Lord’s Day 44Questions 113–115
Reformed Church in America English, 1879
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Text public domain · U.S.
1879 Reformed Church in America Q&A text with inline proof references. Source: Wikisource scan transcription.
This English edition was published in the United States in 1879, before the current U.S. public-domain cutoff. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.
What doth the tenth command require of us?
That even the smallest inclination, or thought, contrary to any of God’s commands, never rise in our hearts (Matt. 15;19, 20): but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole hearts and delight in all righteousness (Gal. 5;24).
But can those who are converted to God, perfectly keep these commandments?
No; but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only small beginnings of this obedience (Phil. 3;13), yet so, that with a sincere resolution, they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commands of God (Phil. 3;13, 14).
Why will God then have the ten commands so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?
First, that all our life time, we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ (Rom. 3;20); likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, until we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come (1 Cor. 13;9, 10).