A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's
by Matthew Henry
Q. 44. What does the preface to the ten commandments teach us ?
A. The preface to the ten commandments teaches us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all God's commandments.
1. Is God the Lord Jehovah? Yes: I am the Lord, that is my name, Isa. 43:8. Is that a reason why we should keep his commandments? Yes: Ye shall observe all my statutes, and do them, I am the Lord, Lev. 19:37. Is he our God? Yes: He is thy praise, and he is thy God, Deut. 10:21. Is that a reason why we should keep his commandments? Yes: for all people will walk every one in the name of their God, Mic. 4:5. Ps. 95:7.
2. Is he our Redeemer? Yes: Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer, Isa. 63: 16. Has he redeemed us from outward troubles? Yes: Behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, Josh. 14:10. And are we therefore bound to keep his commandments? Yes: Truly, I am thy servant, thou hast loosed my bonds, Ps. 116:16. And are we very ungrateful if we do not? Yes: Now thou hast given us such deliverance as this, should we again break thy commandments? Ezra 9:13, 14.
3. Has God brought us out of a spiritual Egypt? Yes: for Christ proclaims liberty to the captives, Isa. 61:1. Are we delivered from the bonds of sin? Yes: He shall redeem Israel from all their iniquities, Ps. 130:8. And is our deliverance by Christ greater than theirs out of Egypt? Yes: for if the Son make you free, then you shall be free indeed, John 8:36. And are we therefore bound to keep all his commandments? Yes: for we are delivered out of the hands of our enemies, that we might serve him, Luke 1:74, 75. And was this the design of our redemption? Yes: He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Tit. 2:14. Is there then all the reason in the world why we should be religious? Yes: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, Isa. 1:18.