Page 94
Q. 61. Why did God say, it is not good for Man to be alone, whereas yet in the Begin∣ning he looks upon all his Works and said, They are very Good; yet of Man only he saith, 'Tis not good that this Man should be alone; Why was it not good?
A. In the 43 Answer, it is shewn why God created but one Man at first, and not Man and Woman together, and in the 45th Answer, what Form and Fashion he was when he was neither Husband nor Wife, but both. In the 46th appears Adam, had not at first Man-like Members, Guts, &c. In the 47th, That had such been, he could not have stood in Eternity; whereof it cannot be denied he was by Creation capable.
1. All which duly weighed, evidence why it was said at first all was very good; for then was Man a compleat Image of God in all the three Principles, illustrated by the second, (viz.) his Soul in the Eternal Band, his Spirit in the Divine Holy Tri∣umphant World, his Body out of the Holy Element, having both Tinctures of Fire and Light enriched and fortified by all the seven Properties. Having further the Authority over the Creation like a God, the Intellect of an Angel, and Innocency of a Dove.
2. And whereas afterward it is said, It is not good for Man to be alone; it was not from any defect in the Creator's Work, for that (as above appears) was per∣fect to a high degree; but the Creature had ceased his Progress, as no other Crea∣ture had; for of none of them was it said as of Man, though not a few of them were ordain'd, and still do propagate themselves otherwise than by distinct Male and Female, as well in the Sensitive as in the Vegetative and Mineral Republick. See the 54 Answer, v. 1. and 43 Answer, v. 3, 4.
3. And the being not good, may be noted from the Consequence of dividing the Tinctures, that it succeeded as to an Army broken, or a Besieged City, one part Parling with the Enemy, without Privity of the other; concerning which, the above quoted Answers speak much.
4. Yet so propitious was Infinite Goodness and Wisdom at this Stand and Ebb of his Creature, as to provide so suitable an Expedient; not only that might prevent a worse state, but which might also bring forth an Incomprehensible glorious Master-piece and Miracle of astonishing Love and Condescention, the Lord Jesus Christ; of, and for whom are all things.
5. Thus is it manifest, how at first it was very Good; after that, how it was said it was not Good: which may lead them that list, to penetrate that when the End shall find the Beginning, how the undivided Tinctures making the Virgin state shall be again and for ever very good; as saith the Lord himself speaking of the Children of the Resurrection, that they neither Marry, &c. but are (in that respect) as the Angels of God.
6. Which state is amply signified, that it should have been, by the Lord's re∣commending it to all, to whom Power for it should be given▪ also, in that it was a Way traced out by his own Example, pursued by our Apostle and others, and Prophesied in the Revelations.