A03603:113
The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on AdamThe paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam
The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam: and Gods covenant made with him. Whereunto is added an exhortation, to redeem the time for recovering our losses in the premisses. And also some miscellanies, viz. I. The prayer of faith. II. A preparative to the Lords Supper. III. The character of a sound Christian, in 17. marks. By T.H.The paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam: and Gods covenant made with him. Whereunto is added an exhortation, to redeem the time for recovering our losses in the premisses. And also some miscellanies, viz. I. The prayer of faith. II. A preparative to the Lords Supper. III. The character of a sound Christian, in 17. markes. By T.H.
London: printed by R. Young for R. Young, 1640
THE PATTERN of perfection. › Section 4: §. 4.THE PATERNE of perfection. › Section 4: §. 4.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Adam by this means attained his own good. Heavy things never leave moving, till they come to the earth; so Adam was restless, ⟨p. 73⟩before he came to enjoy union with God▪ This was Adams, and is our happiness, to enjoy God; which is the only good of a mans soul. Isa. 26.8 The desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. The up-shot of the desires of Gods servants is towards his name: when the body is in the grave, and the soul in heaven, the soul would fain be united to the body, that both may be united to God, and be possessed of him, and then all desires cease.
2. Adam by this meanes attained his owne good. Heavie things never leave moving, till they come to the earth; so Adam was restlesse, ⟨p. 73⟩before he came to enjoy union with God▪ This was Adams, and is our happinesse, to enjoy God; which is the onely good of a mans soule. Isa. 26.8 The desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. The up-shot of the desires of Gods servants is towards his name: when the body is in the grave, and the soule in heaven, the soule would faine be united to the body, that both may be united to God, and be possessed of him, and then all desires cease.
3. Because if Adam had not had this holiness, God had required more of him, then he had ability to perform; which had been a want of equity, which is utterly unbeseeming the sweet nature ⟨p. 74⟩of God. To require a thing absolutely impossible, is against equity: had not Adam had power to love God, God requiring love from him, had required that of him, which he had not been able to perform. It stood with equity, and Gods righteous will, to give Adam power to love him above all; yea it was a debt God owed to him, seeing he would require obedience from him. When Adam had not offended, it was requisite God should give him ability to discharge his service.