Question 52

In what words are these three reasons annexed to this Commandment, expressed?

In these words [For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God?]

What is the first reason annexed unto the second Commandment?

Gods Soveraignty over us, exprest in these words [I the Lord.]

What do you mean by his Soveraignty over us?

His supream power, absolute Dominion, and sole Authority over us.

What is the force of this first reason?

The force of this first reason, is, because God is the only Soveraign^a King over us, and hath the sole Authority to make Laws for the way of his worship, therefore we ought by vertue of our allegiance, as we are subjects, to observe his Laws and Ordinances, and to worship him no other way than that which he hath appointed in his Word.

What is the second reason annexed to this Commandment?

Gods propriety in us, exprest in these words, [Thy God; I the Lord thy God.]

What do you mean by his propriety in us?

His just right and Title to us as his own.

What is the force of this second reason?

The force of this second reason, is, because we are Gods, therefore we ought to keep close unto him, and his appointments, and take heed especially of Idolatry and superstition, which do alienate the heart from him.^b

What is the third reason annexed to this Commandment?

The zeal God hath to his own worship, exprest in these words [Am a jealous God; I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.]^c

What is the zeal God hath to his own worship.

It is his jealousie, where by out of love to his own worship and Institutions, he is highly offended with those that turn aside from him unto their own Inventions.

Wherein doth this zeal and jealousie of God for his own worship shew it self?

The zeal and jealousie of God for his own worship doth shew it self, 1. In his accounting the Breakers of this Commandment those that hate him, and threatening to punish them unto the third and fourth Generation; [I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me.] And, 2. In his esteeming the keepers of this Commandment, such as love him, and promising mercies unto thousands of them [And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my Commandments.]

How can God in justice visit the iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children?

1. If the Children do not walk in the sinful steps of their Fathers, God will not visit the iniquity of their Fathers upon them.^d 2. It is most equal and righteous for God to visit the iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children, when the Children are guilty of the same iniquity, and so fill up the measure of their Fathers sins.^e [By consenting to, partaking of, and imitating their Fathers sins.]