agree in this, That Adam was made immortal in his Creation: Only the dif∣ference
is, Whether as original righteousness, so immortality may be said to
be natural or supernatural to Adam; We say it's natural, they say it's superna∣tural;
and yet Bellarmine (De gratiâ primi Hom. lib. cap. 5.) in his explication
of himself in this point cometh very near us, or at least speaketh contradictions
to himself: For (he saith) if natural be taken for that which was put into man
from his nativity, if natural be taken for that which was to be propagated to
Adam's posterity; if natural be taken for that which is convenient, to perfect
and prepare a man for his end, then they say original righteousness, and so by
consequence immortality would have been natural to Adam's posterity; but if
we take natural for that which doth internally constitute nature, or necessarily
flow from the principles of nature, then (they say) immortality was superna∣tural,
even as original righteousnesse. But the Protestants, when they
call original righteousnesse natural, they doe not meane effectivè, as
if it were not the gift of God bestowed upon us, as if it did flow
from the principles of nature; but subjectivè, that is, original righteous∣nesse
and immortality were not supernatural to Adam, as they are now
to us, being we are corrupted, but connatural, or a due perfection to
man, supposing God created him for such an end, as to enjoy himself. So that it is
due not so much to the nature of man, as to Gods Order and Decree concern∣ing
man. Thus as in birds, supposing God would have them to flie, it was ne∣cessary
they should have wings, (though they come from a natural principle)
so in man, supposing God made him for communion with, and enjoyment of
himself, it was necessary that he should be indewed with holiness (Though
flowing not from nature, but concreated by God with man.) Thus that which is
the gift of God, and cometh only from him, may be in respect of the subject
a due perfection. It was thus with Adam in respect of his soul, that was crea∣ted
immediately by God, it did not flow from any natural causes; yet supposing
God would make him a rational creature, then this became a due perfection to
him. Adam then was immortal by nature in a well-explained sense, as he had a
reasonable soul by nature. But however it be, Protestants and many Papists
agree in the thing, that he was made immortal; only they differ in the manner
How. Now the Socinian differeth from all; for he dogmatizeth, That Adam
was made mortal, that death was natural, and denieth any original righteousnesse
or immortality that was bestowed upon Adam any way. It is true, sometimes he
saith, That though Adam was made mortal, yet God might have preserved him
from actual death by some way or other; only that he was made immortal, that
he denieth. So that what the Papists dream about their imaginary pure naturals,
saying, God might have created man so: Socinians affirm defacto, it was so. The
late Writer Dr. T. is also positive for Adam's mortality by nature, That Adam
was made mortal by nature (saith he) is infinitely certain, and proved by his
eating and drinking, &c. (Further Explicat. pag. 453.) instancing in those
Arguments the Socinians use to bring. All which Assertions do directly and evi∣dently
oppose the word of God.0
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