Though with abounding earthly comforts blest,
Shall man pre-eminent still want the best:—
A bosom friend, than virgin rose more sweet,
And whom he can with heart-felt rapture greet;
Of pleasing form, equal and tender mind,
To whom he can in closest ties be join’d?”
God did not approve of this state of solitude: he said, “It is not good that man should be alone,” or only himself. The Creator had not yet finished his works. He saw it necessary to relieve man in his solitary situation; and his goodness and power were ready to concur with the dictates of his wisdom. He said, “I will make him a help-meet for him;” i.e. his counterpart, one like himself in shape, constitution, and disposition; exactly adapted to both his body and mind, the very image of himself, a second self.
“Must the fair creature promis’d to be giv’n,
Be sent to earth from the abode of heav’n?
Angelic nature could not well supply