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May we then swear religiously by the name of God?
Yes: either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects; or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm a fidelity and truth to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbour: for such an oath is founded on God's word, and was rightly made use of by the saints, both in the Old and New Testament.
102
May we also swear by saints or any other creatures?
No; for a lawful oath is calling upon God, as the only one who knows the heart, that he will bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I swear falsely; which honour is due to no creature.
103
What does God require in the fourth commandment?
First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained; and that I, especially on the sabbath, that is, on the day of rest, diligently frequent the church of God, to hear his word, to use the sacraments, publicly to call upon the Lord, and contribute to the relief of the poor, as becomes a christian. Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by his Holy Spirit in me; and thus begin in this life the eternal sabbath.
104
What does God require in the fifth commandment?
That I show all honour, love, and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience; and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.
105
What does God require in the sixth commandment?
That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour, by myself or by another: but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger. Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder.
106
But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?
In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge; and that he accounts all these as murder.
107
But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?
No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves; to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him, and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; and that we do good, even to our enemies.
108
What does the seventh commandment teach us?
That all uncleanness is accursed of God: and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same, and live chastely and temperately, whether in holy wedlock, or in single life.
109
Does God forbid in this commandment, only adultery, and such like gross sins?
Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Ghost, he commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto.
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What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
God forbids not only those thefts, and robberies, which are punishable by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbour: whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, all abuse and waste of his gifts.
111
But what does God require in this commandment?
That I promote the advantage of my neighbour in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: further also, that I faithfully labour, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.
112
What is required in the ninth commandment?
That I bear false witness against no man, nor falsify any man's words; that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly, and confess it; also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honour and good character of my neighbour.
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What does the tenth commandment require of us?
That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God's commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart, and delight in all righteousness.
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But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?
No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience; yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God.
115
Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?
First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavour, and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.
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Why is prayer necessary for Christians?
Because it is the chief part of the thankfulness which God requires of us, and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit only to such as earnestly and without ceasing beg them from him and render thanks unto him for them.
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What belongs to such prayer as God is pleased with and will hear?
First, that from the heart we call only upon the one true God, who has revealed himself to us in his Word, for all that he has commanded us to ask of him; secondly, that we thoroughly know our need and misery, so as to humble ourselves before the face of his divine majesty; thirdly, that we be firmly assured that, notwithstanding our unworthiness, he will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, as he has promised us in his Word.
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What has God commanded us to ask of him?
All things necessary for soul and body, which Christ our Lord has comprised in the prayer taught us by himself.
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What is the Lord's Prayer?
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
120
Why has Christ commanded us to address God thus: Our Father?
To awaken in us, at the very beginning of our prayer, that filial reverence and trust toward God which are to be the ground of our prayer; namely, that God has become our Father through Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of him in faith than our parents refuse us earthly things.
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Why is it added: Who art in heaven?
That we may have no earthly thought of the heavenly majesty of God, and may expect from his almighty power all things necessary for body and soul.
122
What is the first petition?
Hallowed be thy name. That is: Enable us rightly to know thee, and to hallow, magnify, and praise thee in all thy works, in which shine forth thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth; and likewise so to order our whole life, in thought, word, and work, that thy name may not be blasphemed, but honored and praised on our account.
123
What is the second petition?
Thy kingdom come. That is: So govern us by thy Word and Spirit that we may submit ourselves unto thee always more and more; preserve and increase thy Church; destroy the works of the devil, every power that exalteth itself against thee, and all wicked devices formed against thy holy Word, until the full coming of thy kingdom, wherein thou shalt be all in all.
124
What is the third petition?
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. That is: Grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, and yield ourselves, without gainsaying, to thy will, which alone is good; that so every one may fulfill his office and calling as willingly and truly as the angels do in heaven.
125
What is the fourth petition?
Give us this day our daily bread. That is: Be pleased to provide for all our bodily need, that we may thereby know that thou art the only fountain of all good, and that without thy blessing neither our care and labor nor thy gifts can profit us, and may therefore withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in thee.
126
What is the fifth petition?
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. That is: Be pleased, for the sake of Christ's blood, not to impute to us, miserable sinners, our manifold transgressions, nor the evil which still always cleaves to us; as we also find this witness of thy grace in us, that it is our full purpose heartily to forgive our neighbor.
127
What is the sixth petition?
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. That is: Since we are so weak in ourselves that we can not stand a moment, while our deadly enemies—the devil, the world, and our own flesh—assail us without ceasing, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the power of thy Holy Spirit, that we may make firm stand against them, and not sink in this spiritual war, until we come off at last with complete victory.
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How do you close this Prayer?
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. That is: All this we ask of thee, because as our King, having power over all things, thou art both willing and able to give us all good, and that thereby not we but thy holy name may be glorified forever.
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What is the meaning of the word Amen?
Amen means: So shall it truly and surely be. For my prayer is much more certainly heard of God than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him.
