God created all things which exist, by the immediate agency of his power, according to the design of his wisdom, and for the purposes of his goodness. The question, why did not God make the world before? is impertinent," and well did that pious old man speak, who when a wanton fellow did in scorn demand of him, what God had done before the foundation of the world, answered that he builded hell for curious fools." B. 1. ch. 14 sec. 1.

Having formed the earth and its inhabitants, in the space of six days, rather than instantly, for our instruction, he made the first man, of the dust of the earth. Angels were previously made. To the animal body of man, God joined an immortal, but created soul, of two constituent parts, understanding, or mind, and heart, or will.

The soul is immaterial

and can exist in a separate state from the body. It is called a spirit, when considered as disjoined from the body.

The image of God in which Adam was created, consisted, not in the erect form of his bo

OTHERS.

1

"It pleased God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness and true holi ness, after his own image, having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change."

Con. C. Scot. ch. 4. Con. P. C. U. S. p. 23, 24. Say. Plat. ch. 4.

"We believe that God created man out of the dust of the earth, and made and formed him after his own image and likeness, good, righteous and holy, capable in all things to will, agreeable to the will of God." Con. R. D. C. Art. 14.

God spake the whole creation into being, from nothing, with infinite ease. He formed angels and men, and it is very improbable that there are any other orders of created beings. The creation of the world from chaos, was emblematical of the new creation out of confusion and moral darkness The gradual increase of light and order, was emblematical of the dawn and rising of the Sun of rightcousness upon the moral world.

Six days were employed in the creation, to divide our time, and give us an example of holy rest on the Sabbath. The six days were also emblematical of the six thousand years of the 'preparatory work of redemption, antecedent to the seventh millennium, or sabbath in the age of the world and church. The question, why was not the creation begun sooner? is impertinent and absurd.

Adam was made of the dust, in the latter end of September; when the fruits were prepared for his use; and Eve was taken out of his side, to intimate the relation which should subsist between the sexes. Man was

OTHERS.

Adam before and after the fall, in his understanding had the natural image of Jehovah ; but it was a MORAL IMAGE, particularly referred to when God said, "let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Adam's heart was so created as to resemble the heart of God; or his moral exercises, which were of a benevolent nature were created in him.

His primitive rectitude consisted in the nature of his choice, and not in any power to choose, or "power of free will," for this he never had. "Such a dependent creature could no more

dy, or beauty of his face, but chiefly in a clear understanding, affections framed according to reason, senses governed in 1 right order, and soundness of all his parts. "Though the principal seat of the image of God was in the mind and heart, or in the soul, and powers thereof, yet was there no part of man, not so much as his body, wherein did not some sparks thereof appear." There was a perfection of powers, as well as wisdom and holiness. He had understanding to discern good from evil, and power of free-will, whereby he might have attained to eternal life.

Inst. B. 1. ch. 5 and 15.

OTHERS.

"Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to do that which is good and well pleasing to God; but yet mutably, so that he might fall from it."

Con. C. Scot. ch. 9. Say. Plat. ch. 9. sec. 2. and Con. P. C. U. S. p. 51. "God of the slime of the earth created man, after his image, that is to say, good, just, and holy, who had power by his own free will, to frame and conforme his will unto the will of God." Con. of Belgia. "Man was before his fall, upright and free, who might both continue in goodnesse, and decline to evill." Latter Con. of Helvetia. "'He made our first parents, Adam and Eve, the root of mankind, both upright and able to keep the law written in their heart." Con. C. Scot. p. 446. "Man was created of God, just, wise, indued with free will, adorned with the Holy Ghost, and happie."* Con. of Wertemberge,

ch. 4.