Question 46

Was the moral law in force before the Ten Commandments were given?

Yes. For Abraham commanded his children to keep the way of the Lord,^a

Were any parts of it published before?

Yes. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed,^b

But was it at last summed up in Ten Commandments?

Yes. He declared unto you his covenant, even Ten Commandments,^c

Were these commands spoken?

Yes. He heard a voice,^d

And did God speak them?

Yes. God spake all these words, saying,^e

Were they written?

Yes. What is written in the law?^f

And did God write them?

Yes. The writing was the writing of God,^g

Was Christ concerned in giving the law?

Yes. He spake to our fathers in Mount Sinai,^h

Was it given by the hands of Moses?

Yes. For the law was given by Moses,ⁱ

And by the ministration of angels?

Yes. They received the law by the disposition of angels,^j

Was the law given with much pomp?

Yes. The Lord came from Sinai and rose up from Seir, and came with ten thousands of his saints,^k

And with great terror?

Yes. There were lightnings and thunderings, and the noise of the trumpet and the mountain smoking,^l

Was the sight thereof terrible to Moses himself?

Yes. He said, I exceedingly fear and quake,^m

And did it strike an awe upon the people?

Yes. When the people saw it they removed and stood afar off,ⁿ

Is it necessary then that what was delivered with so much terror should be obeyed with fear?

Yes. We must fear God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.^o^*

Notes

*Note, The moral law is so called, because it is a rule, founded upon the perfections of God, having its general principles in the light of nature, and given to mankind as intelligent and social creatures, for the direction of their manners and behaviour.

Each links to the Scripture index: what else cites the passage.

A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism (1752) on Q. 46, symbolics.dev/beddome1752/46

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