HenryWSC 40

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 40

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Was the moral law revealed to man in innocency? Yes: for God created man in his own image,
Gen. 1:27
. Is it written in the heart of man? Yes: They show the work of the law written in their heart,
Rom. 2:15
. Is there then a law of nature? Yes: Doth not even nature itself teach you?
1 Cor. 11:14
. Is that a law of God? Yes: for he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:16
. Does natural conscience enforce that law? Yes: for the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law,
Rom. 2:14
. Did the Gentiles sin by the breach of that law? Yes: what they know naturally, in these things they corrupt themselves,
Jude 10
. And will they be punished for the breach of it? Yes: they that have sinned without law, shall perish without law,
Rom. 2:12
.
Does the law of God bind the inward man? Yes: for the law is spiritual,
Rom. 7:14
. Does it forbid heart sins? Yes: Wash thy heart from wickedness,
Jer. 4:14
. Does it require heart service? Yes: My son, give me thy heart,
Prov. 23:26
. Does the law show us our way? Yes: it is a light to our feet,
Ps. 119:105
. Does it discover sin to us? Yes: by the law is the knowledge of sin,
Rom. 3:20
. Does it warn us concerning sin and duty? Yes: by them is thy servant warned,
Ps. 19:11
. Does it show us the need of Christ? Yes: the law was our schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ,
Gal. 3:24
. And does Christ do that for as which the law could not? Yes: Christ is the end of the law for righteousness,
Rom. 10:4
.
Ought we to love the law of God? Yes: I love thy commandments above gold,
Ps. 119:127
. And to consult it upon all occasions? Yes: Thy testimonies are my delight, and my counsellors, ver. 24. And to confirm it? Yes: We must walk in the law of the Lord, ver. 1.
HenryWSC 40