Question 82

Was Adam able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God before the Fall?

Yes. Gen. 1 26 27. Eccl. 7 29.

Is man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God now?

No. Eccl. 7 20. Iam. 3. 2. 1 Kings 8. 46. 1 Ioh. 1. 8, 10.

How long hath man been rendred unable, perfectly to keep the Commandments of God?

Ever since the Fall.

But how long shall man continue in this impotency?

As long as he continues in this life.^a

Christ was true man; but was not he able perfectly in this life to keep the Commandment of God since the Fall?

He was not a meer man.

What mean you by that?

That he was God as well as man.^b

How oft doth man break the Commandments of God?

He doth daily break them.

How many waies doth he break them?

Three waies, viz. in thought,^c word^d and deed.^e

If this be true, must not that doctrine of the Papists and others be false, that teacheth perfection attainable in this life, and that men may do works of supererogation, and that good works are meritorious?

Yes, this their proud, and self-advancing Doctrine must needs be false.

But what do you mean by that perfection, which is not attainable in this life?

Absolute unsinning obedience.

Was not this perfection attained in this life by the ever blessed Virgin Mary?

No.^f

Why can none merit everlasting life by good works?

1. Because works as good are not their own.^g 2. Because all such works are Debts^h to be paid, and not gifts offered up unto God. 3. Because they bear no proportion to the reward to be received.ⁱ

Can works of Supererogation consist with the imperfection of our works?

No.

If no man can merit by his works for himself, can he communicate to another that which he hath not himself?

No.

Is there therefore nothing in the Churches treasury superabundant for those that do not abound in every good work themselves?

No.