But the covenant with Adam held out a reward — something in addition to what Adam already possessed, which was a perfectly blissful life on earth. At the very least the reward was an immutable state of blessedness. The tree of life in Eden was a sign and seal that God was jealous over, because it represented immutable life (“lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” Gen. 3:22).

The tree of life also represented eternal life with God in heaven (Rev. 2:7 and 22:2), and thus God immediately sent an angel to guard the tree, since no unclean thing can enter His dwelling place.

Of course, the reward of the new Covenant is still much better. For one, the communion with God will be more intimate, since those in Christ stand much more closely related to God than those in a perfect Adam.

[What would Goodwin say in response? :-) ]

MJ

Regarding your 4th question for discussion, I just heard an old lecture given by Malcom Watts at Puritan Seminary, where he argued that Adam would have inherited eternal, heavenly life.

Eternal life: From Matt. 19:16,17, “Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Christ’s reply to the man seeking life by the Covenant of Works was, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Heavenly life: From the fact that every one of God’s covenants had a sign or seal (Adamic – the tree of life; Noahic – the rainbow, Abrahamic – circumcision; Covenant of Grace – baptism and the Lord’s Supper). The tree of life, he notes, is found in Rev. 2:7 “in the midst of the paradise of God.” Also see Rev. 22:1.

Of course, Rev Watts was getting this from the Marrow-men (Boston, the Erskines, and James Fisher) and perhaps some of the Puritans as well.

(Now would this necessarily imply that Adam would have obtained eternal, heavenly life for all his seed? Hmm…)

Bavinck writes: “The true human who bears God’s image is inconceivable even for a moment without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit….If humans in general cannot have communion with God except by the Holy Spirit, then this applies even more powerfully to Christ’s human nature.”

I’m searching for more examples in our Reformed heritage; but, it does raise questions for those enamoured with Kline’s strict justice view of the CoW.

Mark

This is an interesting comment. If I recall correctly George Smeaton in his great work on the Holy Spirit republished by Banner of Truth some years back affirms that Adam possessed the Spirit. I don’t recall that he develops the idea to the extent Goodwin does. The subject is worthy of more investigation.