5. All those notorious sinners that the Scripture declares, have been sanctified and made holy, to instance only in a few. Adam you know was created in an estate of innocency,1 integrity and perfect holiness; he being made in the image of God, and after the likeness and similitude of God; it was agreed upon in the Parliament of heaven, that man should be made glorious in holiness,2 and so he was, for he was made after Gods own image. And this the Apostle clearly and fully evidences in that famous Scripture, Ephes. 4.22, 23, 24. That Adam was invested and endowed with righteousness and holiness in his first glorious estate; with righteousness, that he might carry it fairly, justly, evenly, and righteously towards man; and with holiness, that he might carry it wisely, lovingly, reverentially and holily towards God; And that he might take up in God as his chiefest good, as in his great All, might be sufficiently made good out of this Scripture last cited: but I shall not now stand upon the discovery of Adams beauty, authority, dominion, dignity, ⟨p. 177⟩honour, and glory with which he was adorned, invested and crowned in innocency. Let this satisfy, that Adams first estate was a state of perfect knowledge, wisdom, and understanding; it was a perfect state of holiness, righteousness, and happiness; there was nothing within him, but what was desirable and delectable; there was nothing without him, but what was amiable and commendable; nor nothing about him, but what was serviceable and comfortable; and yet in the height of all his glory, he falls to Apostasy and open Rebellion against God; he takes part with Satan against God himself; he transgresses his righteous Law, he affronts his justice, he provokes his anger, he stirs up his wrath against himself and his posterity. The sin of Adam was a voluminous sin, all kinds of notorious sins were bound up in it, as backsliding, rebellion, treason, pride, unbelief, blasphemy, contempt of God, unthankfulness, theft, murder and idolatry, &c. The Philosopher being asked which was the best member of the body, answered, The tongue; for if it be good, it is the best Trumpet of Gods glory; And being asked again which was the worst, answered, The tongue; for if it be bad, it is the worst fire-brand of hell. So if any should ask me, Which was the best creature of God? I would answer, Man in honour before his fall:
5. All those notorious sinners that the Scripture declares, have been sanctified and made holy, to instance only in a few. Adam you know was created in an estate of innocency,1 integrity and perfect holiness; he being made in the image of God, and after the likeness and similitude of God; it was agreed upon in the Parliament of heaven, that man should be made glorious in holiness,2 and so he was, for he was made after Gods own image. And this the Apostle clearly and fully evidences in that famous Scripture, Ephes. 4.22, 23, 24. That Adam was invested and endowed with righteousness and holiness in his first glorious estate; with righteousness, that he might carry it fairly, justly, evenly, and righteously towards man; and with holiness, that he might carry it wisely, lovingly, reverentially and holily towards God; And that he might take up in God as his chiefest good, as in his great All, might be fufficiently made good out of this Scripture last cited: but I shall not now stand upon the discovery of Adams beauty, authority, dominion, dignity, ⟨p. 177⟩honour, and glory with which he was adorned, invested and crowned in innocency. Let this satisfie, that Adams first estate was a state of perfect knowledge, wisdom, and understanding; it was a perfect state of holiness, righteousness, and happiness; there was nothing within him, but what was desirable and delectable; there was nothing without him, but what was amiable and commendable; nor nothing about him, but what was serviceable and comfortable; and yet in the height of all his glory, he falls to Apostasie and open Rebellion against God; he takes part with Satan against God himself; he transgresses his righteous Law, he affronts his justice, he provokes his anger, he stirrs up his wrath against himself and his posterity. The sin of Adam was a voluminous sin, all kinds of notorious sins were bound up in it, as backsliding, rebellion, treason, pride, unbelief, blasphemy, contempt of God, unthankfulness, theft, murder and idolatry, &c. The Philosopher being asked which was the best member of the body, answered, The tongue; for if it be good, it is the best Trumpet of Gods glory; And being asked again which was the worst, answered, The tongue; for if it be bad, it is the worst fire-brand of hell. So if any should ask me, Which was the best creature of God? I would answer, Man in honour before his fall:
- 1Gen. 1.26.
- 2In this Scripture he speaks plainly of the Renovation of that knowledge, holiness, and righteousness that Adam sometimes had, but lost it by his fall. Psal. 8.4, 5, 6. Gen. 2.20.In this Scripture he speaks plainly of the Renovation of that knowledge, holiness, and righteousness that Adam somtimes had, but lost it by his fall. Psal. 8.4, 5, 6. Gen. 2.20.
