HenryWSC 2

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 2

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Do we need a rule to direct us to our chief end? Yes: for we all like sheep have gone astray,
Isa. 53:6
. Could we not find it out of ourselves? No: for man is born like the wild ass’s colt,
Job 11:12
.
Is divine revelation necessary to religion? Yes: for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,
Rom. 10:17
. Is not the light of nature suffcient without it? No: for the world by wisdom knew not God,
1 Cor. 1:21
. Has God therefore given us a revelation? Yes: he hath showed thee, O man, what is good,
Mic. 6:3
. Was there revelation from the beginning? Yes: at sundry times, and in divers manners, God spake unto the fathers,
Heb. 1:1
.
Are the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament the word of God, and a divine revelation? Yes: for all Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
2 Tim. 3:16
. Were they indited by the blessed Spirit? Yes: for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,
2 Pet. 1:21
. Were they confirmed by miracles? Yes; God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders,
Heb. 2:4
. Do they recommend themselves? Yes; for the word of God is quick and powerful,
Heb. 4:12
. Is not the Bible then a cheat put upon the world? No: for these are not the words of him that hath a devil,
John 10:21
.
Was the book of the Scripture written for our use? Yes: whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning,
Rom. 15:4
. And is it of great use? Yes: for it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2 Tim. 3:16
.
Are the Scriptures the great support of our religion? Yes: for we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Eph. 2:20
. Are they the standing rule of our faith and practice? Yes: we first have recourse to the law and to the testimony.
Isa. 8:20
. Are they the only rule? Yes : for other foundation can no man lay,
1 Cor. 3:11
. Are they our guide? Yes: for the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light,
Prov. 6:23
. Do they show us the way to heaven and happiness? Yes: for in them we thing we have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Christ,
John 5:39
.
Are the Scriptures our oracle which we must consult? Yes: What is written in the law, how readest thou?
Luke 10:26
. Are they our touchstone which we must try by? Yes: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,
Isa. 8:20
. Are they the weapons of our spiritual warfare? Yes: Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written,
Matt. 6:10
,
Eph. 6:17
.
Is the written word a sufficient rule? Yes: for the law of the Lord is perfect,
Ps. 19:7
. Is it plain? Yes: for the word is nigh thee,
Rom. 10:8
. Is the church’s authority the rule of our faith? No: for our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
1 Cor. 2:5
. May we depend upon unwritten traditions? No: for we must refuse profane and old wives’ fables,
1 Tim. 4:7
.
Will the written word be the rule of our judgment hereafter? Yes: for we must be judged by the law of liberty,
James 2:12
. Ought we therefore to be ruled by it now? Yes: as many as walk according to this rule, peace shall be on them,
Gal. 6:16
. And to be comforted by it? Yes: for through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we have hope,
Rom. 15:4
.
Are the Scriptures to be translated into vulgar tongues? Yes: for we should hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God,
Acts 2:11
. And must we study them? Yes: Search the Scriptures,
John 5:39
. And labour to understand them? Yes: Understandest thou what thou readest?
Acts 8:30
. And must we rest satisfied with this revelation of God’s will? Yes: for if we believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would we be persuaded though one rose from the dead,
Luke 16:31
. Is it a great affront to God to neglect his word? Yes: I have written unto them the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing,
Hos. 8:12
.
HenryWSC 2