The Portraiture of the Image of God in Man, Part 1
THE PORTRAITVRE of the Image of GOD in MAN, in his Creation, Reſtauration, and glorification.
GOD, Propoſition. who dwelleth in a Light inacceſsible, 1. Tim. 6.16. communicates his goodneſſe to his creatures freely.
Every good thing communicates it ſelfe to another: Illuſtration. the Sunne among the Planets communicates Heat and Light; it communicates Heat to all, and Light to many creatures, Duplex Bonitas imperfecta & perfecta.but yet the Heat is hurtfull to ſome. So juſtice amongſt vertues is the moſt excellent vertue, and communicates it ſelfe to all Societies, and no Societie could ſubſiſt without it, not robbers and I heeves, unleſſe ſome kinde of juſtice were amongſt them: for if one ſhould take all, Prov. 29.28.the Societie would ſoone diſſolve. Iuſtice communicates not her ſelfe perfectly to this Society, for in this ſort of Society there is great injuſtice: but God communicates his goodneſſe to all his Creatures in a perfect meaſure, fit for their condition, and is hurtfull to none.
God communicates his goodneſſe to his Creatures fundry waies; Prop. by divers degrees and perfections.
To ſome hee gives Being onelyonly; Illuſt. to ſome hee gives Senſe, and to ſome Reaſon; to ſome hee gives ſuch a Matter and ſuch a Forme, 1. Cor. 15.39. All fleſh is not the ſame fleſh, but there is one kind of fleſh of men, another of beaſts, Duplex Bonitas, unita & diſperſa.and another of fiſhes, and another of birds: there are celeſtiall bodies, and terreſtriall bodies. A man when hee conceives a thing in his minde, he hath a ſimple conception of it, yet to make his hearers take it up the better, he utters it by ſundry words. So that which is one in God is communicated diverſly unto the creatures, as not being all capeable of a like goodneſſe; although hee communicate not his goodneſſe to all his creatures in a like degree, yet all are partakers of his goodneſſe.
God in communicating his goodnes with the creatures, Prop. intends onelyonly his owne glory, and to ſhew his goodnes.
Other creatures, Illuſt. who worke but imperfectly, worle for their owne commoditie and profit, Eccleſ. 6.7. All the travile of a man, is for his mouth. But God made all things not for his profit, but to ſhew his goodneſſe to the creatures: therefore his goodneſſe is ſpecially and firſt ſeene in the creation, which is Gods firſt manifeſtation of himſelfe.