6. Man had ability given him to observe the condition to the full at the very instant1 of his creation. This is implied under this phrase, God created man in his own image, Gen. 1. 27. That image of God is expounded to be
1. Knowledge, Col. 3. 10. Knowledge of all things that were requisite for him to know, for serving and honouring his Creator; and for continuing in that happy estate wherein God made him.
2. Righteousness and holiness of truth, Eph. 4. 24. In this respect it is said that God made man upright, Eccles. 7. 29. As God made man perfect in purity, so he made the frame, bent, and inclination of man wholly to good: and withal he gave man power and ability so to continue: only he made him alterable, and left it in his power and free-will to stand or fall: that there might be thereby made a more thorough trial of his voluntary obedience.
7. The Seals of the covenant of works, were the two forementioned signs: the2 two trees planted in the midst of Eden.
The former seal was to assure him of the accomplishment of the promise upon observing the condition. It is hereupon supposed that if Adam had eaten of the tree of life, before he eat of the other tree, he should for ever have been established. Thus much is gathered out of this phrase. Take of the tree of life, and eat and live for ever, Gen. 3. 22.
The latter seal was added for further trial of his obedience, whether he would be subject to the good will of his Creator in every thing that he should command him: though it were not natural, and as the moral law written in his heart: but, as it might seem, circumstantial merely upon the will of his Lord. For the fruit of that tree, before it was forbidden, was as lawful for him to eat of, as the fruit of any other tree in Eden: and it is said that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, Gen. 3. 6.
8. The ends of this covenant were partly on Gods part, and partly on mans.3
On Gods part the most high supreme end of all was his glory, manifested in sundry of his divine excellencies: as his supreme sovereignty, unsearchable wisdom, incomprehensible goodness, perfect justice, both in giving reward according to compact, and also in taking revenge according to desert.
On mans part one especial end was.
6. Man had ability given him to observe the condition to the full at the very instant1 of his creation. This is implyed under this phrase, God created man in his own image, Gen. 1. 27. That image of God is expounded to be
1. Knowledge, Col. 3. 10. Knowledge of all things that were requisite for him to know, for serving and honouring his Creator; and for continuing in that happy estate wherein God made him.
2. Righteousnesse and holinesse of truth, Eph. 4. 24. In this respect it is said that God made man upright, Eccles. 7. 29. As God made man perfect in purity, so he made the frame, bent, and inclination of man wholly to good: and withall he gave man power and ability so to continue: onely he made him alterable, and left it in his power and free-will to stand or fall: that there might be thereby made a more thorough tryall of his voluntary obedience.
7. The Seals of the covenant of works, were the two forementioned signes: the2 two trees planted in the midst of Eden.
The former seal was to assure him of the accomplishment of the promise upon observing the condition. It is hereupon supposed that if Adam had eaten of the tree of life, before he eat of the other tree, he should for ever have been established. Thus much is gathered out of this phrase. Take of the tree of life, and eat and live for ever, Gen. 3. 22.
The latter seal was added for further triall of his obedience, whether he would be subject to the good will of his Creator in every thing that he should command him: though it were not naturall, and as the morall law written in his heart: but, as it might seem, circumstantiall meerly upon the will of his Lord. For the fruit of that tree, before it was forbidden, was as lawfull for him to eat of, as the fruit of any other tree in Eden: and it is said that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, Gen. 3. 6.
8. The ends of this covenant were partly on Gods part, and partly on mans.3
On Gods part the most high supreme end of all was his glory, manifested in sundry of his divine excellencies: as his supreme soveragnty, unsearchable wisdome, incomprehensible goodnesse, perfect justice, both in giving reward according to compact, and also in taking revenge according to desert.
On mans part one especiall end was.
- 16. Mans ability to do what was requited.
- 2•. The Seals of it.
- 38. The Ends thereof.
