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

An. Marvellous well, without any disparagement to the image of God; nay, he could be no other. It was no sin in Adam to be mutable, but that he abused all, when he might have used it to Gods glory. It was so far from being a blemish to Adams nature, ⟨p. 131⟩that it agreed very conveniently with it. Herein appears the difference between Adams estate, the estate of the Saints glorified, and the wicked now damned. Adam was to trade for an immutable condition, therefore could not have it put into his hand at first. The Saints that have fought the fight of faith, are established, and never shall do evil, because they have performed obedience unto God through Christ: The damned, because they have sinned against God, and have withdrawn themselves from his authority, are immutably evil; for God hath separated himself, all his holiness, and the means of grace from them, and delivered them up to the power of ⟨p. 132⟩sin; as who should say, Take them, all ye crew of cursed abominations, and carry them headlong to will evil eternally, and perish everlastingly. Adam was to trade for this immutable condition before he could have it; first he was to fight before he could conquer: And as he was not immutably good, so he could not be immutably evil. As it is with a man that hath an estate left him; if he will trade with it, he may live; if he spend it, he may lye in prison: so it was with Adam. Again, had God established and confirmed▪ Adam, he should have prevented all opportunities of the manifestation of his justice in condemning, and of his mercy in pardoning. Had he been immutably good, ⟨p. 133⟩none could have been punished, because none had offended, none could have been pardoned, because none had sinned.

An. Marvellous well, without any disparagement to the image of God; nay, he could be no other. It was no sinne in Adam to be mutable, but that he abused all, when hee might have used it to Gods glory. It was so farre from being a blemish to Adams nature, ⟨p. 131⟩that it agreed very conveniently with it. Herein appeares the difference betweene Adams estate, the estate of the Saints glorified, and the wicked now damned. Adam was to trade for an immutable condition, therefore could not have it put into his hand at first. The Saints that have fought the fight of faith, are established, and never shall doe evill, because they have performed obedience unto God through Christ: The damned, because they have sinned against God, and have withdrawne themselves from his authority, are immutably evill; for God hath separated himselfe, all his holinesse, and the meanes of grace from them, and delivered them up to the power of