Question 47

What are the chief sins forbidden in the first Commandment?

The chief sins forbidden in the first Commandment, are, 1. Atheism. 2. Prophaness. 3. Idolatry.

What is Atheism?

Atheism is the denying, or not having a God, The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.^a At that time ye were without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the World.^b

What is the Prophaness in this Commandment forbidden?

The Prophaness forbidden in this Commandment, is the not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God.

Wherein doth this prophaness, in regard of Gods Worship and honor, appear?

Profaness, in regard of Gods Worship and Honor, doth appear, 1. When Persons do not know God, or have misapprehensions of him, My People is foolish, they have not known me.^c Thou thoughtest I was altogether such a one as thy self.^d 2. When Persons are forgetful of God, My People have forgotten me days without number.^e 3. When Persons hate God, or love themselves, or any thing else more than God, desire Creatures more than God, trust in arms of flesh more than God, delight in objects of sense more than God, when Persons set any affection upon any thing in the World more than God, and take off the heart, in whole, or in part, from God, The carnal mind is enmity against God.^f Love not the World, nor the things in the World; if any man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him.^g Set your affections on things above, not on things on Earth.^h 4. When Persons omit or neglect to give that worship and glory which is due unto God, either with the inward, or outward Man, But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob, &c.ⁱ

What is that Idolatry which is forbidden in this first Commandment?

The Idolatry which is forbidden in the first Commandment, is the giving that Worship and Glory unto any other, which is due unto God alone, Who changed the truth of God into a lye, and Worshipped and Served the Creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.^j

How many ways may Persons be guilty of the Idolatry forbidden in this Commandment?

Persons may be guilty of the Idolatry forbidden in this Commandment, 1. By having and worshiping other Gods besides the true God, with the outward man; as when Persons worship the Heathenish Gods, or Angels or Saints. 2. By giving that honor and respect to any thing in the World, which is due only unto God, with the inward man, which is Heart-Idolatry, And Coveteousness which is Idolatry.^k