2. Un thankfulness, which is the epitome of all sin. Adam's sin was committed in the midst of Paradise. God had enriciied him with variety of mercies ; he had stamp- ed his own image upon him ; lie had made him lord of the world, gave him of all the trees of the garden to eat (one only except- ed) and now to take of that tree ! This was high ingratitude ; this was like the dye to the wool, which made it crimson. When A.dam's eyes were opened, and he saw what he had done, well he might be ashamed, and hide himself; to sin in tlie midst of Paradise, how could lie look God in the face without blushing !
3. In Adam's sin was discontent : had he not been discontented, he would never have
sought to have altered his condition. Adam, one would think, had enough, — he differed but little from the angels, — he had the robe of innocence to clothe'liim, and the glory of Paradise to crown him, — yet he was not content, he would have more, he would bo above the ordinary rank of creatures. How wide was Adam's heart, that a whole world could not fill it !
4. Pride, in that he would be like God. This worm, that was but newly cre])t out of the dust, now aspires after Deity ; " Ye shall be as gods," saith Satan, and Adam hoped to have been so indeed ; he supposed the tree of knowledge would have anointed his eyes, and made him omniscient. But, by climbing too high, he got a fall.
5. Disobedience. God said, " Thou shalt not cat of the tree ;" he would cat of it, thouffh it cost him his life. Disobedience is a sin against equity ; it is equal we should serve him from whom we have our sub- sistence; God gave Adam his allowance, therefore it was but equal he should give God his allegiance; therefore disobedience was against equity. How could God en- dure to sec his laws trampled on before his face ? This made God place a flaming sword at the end of the garden.
6. Curiosity : to meddle with that which was out of his sphere, and did not belong to him. God smote the men of Bethshemish but for looking into the ark, 1 Sam. vi. 19. Adam would be prying into God's secrets,, and tjvsting what was forbidden.
7. Wantonness : though Adam had a^ choice of all the other trees, yet his palate grew wanton, and he must have this tree. Like Israel, God sent them manna, angels' food, aye, but they had an hankering after quails ; it was not enough God did suj>j)ly their wants, unless he should satisfy their lusts. Adam had not only for necessity, but for delight; yet his wanton palate lust- ed after foibiddcn fruit.
8. Sacrilege : the tree of knowledge was none of Adam's, yet he took of it, and did sacrilegiously rob God of his due. It was counted a great crime in Ilarpalus to rob the temple, and steal the silver vessels; so in Adam to steal fruit from that tree, which God had peculiarly enclosed for himself: Sacrilege is double theft.
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OF ORIGINAL SIN.
9. Murder : Adam was a public person, and all liis posterity were involved and wrapped up in liim, and he sinning:, did at once destroy all Ids posterity, if free grace did not interpose. If Abel's blood did cry so loud in God's ears, Gen. iv. 10., " The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground," then how loud did the blood of all Adam's posterity cry against liim for vengeance !
10. Presumption: Adam presumed of God's mercy ; he blessed himself saying, he should have peace ; he thought, though he did transgress, he should not die, God would sooner reverse his decree, than pun- ish him. High presumption ; what an hei-
nous sin then was Adam's breach of cove- nant !
Use. One sin may have many sins in it. We are apt to have slight thoughts of sin, it is but a little one. How many sins were in Adam's sin ? O take heed of any sin 1 As in one volume there may be many works bound up, so there may be many sins in one sin.
3%. The dreadful ness of the effect: it hath corrupted man's nature. How rank is that poison a drop whereof could poison a whole sea ! And how deadly is that sin of Adam, that could poison all mankind, and bring a curse upon them, till it be taken away by him who was ' made a curse for us.'
OF ORIGINAL SIN.
Qui. ST. XVI. DID all mankind fall in Aaam's first transgression ?
Ans. The covenant being made with 'Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind, descending from liim by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.
Rom. v. 12., " By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin," &c. 'Adam being a representative person, he standing, we stood ; and he falling, we fell. We sinned in Adam ; so it is in the text, " In whom all have sinned."" Adam was the head of mankind, and he being guilty, we are guilty, as the children of a traitor have their blood stained : Ornnes unus ilk Adam fuerunf^ Aug. " All of us," saith Austin, " sinned in Adam, because we were part of Adam."
OuJ. Jf when Adam fell, all mankind fell with him ; why then, when one angel fell, did not all fall?