equal with GOD*, was afterwards made in the likeness of men; and as all things were created by him, and for him; according to his image and likeness was man formed to represent him in the earth; hence CHRIST is called the fecond man, the Lord from beaven §.

Therefore with the utmost propriety it is faid, God created man in his own image after his likeness for this reafon what is evidently spoken of the firft Adam in the 8th Pfalm is by the HOLY GHOST applied to CHRIST the fecond Adam, as eminently pointing at, and having its accomplishment in him; for when the picture was defaced and marr'd by tranfgreffion, he forfeited the crown of Glory honor, and immortality.

But CHRIST the true image and fon of God by bis obedience unto death hath amply repaired the breach, and won the crown of life both for himself and his people: Jefus for the fuffering of death is crowned with glory and konor; because he hath made reconciliation for the fins of the people. +

THE apoftle alfo affures us that Adam was a figure of him that was to come ‡ that is of CHRIST JESUS; and it is certain that the antitype muft exift before its Type; decretively, at leaft, if not actually;

C 2

1. Cor. 15.47.
Rom. 5, 14.

ally: In every work of eternal wisdom there is a purpose which goes before it.

THEREFORE CHRIST by whom all things were made both vifible and invifible is the beginning of the creation of GOD; the first born of every creature. §

AGAIN; all Gods elect were predestinated to be conformed to the image of his fon that he might be the first born among many brethren §; who therefore in Adam were firft created in his image, and likenefs; answerable to their glorious antitype in the heavens; thus Mofes was commanded to make the tabernacle &c. according to the pattern fhewed unto him in the mount on which tabernacle a typical glory refted for a feason, which glory was to be done

away.

*

ADAM alfo had a created glory put upon him as a figure of JESUS the fon of GOD, but when he finned that glory departed from him, which fhall again be put upon CHRIST's redeemed with additional and eternal fpendor at his coming: for when JESUS who is our life fhall appear, we also fhall appear with him in glory +; and then fhall we be like him not in fpirit only, but also in the body; for he shall change our vile body and make it like unto his glorious body ; thus it is fufficiently clear, that the firft® Adam was made a figure of our incarnate GOD; and Rom. viii. 29.

↑ Rev. iii. 14. Heb. viii. 5.

§ Coll. i. 15.

+ Coll. iii. 3.

Phil. iii, 21

and therefore was truly created in the image and according to the likeness of GOD.

OBSERVE; this image and likeness did not confift in his being made an intelligent creature endued with rational faculties and powers; nor in the bare figure, and fubftance of his human body, for these are common both to the finner and the faint; to them that are faved, and to them that pe rish; but it chiefly confifted in the moral rectitude and God-like difpofitions of his rational fpirit,together with the excellent condition of his undefiled body; which before he had finned was evidently glorious, immortal, and incorruptible; for death could not enter untill fin had made way for it.

5. ADAM was not the effential image of God, as Jasus the only begotten Son, is of the Father; had he partook of the fubftance and effence of deity, he would have been GOD, as CHRIST is and fo could never have lost the image of GOD; but he was only a created moral image in refpect of fome qualities answerable to the communicable properties of GOD, fuch as wifdom, goodness, &c. thefe in the creature are finite, and subject to change; but in the creator are immutable, and infinite.

ADAM therefore, altho' created upright in the image of God was fubject to change; GoD indeed C 3 created

created him without fin, but he was not incapable of finning; and confequently of lofing his integrity, glory, and happiness. Immutability is an attribute peculiar to the moft high, I am JEHOVAH, I change not §: no creature then can be fo holy and perfect but he is liable to change, and fo to lofe his dignity and perfection; nor is it impossible for any, fave GOD only, not to do iniquity.

I

THEREFORE the elect angels owe there ftanding, and redeemed Saints their abiding in CHRIST; not to any free will, power, or faithfulness of theirs; but to the diftinguishing grace and power of GoD towards them, whereby they are kept from falling, and established for ever: hence he faith of his Theep they shall never perish, neither hall any pluck them out of my hand: my Father who gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's band t. God was not pleased to fix unalterably, the first man by his confirming Grace; for then there could have been no place for the fecond; by whom and for whom he was created, and constituted a covenant head and Father to all his feed.

LASTLY I fhall draw from what hath been faid the following inferences.

1. WHATSOEVER GOD hath wrought in time was by him foreknown, and decreed in eternity:

as

§ Mal. iii, 6.

John x. 28, 29.

as a wife architect he perfectly understood and fettled the plan of all his works, before he began to build; there is no part of God's creation, nor any act in providence towards his creatures, but what exactly correfponds with his grand defign as eftablifh'd in the heavens, before the world was; therefore no creature can be the cause of any altera tion or change in GoD's eternal purpofe: for himself he hath made all things, upholds all things, and directs all things, to a determined end,

bis

2. IN GOD's eternal purpose he laid a fure foundation for all his works, which foundation is CHRIST the image of the invifible GoD, by whom and for whom he made the worlds, and all that is therein; hence he faith in the book of proverbs I was fet up before his works of old, even from everlafting, but in the fulness of time, he was made flesh, and defcended lower then the lowest; visage was more marred then any man's; he was more deftitute, afflicted, tormented, than any of the fons of men; he was made even a curse for us; thus CHRIST both died and rofe again that he might be the firft and the laft, the foundation and Lord of all-Infinite dignity and contempt, glory and wretchedness, bleffing and curfing,life and death met together, and united in CHRIST: who therefore is become a fure and univerfal foundation to all the works of GOD; on whom they reft,in whom they are established, and by whom they confift and C 4

are