HenryWSC 81

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 81

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Is it a sin to fret at the disposals of God’s providence? Yes: for shall we receive good of the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil also?
Job 2:10
. Is it a sin to quarrel with them? Yes: for they that murmured were destroyed of the destroyer,
1 Cor. 10:10
. Is it an evil thing to undervalue the mercies we have? Yes: as the Israelites that said, There is nothing besides this manna,
Num. 11:6
. And to aggravate the afflictions we are under? Yes: as they that said, We die, we perish, we all perish,
Num. 17:12
. May we in any thing be discontented? No: for we must in everything give thanks,
1 Thess. 5:18
.
Is it a sin against this commandment to envy our neighbour’s welfare? Yes: for charity envieth not,
1 Cor. 13:4
. Is envy an offence to God? Yes: for is our eye evil because his is good?
Matt. 20:15
. Is it hurtful to ourselves? Yes: for envy is the rottenness of the bones,
Prov. 14:30
. Is it the cause of much mischief? Yes: for where envy is, there is confusion, and every evil work,
James 3:16
. Is it a sin to be pleased with our neighbour’s hurt or loss? Yes: he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished,
Prov. 17:5
.
Is it a sin to desire to sin? Yes: Lust not after evil things, as they also lusted,
1 Cor. 10:6
. Does all sin begin in the lustings of the heart? Yes: for lust, when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin,
James 1:15
. Is it a sin to desire any temporal good inordinately? Yes: as Rachel, that said, Give me children, or else I die,
Gen. 30:1
. And is it a sin to lust after the delights of sense? Yes: as the Israelites who wept again, saying, Who will give us flesh to eat?
Num. 11:4
. Must we therefore suppress all sinful desires? Yes: and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof,
Rom. 13:14
.
Is it a sin to set our hearts upon worldly wealth? Yes: Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world,
1 John 2:15
. Is covetousness an offence to God? Yes: for it is idolatry,
Col. 3:5
. Will it be a vexation to ourselves? Yes: for he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver,
Eccles. 5:10
. Will it be a vexation to our families? Yes: for he that is greedy of gain troubles his own house,
Prov. 15:27
.
And injurious to our neighbour? Yes: for they that lay house to house, and field to field, would be placed alone in the midst of the earth,
Isa. 5:8
. Is covetousness the cause of much sin? Yes: for they that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare,
1 Tim. 6:9
. Must we therefore watch against it? Yes: Take heed, and beware of covetousness, I.uke 12:15. And must we abstain from all the practices of it? Yes: Let your conversation be without covetousness,
Heb. 13:5
. And must we pray earnestly against it? Yes: Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness,
Ps. 119:36
.
HenryWSC 81