Man made in the image of God
I am, first, to show what is the general ground of this whole doctrine of justification. Man was made in the image of God, holy as he who created him is holy, merciful as the Author of all is merciful, perfect as his Father in heaven is perfect. As God is love, so man, dwelling in love, dwelt in God, and God in him. God made him to be an image of his own eternity, an incorruptible picture of the God of glory.
He was accordingly pure, as God is pure, from every spot of sin. He did not know evil in any kind or degree, but was inwardly and outwardly sinless and undefiled. He loved the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his mind and soul and strength.
To man thus upright and perfect, God gave a perfect law, to which he required full and perfect obedience. He required full obedience in every point, and this to be performed without any intermission, from the moment man became a living soul until the time of his trial should be ended. No allowance was made for any falling short. Indeed there was no need of any, man being altogether equal to the task assigned, and thoroughly furnished for every good word and work.
To the entire law of love which was written in his heart, against which perhaps he could not sin directly, it seemed good to the sovereign wisdom of God to add one positive law. You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that grows in the midst of the garden. To that command he annexed this penalty. In the day you eat of it, you shall surely die.
Such, then, was the state of man in paradise. By the free, unmerited love of God, he was holy and happy. He knew, loved, and enjoyed God, which is, in substance, life everlasting. And in this life of love he was to continue forever, if he continued to obey God in all things. But if he disobeyed him in any thing, he was to forfeit all. In that day, said God, you shall surely die.
1771 text
I. I am, first, to shew, What is the general ground of this whole doctrine of justification.
1. In the image of God was man made, holy as he that created him is holy; merciful as the Author of all is merciful, perfect as his Father in heaven is perfect. As God is love, so man dwelling in love, dwelt in God, and God in him. God made him to be an image of his own eternity, an incorruptible picture of the God of glory. He was accordingly pure, as God is pure, from every spot of sin. He knew not evil in any kind or degree, but was inwardly and outwardly sinless and undefiled. He loved the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his mind and soul and strength.
2. To man thus upright and perfect, God gave a perfect law, to which he required full and perfect obedience. He required full obedience in every point, and this to be performed without any intermission, from the moment man became a living soul, till the time of his trial should be ended. No allowance was made for any falling short. As indeed there was no need of any; man being altogether equal to the task assigned, and thoroughly furnished for every good word and work.
3. To the entire law of love which was written in his heart (against which perhaps he could not sin directly) it seemed good to the sovereign wisdom of God, to superadd one positive law: Thou shalt not eat of the fruit of the tree that groweth in the midst of the garden: annexing that penalty thereto, In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.
4. Such then was the state of man in paradise. By the free, unmerited love of God, he was holy and happy; he knew, loved, enjoyed God, which is (in substance) life everlasting. And in this life of love, he was to continue for ever, if he continued to obey God in all things: but if he disobeyed him in any, he was to forfeit all. In that day, said God, thou shalt surely die.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 5 in the 1771 Works. Romans 4:5.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.