Question 44

How many Reasons or Arguments are there in the Preface to oblige and perswade us to keep all Gods Commandments?

There are in the Preface three Reasons, or Arguments to oblige and perswade us to keep all Gods Commandments. 1. Because God is the Lord: I am the Lord. 2. Because God is our God: I am the Lord thy God. 3. Because God is our Redeemer, which brought thee out of the Land of Ægypt, out of the House of Bondage.

How can God be said to bring his People out of the Land of Ægypt, out of the House of bondage now?

As God brought his People of old out of the Earthly Ægypt, and the Bondage of Men; so he doth now bring his People out of spiritual Ægypt, and the bondage they are in unto the Devil & their own lusts.

How are we bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments, as he is the Lord?

We are bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments, as he is the Lord; because as he is the Lord, he is our Creator and supream Soveraign, and we owe to him all obedience, as we are his creatures and Subjects, Serve the Lord with gladness, know that he made us and not we our selves.^a Who would not fear thee, O King of Nations? for unto thee it appertaineth.^b

How are we bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments as he is our God?

We are bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments, as he is our God, because as our God he hath taken us into Covenant, and brought us into a special relation to himself, and hereby laid a greater obligation upon us, to do him service, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, & his judgments, & his Commandments alway.^c

How are we bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments, as he is our Redeemer?

We are bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments, as he is our Redeemer, because God hath Redeemed us for this end, that being free from the slavery of sin and Sathan, we might be encouraged and enabled to yield obedience unto him, Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirits which are Gods.^d That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness & righteousness before him all the days of our lives.^e