The Preface to the Commandments (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The Preface to the Commandments (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The Preface to the Commandments is Section XXXIII of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

Sadler introduces the Ten Commandments through their preface, emphasizing God's redeeming claim on his people. He frames moral obedience as gratitude and covenantal duty rather than bare legalism.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "The same which God spake in the twentieth chapter of exodus, saying, i am the lord thy God, Who brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." He further explains the section by saying, "By calling upon God in prayer; by ever remembering my dedication to God, and by using all means of grace which He has given to me."

Theological Themes

• Law and redemption
• Covenant obedience
• Moral instruction
• Baptismal duty

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• Exodus 20:2
• Hebrews 8:10
• Romans 6:1-4
• Matthew 19:17-18
• Matthew 5:19

Anglican Context

This section belongs to Sadler's treatment of the baptismal promise to keep God's commandments. It is connected with the Decalogue in the Church Catechism and with the use of the commandments in Anglican moral and liturgical instruction. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Ten Commandments
• Church Catechism
• Anglican Ethics
• Book of Common Prayer