1 In the universality of it.1 He was able to understand all things, that were presented to his understanding, and liable to the power of reason, what ever might either be necessary to direct himself, or order the creature. We must not think he was able to conceive the secret mysteries of Gods counsel, or to dive into the secret thoughts of any other man, or else to foretell things to come; this only belongs to God. Deut. 29.29. Secret ⟨p. 50⟩things belong to God, 1 King. 8.39. For thou alone knowest the mind of all the sons of men. Isai. 44.7. When God did contest with the Idolaters, he saith, Let them foretell things to come; to which we must not extend Adams knowledge. What ever might help in ruling himself, and governing the creature, he had; yet we must not extend the knowledge of Adam to Gods secrets. Adam was like the governor in a Camp, who hath not only skill to govern himself, but to order all occasions, and removings of the Camp: Adam was the General of Gods Camp, the birds of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, were all under his dominion, he had ⟨p. 51⟩knowledge to order them all to the ends to which they were appointed for. We that have lost this image, understand almost nothing: How often are we at a stand in common things? Esa. 59.10. We grope at noon day, as if we had no eyes. Among the Saints, which have received some of this knowledge, that which they know is the least part of that they know not; so that the accusation of Job is against us, Job 26.14. What a little part do we know of God? But Adam met with no difficulty, but he was able to search into the depth of it: there was no means useful for him, but he was able to order and dispose them for his good.
1 In the universality of it.1 He was able to understand all things, that were presented to his understanding, and lyable to the power of reason, what ever might either bee necessary to direct himselfe, or order the creature. Wee must not think he was able to conceive the secret mysteries of Gods counsell, or to dive into the secret thoughts of any other man, or else to foretell things to come; this onely belongs to God. Deut. 29.29. Secret ⟨p. 50⟩things belong to God, 1 King. 8.39. For thou alone knowest the mind of all the sonnes of men. Isai. 44.7. When God did contest with the Idolaters, hee saith, Let them foretell things to come; to which wee must not extend Adams knowledge. What ever might helpe in ruling himselfe, and governing the creature, he had; yet we must not extend the knowledge of Adam to Gods secrets. Adam was like the governour in a Campe, who hath not onely skill to governe himselfe, but to order all occasions, and removings of the Campe: Adam was the Generall of Gods Camp, the birds of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, were all under his dominion, hee had ⟨p. 51⟩knowledge to order them all to the ends to which they were appointed for. We that have lost this image, understand almost nothing: How often are wee at a stand in common things? Esa. 59.10. Wee grope at noone day, as if wee had no eyes. Among the Saints, which have received some of this knowledge, that which they know is the least part of that they know not; so that the accusation of Job is against us, Job 26.14. What a little part doe we know of God? But Adam met with no difficulty, but he was able to search into the depth of it: there was no meanes usefull for him, but hee was able to order and dispose them for his good.
- 1Adams perfection of understanding, wherein.
