2. By the Gospel the humane nature is more highly advanced, then it could be in the first Adam, had he persisted in his integrity. First, in the person of Christ, in whom it was ⟨p. 7⟩Hypostatically united to the divine Nature, and advanced afar above all principality and power, might and dominion, and every name that is named. Angels, and Principalities, and Powers are made subject unto him. He is the first-born of every creature, and hath in all things the preeminence. 2. In all those who are spiritually descended from him, and estated by union and communion with him in his fullness both of Grace and Glory. For certainly, bto be where Christ is, and to behold his Glory, when he shall come cto be admired in those that believe, dto be like unto him, to see him as he is, to esit down with him on his Throne, to be fjoint Heirs with him in his Glory, which are some of those exceeding great and precious promises, which in the Gospel are made unto true Believers, are more high and honourable expressions of the dignity of the Sons of God by gracious Adoption, then any we can discover to have belonged unto Adam and his natural posterity, had they persisted in that integrity wherein they were created. For then the Reward would only have born proportion to the obedience whereunto ⟨p. 8⟩it related; but now it shall have its dimensions from the dignity of the Person, and excellency of the price whereby it was purchased, both which do infinitely surpass both the person and obedience of Adam, or any other mere man.
2. By the Gospel the humane nature is more highly advanced, then it could be in the first Adam, had he persisted in his integrity. First, in the person of Christ, in whom it was ⟨p. 7⟩Hypostatically united to the divine Nature, and advanced afar above all principality and power, might and dominion, and every name that is named. Angels, and Principalities, and Powers are made subject unto him. He is the first-born of every creature, and hath in all things the preeminence. 2. In all those who are spiritually descended from him, and estated by union and communion with him in his fulness both of Grace and Glory. For certainly, bto be where Christ is, and to behold his Glory, when he shall come cto be admired in those that believe, dto be like unto him, to see him as he is, to esit down with him on his Throne, to be fjoynt Heirs with him in his Glory, which are some of those exceeding great and precious promises, which in the Gospel are made unto true Believers, are more high and honourable expressions of the dignity of the Sons of God by gracious Adoption, then any we can discover to have belonged unto Adam and his natural posterity, had they persisted in that integrity wherein they were created. For then the Reward would only have born proportion to the obedience whereunto ⟨p. 8⟩it related; but now it shall have its dimensions from the dignity of the Person, and excellency of the price whereby it was purchased, both which do infinitely surpass both the person and obedience of Adam, or any other meer man.
- aEph. 1.21. Phil. 2.9, 10 1 Pet. 3.22. Heb. 1 4.8. Col. 1.15, 18.
- bJoh. 17.24
- c2 Thes 1.10.
- d1 Joh. 3.2.
- eRev. 3.21.
- fRom. 8.17
