---

I. THE RESEMBLANCE.

1. The existence of each rose not in the ordinary course of nature. Neither came by the ordinary laws of human generation.

(1) The first was formed out of the dust of the earth, and derived his spirit from the breath of God.

(2) the second was conceived of the Holy Ghost. The pedigree of each is unparalleled in the history of the race.

2. Each commenced free from sin.

(1) The first was created in the image of God; all his faculties were well balanced and free from all bias to wrong.

(2) The latter was harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.

3. Each had a nature capable of temptation. Temptability is an attribute of all created intelligences. Where there is no power to go wrong, there is no virtue in keeping right.

(1) The first Adam was tempted, and was conquered.

(2) The second was tempted, and triumphed.

4. The character of each exerts a momentous influence upon the whole race.

(1) The character of the first generated a moral atmosphere of sensuality, ambition, selfishness, unbelief.

(2) The character of the second generated an atmosphere that is morally salubrious, sunny, and invigorating. He who lives in the first atmosphere is still in Adam, and is earthy. He who lives in the second is Christly and spiritual.

II. THE DISSIMILARITY.

1. The one had a sublimer connection with God than the other. Adam was the offspring, representative, and steward of God. Christ was God-man. God was in Him in a special sense, unfolding truths, working miracles, and reconciling the world unto Himself. Be was God "manifested in the flesh." The one yielded to the devil, the other conquered him.

2. the One possessed a higher type of moral excellence than the other. The character of the first was innocence, not holiness. Holiness implies intelligence, convictions, efforts, habits. This had not Adam. Hence he gave way to the first and simplest temptation. This holiness Christ had in the sublimest degree; and He triumphed over principalities and powers of evil, and made a show of them openly.

3. The influence of the one upon the race has been infinitely pernicious, that of the other infinitely beneficent. The first planted that upas whose pestiferous branches have spread over all men, and whose poisonous food all have tasted and been injured. The other planted the tree of life, bearing fruit for the healing of the nations.

4. The moral influence of the one is destined to decrease, the other to increase. "Where sin abounded, grace will much more abound." "The kingdoms of our God shall become the kingdoms of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever."

(D. Thomas, D.D.)

---

---

KJV: And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

WEB: So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.