Q. 43. 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 brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Did God himself speak the ten commandments? Yes: God spake all these words, saying, Exod. 20:1. Was it fit they should be introduced with a solemn preface? Yes: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, 0 earth, for the Lord hath spoken, Isa. 1:2. Did he therein assert his own authority? Yes: I am the Lord thy God. Did he remind them of the great things he had lately done for them Yes: I am the Lord thy God, from the land of Egypt, Hos. 12:9.

2. Was the condition of Israel in Egypt very miserable? Yes: for the Egyptians made them to serve with rigour, Exod. 1:13. Did God bring them out of Egypt? Yes: He brought Israel from among them, for his mercy endureth for ever, Ps. 136:11. Did he do it miraculously? Yes: With a B hand, and a stretched-out arm, for his mercy endureth for ever, ver. 12. Did this oblige them to keep his commandments? Yes: When I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I said, Obey my voice, Jer. 7:22, 23. But does this concern us? Yes: for unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them, Heb. 4:2. For is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes: of the Gentiles also, Rom. 3:29.