Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 11
ROM. chap. 5. verſ. 12, 13, 14.
12 Wherefore, as by one man ſinne entred into the world, and death by ſinne, and ſo death went ouer all men, foraſmuch as all men hauehave ſinned.
13 For vntounto the time of the Law was ſinne in the world, but ſinne is not imputed while there is no Law.
14 But death reigned from Adam to Moſes, euen ouer them alſo that ſinned not after the like manner of the tranſgreſſion of Adam, which was the figure of him that was to come.
What is the principall ſcope of this place?
To ſhew that the ſinne of one Adam eating the forbidden fruit, is the ſinne of all men.
How is the ſinne called the ſinne of one man, when as both Adam and Euah ſinned which are two, and that Euah ſinned before Adam?
In the name of Adam are comprehended the man and the woman: for by mariage two are made one, and Moſes calleth both the man and the woman Adam. And laſt of all the Apoſtle vſeth a word here ſignifying both man and woman.
VVhat ground is there, that all the poſteritie of Adam ſhould ſinne in that one ſinne, that they neuer did?
The reaſon hereof is, becauſe all mankinde was in Adams loines when he ſinned.
This reaſon ſeemeth to be as doubtful as the queſtion it ſelfe.
But it is made manifeſt by the example of Abraham, Heb. 7.9.10.in whom Leui is ſaid to hauehave paid tithes to Melchiſedeck, which was not borne ſome hundred yeeres after:Gen. 25.23. alſo by the example of Rebecca, who hauing two ſonnes in her wombe, is ſaid to hauehave two nations.
Is there any proofe hereof out of this place?
Yea verely: for euen as the righteouſnes of Chriſt is reckoned to thoſe that beleeue in him, although they neuer did it, becauſe they are one with Chriſt: ſo the ſinne of Adam is reckoned to all his poſteritie, becauſe they were in him, and of him, and one with him.
Can you ſhadow out this vntounto me by any reſemblance of earthly things?
We ſee that by the act of generation in leaprous parents, the parents leproſie is made the childrens: and the ſlauiſh and villanous eſtate of the parents is communicated vntounto all their ofſpring.
Then it appeareth, that by propagation from our laſt parents we are become partakers of the tranſgreſſions of our firſt parents.
Euen ſo: and for the ſame tranſgreſſion of our firſt parents by the moſt righteous iudgement of God, we are conceaued in ſinne and borne in iniquitie.Pſal. 51.
VVhat call you that inborne ſinne wherein eueryevery one is conceaued?
It is called originall ſinne, which is a ſinne of al the poſterity of Adam, whereby all the powers of the ſoule and bodie being infected, we are made drudges and ſlaues of ſinne.
Seing by the Law ſinne is, and the law was not before Moſes; it ſeemes that there is no ſinne vntill Moſes?
When it is ſaid the Law was not before Moſes, it is to be vnderſtood of the written Law in the tables of ſtone by the finger of God, and other lawes ceremoniall and politicall, written by Moſes at the commandement of God: for otherwiſe the law (the ceremoniall excepted,) was written in the hart of man, and for the decay thereof through ſinne, taught by thoſe to whom that belonged, from the fall vntounto Moſes.
VVhom doth the Apoſtle meane when be noteth them that ſinned not to the ſimilitude of Adam?
Infants, who are borne in ſinne, and ſinne not by imitation, but by an inherent corruption of ſinne.
How is it ſhewed that babes new borne into the world ſinne?
In that they are afflicted ſundrily, which they bewray by their bitter cries: and in that they comming out of the mothers womb go ſtraight vntounto the graue.
VVhat are the fruits of this ſinne?
Actuall ſinne, thoughts, words and deeds, againſt the righteouſnes of the law.