'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 13

Let us make man in our image.—Genesis 1:26

God created man in the state of innocence, agreeable to his nature, without any imperfection, corruption, or any principle of corruption in his body or soul. When God breathed into him a living soul, he breathed a righteous soul. Adam's soul was conformed in all his faculties and powers to the moral law of God. He had perfect knowledge of God's law, and of his duty. Adam's will was agreeable with the will of God in all things and was naturally inclined to God and goodness. God's law was written on his heart. Man renewed by grace is naturally inclined to the same holiness in all its parts that the law requires, but Adam was endued with these naturally. These inclinations are mixed with some corruption in the regenerate, but were pure and unmixed in Adam. Adam knew his Master's will and was inclined to do it. His affections were orderly, pure, and holy. Spiritual good was his chief and ultimate good and end. He was free from all disorder and distemper. He had an executive power over his will, and the power to do what he knew should be done. His righteousness was universal and natural, though changeable. There was not a wrong pin in the tabernacle of human nature. Adam was holy in soul, body, and spirit. There was no conflict between flesh and spirit, reason and appetite, and not the least inclination to sin. He could answer the great end of creation: to love and serve God according to his will. His was a happy state—no impurity without, and no squint look after the unclean. He shone brightly in the image of God. He had the ability to keep the whole law, but he lost it by his own fault. Consider the infinite obligation we now lie under to Christ, who with his own precious blood has bought our freedom, and freely offers everlasting security that can never be lost again.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Boston, Human Nature in its Fourfold State, pp. 43-54
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.

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