Question 82

Are any in this World perfectly free from Sin?

No. For there is no Man that sinneth not,^a

Was Christ, who was not a meer Man, perfect?

Yes. He knew no Sin,^b

Was Adam before the Fall perfect?

Yes. For God made Man upright,^c

Are the Saints in the other Life perfect?

Yes. The Glorious Church is without Spot or Wrinkle,^d

But is any meer Man since the Fall in this Life perfect?

No. For there is not a just Man upon Earth that doth good, and sinneth not,^e

Are Self-justifiers Self-deceivers?

Yes. If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves,^f

And do they put a great Affront upon God?

Yes. For if we say we have not Sinn’d we make him a Liar,^g

Are not we able to keep God’s Commandments better than we do?

Yes. If I have done iniquity I will do no more,^h

But are we able perfectly to keep them?

No. For when I would do good evil is present with me,ⁱ

Though Noah was said to be perfect yet did not he Sin?

Yes. For he drank of the Wine, and was Drunk,^j

And Job?

Yes. For he cursed his Day,^k

And Hezekiah?

Yes. For his Heart was lifted up,^l

Was St. Paul himself perfect?

No. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect,^m

Do we Sin daily?

Yes. In many Things we all offend,ⁿ

Do we daily Sin in Thought?

Yes. For the Imagination of Man’s Heart is evil from his Youth,^o

Are we guilty of many Tongue-Sins?

Yes. In the Multitude of Words there wanteth not Sin,^p

Are the best guilty of many Defects?

Yes. For when the Spirit is willing the Flesh is weak,^q

And of many Inadvertencies?

Yes. They are overtaken in a Fault,^r

Can we tell how oft we Offend?

No. Who can understand his Errors?^s

Should we not therefore have recourse to Christ daily by Faith and Repentance?

Yes. If any Man Sin we have an Advocate with the Father,^t