Comparison Instituted Between the First and Second Adam. And,
first, we must inquire if Adam can be likened to the Son of God,
when he was found in the transgression of the Fall, and heard
the sentence, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
[2555] For how shall he be considered "the first-born of every
creature," [2556] who, after the creation of the earth and the
firmament, was formed out of clay? And how shall he be admitted
to be "the tree of life" who was cast out for his transgression,
[2557] lest "he should again stretch forth his hand and eat of
it, and live forever?" [2558] For it is necessary that a thing
which is likened unto anything else, should in many respects be
similar and analogous to that of which it is the similitude, and
not have its constitution opposite and dissimilar. For one who
should venture to compare the uneven to the even, or harmony to
discord, would not be considered rational. But the even should
be compared to that which in its nature is even, although it
should be