A03603:39
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
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.
1An. No Creatures beside Men, and Angels. It is true, that in all the frame of the creatures, there is a stamp of the holiness and power of God left passively; there are footsteps of Gods goodness left in the creature▪ but no creature is able actively to imitate God, to have an ⟨p. 11⟩holy will, and to walk answerably. There is a great difference between a mans footsteps in the sand, and his picture. If his footsteps be in the sand, we say, A man hath been there; but what his stature and proportion is, no man can tell: Draw a picture of the same man, such parts, and such limbs, this discovers what proportion he is of; The other concludes the man was there, but doth not discover his stature. If a man should see that mans son▪ just of his stature, he would then say, There is the lively picture of his father: So it is here in the creation of the World; God leaves a foot-step of his attributes, that every man may say, Wisdom, Goodness, and ⟨p. 12⟩power hath been here. Psal. 19.1. The Heavens declare the glory of God. They, as it were, speak it, and offer it to our consideration. Rom. 1.19. That which may be known of God, is in them: that is, the foot-steps of God may be observed in the creatures. But the image of God in Adam was like a picture; not a lifeless, but a lively picture. As the child that does like his father, doth discover him somewhat: So did Adam, God; he was able to express the virtues of God, that had created him. 1 Cor. 15.49. As we have borne the image of the Earthly: So we shall bear the image of the Heavenly. All the sons of Adam had the image of Adam: he was stubborn, ⟨p. 13⟩so were they. Now as we have this image from Adam, so the saints have the image of Christ; holy, as he his holy.