Some More Reformed Commentators of the 16th Century on the Image of God

"Some refer [the image] to dominion over creatures, that humans should preside over all just as God does; others connect it to the mind. but I think the image and likeness is what we call the law of nature: "What you would have done to you, do to others!' This image is inscribed and impressed on our hearts. Brute beasts do not have this; rather, nature has assigned animals of every kind to protect themselves in life and body. Therefore, those who attend to justice, who seek God, who imitate God and Christ in innocence of life toward all as well as doing good to them in turn--these are the ones, in the final analysis, who bear that ancient image of God, which has been cleansed and restored by Christ. For just as in Adam we are all corrupted, so in Christ we are all renewed, when, having been endowed with the divine mind, we conduct ourselves according to the character of Christ." (Zwingli 1484-1531) 

"Adam himself, who felt and experienced this image before he first sinned, was able to discuss the image of God much more explicitly than his descendants. The difference between Adam and us is like that between someone who was endowed with sight for a while but became blind, and someone blind from birth. The former can argue about colors because he saw them once upon a time; the latter, because he has never seen colors, how can he dispute about them? In the same way, because we were conceived and born in sin, we cannot understand or explain the true nature of this image except insofar as the Scriptures teach us about it and to the degree that we regain it in this life in Christ and by faith . . . It cannot be regained except by being regenerated by faith in Christ. Truly, may it happen that we may be adopted as God's children, renewed by the Holy Spirit; and begin again to resemble God, until God's perfect image in us is finished and completed in the age to come." (Johannes Brenz 1499-1570)

". . . the image of God according to which humans were created is called the law of human nature, by which one ought to be absolutely eager to do good to all, just as God does. That [image] is possessed neither by brute beasts nor by the impious and the unjust, but rather by those who cultivate righteousness and bear the character of God the Father by imitating Christ the Son of God through their mercy and kindness, innocence of life and gracious generosity. These are the ones who truly bear the image of God--that image according to which they were made, which was immediately corrupted by Adam, and by which Christ was truly cleansed and renewed." (Konrad Pellikan 1478-1556)

"The image of God has two principle parts: wisdom and holiness. Concerning wisdom, Paul says, 'Put on the new self, which is created in knowledge after the image of him which created him.' This wisdom consists in three points. First, he knew God his Creator perfectly, for Adam in his innocence knew God as far as it was fitting for a creature to know his Creator. Second, he knew God's will, as far as it was fitting for him, to show his obedience thereunto. Third, he knew the wisdom and will of his Creator touching the particular creatures: for after Adam was created, the Lord brought every creature unto him, presenting them unto him as being lord and king over them, that he might give names unto them. Whereby it appears that Adam in his innocence knew the nature of all creatures and the wisdom of God in creating them, else he could not have given them fit names; and when God brought Eve unto Adam, he knew her at the first and said, 'This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, etc.' The second part of God's image in us is holiness and righteousness, which is nothing else but a conformity of the will and affections and of a person's whole disposition both in body and soul to the will of God our Creator." (William Perkins 1558-1602)

"My understanding of the image of God is this: that Adam had it in his being and that he not only knew God and believed that He was good, but that he also lived in a life that was wholly godly; that is, he was without fear of death or of any other danger, and was content with God's favor . . . For this reason, too, if the should transgress His command, God announces the punishment: 'On whatever day you eat from this tree, you will die by death', as though He said: 'Adam and Eve, now you are living without fear; death you have not experienced, nor have you seen it. This is My image, by which you are living, just as God lives. But if you sin, you will lose this image, and you will die.' So we now see what great dangers and how many varieties of death and chances of death this wretched nature is compelled to meet with and to endure in addition to the execrable lust and other sinful passions and inordinate emotions that arise in the hearts of all. We are never secure in God; apprehension and terror cause us concern even in sleep. These and similar evils are the image of the devil, who stamped them on us." (Luther)