| Question | Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments. 1 |
The Baptist Catechism Set to Music
Benjamin Beddome’s Exposition
Was the moral law in force before the Ten Commandments were given?
Yes.
For Abraham commanded his children to keep the way of the Lord,
Genesis 18:19
Were any parts of it published before?
Yes.
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed,
Genesis 9:6
But was it at last summed up in Ten Commandments?
Yes.
He declared unto you his covenant, even Ten Commandments,
Deuteronomy 4:13
Were these commands spoken?
Yes.
He heard a voice,
Deuteronomy 4:12
And did God speak them?
Yes.
God spake all these words, saying,
Exodus 20:1
Were they written?
Yes.
What is written in the law?
Luke 10:25
And did God write them?
Yes.
The writing was the writing of God,
Exodus 32:16
Was Christ concerned in giving the law?
Yes.
He spake to our fathers in Mount Sinai,
Acts 7:38
Was it given by the hands of Moses?
Yes.
For the law was given by Moses,
John 1:17
And by the ministration of angels?
Yes.
They received the law by the disposition of angels,
Acts 7:53
Was the law given with much pomp?
Yes.
The Lord came from Sinai and rose up from Seir, and came with ten thousands of his saints,
Deuteronomy 33:2
And with great terror?
Yes.
There were lightnings and thunderings, and the noise of the trumpet and the mountain smoking,
Exodus 20:18
Was the sight thereof terrible to Moses himself?
Yes.
He said, I exceedingly fear and quake,
Hebrews 12:21
And did it strike an awe upon the people?
Yes.
When the people saw it they removed and stood afar off,
Exodus 20:18
Is it necessary then that what was delivered with so much terror should be obeyed with fear?
Yes.*
We must fear God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
Hebrews 12:28
*Note, The moral law is so called, because it is a rule, founded upon the perfections of God, having its general principles in the light of nature, and given to mankind as intelligent and social creatures, for the direction of their manners and behaviour.
The Westminster Larger Catechism
| Question | What is the moral law? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding everyone to personal, perfect, and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, soul and body, 1 and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he oweth to God and man: 2 promising life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it. 3 |
| Question | Is there any use of the moral law to man since the fall? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Although no man, since the fall, can attain to righteousness and life by the moral law; 1 yet there is great use thereof, as well common to all men, as peculiar either to the unregenerate, or the regenerate. 2 |
| Question | Of what use is the moral law to all men? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The moral law is of use to all men, to inform them of the holy nature and will of God, 1 and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly; 2 to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives; 3 to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery, 4 and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, 5 and of the perfection of his obedience. 6 |
| Question | What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, 1 and to drive them to Christ; 2 or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable, 3 and under the curse thereof. 4 |
| Question | What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works, 1 so as thereby they are neither justified 2 nor condemned; 3 yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good; 4 and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness, 5 and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience. 6 |
| Question | Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon Mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone; 1 and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus. The four first commandments containing our duty to God, and the other six our duty to man. 2 |