HenryWSC 39

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 39

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Does God require duty of men? Yes: Now, O Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee,
Deut. 10:12
. Of every man? Yes: he that hath ears to hear, let him hear,
Matt. 13:9
. Has he authority to require duty? Yes: If I be a master, where is my fear,
Mal. 1:6
. Is it fit he should rule us? Yes: for we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture,
Ps. 100:3
. Is it fit we should obey him? Yes: for the borrower is servant to the lender, and the fool is servant to the wise in heart,
Prov. 22:7
,
Prov. 11:29
. Ought we therefore to inquire what our duty is? Yes: teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes,
Ps. 119:33
.
Has God made known his will concerning our duty? Yes: He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel,
Ps. 147:19
. Are we to obey it? Yes: Thou shall obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments,
Deut. 27:10
. Is that obedience the condition of our acceptance? Yes: Obey my voice, and I will he your God,
Jer. 7:23
. Is obedience to God reasonable? Yes: it is our reasonable service,
Rom. 12:1
. Is it easy? Yes: for his commandments are not grievous,
1 John 5:3
. And will it he acceptable? Yes: for to obey is better than sacrifice,
1 Sam. 15:22
.
Must our obedience to God be sincere? Yes: Fear the Lord, and servehim in sincerity, and in truth,
Josh. 24:14
. Must it be universal? Yes: Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments,
Ps. 119:6
. Must it be with delight? Yes: I delight in the law of God after the inward man,
Rom. 7:22
. Must it be constant? Yes: Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long,
Prov. 23:17
. Must God’s commands take place of men’s? Yes: We ought to obey God rather than men,
Acts 5:29
,
Acts 4:19
.
HenryWSC 39