-- -mow 3 96 The Blednefs of the Peace - makers. S E R M. thefe creatures to whom he hath commu- XIV. nicated intelle tual and moral powers, in which his image properly confifleth ; in this fenfe the angels are faid in the book of yob to be the fons of God; and Adam hath the fame denomination given him in the 3d of Luke, Taft verfe, for the fame reafon, namely, be- caufe he came out of the hands of his Maker, diftinguifhed from all other creatures in this lower world, by bearing the refemblance of the divine underftanding and moral per - fetion ; as the apoftle faith of all mankind Aas xvii. 28. that they are alfo his &spring. But men having degenerated and fallen fhort of the glory of God, by fin rendering themfelves unworthy of that honourable re- lation, it pleafed him to form a new and gra- cious defign for reftoring them to their for- feited privilege and by grace, through Jefus Chrift, who is himfelf the image of the invifible God, in a moil peculiar fenfe his Son only begotten and dearly beloved, they who believe and obey the gofpel become his adopted children. During the time of their alienation from God and rebellion a- gainft him, their fiate is thus defcribed, they are without God, and without hope towards him, enemies in their minds by wicked works, the children of difobedience and of wrath; but by
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