2 )e parmonvoftie ttt abut , Chap. I. the wretchednefs of our Captivity ilIuftrates the Glo- Le-y1.J ry of our Redemption. And fence the mifery of Man was not the original condition of his nature, but the effe:& ofhis guilty choice, 'tis requifite to make fome reffe&ion upon his ñrft ftate, as hecame out of the pure hands of God; that comparing our prefent mifery with our loft happinefs, we may revive in our breafts the affe&ions ofSorrow, Shame and Indignation againft our (elves ; and confidering that the Heavenly Adam hathpurchafed forus a title to abetter Inheritance than wasforfeited bythe Earthly one, we maywith the more affe&ionategratitude, extol the Favour and Power of our Redeemer. God who is the living Fountain of all Perfe&ions,. (pent an intire Eternity in the Contemplation ofhis own Excellencies, before anycreature was made. Inthe moment appointed by his Wifdom, he gave thefill' Being to the World. Three diftin& orders of Natures he form'd, the one purely spiritual, the other purely Material, and between both one Mixt, which unites the extremes in it felf. This is Man, the abridgment of the Univerfe, aily'd to theAngels in his Soul, andtoma- terial things in his Body, and capable of the Happinefs ofboth; By his internal Faculties enjoying thefelicity ofthe IntelleElual, and byhis external tailing the Plea- fures of theSenfftiveWorld. Man's greateft excellency was a perfeht Cónformity to theDivinePattern. God created Man in his own Likenefs, in the Image ofGod created he him. This includes, Firfl, The Natural similitudeofGod in the fubftance of the Soul, as it is an intelligent, free, fpiritualand Immortal Being. This is aflìgned to be the Reafonof Gen. 9. ß, theLaw, That Whofo fheds Mans Blood, by Man(hall his Bloodbe"bed; for in the Image ofGod made heMan. secondly, A moral Refemblance in its Qualities and Perfe&ions.. Thirdly,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=