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86. Did the fatal consequences of sin fall upon man only?

The punishment of God was also inflicted upon the earth, which had been created for man.

87. What would have become of man, if God had not shown him mercy?

No one could have received grace and been saved.

88. Why could no one have any more received grace?

Because the Divine justice demanded a satisfaction adequate to the sin; and no creature, but least of all man, who had fallen so deeply, was able to give such satisfaction.

89. How did God show mercy to man?

He promised him a Saviour, who, by a full satisfaction, should take sin away from him, and regain for him grace and the right of inheriting the kingdom of Heaven (Gen. iii. 15).

90. If without the grace of the Redeemer no one can be saved, how then could those who lived before the coming of Christ go to Heaven?