Question 52

May God be denied in his attributes?

Yes. They say, How doth God know, and is there knowledge in the Most High?^b

And in his authority?

Yes. Who is Lord over us,^c

And in his providence?

Yes. They say the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil,^d

And in his truths?

Yes. They bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them,^e

And may God be practically denied even where he is doctrinally owned?

Yes. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him,^f

And forgetfulness of God?

Yes. Thou hast forgotten God that formed thee,^h

And distrust of God?

Yes. Is the Lord among us, or is he not?ⁱ

And contempt of God?

Yes. Wherefore do the wicked contemn God?^j

And any abatement of affection towards him?

Yes. I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love,^k

Or to divide it?

Yes. They swear by the Lord, and swear by Malcham,^m

Or to be remiss in it?

Yes. Their heart was not right with him,ⁿ

Or to perform it for selfish ends?

Yes. Did ye at all fast unto me, even to me,^o

Were the Gentiles idolaters?

Yes. Ye have seen their idols, wood and stone,^q

Were they guilty of the grossest idolatry?

Yes. They sacrificed to devils, and not to God,^r

Are the Papists idolaters?

Yes. For they do honour to one who sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God,^s

But is there such a thing as heart idolatry?

Yes. These men have set up their idols in their hearts,^t

Are proud men idolaters?

Yes. Thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God,^u

And covetous men?

Yes. Mortify covetousness, which is idolatry,^v

And sensualists?

Yes. Whose god is their belly,^w

Is undue flattery also a kind of idolatry?

Yes. The people said, it is the voice of God, and not of man,^x

Is this a sin that God will correct in this world?

Yes. Ye shall bear the sins of your idols,^y

And will he severely punish it in the world to come?

Yes. For idolaters shall not inherit the kingdom of God,^z