The Pattern of Perfection Exhibited in Gods Image on Adam, Part 1
THE PATERNE of perfection.
GEN. 1.26.
And God ſaid, Let us make man after our owne image, &c.
REligion, being the Doctrine according to godlineſſe, is referred to two heads: The knowledge of God, and of our ſelves.
The knowledge of God conſiſts in his ſufficiencie, what he is. One God, and three perſons: in his efficiency, what he is to man.
God hath in himſelfe fulneſs of happineſs. He needed not man; but as he is good, ſo all his good is communicative: he is willing to work what is good for the Creature, in giving our being, in providing according to our being; which conſiſts in ſupporting the frame of heaven and earth, and in guiding it according to his good pleaſure.
The knowledge of our ſelves muſt be conſidered in a three-fold eſtate.
1. What we are in regard of innocency.
2. What wee are in regard of our fall.
3. The eſtate to which we are renewed.
Theſe three take up the eſtates of man: In the laſt of of them obſerve three particulars.
1. What we have received from Chriſt.
2. What we are to do for him.
3. The meanes of our renewing.
1. What wee have received appeares in his purchaſing our redemption, and in applying it: Chriſt does not onelyonly provide a ſalve, but laies it on, applies it effectually, in calling, juſtifying, ſanctifying.
2. What wee muſt doe for God; and here comes in the nature of the Law, That being redeemed, we might walke before him in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe (as S. Luke ſpeakes) all our daies. This we muſt doe, not to purchaſe any thing, but to glorifie God for what wee have received.
3. The meanes; which are the Word, Prayer, and Sacraments.
Thus when a man ſees himſelfe created, loſt, recovered, then a man is a Chriſtian man.
My purpoſe is not to begin with the knowledge of God, but with the knowledge of our ſelves, becauſe it is moſt available to make us ſee our miſery, and the need of a Saviour.
Firſt then we will begin with the firſt condition of man, as he came out of the hand of God.