patriarchs and prophets-第10章
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the infinite Framer and Upholder of all。 They held converse with leaf and
flower and tree； gathering from each the secrets of its life。 With every
living creature； from the mighty leviathan that playeth among the waters to
the insect mote that floats in the sunbeam； Adam was familiar。 He had given
to each its name； and he was acquainted with the nature and habits of all。
God's glory in the heavens； the innumerable worlds in their orderly
revolutions； 〃the balancings of the clouds；〃 the mysteries of light and
sound； of day and nightall were open to the study of our first parents。 On
every leaf of the forest or stone of the mountains； in every shining star；
in earth and air and sky； God's name was written。 The order and harmony of
creation spoke to them of infinite wisdom and power。 They were ever
discovering some attraction that filled their hearts with deeper love and
called forth fresh expressions of gratitude。
So long as they remained loyal to the divine law； their capacity to know； to
enjoy； and to love would continually increase。 They would be constantly
gaining new treasures of knowledge； discovering fresh springs of happiness；
and obtaining clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the immeasurable；
unfailing love of God。
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Chapter 3
The Temptation and Fall
No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven； Satan's enmity against God
found a new field in plotting the ruin of the human race。 In the happiness
and peace of the holy pair in Eden he beheld a vision of the bliss that to
him was forever lost。 Moved by envy； he determined to incite them to
disobedience； and bring upon them the guilt and penalty of sin。 He would
change their love to distrust and their songs of praise to reproaches
against their Maker。 Thus he would not only plunge these innocent beings
into the same misery which he was himself enduring； but would cast dishonor
upon God； and cause grief in heaven。
Our first parents were not left without a warning of the danger that
threatened them。 Heavenly messengers opened to them the history of Satan's
fall and his plots for their destruction； unfolding more fully the nature of
the divine government； which the prince of evil was trying to overthrow。 It
was by disobedience to the just commands of God that Satan and his host had
fallen。 How important； then； that Adam and Eve should honor that law by
which alone it was possible for order and equity to be maintained。
The law of God is as sacred as God Himself。 It is a revelation of His will；
a transcript of His character； the expression of divine love and wisdom。 The
harmony of creation depends upon the perfect conformity of all beings； of
everything； animate and inanimate； to the law of the Creator。 God has
ordained laws for the government； not only of living beings； but of all the
operations of nature。 Everything is under fixed laws； which cannot be
disregarded。 But while everything in nature is governed by natural laws； man
alone； of all that inhabits the earth； is amenable to moral law。 To man； the
crowning work of creation； God has given power to understand His
requirements； to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law； and its
sacred claims upon him； and of man unswerving obedience is required。
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Like the angels； the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation； their
happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the
Creator's law。 They could obey and live； or disobey and perish。 God had made
them the recipients of rich blessings； but should they disregard His will；
He who spared not the angels that sinned； could not spare them；
transgression would forfeit His gifts and bring upon them misery and ruin。
The angels warned them to be on their guard against the devices of Satan；
for his efforts to ensnare them would be unwearied。 While they were obedient
to God the evil one could not harm them； for； if need be； every angel in
heaven would be sent to their help。 If they steadfastly repelled his first
insinuations； they would be as secure as the heavenly messengers。 But should
they once yield to temptation； their nature would become so depraved that in
themselves they would have no power and no disposition to resist Satan。
The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their obedience and their love
to God。 The Lord had seen fit to lay upon them but one prohibition as to the
use of all that was in the garden； but if they should disregard His will in
this particular； they would incur the guilt of transgression。 Satan was not
to follow them with continual temptations； he could have access to them only
at the forbidden tree。 Should they attempt to investigate its nature； they
would be exposed to his wiles。 They were admonished to give careful heed to
the warning which God had sent them and to be content with the instruction
which He had seen fit to impart。
In order to accomplish his work unperceived； Satan chose to employ as his
medium the serpenta disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception。
The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the
earth。 It had wings； and while flying through the air presented an
appearance of dazzling brightness； having the color and brilliancy of
burnished gold。 Resting in the rich…laden branches of the forbidden tree and
regaling itself with the delicious fruit； it was an object to arrest the
attention and delight the eye of the beholder。 Thus in the garden of peace
lurked the destroyer； watching for his prey。
The angels had cautioned Eve to beware of separating herself from her
husband while occupied in their daily labor in the garden； with him she
would be in less danger from temptation than if she were alone。 But absorbed
in her pleasing task； she
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unconsciously wandered from his side。 On perceiving that she was alone； she
felt an apprehension of danger； but dismissed her fears； deciding that she
had sufficient wisdom and strength to discern evil and to withstand it。
Unmindful of the angels' caution； she soon found herself gazing with mingled
curiosity and admiration upon the forbidden tree。 The fruit was very
beautiful； and she questioned with herself why God had withheld it from
them。 Now was the tempter's opportunity。 As if he were able to discern the
workings of her mind； he addressed her： 〃Yea； hath God said； Ye shall not
eat of every tree of the garden？〃 Eve was surprised and startled as she thus
seemed to hear the echo of her thoughts。 But the serpent continued； in a
musical voice； with subtle praise of her surpassing loveliness； and his
words were not displeasing。 Instead of fleeing from the spot she lingered
wonderingly to hear a serpent speak。 Had she been addressed by a being like
the angels； her fears would have been excited； but she had no thought that
the fascinating serpent could become the medium of the fallen foe。
To the tempter's ensnaring question she replied： 〃We may eat of the fruit of
the trees of the garden： but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst
of the garden； God hath said； Ye shall not eat of it； neither shall ye touch
it； lest ye die。 And the serpent said unto the woman； Ye shall not surely
die： for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof； then your eyes shall
be opened； and ye shall be as gods； knowing good and evil。〃
By partaking of this tree； he declared； they would attain to a more exalted
sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge。 He himself had
eaten of the forbidden fruit； and as a result had acquired the power of
speech。 And he insinuated that the Lord jealously desired to withhold it
from them； lest they should be exalted to equality with Himself。 It was
because of its wonderful properties； imparting wisdom and power； that He had
prohibited them from tasting or even touching it。 The tempter intimated that
the divine warning was not to be actually fulfilled； it was designed merely
to intimidate them。 How could it be possible for them to die？ Had they not
eaten of the tree of life？ God had been seeking to prevent them from
reaching
