A Golden Chain

I. The manner of Adams fall, was on this sort. First, the devil, having immediately before fallen himself, insinuateth unto our first parents, that both the punishment for eating the forbidden fruit was uncertain, and that God was not true in his word unto them. Secondly, by this his legerdemain, he blinded the eyes of their understanding. Thirdly, being thus blinded, they begin to distrust God, and to doubt of Gods favour. Fourthly, they thus doubting, are moved to behold the forbidden fruit. Fifthly, they no sooner see the beauty thereof, but they desire it. Sixthly, that they may satisfy their desire, they eat of the fruit, which by the hands of the woman, was taken from the tree: by which act they become utterly disloyal to God. Gen. 3.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Thus without constraint, they willingly fall from their integrity, God upon just causes leaving them to themselves, and freely suffering them to fall. For we must not think that mans fall was either by chance, or God not knowing it, or barely winking at it, or by his bare permission, or against his will: but rather miraculously, not without the will of God, but yet without all approbation of it. II. The greatness of this transg•••••• must be esteemed, not by the external ⟨p. 16⟩object, or the baseness of an apple, but by the off•n•• it containeth against Gods majesty. This offence appeareth by many trespasses committed in that action. The 1. is doubting of Gods word. 2: want of faith. For they believe not Gods threatening, [In that day ye eat thereof, you shall die the death:] but being bewitched with the devils promise, [ye shall be like gods] they cease to fear Gods punishment, and are inflamed with a desire of greater dignity. 3. Their curiosity, in forsaking Gods word, and seeking other wisdom. 4. Their pride, in seeking to magnify themselves, and to become like God. 5. Contempt of God, in transgressing his commandments against their own conscience. 6. In that they prefer the devil before God. 7. Ingratitude, who, in as much as in them lieth, expel Gods spirit dwelling in them, and despise that blessed union. 8. They murder both themselves and their progeny. III. The fruit or effects.

I. The manner of Adams fall, was on this sort. First, the diuell, hauing immediately before fallen himselfe, insinuateth vnto our first parents, that both the punishment for eating the forbidden fruite was vncertaine, and that God was not true in his word vnto them. Secōdly, by this his legerdemain, he blinded the eies of their vnderstanding. Thirdly, being thus blinded, they begin to distrust God, and to doubt of Gods fauour. Fourthly, they thus doubting, are mooued to behold the forbidden fruit. Fiftly, they no sooner see the beautie thereof, but they desire it. Sixtly, that they may satisfie their desire, they eate of the fruit, which by the hands of the woman, was taken from the tree: by which act they become vtterly disloyall to God.