Inontribing An' IRebemptíoii+ fiance of which is this, That 'tis an impious folly to imagine that God was either defe&ive in wifdom, not toknow what was the beff frate for man in his Creati- on; or defeëfive in goodnefs that knowing it, he would not confer it upon him ; or defe&ive in power that willing, he was unable to make him better. There is another Obje&ion vehemently urg'd, that the imputation of Adam's Sin to all his pofrerity who were not exiftent at that time, and did not give their perfonal confent to the Treaty between God and him, is incontinent with Juffice; To this I anfwer. I. The terms of the firtr Covenant are fuch, that the common Reafon of Mankind cannot jufily refute. For fuppofe all the Progeny of Adam had appear'd with himbefore their Creator, and this had been pro- pounded, that God would make an agreement with their common Father on their behalf; that if he conti- nued in his Obedience, they fhould enjoy a happy Im- mortality ; if he declined from it, they thould be de- priv'd of Biefednefs : What fhadow of exception can be form'd againff this propofal? For God who is the Matter of his own favours, and gives them upon what terms he pleafes, might upon their refufal_ have juftly annihilated them. The Command was equal, and his Obedience for all was as eafie, as that of every parti- cular perfon forhimfelf. Betides, Adam was as much concern'd to obferve the Conditions of the Covenant, for fecuring his own intereft, as theirs, and after a {bolt time of trial they fhould be confirm'd in their Bleffednefs. By all which 'tis apparent how reafonable the conditions of the original Agreement betweenGod and Man are. 2. God bath a power over our Wills fuperiour to that we our felves have. If God offers a Covenant to the Creature, the terms being equal, it becomes a Law, 45 Chap. III.
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