HenryWSC 41

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 41

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Was the moral law in force before the ten commandments were given? Yes: for Abraham commanded his children to keep the way of the Lord,
Gen. 18:19
. Was it at last summed up in these commandments? Yes: for the law was given by Moses,
John 1:17
. Was the law of the ten commandments given first to Israel? Yes: He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts to the children of Israel,
Ps. 103:7
. But are they binding to us now? Yes: for Christ came not to destroy the law but to fulfil,
Matt. 5:17
.
Did God himself give these commandments? Yes: from his right hand went a fiery law for them,
Deut. 33:2
. Did God himself speak to them? Yes: Thou camest down upon Mount Sinai, and speakest with them from heaven,
Neh. 9:18
. Did he use the ministry of angels therein? Yes: they received the law by the disposition of angels,
Acts 7:58
. Did God himself write them? Yes: he gave unto Moses two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God,
Ex. 31:18
.
Was the law given with much terror? Yes: for it was given upon a mount that burned with fire, and with blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb. 12:18
. Was the sight terrible to Moses himself? Yes: for he said, I exceedingly fear and quake,
Heb. 12:21
. Did it strike an awe upon the people? Yes: for they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient,
Ex. 24:7
. And should not we be awed by the consideration of it? Yes: knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men,
2 Cor. 5:11
. Did the ten commandments include the whole moral law? Yes: If thou wilt enter into life, keep these commandments,
Matt. 19:17
.
HenryWSC 41