The Christians Alphabet, Part 2 · Section 10
K Of the image of God, wherein man was created.
Q. Rehearse the Letter K?
A. KNowledge, righteousnesse, and true holinesse are the chiefe things wherein the image of God doth consist.
For otherwise the word of God would not call vponupon vsus to renew this image in Christ: and without these graces man had not beene fit to rule the creatures nor yet himselfe.
Q. Proue that the image of God doth consist in knowledge?
T…e image of God consisteth in knowledgeA. The Apostle noteth so much Col. 3.9.10. where speaking of the Christians renewed estate i… Christ, he saith, Ye hauehave put of the old man with his deeds; and hauehave put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge, after the Image of him that created him.
Q. Proue that it doth also consist in righteousnesse and true holinesse?
Also in righteousnesse and holinesse.A. That the image of God in man doth not onelyonly consist in knowledge, but also in iustice and in sanctity or holinesse, may appeare by that of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, 4.24. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse.
Q. How is man said to bee thus made in the image of God?
A. Man is said to bee thus made in the image of God, ☜Not in substance, bu… in s…mblance.not that he is the very stampe and representation of the Deity; for the infinite and invisible God cannot be resembled in the person of a sinite creature: but in respect of some kind of similitude or likeness…; therefore when God said, Gen. 1 …6,Let vsus make man in our image, it is added, after or according to our likenesse: the later words expounding the former. For this is the peculiar priuiledge of Christ Iesus the eternall sonne of God, who alone is so called, 2 Cor 4.4. The image of God. And Col. 1.15. The image of the inuisible God. And Heb. 1.3. The brightnesse of his glory, and the expresse image of his person: because he is one and the same God eternall with his father.
☞Q. Doth the image of God consist onelyonly in knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse?
Knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse are not the only image of God. But in the whole man, soueraignty.A. Knowledge, righteousnesse, and true holinesse are the chiefe, but not the onelyonly image or resemblance of God in man: for in that God made man ruler ouer all creatures in earth, man doth therein represent the soueraignety of God, who is Lord of all things. Againe, besides those gifts of true knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse, God gaue vntounto man diuers excellent representations of the deitie both in his soule and body.
☞Q. What other resemblances of God are there in the soule of man?
In the soule wisdome.A. In the soule of man (besides those heauenly graces of diuine knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse) God gaue man excellent wisdome, and vnderstanding, whereby he did know the nature and property of all things: as may appeare in that Adam was able to giuegive to eueryevery creature a name according to the nature of it. Gen. 2.19. where it is said, That God brought them vntounto Adam, to see what he would call them: and whatsouer Adam called eueryevery liuing creature, that was the name thereof.
Q. ☜Is there any resemblance of God in the substance of mans soule?
A. The very essence and substance of mans soule doth in some respects beare the image or likenesse of God: In the very substance of the soule inuisibility, immortality.as namely, in that the soule of man is a spirituall nature, invisible and immortall. Againe the soule, being onelyonly one, is endned with diuers properties, as vnderstanding, S. Augustine: Vnity and Trinity.memory, will: which after a sort▪ doe shadow out and resemble the vnity of the Godhead and the trinity of persons.
Q. Is there any part of the image of God, in the body of man?
☞A. The whole man both soule and body, In the body Gods image shineth.was made in the image of God: as may appeare by these euidences. First, God saith, Gen: 1.26. Let vsus make man (not the soule onelyonly, or the body onelyonly) in our image. Secondly, sinne being the contrary to Gods image, is seated not onelyonly in the soule but also in the body. Rom. 6.12. Thirdly, the renewing of Gods image, which is our sanctification, is as well in the body as in the soule, see Rom. 12.1. 1 Thes. 5.23. Fourthly, God forbidding murder, doth vse this reason, Gen. 9.6. For in the image of God hath hee made man.
Q. How is the image of God in the body of man?☞
Not in the shape or parts, but otherwise.A. The image of God is not said to be in the body as it is a body, or in respect of the shape, and parts, or limbs▪ for God is an infinite spirit, incorporaell, and inuisible; but in these respects. 1. As the body vnited to the soule, in which the image of God, doth chiefely consist, d…h constitute the whole man. 2. As the body like a microcosme or little world doth expresse in eueryevery part, the wonderfull worke of the Creator. 3. As those excellent graces of wisdome, sanctity, and iustice principally seated in the soule, doe expresse themselues in the body, and (as Solomon speaketh) Make the face to shine: according as we see the light of a candle shine through the lanterne.
Q. Proue that the word of God doth call vponupon vsus to renew this image in Christ.
A. That the word of doth call vponupon vsus to renew this image of God, The word of God calleth on vsus to renew it.consisting in knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse, and so consequently prouing that herein the image of God doth chiefely stand, see Ephes. 4.22.23.24. where the Apostle saith by way of exhortation, That yee put off concerning the former conuersation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitfull lusts. And be renewed in the spirit of your minde. And that yee put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse.
Q. Proue that without these graces man was not fit to rule the creatures, nor yet himselfe?
Without it man not fit to rule.A. It is euident, in that man hauing lost these graces, is said to become like the very brute beast, as it is Psal. 49.20. Man that is in honour, and vnderstandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.