1. Are any in this world perfectly free from sin? No: for there is no man that sinneth not, 2 Chron. 6:36. Was Christ, who was not a mere man, perfect? Yes: he knew no sin, 2 Cor. 5:21. Was Adam before the fall perfect? Yes: for God made man upright, Eccl. 7:29. Are the saints in the other life perfect? Yes: the glorious church is without spot or wrinkle, Eph. 5:27. But is any mere man since the fall in this life perfect? No for there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not, Eccl. 7:20.
2. Are self-justifiers self-deceivers? Yes: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 1 John 1:8. And do they put a great affront upon God? Yes: for if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, 1 John 1:10.
3. Are not we able to keep God's commandments better than we do? Yes: If I have done iniquity, I will do no more, Job 34:32. But are we able perfectly to keep them? No: For when I would do good, evil is present with me, Rom. 7:21. Though Noah was said to be perfect, yet did not he sin? Yes: for he drank of the wine, and was drunk, Gen. 9:21. And Job? Yes: for he cursed his day, Job 3:1. And Hezekiah? Yes: for his heart was lifted up, 2 Chron. 32:25. Was St Paul himself perfect? No: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, Phil. 3:12.
4. Do we sin daily? Yes: in many things we offend all, Jam. 3:2. Do we daily sin in thought? Yes: for, The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, Gen. 8:21. Are we guilty of many tongue sins? Yes: In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, Prov. 10:19. Are the best guilty of many defects? Yes: for when the spirit is willing the flesh is weak, Matt. 26:41. And of many inadvertencies? Yes: They are overtaken in a fault, Gal. 6:1. Can we tell how often we offend? No: who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:13. 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, 1 John 2:1. -Matthew Henry
No comments:
Post a Comment