HenryWSC 83

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 83

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Is every sin done in God’s sight? Yes: I did this evil in thy sight,
Ps. 51:4
. Is it heinous in God’s sight? Yes: for he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity,
Hab. 1:13
. But is every sin alike heinous? No: He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin,
John 19:11
. Are some sins in themselves more heinous than others? Yes: If a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?
1 Sam. 2:25
. Are presumptuous sins more heinous than others? Yes: the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, that soul reproacheth the Lord,
Num. 15:30
. Was ever any sin so heinous as not to be forgiven? Yes: the Pharisees’ blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was so,
Matt. 12:32
.
Are sins against knowledge aggravated sins? Yes: that servant that knew his Lord’s will, and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes,
Luke 12:47
. And sins against mercies? Yes: Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise,
Deut. 32:6
. Especially against spiritual mercies? Yes: As Solomon, who turned from the Lord God of Israel which had appeared unto him twice,
1 Kings 11:9
. Are sins against reproof aggravated sins? Yes: he that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, and shall suddenly be destroyed,
Prov. 21:1
. And sins against our vows and covenants? Yes: Thou saidst, I will not transgress,
Jer. 2:20
.
Are the sins of great professors aggravated sins? Yes: for the name of God is blasphemed through them,
Rom. 2:24
. And the sins of ministers? Yes: Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Rom. 2:21
. May the place be an aggravation of the sin? Yes: They provoked him at the sea, even the Red Sea,
Ps. 106:7
. And the time? Yes: They turned aside quickly,
Ex. 32:8
.
Is it an aggravation of sin, if it be done with contrivance? Yes: Woe to them that devise iniquity,
Mic. 2:1
. And if it be done with delight? Yes: They rejoice to do evil,
Prov. 2:14
. And without blushing? Yes: They declare their sin as Sodom,
Isa. 3:9
. And if it be boasted of? Yes: Whose glory is in their shame,
Phil. 3:19
. And if it be often repeated? Yes: They have tempted me now these ten times,
Num. 14:22
. Should we take notice of these aggravations in our confessions? Yes: Aaron shall confess the iniquity of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins,
Lev. 16:21
.
HenryWSC 83