The ground, from whence 〈◊〉 had been taken, into that consecrated place.
But when Adam fell from this, it gave occasi∣on unto God to excommunicate, * and send him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till Unto which intent, God took Adam into a kind of implicit Covenant (but not the same with that, which some do take for the Covenant of Works) with himself, and to the ordi∣nance of the Sabbath, he annexed (as a kind of Sacraments) the Tree of knowledge for his caution * and the Tree of Life for his comfort, * as a pledge of immortal felicity, in case of his obedience. Whereas, if there be any mystery at all to be observed in it, it may seem to have been this, That God would not leave Adam, to abide in the wide world (at large) as his own master, and Lord of all besides, without any homage to be paid to himself, his Maker and there∣fore, that he would impale him (with∣out confinement) within a certain glo∣rious place, wherein he would be wor∣shipped, in a more especial manner, by him and his, that were to constitute an holy Church in the state of innocency, if he had held it. Of all mankind to be his residence, and mansion (which as it is described, com∣prised many regions) while his Children, to be born, had all the rest before them. To which some others have fit∣ly applyed this Answer: That if Adam had not sin∣ned, the whole Earth would have been a kind of Paradise to the sons of men but that, that which was set forth for Adam, was adorned for him (in a special manner) as the Prince, and head
*As for Adam (then) the School-men have observed, that he was created out of Paradise, and after brought in: from which some of them would inferr, and argue, * That he was not created in Grace, but in his pure naturals and that he was endued with superna∣tural Gifts, when he came to be instated there. Who being to derive his flesh from the first Adam, we cannot chuse but begin from the head of all and observe somewhat concerning his state, that hath either escaped some Writers, or been wisely passed o're by others to e∣vade perplexity. He suffered to walk in their own ways, * is the scope of these reserches: to the end, that we may come to know (at last) what manner of Kingdom that should be, which God would give unto his on∣ly Son.
Adam why Created out of Paradise, and after brought in? Our first Parents Created in perfection, yet never offered to couple in their innocen∣cy, though they had such a command, with a blessing and why? Why, also, they coveted Children after their fall? wherein their outward state of misery is pointed out.īY what degrees and means the Divine Power and Wisdom would erect a Kingdom to him∣self, distinct from all the Nations, which
0 kommentar(er)
