The Shorter Catechism
Illustrated

by
John Whitecross

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.

1. 'Many have puzzled themselves,' says John Newton, 'about the origin of evil. I observe there is evil, and that there is no way to escape it; and with this I begin and end.'

2. When the physicians told Theotimus, that except he abstained from drunkenness and licentiousness, he would lose his eyes, his heart was so wedded to his sins, that he answered, 'Then farewell, sweet light.' He had rather lose his eyes than leave his sins. So a man bewitched with sin had rather lose God, Christ, heaven, and his own soul, than part with it.

3. Colonel Gardiner having received a challenge to fight a duel, made the following truly noble and Christian reply: 'I fear sinning, though you know, sir, I do not fear fighting.'

This material is taken from THE SHORTER CATECHISM ILLUSTRATED by John Whitecross revised and republished by the Banner of Truth Trust edition 1968 and reproduced with their permission.

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