremonies which God himself did appoint under the law, are not lawful, much less the ceremonies of men's appointment, which are parts of worship. 2. Significant teaching seremonies, were they appointed by God, would be the parts of true worship therefore such significant teaching ceremonies as are not appointed by God, are parts of false worship, or of worship, so far corrupted as they are used. 4. The significancy of teaching ceremonies without God's institution, which carrieth with it God's blessing, is insignificant, and ineffectual to convey and confer any grace.

Q. 11. May not the church by virtue of that command, 1 Cor. xiv. 40. Let all things be done decentIy, and in order; appoint ceremonies for decency and order's sake?

A. The church may and ought by virtue of that command, see that there be no indecency and disorder in the worship of God, that is, they may order that things appointed by God, be done decently, and in order, in reference to conveniency of time, and place, and the like; which the word of God doth virtually include in appointing worship itself, which with-out such circumstances cannot be performed: But

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here is no liberty given unto the church to introduce, and appoint new parts of worship, as significant teaching ceremonies are proved to be; neither may such things be called decent in God's worship, which the idolatrous church of Rome have in use without any warrant from the word of God.

Q.. 12. What is the idolatry and superstition of the church of Rome, in the worship of God?

A. The idolatry and superstition of the church of Rome, in the worship of God, is their idolatrous kneeling at the sacrament, asserting, that the bread is turned into the real body of Christ; their idolatrous worshipping of Christ by the crucifix; their idolatrous pictures, and the images of God which they bow before their idolatrous bowing at altars, and towards the east; their idolatrous praying to the an gels and saints, especially the virgin Mary; their of fering and the unbloody sacrifice of the host; their superstitious fasting and abstaining from flesh in lent, their superstitious holy days, their superstitious priests surplice; their adding cream, oil, and spittle to the water, and signing with the cross in baptism, their baptizing of bells, their praying upon beads, and many more superstitious customs, for which there is not the least command in scripture.

Q. 13. How may we further offend and sin against the second command?

A. We offend and sin against the second commandment, not only by idolatry and superstiton, but also when we are not zealous for pure worship according to God's institution, nor endeavour what in us lieth in our places, the reformation of worship according to the pattern in the word; as also when we disuse and neglect, especially when we contemn, and oppose any of these ordinances which God hath appointed to be the means of worship, John ii. 17. The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Heb. x. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is, Mat. xxiii. 13. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for ye neither go in

yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering, to go in. 1 Thess. ii. 16. Forbidding us to speak unto the Gentiles, that they may be saved, filling up their sins alway. Acts xiii, 44, 45, 46. And the next sabbath-day, came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God: but when the Jews saw the multitude, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary, that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

52. Q. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment, are God's soverignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.

Q. 1. What is the first reason annexed unto the second commandment?

A. The first reason annexed unto the second commandment is, God's sovereignty over us, in these words, I the Lord...

Q. 2. What is the force of this first reason?

A. The force of this first reason is, because God is the great sovereign King over us, and hath the sole, or only authority to make laws for the ways of his worship; therefore we ought by virtue of our allegiance, as we are his subjects, to obey his laws and ordinances, and to worship him no other way than he hath appointed in his word, Psal. xcv. 2, 3. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise unto him with Psalms: for the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Q. 3. What is the second reason annexed unto the second commandment?

A. The second reason annexed unto the second commandment, is God's propriety in us, and in these words, Thy God, I the Lord thy God.

Q. 4. What is the force of this second reason?

A. The force of this second reason is that because we belong unto the Lord therefore we ought to keep close unto him, and to his appointments, and take heed especially of idolatry and superstition, which do alienate the heart from him, Psal. xcv. 6, 7. O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our God, Psalm cvi. 19, 21. They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image; they forgat God their Saviour.

Q. 5. What is the third reason annexed unto the second commandment?

A. The zeal which God hath to his own worship is his jealousy, whereby out of his love to his own worship and institutions, he is highly offended with those that turn aside from them unto their own inventions, I the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, Exod. xxxiv. 14. Thou shalt worship no other God, for the Lord whose name is jealous, is a jealous God.

Q. 6. Wherein doth the zeal and jealousy of God for his own worship shew itself?

A. The zeal and jealousy of God for his own worship doth shew itself; 1. In his accounting the breakers of this commandment, those that hate him, and threatening to punish them unto the third and fourth generation; I the Lord, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. 2. In his esteeming the keepers of this commandment, such as love him and promising mercies unto thousands of them shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Q. 7. How can God in justice visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children?

A. 1. If children do not walk in the steps of the same sins with their parents, God doth not punish them for their sins, Ezek. xviii. 14, 17. If he beget a son that seeth all his fathers sins, which he hath done and considereth, and doth not such like, he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. 2. If God doth visit the iniquites of the fathers upon their children, it is when the children are guilty of the

same iniquity, and so fill up the measure, and the punishment of them is most equal and righteous, Ezek. xliii. 15. Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal.

53. Q. 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.

54. Q. What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requireth, the holy and reverend use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, words and works.

Q. What are we to understand by the name of God which we are forbidden in this commandment to take in vain?

A. The name of God which we are in this commandment forbidden to take in vain, is to be taken generally and comprehensively for any thing whereby God maketh himself known.

Q2. By what is it that God doth make himself known?

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A. God doth make himself known: 1. By his names taken particularly, which he hath given unto himself in scripture, such as GoD, LORD, I AM, JEHOVAH, and the like, Deut. vi. 4. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, Exod. iii. 13, 14. And they shall say unto me, what is his name? What shall say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM thou shalt say, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exod. vi. 3. I appeared unto Abraham, by the name of God Almighty, but by the name of Jehovah was I not known. 2. By his titles, such as Lord of hosts, Holy One of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Creator, Preserver of men, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, the King of nations, the King of saints, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, the God of salvation,