Question 6

THE ARGVMENT.

Of the creation of man to the image of God, and of his fall: & in this, of originall sinne, and of the power of free-wil, or of the vnderstanding and the will, in this corruption of nature.

What then, did God make man so bad and so corrupt?

No truelie:^a Gut God created him good, & according to his own image,^b that is, endewed with true righteousnes and holines, that he might rightlie know God his Creator, and loue him with all his hart, and liue in blessednes with him for euer, and that to laude and magnifie him.^c

The vse.

The rehersall, that is, the calling to remembrance of these benefits, which God in the beginning powred vpon man, will not onlie serue to that end, to make vs knowe and bewaile the greatnes of our sinne and miserie, by comparison with the good thinges which wee haue lost, but also wil awake vs, both to an earnest and feruent desire, to be restored fully vnto that blessed estate in Christ, and especially to apply the studie of righteousnes & goodnes, vntil the Image of God recouer his full brightnes in vs in Heauen: last of al, to be thankful vnto God for our restoring, crying out with the Prophet. What is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the Sonne of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower then the Angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.