what a strange distemper it hath put in the creation,--what
miseries that one fall hath brought on all mankind,--I am sure by these
bruises we might conjecture what a strange fall it hath been. Sin did
interpose between God and us, and this darkened our souls and killed them.
The light of knowledge was put out, and the life of holiness extinguished,
and now there remains nothing of all that stately building, but some ruins
of common principles of reason and honesty engraven on all men's
consciences, which may show unto us what the building hath been. We have
fallen from holiness, and so from happiness. Our souls are deformed and
defiled. You see what an ill favoured thing it is, to see a child wanting
any members. O if sin were visible, how ugly would the shape of the soul
be to us, since it lost the very proportion and visage of it, that is,
God's image! Let us consider this doctrine, that we may know from whence
we have fallen, and into what a gulf of sin and misery we have fallen,
that the news of Jesus Christ, a Mediator and Redeemer of fallen man, may
be sweet unto us. Thus it pleased the lord to let his image be marred and
quite spoiled in us, for he had this design to repair it and renew it
better than of old, and for this end he hath created Christ according to
his image. He hath stamped that image of holiness upon his flesh to be a
pattern,--and not only so, but a pledge also,--of restoring such souls as
flee unto him for refuge, unto that primitive glory and excellency. Know
then, that he hath made his Son like unto us, that we might again be made
like unto him. He said, let one of us be made man, in the counsel of
redemption, that so it might again be said, let man be made like unto us,
in our image. It is a second creation must do it, and O that you would
look upon your hearts to inquire if it be framed in you! Certainly you
must again be created into that image if you belong to Christ. To him be
praise and glory.

Lecture XX.

God's Works Of Providence

Rom. xi. 36.--"For of him, and through him, and to him are all
things, to whom be glory for ever, Amen."--Psal. ciii. 19.--"The
Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom
ruleth over all."--Matt. x. 29.--"Are not two sparrows sold for a
farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without
your Father."

There is nothing more commonly confessed in words, than tha