Q1. In what consisted man's apostasy from God?

A. In sinning against him, Lam. 5:16.

Q2. How does it appear that there is such a thing as sin in the world?

A. The God of truth declares, that all have sinned, Rom. 3:23; the broken law cries for vengeance against transgressors, and by it is the knowledge of sin, Gal. 3:10; Rom. 3:20; conscience, God's deputy in every man's bosom, tells him he is guilty, Jer. 14:7; the reign of death, and the groans of the creatures round about us, Rom. 8:22, all bear testimony that there is such a thing as sin in the world.

Q3. Can there be any sin, where there is no law?

A. No; "for where there is no law there is no transgression," Rom. 4:15.

Q4. Of whose law is sin a transgression?

A. Of the law of God.

Q5. What may be understood by the law of God?

A. All the precepts, or commandments, God has given to man as a rule of his obedience.

Q6. Where is this law of God to be found?

A. There was a bright and fair copy of it written upon the heart of man in innocence; but that being, in a great measure, lost by the fall, God has written again to us the great things of his law, in the scriptures of truth, Psalm 147:19, 20.

Q7. Are all the laws of God mentioned in scripture, of binding force now under the New Testament?

A. No; the ceremonial law, which was a shadow of good things to come, is now abrogated since the coming of Christ in the flesh; and many of the judicial laws, in so far as they had a particular relation to the state of the Jewish nation, are laid aside; but the moral law is perpetually binding on all mankind, in all ages and periods of the world, Psalm 119:160.

Q8. Does God require a perfect conformity to this law?

A. Yes; for there is a curse pronounced against every one that continues not in all things written in the book of the law to do them, Gal. 3:10.

Q9. Why is the nature of sin expressed by a want of conformity to the law?

A. To let us know that our very natures, since the fall, are sinful, Isaiah 1:5, 6; that we are now quite destitute of that original righteousness and holiness, which we had at our creation, Gen. 6:5; and that every swerving from the holy law, even in omitting what it commands is sin, as well as in committing what it forbids, Isaiah 43:22.

Q10. Why is sin called a transgression of the law?

A. Because the law is the boundary of all our actions; and whenever we sin, we break the boundary and limit that God has set us, and so are exposed to the curse of the law, Eccl. 10:8; Gal. 3:10.

Q11. Does the law of God extend to the first motions of sin in the heart?

A. Yes; for, says the apostle, Rom. 7:7 - "I had not known lust, except the law had said, 'Thou shalt not covet,'"

Q12. How many kinds of sin are there?

A. Two kinds; original and actual.

Q13. What do you understand by original sin?

A. The sin of our nature, which is called original sin, because we were "shapen in iniquity, and conceived in sin," Psalm 51:5; and because it was the first sin of man, and is the original and fountain of all actual sin, Matt, 15:19.

Q14. What do you understand by actual sin?

A. Every thing that is inconsistent with, and contrary to the law, in thought, word, or deed, 1 John 3:4.

Q15. How are actual sins divided?

A. Into sins of omission and commission.

Q16. What is a sin of omission?

A. It is a neglecting, or forgetting to do that good which the law commands, James 4:17.

Q17. What is a sin of commission?

A. It is a doing of what the law of God forbids, Psalm 51:4.

Q18. Is every sin mortal or deadly?

A. Yes; in its own nature, Rom. 6:16, 21, 23 - "The wages of sin is death." See also: 1 Cor. 15:56; Gal. 3:10.

Q19. Are all sins pardonable through grace?

A. There is pardon through the blood of Christ, for all sins, except one, namely, the sin against the Holy Ghost Matt. 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28, 29.

Q20. What is the sin against the Holy Ghost?

A. It is a wilful, malicious, and avowed rejection of Christ and salvation through him, by a blaspheming apostate, after manifest conviction of the truth of the gospelreport, and some kind of approbation of it, by the common influence or operation of the Spirit, Heb. 6:4-6; and 10:26, 27; 1 John 5:16; Mark 3:29, 30.

Q21. Why is this sin called blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Matt. 12:31?

A. Because it is an opprobrious25 and reproachful speaking of, and against the testimony of the Holy Ghost, in the word concerning Christ; with a direct intention to disparage his glory, and to disgrace his truth and way; hence called, "a putting him to an open shame," Heb. 6:6.

Q22. What is the object of this sin, against which it is directly levelled?

A. It is Christ, and salvation through him, as held out in the gospel revelation; for, it is a "treading under foot the Son of God, and accounting the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing," Heb. 10:29.

Q23. What are the acts of this dreadful sin?

A. A wilful rejecting, and obstinate opposing of the truth of the gospel: a spiteful scoffing at Christianity, and the professors of it, joined sometimes with a malicious persecution of them; and all these as fruits and concomitants of a total and final apostasy from the faith.

Q24. What are the aggravations of this sin?

A. Its being committed after a person has "received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come," Heb. 6:5.

Q25. Why is it said, that "the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men, Matt. 12:31?

A. Not because it is above the virtue of the blood of Jesus to cleanse from it, but because it despises the only sacrifice for sin, and means of pardon; there being "no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved," but that of Jesus, Acts 4:12, who is contemptuously rejected by it, Heb. 2:2, 3.

Q26. How may a person be assured that he is not guilty of this sin?

A. He may well be assured that this sin is not charged on him, if he is afraid that he is guilty of it; or in the least concerned about his unbelief; or has any desire after salvation through Christ, and is content to be a debtor to the riches of his grace.

Q27. What may we learn from the nature of sin in general?

A. That it is exceedingly sinful, the greatest of all evils, Rom. 7:13; and, consequently, that it must be the severest judgment in this world to be given up to it, Ezek. 24:13; and the greatest mercy to be delivered from it, Matt. 1:21.

Q1. What is meant by the law?

A. The commands and rules flowing from God's sovereignty, whereby his will is manifested, and the creature bound to obedience.

Q2. Where is this law written?

A. It is written either in the heart; Romans 2:25. Which shows the work of the law written in their hearts, (which we call the law; of nature;) or in the Bible, which we call the written moral law.

Q3. What conformity is due to the law of God?

A. A twofold conformity is due to it: FIRST, Internal, in our hearts. SECONDLY, External, in our lives; and the want of either is sin; 1 John 3:4. Whoever commits sin, transgresses also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.

Q4. How does it appear that the want of internal conformity is sin?

A. Because the law requires it; Mark 12:30. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength; for this is the first Commandment: And condemns the want of it? Romans 7:7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! nay, I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust except the law had said, You shall not covet.

Q5. Is nothing a sin but what is against God's law?

A. No, nothing can be a sin but what God has either expressly, or by consequence, forbidden in his word.

Q6. Wherein lies the evil of transgressing God's law?

A. The evil of sin principally lies in the offence and wrong done to God, whose sovereignty it labors to shake off, and despises his will; Psalm 51:4. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight.

Q7. What further evil is in sin?

A. It highly wrongs the sinner's soul by defacing, defiling, and damning it; Proverbs 8:36. But he who sins against me, wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me, love death.

Q8. Wherein is the evil of sin manifested?

A. It is manifested in the death of Christ, the terrors of conscience, and torments of Hell.

Q9. What course must the sinner take to recover himself out of his misery?

A. Repentance towards God, faith towards Christ, and both evidenced by new obedience; Acts 20:21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q10. What may we infer from hence?

A. That we have infinite cause to bless God for Christ's satisfaction of the law for our sins. Of the Tree of Knowledge

Q1. Is there a moral difference of good and evil?

A. Yes: For we must cease to do evil, and learn to do well, Isa. 1:16, 17.

Q2. Is it all alike then what we do?

A. No: For God shall bring every work into judgment, whether it be good, or whether it be evil, Eccl. 12:14.

Q3. Is there such thing as sin in thought?

A. Yes: For the thought of foolishness is sin, Prov. 24:9.

Q4. May sin be committed in word too?

A. Yes: For in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, Prov. 10:19.

Q5. Does sin suppose a law?

A. Yes: For where there is no law, there is no transgression, Rom. 4:15. and v. 13.

Q6. Is sin the breach of a law?

A. Yes: For sin is the transgression of the law, 1 John 3:4.

Q7. Is it God's law only that can make a thing to be sin?

A. Yes: For against thee, thee only, have I sinned, Ps. 51:4.

Q8. Is every breach of God's law sin?

A. Yes: For all unrighteousness is sin, 1 John 5:17.

Q9. Are we to judge of sin by the law?

A. Yes: For by the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3:20.

Q10. Could we discover sin without some law?

A. No: For I had not known sin but by the law. Rom. 7:7.

Q11. Is the transgression of the law of nature sin?

A. Yes: For they that have not the written law, show the work of the law written in their hearts, Rom. 2:14, 15.

Q12. But does the written law discover the root of sin?

A. Yes: I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet, Rom. 7:7.

Q13. Is ignorance of God sin?

A. Yes: He shall take vengeance on them that know not God,. 2 Thes. 1:8.

Q14. Is disaffection to God's government sin?

A. Yes: My people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me, Ps. 81:11.

Q15. Is all disobedience to God's law sin?

A. Yes: For the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience, Col. 3:6.

Q16. Is it a sin to omit the good which God has commanded?

A. Yes: For to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin, James 4:17.

Q17. Is it a sin to do it negligently?

A. Yes: For if thou doest not well, sin lies at the door, Gen. 4:7.

Q18. Is it a sin to do the evil which God has forbidden?

A. Yes: For he has said, O do not this abominable thing which I hate, Jer. 44:4.

Q19. Is the inclination to evil sin?

A. Yes: For St. Paul speaks of the sin that dwells in us, Rom 7:17.

Q20. Is sin the worst of evils?

A. Yes: It is an evil thing, and a bitter, to forsake the Lord, Jer. 2:19.

Q21. Is the sinfulness of it the worst thing in it?

A. Yes: For sin by the commandment becomes exceeding sinful, Rom. 7:13.

Q22. Is sin worse than affliction?

A. Yes: For Moses by faith chose rather to suffer affliction than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, Heb 11:25.

Q23. Is it displeasing to God?

A. Yes: God is angry with the wicked every day, Ps. 7:11.

Q24. Is it destructive to ourselves?

A. Yes: Be sure your sin will find you out, Numb 32:23.

Q25. Ought we not therefore to take heed of sin?

A. Yes: Stand in awe, and sin not, Ps. 4:4.

Q26. And of all appearances of it?

A. Yes: Abstain from all appearances of evil, 1 Thes. 5:22.

Q27. And all approaches towards it?

A. Yes: Touch not the unclean thing, 2 Cor. 6:17.

Q28. And must we hate it?

A. Yes: Ye that love the Lord, hate evil, Ps. 97:10. Must little children take heed of sin? My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not, 1 John. 2:1.

Q29. Is it folly to make light of sin?

A. Yes: Fools make a mock at sin Prov. 14:9.

Q30. Will our observing the law of God be the best preservative against sin?

A. Yes: Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee, Ps. 119:11.

Q31. Will an eye to God be the best argument against sin?

A. Yes: How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God, Gen. 39:9.