Reason judges thus, that if God would not have had it so, Adam should not have eaten it, or else he should not have forbidden that Tree only; sure he made it for a Stumbling- stock to him. Thus the Reason of one [Sort] or Party judges. The Reason of the other Party will mend the Matter, which is indeed somewhat the wiser, but not much: They say, God tempted Adam, [to try] whether he would continue in his Obedience or not; and when he became disobedient, then God threw mighty Anger and Wrath upon him, and cursed him to Death; and that his Wrath could not be quenched, except he be reconciled in such a Manner. This Reason of this Party makes God to be a mere Unmercifulness, like an evil Man in this World, who yet will be reconciled, when he has once revenged himself sufficiently; and this Reason has no Knowledge at all of God, nor of Paradise.

It is written in the Law concerning this, when God gave a command to Adam, "From every tree you may eat, but from the tree which is in the midst of...