A03603:167
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 6: §. 6.THE PATERNE of perfection. › Section 6: §. 6.
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.
1. It is a special privilege proceeding from the image of God, viZ. holiness, righteousness, and wisdom. The stateliness of a building ⟨p. 117⟩comes from all the parts conjoined; beat down the parts, and it will be an heap of stones: so freewill is the structure that God put on Adam, whose beauty flows from the joining together of wisdom, holiness, and righteousness. This was a special privilege to Adam: no creature, besides him and Angels, had free liberty to do good. God put this stock into his hand. When I say Adam had this special privilege, I do not say therefore he was free from subjection to God; for God gave Adam a law, and concurred with him in his work; but the dispensation of the work God left to Adams liberty: if he did well he should be rewarded; if he did ill, he should be punished. ⟨p. 118⟩God would not constrain Adam to his service, nor compel him to evil. The other creatures could not meddle with him, for they were under him; therefore he was free. Hence the Philosopher observes, that praise and dispraise belongs only to man. We praise not the fire for burning, because it is tied to it by a bond of necessity; but Adam might do, or not do; if he did well, he was to be praised, because he might have done evil: if he did evil, he was to be dispraised, because he might have done well. Still God concurs with Adam, as he doth with the nature of the creatures: he works with the fire when it burns, with the sparrow when it flies: for so it is in ⟨p. 119⟩2 Cor. 3.17. where the spirit is, there is liberty: there is a sovereignty in the will of a regenerate man, by which all creatures are under his dispose, which God will not, the creature cannot hinder: Therefore Christ saith unto the believing Jews, Joh. 8.32. If you hear my words you are free.
1. It is a speciall priviledge proceeding from the image of God, viZ. holinesse, righteousnesse, and wisedome. The statelinesse of a building ⟨p. 117⟩