What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

1. Whether doth the [promise] annexed to this commandment, respect temporal or spiritual good?

It respects temporal good, to shew 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,”

2. What is the temporal good here promised?

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

3. Is it long life merely that is promised, without any thing else?

No: it is long life [and prosperity], or the blessings and comforts of life; without which, long life would be a grievous burden.

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

Any reference it had unto 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, “Honour thy father and thy mother,—that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayst live long on the earth.”

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

The promise of shewing 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.

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

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, an heavenly. Hebrews 11:16

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

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; Deuteronomy 34:7 and continuing useful to others, in our generation, to the end, Joshua 24:25 compared with vers. 29. Joshua 24:29

8. Why is the fifth commandment called the first commandment with promise, Eph. vi. 2.?

Because it is the first commandment of the second table, and the only commandment in it, that hath an express promise annexed unto it.

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

To shew the great regard that God has to the lawful authority of parents; Deuteronomy 21:18–22 and to engage children to behave dutifully and obsequiously towards them. Proverbs 4:10

10. Whether is the promise of long life, in this commandment, absolute or limited?

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

11. What is the comfortable limitation?

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

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

No child of God will desire any temporal blessings, but as it is for God’s glory and their good.

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

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, “A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked.” Psalm 37:16