THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST.
Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 13-14.

Q.13.  Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

EXPLICATION.

Freedom of their own will.—At full liberty to do as they pleased.

Estate wherein they were created.—The state or condition in which God first placed them.

ANALYSIS.

Here we have three points of information:

1. That our first parents were left to the freedom of their own will.—Genesis 3:6. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes—she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

2.That they fell from the estate wherein they were created.—Genesis 3:8. And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God, among the trees of the garden.

3. That our first parents fell by sinning against God.—Ecclesiastes 7:29. God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Q. 14. What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God.

EXPLICATION.

Want of conformity unto the law.—Not being or doing what the law of God requires.

Transgression of the law.—Doing what is forbidden by the law, or what God commands us not to do.

ANALYSIS.

In this answer we are taught two things:

1. That even the want of conformity to the law of God is sin.—Romans 8:7. The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

2. That actual transgression of the law is also sin.—I John 3:4. Sin is the transgression of the law.