(The following is a paraphrase and summary of Francis Turretin's comments upon this subject in Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 1, pgs. 583-586)
Question: Whether Adam had the promise of eternal and heavenly life so that (his course of obedience being finished) he would have been carried to heaven. We affirm.
The Socinians believed that Adam would have died regardless of whether he sinned or not, thus denying that death was a consequence of the fall.
The orthodox view of the Reformed church is that the promise of a happy life given to Adam was not just to continue in the earthly paradise of Eden, but he would also, after a course of obedience and perseverance, be carried to heaven for a more fuller and intimate enjoyment of God, the highest and chief good and source of human happiness and joy.
Argument #1 - The law of works given to Moses (which was the same law as the covenant of works) contained the promise of eternal life based on obedience to the law (Leviticus 18:5, Matthew 19:16-17; Romans 7:10).
Argument #2 - The doctrine of Christ's active obedience as well as "second Adam" (Rom. 5) Christology presupposes that eternal life in heaven was promised to Adam. Christ purchased eternal life for His church in that, being born under the law, he fulfilled the law for us (Galatians 4:4). This would not make sense if the law had not promised eternal life in the first place.
Argument #3 - This tree conferred eternal life, inasmuch as it signified Christ and His benefits (Gen. 3:22). The fact that it existed prior to the fall (Gen. 2:9) shows that expectation of eternal life likewise existed before the fall.
Argument #4 - The most noble part of man is his spirit, which has the desire for the highest good, who is God. The highest good cannot be fully enjoyed in any other way than the beatific vision which occurs in heaven. Thus, man in the state of innocence would eventually enjoy God in the beatific vision, which required Adam to be taken into heaven and eternal life.
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