Baptist Catechism, 1695.
Q. 19. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
Ans. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him in ordinary generation sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.
Are all mankind descended from Adam and Eve? Yes. For Adam called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother of all living, Gen 3:20. Are we all concerned in our first parents' disobedience? Yes. By one man sin entered the world, Rom 5:12. Is our nature tainted with the filth of that sin? Yes. For what is man that he should be clean, and he which is born of woman that he shuould be righteous? Job 15:14. Is the guilt of it imputed to us? Yes. or by the offense of one, judgement came upon all men to condemnation, Rom 5:18. Are we exposed to the dreadful consequences of it? Yes. So death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Rom 5:12. And have we no power to prevent this? No. For whilst we were yet without strength Christ died for us, Rom 5:6.
Was this the case of Adam's immediate descendants? Yes. For he begat a son in his own likeness, Gen 5:3. Is it the case of all those who in future ages descend from him? Yes. For we have all borne the image of the earthly, 1 Cor 15:49. But was it the case of Christ? No. He was that holy thing, Luke 1:35. Was He therefore descended from Adam in a way of ordinary generation? No. For His mother was found with child by the Holy Ghost, Matt 1:18. Should we be humbled for original sin? Yes. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, Psa 51:5.
Q.20. Into what state did the fall bring mankind?
Ans. The Fall brought mankind into an estate of misery.
Is all mankind in a state of sin? Yes. For both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, Rom 3:9. Were they brought into this estate by the Fall? Yes. In whom all have sinned, Rom 5:12. Hath sin corrupted the whole man? Yes. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint, Isa 1:5. Doth inclination to sin appear very early? Yes. The wicked are estranged from thye womb, they go astray as soon as they are born, Psa 58:3. And doth it continue even after grace is implanted? Yes. For if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 1 John 1:8.
Is mankind in a state of misery? Yes. Woe unto us that we have sinned, Lam 5:16. Is the whole creation the worse for sin? Yes. The creature is now made subject to vanity, Rom 8:20. But do sinners above all others feel the sad efects of it? Yes. Evil pursueth sinners, Prov 13:21. Is it great misery that is consequent upon the Fall? Yes.The misery of man is great upon him, Eccl 8:6. Is it intolerable? Yes. My punishment is greater than I can bear, Gen 4:13. And is it abiding? Yes. The wrath of God abideth on him, John 3:36.
Are all men sensible of this? No. For they say they shall have peace, though they walk in the imagination of their heart, Deut 29:19. But should they be sensible of it? Yes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces. And shall they be sensible of it? Yes. They shall see and be ashamed, Isa 26:11. And are the saints sensible of it? Yes. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:24.
From A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism by Benjamin Beddome.
Steve
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