But concerning the manner how these either good or evil things, come to us from these two Originally, herein consists all the matter of controversy between us. for as there are many who think we are no other way guilty, but that by the example of sinning; we imitate Adam 1the first Author of Sinning; So you may see many, who think we are upon no other account righteous and acceptable to God; but that being helped by Grace, we attain unto Christs most Holy Works, and his most pure Innocency of ⟨p. 123⟩Life, or do very nearly resemble the same. Who though they seem to say something, yet is not all contained in that: For though good Education, and imitation wisely used, hath no small influence 2for the becoming Virtuous, whereby it may come to pass, that some perhaps may seem less wicked than others, and in some respect to excel others in the praise of Piety: But imitation, or any instruction of discipline will never perform this: In short, nor any way besides will be sufficient for this, that you may shake form off your neck that which you drew from Adam, or that you should attain that which is in Christ, that is, that you should appear righteous in 3the sight of God; unless Christ come in to your succour another way, than by any of your endeavours how great soever You will say, After what manner is all this? No Men can tell you that better than St. Paul: For after what manner the former Adam ruined you, after the same manner the Second Adam Christ restores you. That first Author of your kind, whilst thou was not yet born, killed thee in the root by his, not by thy rebellion. and drew thee into misery and destruction. In Adam behold Christ, for in like manner, being born and having dyed for thee, by his won Innocency, not by thine, hath restored thee again to true […] and Paradise. As therefore the transgression of Adam was imputed to thee, who didst not Sin, after the similitude of his transgression: ⟨p. 124⟩So the Righteousness of Christ is imputed unto thee, who didst not Work after the similitude of Christ. In the 4one of whom behold the severity of Judgment, in the other the excellency of Grace. What if this perhaps seems hard and strange to any Man in Adam, that I should suffer the punishment of another Man's Sin, and that those should be punished for the crime of another, who committed nothing. (For it must needs be another Mans crime;
But concerning the manner how these either good or evil things, come to us from these two Originally, herein consists all the matter of controversie between us. for as there are many who think we are no other way guilty, but that by the example of sinning; we imitate Adam 1the first Author of Sinning; So you may see many, who think we are upon no other account righteous and acceptable to God; but that being helped by Grace, we attain unto Christs most Holy Works, and his most pure Innocency of ⟨p. 123⟩Life, or do very nearly resemble the same. Who though they seem to say something, yet is not all contained in that: For though good Education, and imitation wisely used, hath no small influence 2for the becoming Vertuous, whereby it may come to pass, that some perhaps may seem less wicked than others, and in some respect to excel others in the praise of Piety: But imitation, or any instruction of discipline will never perform this: In short, nor any way besides will be sufficient for this, that you may shake form off your neck that which you drew from Adam, or that you should attain that which is in Christ, that is, that you should appear righteous in 3the sight of God; unless Christ come in to your succour another way, than by any of your endeavours how great soever You will say, After what manner is all this? No Men can tell you that better than St. Paul: For after what manner the former Adam ruin'd you, after the same manner the Second Adam Christ restores you. That first Author of your kind, whilest thou was not yet born, killed thee in the root by his, not by thy rebellion. and drew thee into misery and destruction. In Adam behold Christ, for in like manner, being born and having dyed for thee, by his won Innocency, not by thine, hath restored thee again to true 〈…〉 and Paradice. As therefore the transgression of Adam was imputed to thee, who didst not Sin, after the similitude of his transgression: ⟨p. 124⟩So the Righteousness of Christ is imputed unto thee, who didst not Work after the similitude of Christ. In the 4one of whom behold the severity of Iudgment, in the other the excellency of Grace. What if this perhaps seems hard and strange to any Man in Adam, that I should suffer the punishment of another Man's Sin, and that those should be punished for the crime of another, who committed nothing. (For it must needs be another Mans crime;
- 1A […]A 〈…〉
- 2Imitation of Life.
- 3Christ to be seen in Adam.
- 4The severity of the Judgment of God in Adam again the excellency of Mercy in Christ.The severity of the Iudgment of God in Adam again the excellency of Mercy in Christ.
