Question 13

Is Man now in the State wherein he was created?

No. For God made Man upright, but they have sought out many Inventions,^a

Can we now say we are perfectly Holy?

No. If I say I am perfect, it shall prove me perverse,^b

Can we say we are perfectly Happy?

No. For Man is born to trouble,^c

Are we as we were then?

No. Man was planted a noble Vine, but is turn’d into the degenerate Plant of a strange Vine,^d

Did Man continue long in his state of Innocency?

No. For Man being in Honour abideth not,^e

Did God leave Man to the Freedom of his own Will?

Yes. For if thou scornest thou alone shalt bear it,^f

Did God draw Adam to Sin?

No. For God tempteth no Man,^g

Is he any way the Anthor of Sin?

No. Far be it from God that he should do Wickedness,^h

Did he do what was fit to be done to prevent it?

Yes. What could have been done more to my Vineyard?ⁱ

Was he oblig’d to do more?

No. For may he not do what he will with his own?^j

Doth all the blame of Man’s Sin lye upon himself then?

Yes. O Israel thou hast destroy’d thy self,^k

Did Man fall by sinning against God?

Yes. Thou hast fallen by thine Iniquity,^l

Was that the beginning of Sin in this World?

Yes. For by one Man Sin entred into the World,^m