Rehearse the next Commandment.
Answer. The fourth Commandment, which is the last of the first Table, is this: Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all that thou hast to do : But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maidservant, thy cattle and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the Seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day, and hallowed it. Scripture References: Exo. 16.23 & 20.8-11 and 31.13; Levit. 23.3; Deut. 5:12-15. Eze. 20.12.
Question. Question. What does this word, Sabbath, mean?
Answer. Sabbath by interpretation signifies rest. And on that day (because it is appointed only for the worship of God) the godly must lay aside all worldly business, so that they may more diligently attend to religion and godliness.
Scripture References: Gen. 2.1-3; Heb. 4.3-10; Exod. 16.23; Levit. 16.13; Jere. 27.21; Luke 23.56; Ezech. 46.3; Mar. 6.2.
Question. Why has God set before us an example of Himself for us to follow?
Answer. Because notable and noble examples more thoroughly stir up and sharpen men’s minds. For servants willingly follow their masters, and children their parents. And nothing is more to be desired by men than to shape themselves to the example and following of God.
Scripture Reference: Tob. 2.12; Joh. 13.13-15; 1 Cor. 4.15-16. and 11.1; Eph. 5.1; 1.Pet. 2.21, 42.
Question. In what manner is the Sabbath day to be kept holy?
Answer. The people must assemble together to hear the doctrine of Christ, to confess their faith, to make public prayers to God, to keep the memory of God’s works, to give thanks to Him for His benefits, and to celebrate the holy Sacraments which He has left us.
Scripture References: Mark 6.2; Luke. 4.16; Act. 13,17; Math. 10.32; Psal. 95.2.
Question. Is there no more required of us for the keeping holy of the Sabbath day?
Answer. This is the outward rest and keeping holy of the Sabbath day ; besides the which, there is a spiritual rest and sanctifying of it.
Question.What is that?
Answer. That is, when, resting from worldly business and from our own works and studies, we yield ourselves wholly to God’s governance, that He may do His works in us; and when (as the Scripture calls it) we crucify our flesh, bridle the forward desires and motions of our heart, restrain our own nature, so that we may obey the will of God. For by doing this, our Sabbath day here upon earth shall most aptly express a figure and likeness of the eternal and most holy Rest, which we shall forever enjoy in Heaven.
Scripture References: Isaiah. 1.14-16. & 58.13; Heb. 4.9-10; Gal. 5.14; Col. 3.5.