Q. 47.What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God, as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone.

1. Is it a great sin to deny the being of God? Yes: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God, Ps. 14:1. Or to deny his omniscience? Yes: they say, The Lord shall not see, Ps. 94:7. Or to deny his justice? Yes: He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it, Ps. 10:13. Or his holiness? Yes: Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself, Ps. 1:21. Or his goodness? Yes: I knew thee to be a hard man, Matt. 25:24. Or his faithfulness? Yes: Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Pet. 3:4. Is it a sin to question God's providence? Yes: is the Lord among us? Or is he not? Exod. 17:7. Or to question his power? Yes: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness, Ps. 78:19. And is there such a thing as practical atheism? Yes: They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, Tit. 1:16.

2. Is it a great sin to be ignorant of God? Yes: Some have not the knowledge of God; I speak it to your shame, 1 Cor. 15:34. Is it a damning sin? Yes: He shall take vengeance on them that know not God, 2 Thess. 1:8. Is it the cause of all other sins? Yes: There is neither truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God, in the land, Hos. 4:1. Is it a great sin to forget God? Yes: Thou hast forgotten the God that formed thee, Deut. 32:18. And to cast off the fear of him? Yes: There is no fear of God before his eyes, Ps. 36:1. And to live without prayer ? Yes: Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob, Isa. 43:22 And not to glorify him? Yes: The God in whose hand thy breath is, hast thou not glorified, Dan. 5:23.

3. Is all distrust of God a sin? Yes: the evil heart of unbelief departs from the living God, Heb. 3:12. And tempting God? Yes: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, Matt. 4:7. And all the coldness of our love to him? Yes: But their heart is far from me, Matt. 15:8. Does this commandment forbid all ungodliness? Yes: for the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness, Rom. 1:18. And all idolatry? Yes: Little children, keep yourselves from idols, 1 John 5:21.

4. Had the Gentiles other gods besides the true God? Yes: they had gods many, and lords manly, 1 Cor. 8:5. And were those gods devils? Yes: they sacrificed to devils and not to God, l Cor. 10:20. May we have communion with them? No: I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils, 1 Cor 10:20. Have those fellowship with them who consult with witches? Yes: Is it because there is not a God in Israel. that thou goest to inquire of Beelzebub the god of Ekron, 2 Kings 1:3. Did the Gentiles multiply their gods? Yes: According to the number of thy cities are thy gods, Jer. 2:28. Were they gods of their own making? Yes: And they that make them are like unto them, Ps.115:8. Was not that a great affront to the living God? Yes: They changed the truth of God into a lie, Rom. 1:25.

5. Is there not such a thing as spiritual idolatry? Yes: These men have set their idols in their hearts, Ezek. 14:4. Is it idolatry to make a god of our appetites? Yes: Whose god is their belly, Phil. 3:19. Or a god of our money? Yes: for covetousness is idolatry, Col. 3:5. May we give that respect to any creature which is due to God alone? No: for his glory he will not give to another, Isa. 42:8. 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, Matt. 10:37. And to trust in them? Yes: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, Jer. 17:5. Is this spiritual adultery? Yes: She went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the Lord, Hos. 2:13.