Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary: 13

Is man now in the state wherein he was created? No: for God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions,

Eccles. 7:29

. Can we now say we are perfectly holy? No: If I say I am perfect, that shall prove me perverse,

Job 9:20

. Can we say we are perfectly happy? No: for man is born to trouble,

Job 5:7

. Are we as we were then? No: man was planted a noble vine, but is turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine,

Jer. 2:21

. Did man continue long in his state of innocence? No: For man being in honour abideth not, Ps. 49:42.

Did God leave man to the freedom of his own will? Yes : For if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it,

Prov. 9:12

. Did God draw Adam to sin? No : for God tempteth no man,

James 1:13

. Is he any way the Author of’ sin? No: far be it from God that he should do wickedness,

Job 34:10

. Did he do what was fit to be done to prevent it? Yes: What could have been done more to my vineyard?

Isa. 5:4

. Was he obliged to do more? No: for may he not do what he will with his own?

Matt. 20:15

. Does all the blame of man’s sin lie upon himself then? Yes : 0 Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself,

Hos. 13:9

.

Did man fall by sinning against God? Yes: Thou hast fallen by thine iniquity,

Hos. 14:1

. Was that the beginning of sin in this world? Yes: for by one man sin entered into the world,

Rom. 5:12

.

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 13