January 17

Who is the figure of him that was to come.—Romans 5:14.

THE first Adam, was a figure or type of Christ, who is the second Adam, the Lord from heaven. The typical features of resemblance, are striking and numerous. The first Adam came direct from the hands of God, and possessed his likeness and image. Jesus was also immediately formed of the Holy Ghost, and was the perfect image of the blessed God. The first Adam had no human Father, neither had the second. The first Adam was placed as the head, and representative of the human family; the second was given to be head over all things to his church. The first Adam had his wife taken from his side, and thus she was truly a part of his own flesh. Christ took the very nature of the children of men, and by the opening of his side, from whence flowed blood and water, he redeemed the church to himself. The first Adam was made on the sixth day; the second became incarnate in the sixth age, or dispensation of the world. The first Adam was endowed with amazing wisdom and knowledge; the second possessed all the treasures of both, and was the wisdom and power of God. The first Adam was heir of the world, and Lord over all the creatures; the second possesses illimitable rule and authority, who is universal Lord of nature, providence and grace. The first Adam was the source of natural life to mankind; the second, of spiritual and eternal life, to all who believe. In many respects, the disparity between the two, is happily great and important. By the one, sin, misery, and death entered our world; by the other, righteousness, peace, and eternal life. By the one, we became degraded, and subjected to toil; by the other we are exalted, and obtain true rest. By the one we lost Eden and its pleasures, and became mortal, and exposed to hell. By the other we obtain the heavenly paradise, with its unfading joys, a resurrection from the grave, and endless life. How necessary that as we are naturally connected with the first Adam, that we should be incessantly anxious to be graciously united to the second, and thus obtain eternal salvation, by faith in his name.