A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

To this the Apostle answereth, verse 46. That which is natural is first, and afterwards that which is spiritual. It is the will and appointment of God, that the imperfect things should be first, and afterwards that which is more perfect.

In the next place, The Comparison is made between the two Adams in respect of their Originals, The first was of the earth, earthly, his body was made of the dust of the earth: (The Egyptians had some confused knowledge of this, and therefore defined man to be, Animal terrenum è limo natum; Hence in their Feasts, they offered unto their gods an herb that grew in their lakes, to signify what man was.)

In the next place, The Comparison is made between the two Adams in respect of their Originals, The first was of the earth, earthly, his body was made of the dust of the earth: (The Aegyptians had some confused knowledge of this, and therefore defined man to be, Animal terrenum è limo natum; Hence in their Feasts, they offered unto their gods an herb that grew in their lakes, to signifie what man was.)

But the second man is the Lord from Heaven. This place hath an appearance of some difficulty, for from this Text did some Anabaptists (who revived an old Heresy, (viz.) That Christ had not his body of the Virgin Mary) endeavour to prove, That Christ had his body from Heaven, else (say they) what opposition could there be made to Adam's body? Christs body was in the Virgin Mary, but not of her, as they affirm, But this is grossly to mistake; For the Apostle doth not intend to make a comparison in the Materials, of which both bodies were compounded, but the Originals from whence they are; The one is from Earth, the other from Heaven, being the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Some indeed have said, That Christ is therefore said to be from Heaven, because though it was materially of the Virgin Mary, yet because the Conception was in an extraordinary manner by the holy Ghost, therefore it might be said to be from Heaven. This may have some truth, yet Adam was in an extraordinary manner, and that in respect of his body formed by God, called therefore the Son of God, yet he cannot be said to be from Heaven, So that the most solid Interpretation is to understand it of the Person of Christ, and so he is wholly of Heaven, being the true and eternal God; in which respect,