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The Baptist Catechism

Question 67

    What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?

    The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment, are God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own lawful employments,a his challenging a special propriety in a seventh, his own example, and his blessing the Sabbath day.b

    1. aExodus 20:9
    2. bExodus 20:11
    Beddome's Scriptural Exposition 16 questions answered from Scripture

    1. Hath God allowed us six days to work in? Yes.

      “Six days may work be done” Exodus 31:15

    2. And ought we to work on those six days? Yes.

      “There are six days on which man ought to work.” Luke 13:14

    3. Is it highly reasonable then that we should devote a seventh to God? Yes.

      “For his commandments are not grievous” 1 John 5:3

    1. Doth God challenge a special propriety in the sabbath-day? Yes.

      “It is the sabbath of the Lord thy God” Deuteronomy 5:14

    2. And is that a reason why we should devote it to him? Yes.

      “Render unto God the things that are God’s” Matthew 22:21

    3. Did God himself observe the sabbath? Yes.

      “For the seventh day he rested and was refreshed” Exodus 30:17

    4. And ought we to imitate him? Yes.

      “Be ye followers of God as dear children” Ephesians 5:1

    5. Did Christ observe the sabbath? Yes.

      “He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath” Luke 13:10

    6. And should we follow his example? Yes.

      “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

    1. Is the due observation of the sabbath attended with many blessings? Yes.

      “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth.” Isaiah 58:14

    2. Doth it bring blessings upon particular persons and families? Yes.

      “To the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, I will give a place in my house, and a name better than of sons and daughters” Isaiah 56:4–5

    3. And upon the state? Yes.

      “If you hallow the sabbath day, and do not work thereon, then shall this city remain for ever” Jeremiah 17:24–25

    4. And upon the church? Yes.

      “Then they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the plain, bringing burnt offerings and meat-offerings and sacrifices of praise unto the house of the Lord” Jeremiah 17:26

    5. Will a profanation of the sabbath expose to God’s severest wrath? Yes.

      “They greatly polluted my sabbaths, then I said I would pour out my fury on them” Ezekiel 20:13

    6. Is it in effect a violation of the whole law? Yes.

      “They rebelled against me, they walked not in my statutes, they polluted my sabbaths” Ezekiel 20:21

    7. And may those that break sabbaths expect to lose them? Yes.

      “I will cause her sabbaths to cease” Hosea 2:11

    Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.

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