Question 51

1. Is it our duty to know God? Yes.

   “Know thou the God of thy fathers” 1 Chronicles 28:9

2. And to acknowledge him? Yes.

   “In all thy ways acknowledge him” Proverbs 3:6

3. Should we do this by an humble fear of him? Yes.

   “I fear God” Genesis 42:18

4. And by an hearty confidence in him? Yes.

   “I trust in thee” Psalm 25:2

5. And by an entire submission to him? Yes.

   “Submit yourselves unto God” James 4:7

1. Should we acknowledge God as our God? Yes.

   “One shall say I am the Lord’s” Isaiah 44:5

2. And as the only true God? Yes.

   “Ye turned from idols to serve the living and true God” 1 Thessalonians 1:9

3. Should we do this publicly and in the face of the world? Yes.

   “And hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” 1 Timothy 6:12

4. Should we do it with judgment and understanding? Yes.

   “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve” Joshua 24:15

5. Should ye do it joyfully and without regret? Yes.

   “The jailer rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” Acts 16:34

6. Should we do it sincerely and without deceit? Yes.

   “Son give me thine heart” Proverbs 23:26

7. Should we do it entirely and without reserve? Yes.

   “Caleb hath wholly followed the Lord” Deuteronomy 1:36

8. Should we do it resolutely and without hesitation? Yes.

   “Nay, but we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:21

9. And should we do it fixedly and without revolt? Yes.

   “So will we not go back from thee” Psalm 80:18

1. Should we give up ourselves to the will of God? Yes.

   “Here am I, let him do to me as seemeth him good” 2 Samuel 15:26

2. And surrender ourselves to his government? Yes.

   “By thee only will we make mention of thy name” Isaiah 26:13

3. And devote ourselves to his service? Yes.

   “Yield yourselves unto the Lord, and serve the Lord your God” 2 Chronicles 30:8

4. And has God a just right to all this? Yes.

   “Of thine own have we given unto thee” 1 Chronicles 29:14

1. Is it enough that we verbally devote ourselves to the Lord? No.

   “For we must vow and pay unto the Lord our God” Psalm 76:11

2. Must we therefore worship him? Yes.

   “We are an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices unto God” 1 Peter 2:5

3. Must we do this with the inward man? Yes.

   “Bless the Lord, O my soul” Psalm 103:1

4. And with the whole man? Yes.

   “All that is within me bless his holy name” Psalm 103:1

5. And with a view to Christ? Yes.

   “Their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar” Isaiah 56:7

6. And by the assistance of the Spirit? Yes.

   “Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man” Ephesians 3:16

7. And in the way of his own appointments? Yes.

   “For in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” Matthew 15:9

1. Should we also glorify God? Yes.

   “Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit” 1 Corinthians 6:20

2. Should we do this by a constant attendance on his ordinances? Yes.

   “All nations shall come and worship before thee, and shall glorify thy name” Psalm 86:9

3. And by an humble confession of our sins? Yes.

   “My son, give glory to God, and make confession to him” Joshua 7:19

4. And by a regular course of obedience? Yes.

   “Herein is my Father glorified, if ye bring forth much fruit” John 15:8

5. And if called thereto by suffering for his sake? Yes.

   “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God” John 21:19

6. And will this in the end redound to our own advantage? Yes.

   “For them that honour me, I will honour” 1 Samuel 2:30

Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.