HenryWSC 14

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 14

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Is there a moral difference of good and evil? Yes: for we must cease to do evil, and learn to do well,
Isa. 1:16–17
. Is it all alike then what we do? No: for God shall bring every work into judgment, whether it be good, or whether it be evil,
Eccles. 12:14
. Is there such thing as sin in thought? Yes: for the thought of foolishness is sin,
Prov. 24:9
. May sin be committed in word too? Yes: for in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin,
Prov. 10:19
.
Does sin suppose a law? Yes: for where there is no law, there is no transgression,
Rom. 4:15
,
Rom. 4:13
. Is sin the breach of a law? Yes: for sin is the transgression of the law,
1 John 3:4
. Is it God’s law only that can make a thing to be sin? Yes: For against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
Ps. 51:4
. Is every breach of God’s law sin? Yes: for all unrighteousness is sin, 1 John5:17. Are we to judge of sin by the law? Yes: for by the law is the knowledge of sin,
Rom. 3:20
. Could we discover sin without some law? No: For I had not known sin but by the law.
Rom. 7:7
. Is the transgression of the law of nature sin? Yes: for they that have not the written law, show the work of the law written in their hearts,
Rom. 2:14–15
. But does the written law discover the root of sin? Yes: I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet,
Rom. 7:7
.
Is ignorance of God sin? Yes: He shall take vengeance on them that know not God,.
2 Thess. 1:8
. Is disaffection to God’s government sin? Yes: My people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me,
Ps. 81:11
. Is all disobedience to God’s law sin? Yes: For the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience,
Col. 3:6
. Is it a sin to omit the good which God has commanded? Yes: for to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin,
James 4:17
. Is it a sin to do it negligently? Yes: for if thou doest not well, sin lies at the door,
Gen. 4:7
. Is it a sin to do the evil which God has forbidden? Yes: for he has said, O do not this abominable thing which I hate,
Jer. 44:4
. Is the inclination to evil sin? Yes: for St. Paul speaks of the sin that dwells in us,
Rom. 7:17
.
Is sin the worst of evils? Yes: it is an evil thing, and a bitter, to forsake the Lord,
Jer. 2:19
. Is the sinfulness of it the worst thing in it? Yes: for sin by the commandment becomes exceeding sinful,
Rom. 7:13
. Is sin worse than affliction? Yes: for Moses by faith chose rather to suffer affliction than to enjoy the pleasures of sin,
Heb. 11:25
. Is it displeasing to God? Yes: God is angry with the wicked every day,
Ps. 7:11
. Is it destructive to ourselves? Yes: be sure your sin will find you out,
Num. 32:23
.
Ought we not therefore to take heed of sin? Yes: Stand in awe, and sin not,
Ps. 4:4
. And of all appearances of it? Yes: abstain from all appearances of evil,
1 Thess. 5:22
. And all approaches towards it? Yes: Touch not the unclean thing,
2 Cor. 6:17
. And must we hate it? Yes: Ye that love the Lord, hate evil,
Ps. 97:10
. Must little children take heed of sin? My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not,
1 John 2:1
. Is it folly to make light of sin? Yes: fools make a mock at sin
Prov. 14:9
. Will our observing the law of God be the best preservative against sin? Yes: Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee,
Ps. 119:11
. Will an eye to God be the best argument against sin? Yes: How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God,
Gen. 39:9
.
HenryWSC 14