HenryWSC 36

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 36

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May they have an assurance of God’s love? Yes: Ye know that ye have eternal life,
1 John 5:13
. Is the Spirit the author of that assurance? Yes: the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God,
Rom. 8:16
. Is it wrought by evidences? Yes: hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments,
1 John 2:3
. Do all believers attain this assurance? No: some walk in darkness, and have no light,
Isa. 50:10
. But should they labour after it? Yes: Show the same diligence unto the full assurance of hope unto the end,
Heb. 6:11
. And is it an unspeakable comfort? Yes: for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost,
Rom. 5:5
. And is it just cause for triumph? Yes: I know whom I have believed,
2 Tim. 1:12
.
Is peace of conscience a precious privilege? Yes: for if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God,
1 John 3:21
. Is it the fruit of grace? Yes: for the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever,
Isa. 32:17
. Has Christ left it as a legacy to his disciples? Yes: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you,
John 14:27
. Can those who are unjustified have this peace? No: There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked,
Isa. 57:21
. Should those that are justified labour after it? Yes: Return to thy rest, O my soul,
Ps. 116:7
. Should this peace govern us? Yes: Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Col. 3:15
. And will it preserve us? Yes: The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds,
Phil. 4:7
. And will it be our comfort in the day of evil? Yes: our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
2 Cor. 1:12
. Is it therefore our interest to secure it? Yes; Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence,
Acts 24:16
.
May those who are justified have joy in the Holy ghost? Yes: for believing we rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory,
1 Pet. 1:8
. Have they cause for joy? Yes; for gladness is sown for the upright in heart,
Ps. 97:11
. Is it their duty to rejoice? Yes; Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice,
Phil. 4:4
. Is it their interest to rejoice? Yes: for the joy of the Lord is their strength,
Neh. 8:10
. May they rejoice in all conditions? Yes; for we glory in tribulations also,
Rom. 5:3
. And is this a superlative joy? Yes: it is gladness in the heart more than in the time that their corn and wine increased,
Ps. 4:7
.
Is grace growing? Yes: He that hath clean hands shall be Ber and Ber,
Job 17:9
. Is it so in its nature? Yes: for it is as the shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day,
Prov. 4:18
. Is it our duty to grow in grace? Yes: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
2 Pet. 3:18
. And may we rest in what we have attained? No: but press forward towards the mark,
Phil. 3:14
. Is it promised to all believers that they shall grow? Yes: for to him that hath shall be given,
Matt. 25:29
. Will the grace of God make them grow? Yes: I will be as the dew unto Israel, he shall grow as the lily,
Hos. 14:5
.
Shall true believers persevere to the end? Yes: for he that hath begun a good work will perform it,
Phil. 1:6
. Will hypocrites persevere? No: these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away,
Luke 8:13
. Does it appear by their apostasy that they never were sincere? Yes: they went out from us because they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us,
1 John 2:19
. But shall any that are justified finally fall away? No: for whom he justified, them he glorified,
Rom. 8:30
. Is every fall a falling away? No: for though he falls he shall not be utterly cast down,
Ps. 37:24
. May the appearances of grace be lost? Yes: from him shall be taken away even that which he seemed to have,
Luke 8:18
. But can true grace be finally lost? No: it is that good part which shall never be taken away,
Luke 10:24
. Will God recall his gifts? No: the gifts and callings of God are without repentance,
Rom. 11:26
. Will he secure them? Yes: we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation,
1 Pet. 1:5
,
1 Pet. 1:7
. Is the perseverance of the saints secured by the divine power? Yes: No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hands,
John 10:29
. And by the divine providence? Yes: for he will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able,
1 Cor. 10:13
. And by the divine grace? Yes: I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me,
Jer. 32:40
. And by the intercession of Christ? Yes: I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not,
Luke 22:32
. And by the indwelling of the Spirit? Yes: The anointing which you have received, abideth in you,
1 John 2:27
. And by the stability of the promise? Yes: my covenant will I not break,
Ps. 89:34
. May they be secure then? No: Be not high-minded, but fear,
Rom. 11:20
. But may they be encouraged? Yes: he will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom,
2 Tim. 4:18
.
HenryWSC 36