these, our world, as far as we at present know, is the bility of sinning is essential to a state of trial, why Another objection that some may have against the following discourse, is, that it tends to weaken the evidence of the divinity of our Savior, as it leads us to apply many of those texts to his mediation, which Trinitarian writers have improved for the evidence of his divinity; and thus tends to undermine that gospel mystery. And I readily grant, the following treatise will naturally lead us to explain many texts, as speaking of the mediatorial character and influence of the Lord Jesus Christ, which have been by some, understood as a proof of his God-head. But instead of weakening, this discourse tends to confirm the truth of these revealed mysteries of the Trinity, and the incarnation; for they evidently lie at the foundation of the brief system here advanced, and are the chief corner stone on which it rests. Gospel truths have many times suffered by the injudicious conduct of their friends, in their improving many texts in proof of them, which altho' the expressions detached from their connexion scem to favor them, yet when duly examined, will appear to have another meaning. And when it is found, that many of those texts which are brought in proof of the doctrine of the Trinity, upon a fair examination contain a different meaning; they will be ready to conclude that all other texts brought 1 in support of that truth, do likewise really mean something else, provided we could hit upon their true interpretation. But if no texts were brought in proof of the doctrine, but such as plainly speak to the point, and can fairly admit of no other interpretation, many of the triumphs of the adversaries would have been prevented. The doctrine of the Trinity, and of the divinity of our Savior, are points plentifully attested by texts which can have no other construction put upon them. I will mention one, John i. 3, "All things were made by him." If any should say, that God created the Logos with such noble powers, that he was able to make the world, which is the common Socinian evasion; I will affirm such men use words without ideas. It is by the works of creation we know there is a God. As says the apostle, Rom. i. 20, "For the invisible things of him from the foundation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead." If these words are true, the truth of which is established both by the light of reason and divine revelation; and if the Logos did create the world, as is expressly said; then we have, in the works of creation, the convincing evidence of his eternal power and God-head; which is the highest evidence we can have that there is a God. ated the Logos with such noble powers that he was capable to make the world; it is but saying in other words, that one God can make another. Therefore, If therefore God cre besides the absurdity of a created God, the Deist, the Arian, or Socinian, will be obliged to give up his creed, by his own argument; and to embrace that of Polytheism, or Atheism, between which there is not much to choose. VIEW OF DIVINITY, &c. I. CORINTH. xv. 21, 22. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. " All ALTHOUGH the apostle here treats of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead with a special reference to the saints, yet it is manifest he does not mean to confine it to such; for all both good and bad, shall be raised from the dead, in the last day. that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." The apostle speaks of the resurrection of the dead in the text, in such general terms as to include all mankind. "As in Adam, ALL die; so in Christ shall ALL be made alive." And it is evident that the' resurrection of the wicked is the fruit of Christ's purchase, as well as that of the righteous; for all those that died in Adam, are made alive in Christ. "For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead." The ruin of mankind by Adam, and their recovery by Jesus Christ, are very interesting subjects here set before us; each of which I purpose to consider. The ruin of mankind by the fall of Adam, first demands our attention. The ruin brought upon us by the apostacy of our first parents, is a matter which should be carefully looked into, that we may entertain just thoughts of that divine constitution under which we have fallen into an estate of sin and misery, and may truly know what our fallen state is. We are prone to entertain very dishonorable thoughts of God, on account of those covenant transactions with our first parents whereby we are involved in a state of sin and misery through their apostacy. But if we carefully look into that matter, and view it in the light in which it is set before us in the word of God; we shall see reason to acknowledge that the dispensation under which God at first placed man, was not only just, but very wise and gracious; although Adam by his misconduct under it, brought ruin upon himself and his posterity. And for a distinct view of these things, I shall consider, I. The state in which man was at first created. II. The covenant transactions of God with man in his first estate. III. The fall of Adam, and the state into which he thereby brought himself and his posterity. I. I shall inquire into the state in which man was at first created. In the beginning, God created man in his own image, and after his likeness. Man was made a little lower than the angels: yet he was made perfect in his kind. His natural faculties were wisely suited to the state which his Maker designed him for, and every way fit for the performance of the duty which God required of him. And full provision was made for his being completely blessed in the favor of God, and in the enjoyment of him. The perfection of man in his first state, consisted in his being made in the image and after the likeness of God. And it will greatly help us in the knowledge |