The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on AdamThe paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam

The use is threefold.

1. It falls heavy upon many wicked and ungodly men,¹ the vileness of whose hearts ⟨p. 106⟩is such, that in stead of having in them righteousness and love, they have hearts full of rancour within, and tongues full of railing without. The sting of the serpent is in their hearts, and the poison of asps is under their lips; they regard not what they say against those that fear Gods name. If righteousness be the image of God, then envy and malice is an argument of a man whose heart God never wrought upon; it is a black brand of a child of the Devil. In this the children of God are manifest from the children of the Devil. 1 Joh. 3.10. The children of God are the children of love, the children of Satan are the children of hatred. He that hateth his brother, ⟨p. 107⟩is a child of the Devil, it is manifest, thou mayest conclude it undoubtedly. 1 Joh. 4.8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God: as if he should say, Thou that hast no love, hast no interest in God. Hatred is that wherein the kingdom of Satan consists, Joh. 8.41. as for all other sins, they are practised among men, but this is the trade of the Devils in hell. The Pharisees bragged that they were Abraham's children, You seek to kill me, saith Christ, which Abraham did not: if you were of your father Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham: but mark the 44. verse: You are of your father the Devil: for he was a murderer from the beginning. You have never heard, that ⟨p. 108⟩