Q.63. Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.[v]

[v] Exod. 20:12.

Q.64. What is required in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors,[w] inferiors[x] or equals.[y]

[w] Eph. 5:21.

[x] 1 Pet. 2:17.

[y] Rom. 12:10.

We are here taught,

1. That there are several stations in society which are ordained by God.

2. That we are required to preserve the honour due to every one in their several stations.

3. That we are required to preserve the honour due to our superiors.

4. That we are required to preserve the honour due to our inferiors.

5. That we are required to preserve the honour due to our equals.

6. That we are required faithfully to perform the duties which belong to every one in their several stations.

7. That we are required to perform the duties which we owe to our superiors.

8. That we are required to perform the duties which we owe to our inferiors.

9. That we are required to perform the duties which we own to our equals.

10. That all our social duties must be performed with a due regard to the authority of God.

Q.65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations.[z]

[z] Matt. 15:4-6. Ezek. 34:2-4. Rom. 13:8.

We are here taught,

1. That we are forbidden to neglect the honour due to any one, whether our superior, our inferior, or our equal.

2. That we are forbidden to do any thing against the honour belonging to any one, whether our superior, our inferior, or our equal.

3. That we are forbidden to neglect the duties which are due to any one, whether our superior, our inferior, or our equal.

4. That we are forbidden to do any thing against the duties which we owe to any one, whether our superior, our inferior, or our equal.

Q.66. What is the reason annexed to the fiifth commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.[a]

[a] Deut. 5:16. Eph. 6:2,3.

We are here taught,

1. That long life is promised to those who honour their parents.

2. That temporal prosperity is promised to those who honour their parents.

3. That long life and temporal prosperity are always regulated by a regard to the glory of God.

4. That temporal prosperity is always limited to what is best for the people of God.