Question 87

Was Christ, who was not a mere man, perfect?

Yes. He knew no sin,^b

And are the saints in heaven perfect?

Yes. In their mouth is found no guile,^c

But is any mere man since the fall in this life perfect?

No. For there is not a just man on earth,^d

And have the best of men acknowledged this?

Yes. We are all as an unclean thing—and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away,^e

Was Jacob, a plain man, guilty of deceit?

Yes. For Isaac said, art thou my very son Esau? and he said I am,^g

Did the meekest man offend by passion?

Yes. For they provoked his spirit so that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips,^h

And the most patient man by impatience?

Yes. For he cursed his day,ⁱ

And was the wisest man guilty of the greatest folly?

Yes. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods,^j

Did the most resolute of Christ’s disciples sin through weakness and fear?

Yes. For he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man,^k

And did the apostle Paul, who so earnestly breathed after perfection, yet fall short of it?

Yes. I am carnal, sold under sin,^l

And in word?

Yes. Ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right,ⁿ

And in deed?

Yes. By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme,^o

Are they guilty of many sins which they know?

Yes. My sin is ever before me,^p

And of many more which they do not know?

Yes. For who can understand his errors?^q

And yet are they sanctified but in part?

Yes. For God will perfect that which is lacking,^s

Are they sincerely obedient?

Yes. Remember I have walked before thee in truth,^t

But are they perfectly obedient?

No. For we cannot do the things that we would,^u

Have they a relative perfection in Christ?

Yes. We are complete in him,^v

But have they a personal perfection in themselves?

No. Look not upon me because I am black,^w

Is justification then by our own works impossible?

Yes. For if thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquity, who shall stand?^x