A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew Henry

Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

1. Does that which forbids us to have any other gods, require us to have the true God? Yes: Put away the strange gods, and serve the Lord only, 1 Sam. 7:3, 4. Is it our duty to acknowledge God? Yes: The Lord he is God, the Lord he is God, 1 Kings 18:39. And must we acknowledge him to be the only true God? Yes: Thou art the God, even thou alone, 2 Kings 19:15.

2. Is it our duty to acquaint ourselves with him? Yes: Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace, Job 22:21. Must we grow in that acquaintance? Yes: increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. 1:10. And may we attain to it? Yes: then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord, Hos. 6:3.

3. Must we accept of God for our God? Yes: Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, Deut. 26:17, 18. And must we join ourselves to him? Yes: Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant, Jer. 50:5. And consent to be his? Yes: O Lord, truly I am thy servant, I am thy servant, Ps. 116:16. Must we take God the Father to be our chief good and highest end? Yes: O God, thou art my God, Ps. 63:1. And God the Son to be our Prince and Saviour? Yes: My Lord and my God, John 20:28. And God the Holy Ghost to be our sanctifier, teacher, guide, and comforter? Yes: for they that are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God, Rom. 8:14. Must we renounce all others? Yes: For by thee only will we make mention of thy name, Isa. 26:13. Must we do this deliberately? Yes: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve, Josh. 24:15. Must we do it solemnly? Yes: One shall say, I am the Lord's and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, Isa.44:5. Must we do it resolutely? Yes: Nay, but we will serve the Lord, Josh. 24:21. May we be at liberty to change our Master? No: but with purpose of heart must cleave to the Lord, Acts 11:23.

4. When we have avouched the Lord for our God, must we apply ourselves to him? Yes: If the Lord be God, then follow him, 1 Kings 18:21. Must we glorify him accordingly? Yes: Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name, Ps. 39:2. Must we worship him? Yes: Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve, Matt. 4:10. Must we worship him with inward worship? Yes: we must serve him with our spirits, Rom. 1:9. Is that the worship he requires? Yes: for such the Father seeks to worship him, John 4:28.

5. Must we remember God? Yes: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, Eccl. 12:1. And think of him with delight? Yes: My meditation of him shall be sweet, Ps. 104:34. Must we adore and admire him? Yes: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Exod. 15:11. Must we fear him above all? Yes: Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, Isa.8:13. And reverence him? Yes: he is to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Ps. 89:7. Must we submit to his word? Yes: Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears, 1 Sam. 3: 9. And submit to his will? Yes: It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good, ver. 18.

6. Must we love God above all? Yes: O love the Lord all ye his saints, Ps. 31:23. Must our desire be towards him? Yes: So panteth my soul after thee O God, Ps. 43:1. Must our delight be in him? Yes: Delight thyself always in the Lord, Ps. 37:4. Must our dependence be upon him? Yes: In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, Ps. 31:1.

7. Must we live a life of communion with God? Yes: Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord, Ps. 25:15. And a life of complacency in him? Yes: Rejoice in the Lord always, Phil. 4:4. And a life of conformity to him? Yes: Be ye holy, for I am holy, 1 Pet. 1:16. And a life of confidence in him? Yes: Commit thy way unto the Lord, Ps. 37:5. And a life of regard to him? Yes: In all thy ways acknowledge him, Prov. 3:6. Must our hearts go out towards him? Yes: Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul, Ps. 25:1. And must we have him always in our eye? Yes; I have set the Lord always before me, Ps. 16:8. And must we walk with him in the whole course of our conversation? Yes: as Enoch walked with God, Gen. 5:24. And is this inward worship the life of religion? Yes: it is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices, Mark 12:33.