ntinued so, he was not liable to pain, misery, or death.

But man did not continue in this state. Our first parents disobeyed
their Maker. By sinning against God they lost their original
righteousness, and became earthly, sensual, devilish. Such are all his
posterity: for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Man is
now the very reverse of what he was when first created. His
understanding [2 Cor. iv. 5; Ephes. iv. 18.; Titus i. 15.; rom. viii.7.]
is darkened, yea darkness itself; his will, his carnal mind,
is enmity against God; his conscience is defiled; his affections, no
longer fixed upon God his Creator and Benefactor, are engrossed by the
vain and perishing things of this world; by sin his body is become
mortal. Subject to pain, disease, and death [Rom. v. 12.]; and his soul is
exposed to the displeasure of God, and to the curse annexed to the
transgressions of his holy law. All this misery is implied in that awful
threatening, In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
die[Gen. ii. 17.].

And is not this threatening, at least in part, already put into
execution? Whence is there so much ignorance and contempt of God? Why
do mankind so eagerly, so universally pursue the vain pleasures and
follies of the world, while they seldom think of God their Maker? From
whence proceed the infidelity, blasphemy, lying, theft,
sabbath-breaking, slandering and the many horrid evils, which every
where abound? Whence is it that so many in this colony, labour under
such sore and complicated disorders, pains, and miseries? Why are so
many, both young and old, taken away by death? And why is it that
others who see all those things, do not take warning by them, to
prepare for their own latter end? Brethren, all these are so many
undeniable proofs and evidences of what I have said; namely, that we
are fallen and guilty creatures. These are the effects of Adam's
sin and disobedience. The certain consequences of which would have
been unavoidable and endless misery, both of soul and body, to
himself and all his posterity, had not some means been provided, some
way laid open, for his and their recovery.

But, blessed be God, a door of hope is opened by the gospel for
miserable sinners! A gracious promise was given early, even to our
first parents, immediately after their fall. The seed of the woman
shall break the serpent's head [Gen. iii. 15.]. This promised seed is the
Lord Jesus Christ, who, in due time, was to appe