085. III. Freedom Of Man In Falling.
III. Freedom Of Man In Falling. The question of freedom is here treated simply in relation to our progenitors in the primitive sin. It will be presented in the light of a few facts which seem conclusive of its reality.
1. Probationary Obedience a Divine Preference.—This position seems most sure. The infinite holiness and goodness of God affirm his good pleasure against the sin and misery of the fall. Therefore the probationary obedience which was the necessary condition of their prevention must have been his preference. Further, he must have electively preferred obedience to his own command. The contrary is not to be thought, for God’s preference of obedience must always go with his command. Obedience to this primitive command would have secured the standing of our progenitors in holiness and happiness. Therefore that standing must have been a divine preference.
2. Divine Gift of the Power of Obedience.—No one can wish any action of another without wishing him the requisite ability. This law must be real for God. If he wished the obedience, holiness, and happiness of our progenitors, he must have washed them the power of obedience as the necessary condition of these blessings. Therefore they must have possessed the power of obedience as a divine endowment. In this probationary trial they were just what God made them. He ordained the law of their duty, with perfect knowledge of their constitution, and in full foresight of their trial. It follows that, with an elective preference of obedience, he must have given them the power of obedience.
3. Power of Obedience Intrinsic to Probation.—The progenitors of the race were placed on probation under a testing law of obedience. The probationary character of that economy is above question. The power of obedience to the testing law of duty is essential to such an economy. There can be no testing of fidelity under a law of duty where there is not the power of obedience. As it is truly said “that a state of trial supposes of course a capability of falling, and cannot exist without it,”[464] so with equal truth it may be said that a state of trial supposes of course a capability of standing, and cannot exist without it. Thus again the power of obedience in the Adamic probation is manifest.
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4. The Facts Conclusive of Freedom in Falling.—The facts treated in this section are conclusive of the power of obedience in the primitive probation. With this power there must have been freedom in the falling,