Genesis 2:16-17

Genesis 2:16-17. Of every tree, &c.— Rich in his bounty, and free in his donations, the liberal Creator of all things here gives a large and extensive grant to his creature, allowing the free use of all those various excellencies with which he had furnished this garden. In this case surely it was but reasonable, that he should constitute some test of his creature's gratitude and obedience; that thus he might derive from him, as a free and rational creature, a free and rational service. Had there been no restraint upon man in this happy state; had good only been set before him, and all possibility of evil removed, his fidelity and allegiance could never have been tried; nor could he have been capable of virtue or reward, as having it not in his power to choose. For all virtue and all reward imply choice; and to choose, there must be freedom. Accordingly, man being created a free agent, the Almighty proposed to try his obedience, and constituted a certain tree the test of it, enjoining him, on pain of death, not to eat of that tree. Whatever sceptics and infidels may have urged concerning this matter, unprejudiced reason certainly will allow, that this was as proper a test of man's obedience as any other. For the truth of the case is, it was in itself immaterial what should be constituted the test. God, as Sovereign Lord, was to appoint some test; and therefore whatever he should appoint, proper to prove man, must have been right; and appointing this tree of knowledge we are bound to conclude, that no test could have been more proper; especially as man at first could not transgress in any of the social or relative duties.

Thou shalt surely die— With a threefold death. 1. Spiritual, by the guilt and power of sin: at that instant thou shalt be dead in trespasses and sins. 2. Temporal, or the death of the body; which shall then begin in thee, by decays, infirmities, terrors, dangers, and other harbingers of death. 3. Eternal; which shall immediately succeed the other.

God had fully provided for man's happiness; and the restraint so trivial, was a new instance of his kindness. For what less could have been contrived? How gracious all his dealings and designs! And what an aggravation to man's guilt should he after all prove false and faithless, and wantonly transgress a covenant so easy in its terms, so glorious in its promises, so terrible in its threatenings!