Question 47

Is it a great Sin to deny the Being of God?

Yes. The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God,^a

Or to deny his Omniscience?

Yes. They say the Lord shall not see,^b

Or to deny his Justice?

Yes. He hath said in his Heart, Thou wilt not require it;^c

Or his Holiness?

Yes. Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self,^d

Or his Goodness?

Yes. I knew thee to be a hard Man,^e

Or his Faithfulness?

Yes. Where is the Promise of his Coming?^f

Is it a Sin to question God’s Providence?

Yes. Is the Lord among us? Or is he not?^g

Or to question his Power?

Yes. Can God furnish a Table in the Wilderness?^h

And is there such a thing as practical Atheism?

Yes. They profess that they know God, but in Works they deny him,ⁱ

Is it a great Sin to be ignorant of God?

Yes. Some have not the Knowledge of God, I speak it to your shame,^j

Is it a damning Sin?

Yes. He shall take Vengeance on them that know not God,^k

Is it the Cause of all other Sins?

Yes. There is neither Truth, nor Mercy, nor Knowledge of God, in the Land,^l

Is it a great Sin to forget God?

Yes. Thou hast forgotten the God that formed thee,^m

And to cast off the Fear of him?

Yes. There is no Fear of God before his Eyes,ⁿ

And to live without Prayer?

Yes. Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob,^o

And not to glorifie him?

Yes. The God in whose Hand thy Breath is hast thou not glorified,^p

Is all Distrust of God a Sin?

Yes. The evil Heart of Unbelief departs from the Living God,^q

And Tempting God?

Yes. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God;^r

And all the Coldness of our Love to him?

Yes. But their Heart is far from me,^s

Doth this Commandment forbid all Ungodliness?

Yes. For the Wrath of God is reveal’d against all Ungodliness,^t

And all Idolatry?

Yes. Little Children keep your selves from Idols,^u

Had the Gentiles other Gods besides the true God?

Yes. They had Gods many, and Lords many,^v

And were those Gods Devils?

Yes. They sacrific’d to Devils, and not to God,^w

May we have Communion with them?

No. I would not that ye should have Fellowship with Devils,^x

Have those Fellowship with them that consult with Witches?

Yes. Is it because there is not a God in Israel that thou goest to enquire of Beelzebub, the God of Ekron?^y

Did the Gentiles multiply their Gods?

Yes. According to the Number of thy Cities are thy Gods,^z

Were they Gods of their own making?

Yes. And they that make ’em are like ’em,^aa

Was not that a great Affront to the Living God?

Yes. They changed the Truth of God into a Lie,^bb

Is there not such a thing as Spiritual Idolatry?

Yes. These Men have set up their Idols in their Heart,^cc

Is it Idolatry to make a God of our Appetites?

Yes. Whose God is their Belly,^dd

• a God of our Money?

Yes. For Covetousness is Idolatry,^ee

May we give that Respect to any Creature which is due to God alone?

No. For his Glory he will not give to another,^ff

Is it therefore a Sin to love them more than God?

Yes. He that loveth Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me,^gg

And to trust in them?

Yes. Cursed is the Man that trusteth in Man,^hh

Is this Spiritual Adultery?

Yes. She went after her Lovers, and forgat me, saith the Lord,ⁱⁱ