7. 1. thirdly Tents are weakly built and not able to resist those iniuries of the aâ—…re that houses can so the Church in her selfe is weake though in the Lord shee be strong and these weake things God hath chosen to confound the things that are mightie 1. Cor. 1. 27. fourthly the Church is called a Tent in relation to Moses Tabernacle For as there God was worshipped sacrifices were offered and the presence of the Lord was to be seene so in the Church we worship God offer vp spirituall sacrifices and doe inioy the presence and comfort of his spirit Againe the Church is called the Tents of Sem because he was the father of the Iewes amongst whom God onely had his visible Church so shee is called the Tents of Iudah Zach. 12. 7. the Tents of Iacob Mal. 2. 12. and also the Tents of the Saints Reu. 20. 9. Q. Wherein was Noah the tipe of Christ A. As Noah built an Arke so did Christ the Church secondly as Noah did offer a sacrifice whereof God smelled a sauour of rest so did Christ thirdly as God for Noahs sacrifice did curse the ground no more euen so for Christs sacrifice God did curse the Church no more fourthly as Noah planted a vineyard so did Christ plant the Church which is his vineyard 5. as Noah was drunke with wine so Christ who is the true wine and who troad the wine-presse alone who turned water into wine and who was counted a drinker of wine was drunken with the wine of his fathers wrath in commemoration whereof he hath commanded vs to drink wine in the sacrament sixthly as Noah after his drinking fell asleepe so Christ after he had drunke of the Cup which his Father gaue him died for death is a sleepe seauenthly Noah was made naked in his sleeping and so was Christ in his suffering eighthly Noah was mocked by his owne sonne and so was Christ by his owne people the Iewes ninthly Noah fell asleepe in his owne Tent and Christs died in his owne country Iudea tenthly Sem and Iapheth couered Noahs bodie with a garment so Ioseph and Nicodemus couered Christs bodie with linnen cloathes eleuenthly Noah awoke from his sleepe and so did Christ from his graue twelfthly Cham was cursed for scorning his Father and the Iewes are yet accursed for killing their Sauiour Q. How long liued Noah after the flood A. Three hundred and fiftie yeeres euen till Abraham was about fiftie yeeres of age or 58. as the Hebrews and others doe thinke and in that Noah liued so long after the flood it sheweth vs that long life doth neither depend from the starres the temperature of the ayre the constitution of the bodie the excellencie of meate and drinke nor any thing else except from Gods blessing for neither had the Starres that influence nor the ayre that temperature nor mans body that strength nor the hearbes that nutriment which they had before the flood yet Noah liued after the flood 350. yeeres and his sonne Sem 500. secondly God would haue him liue so long after the flood not onely to see the effect of Gods blessing in the multiplication of his posteritie but also to instruct the world with the knowledge of the true God and of these things that were done before the flood Q. How olde was Noah when he died A. Nine hundred and fiftie yeeres the oldest man that euer liued except Iared that liued 962. yeeres and Methusâ—…lah that liued 969. yeares yet for all his long life he is not exempted from death Nam omnes vna manet nox calcanda semel via lethi Againe what was all this long life of Noah but a long tragedie full of sorrow and miserie hee was vexed with the wickednesse of the world before the flood and made a mocking stock in the Arke tormented with the horrour of that fearefull iudgement after the flood mocked by his owne sonne and grieued with the idolatrie not onely of Cham and Iapheths posteritie but also of Sems family whom hee had so highly blessed and this was not a small griefe to see wicked Cham whom hee had cursed with his posteritie so to flourish and abound in wealth and power Surely we are made saith Iob to possesse moneths of vanitie and wearisome nights are appointed to vs therefore let vs learne to contemne this foolish world for the graue at last must be our house and our beds must be made in the darkenesse Iob. cap. 7. 3. and cap. 17. 13. Questions on the tenth Chapter Q. WHat is meant by this word Generation which is so often vsed in the Scripture A. First it signifieth the originall and beginning of things as Gen. 2. 4. these are the generations of heauen and earth secondly the historie of a mans life and of those things that doc befall him as Gen. 6. 9. these are the generations of Noah thirdly a genealogie or supputation of ones posteritie as here in this Chapter these are the generations of the sonnes of Noah fourthly it is taken for the people that doe liue in such or such an age as Gen. 15. 16. in the fourth generation they shall come againe fifthly for an age it selfe as Matth. 24. 34. this generation shall not passe c. sixthly for ones natiuitie as Mat. 1. 18. the generation of Christ was thus seauenthly for a nation as Matth. 12. 39. an euill generation seeketh after a signe eighthly for a kinde or fashion as Luke 16. 8. the children of this world are wise in there generation c. Q. Why doth Moses set downe this genealogie seeing Paul doth command vs not to giue heede to genealogies 1. Tim. 14. A. Paul doth condemne these genealogies that are endlesse and which minister questions not edifications secondly he doth command vs not to giue heede to them neither to account them apart of Gods worship as the Iewes did but this Genealogie of Noah and such like in Scripture are profitable for vs to know and therefore are not condemned Q. What profit is it for vs to know the generations of Noahs sonnes A. They are profitable First because by them we see how the world is multiplied 2. by them we may refute the fabulous genealogies of Poets Phylosophers Egyptians Aethiopians and others that doe bragge of their antiquity 3. in this genealogie we see the effect of Gods blessing in multiplying mankinde 4. by this genealogie we know so much the better what these nations are that are often named in the Scripture 5. we know also from hence how Christ came of Sem according to the flesh and how Noahs curse tooke effect in the posterity of Cham. Q. Was this propagation of mankinde by Noahs three sonnes in so short a time miraculous A. Miracles are those workes which doe exceede the power and force of nature and these are of two sorts pure miracles which in all respects exceedes the course of nature as the standing of the sunne in the dayes of losuah his going backe in
in Trinity the word essentiall of the Father by whom the world was created Q. Why was the light first created A. To beautifie all the rest of the creatures 2. The world was created in 6. daies which could not bee distinguished without the light and darkenesse Q. Was this light spirituall such as God is sayd to inhabit as Christ is called the light of the world and the Apostles light the regenerate light A. No but corporall and sensible first the darknesse that went before was sensible ergo light 2. By this light the 3. dayes were distinguished before the creation of the Sun but they were sensible 3. This Narration of Moses is historicall not allegoricall Q. Then what light was this A. Not the light of the elementall fire nor of a light cloud nor of water but of the Sun which was the first day diffused through the whole hemisphere the 4. was collected into the globe of the Sun wee see The 1. day this light had but one common property to illuminate the 4. it had particular vertues to bring out particular effects 3. The light the 4. day began to be cause of generation and corruption the measure of time the cause of increase and decrease in the Moone Q. How did this light before the 4. day distinguish the day from night A. In moouing from cast to west and from west to east by the motion of the 1 sphere Q. In what place of heauen was the light â—…reated A. In the East for this light returning to this same point of the east from which it went made a naturall day Q. When was heauen and earth created A. Before the first day in respect of their substance and matter but in the sixe dayes in respect of their forme and perfection Q. What is meant by the firmament that separateth the waters from the waters A. The ayre and starry heauens with all the spheres betweene which do seperate the watry clouds from these waters below but properly the lower region of the aire doth separate these waters which are generated in the single region from the waters below which low region is called by the name of the whole firmament Q. What are these waters aboue the firmament A. Not Angels as Origon not waters properly so called aboue the stars as Basil would haue for their naturall place is below and there is no vse of them aboue the starres neither the heauen called the Christalline which hath neither the substance similitude or qualities of water but by these waters wee vnderstand the watery clouds aboue this lower region in the aire These waters in other places are sayd to be aboue the heauens that is aboue the aire which in Scripture is called heauen Q. How made God drie land to appeare A. By causing the earth which before was plaine to swell with mountaines 2. By the waters which before were spred ouer the whole earth to betake themselues to one place Q. Then were there mountaines before the flood A. Yes for the flood rose 15. cubits higher then the mountaines the mountaines are called eternall Psa. 76. Wisedome is ancienter then the mountaines Pro. 8. They make the earth the comelier more fruitfull more commodious for man and beast they hold out the seas from ouer-flowing the earth out of them springs and Riuers proceed they defend the Valleys from the raging of the windes that without them the earth could not be before the flood Q. Is the earth or seas highest A. The earth for all riuers run into the seas naturally because they flowe downewards 2. Men are said to go downe into the seas in ships Psal. 107. Againe if the seas were higher ships should sayle swifter to the land then from it 4. The farther we were in the sea we should see the land the better Ob. But Psal. 104. and 33. it seemes that the waters are higher then the earth A. In Psal. 104. Dauid speakes of the springs that are generated in the mountaines or of the watery clouds that couer the hills in Psa. 33. Dauid speakes of the miraculous standing of the red sea Q. Were briers thornes and poysonable hearbes created before mans fall A. Yes because these are parts of this world without which it is not perfect and although poysonable hearbs are not fit for meate they are good for physicke Q In what time of the yere was the world created A. In the Autumne because the Iewes before they departed from Egipt began their yeere in Autumne and also before the flood for the flood began in the second moneth that is about the month of Nouember 2. The Iewes Exod. 23. are commanded to keepe the feasts of Tabernacles in the end of the yeere that is in Autumne when fruits are ripe and also this same feast in the beginning of the yeere Chap. 35. nature also shews that Autumne is the end of the yeere by the maturity of the fruit and falling of the leaues from the trees It is also the beginning of the yeere as the young seeds budding out of the earth doe testifie Lastly in the creation the fruits of the trees were ripe and ready to be eaten Q. Were the starres created the fourth day A. Yes in respect of their light motions and operations but they were made the 1. day in respect of their substance for they are the thicker part of the spheres Q. Why were the stars created after the planets A. Because God will shew his power which in producing of plants doth not depend on the starres 2. To keepe the people from Idolatrie whom he knew would be bent to worship the starres when they consider their beauty motion and operation in producing hearbes now they are inexcusable because this vertue they haue in producing hearbs is from God who in the beginning did create hearbes and plants without the helpe of starres Q. Did God create the Moone in the Full or in the Change A. In the Full because God created his workes in perfection now the moone is perfitest in the Full. 2. Shee was ordained to illuminate the night which she doth most perfecty in the Full. Q. Haue the starres their light wholly from the Sunne A. No because they haue different effects therefore different light 2. There is one glory of the Sun and another of the Moone and another of the starres 1 Cor. 15. Q. Why are the Sunne and Moone called great lights A. Not in respect of quantitie for some starres are greater but because they appeare to be greater 2. In respect of their light which is greater then the light of other starres Q. Of what figure is the heauen A. Round for this figure is most apt for motion 2. The Scripture witnesseth the same Eccl. 1 Q. How many heauens are there A. The Philosophers speake of ten heauens the Scriptures only of three to the which the former ten may be reduced Q. Shall the heauens be abolished in the day of Iudgement A. Not in respect of their substance which is
vncorruptible but in respect of their motion influence and diuers operations in this inferiour world for of these then there shall be no need because man shall bee translated to a better life and other liuing creatures shall bee abolished Q. Are the starres innumerable A. Not in themselues for they are naturall bodies but in respect of our ignorance 2. These starres of greater note are vnnumerable for the Mathematicians haue reduced the 1022. starres to sixe degrees of magnitude for these of lesser note are not numbred because not knowne Q. Is the Sunne hot or cold A. Neither but hee begets heate here below because of his great light and not because of his motion Q. Haue the starres life reasonable because God is brought in speaking to them in Scripture A. No if they had they should be capable of vertue and vice life or death eternall God is brought in speaking to them in Scriptures and so he is to insensible creatures as the earth seas winde c. to signifie our stupidity which are duller to heare and obey him then senslesse creatures Q. Doe the starres moue of themselves as it seemeth by these places Psa. 19. Iob 9. Ios. 10. or are they moued by the spheres A. By their spheres but the Scripture speaketh rather of the starrs then their spheres because the starres are better knowne to vs for the spheres we see not Q. Is the heauen and the earth corruptible or not A. They are incorruptible in regard of their substance so witnesseth the Scripture Eccle. 1. and 3. chap. Psal. 149. and therefore shall not be abolished but renewed to a more perfect state for the feruent desire of the creature waiteth when the sonnes of God shall be reuealed Those Scriptures that speak of the destruction of the world are to be vnderstood of the alteration of some qualities to better Q. Shall the Sun and other starres moue as they doe now after the day of Iudgement A. No for now they moue to distinguish night and day Summer and Winter but then of these things there shall bee no need to man glorified Q. How are the Sun and Moone signes A. They are naturall signes of faire and foule weather health and sicknesse sowing and mowing c. and supernaturall signes of Gods wrath for there shall be signes in the Sun and Moone and Starres before the last day Luke 21. Q. Were the starres made for signes to the Astronomers to fore-tell things to come A. They neither should nor can fore-tell by the stars 1. They should not because prohibited by the word of God Iere. 10. Deut. 18. Leu. 20. Secondly condemned by the Canons decrees and Councels of the Church and refuted by the Fathers 3 They cannot foretell by these Scriptures Esay 41. 44. and 47. Chap. Eccle. 8. and 10. Chap. Prou. 27. 1 Cor. 2. Again the most part of Apollos oracles were false as witnesseth Porphirius lib. de oraculis Q. Why is this kinde of Astrologie condemned A. Because it euerts Gods prouidence abolisheth the liberty of our will makes all the mysteries of Christian Religion to depend on the starres it is the cause of all villany and neglect of Gods workes yea it makes all the miracles of the old and new Testament such as the flood of Noah the fire of Sodom the birth actions and death of our Lord to depend on the starres Q. Can the Astrologers foretell things to come by the starres A. No because they know not the forme matter motions force and effects of the starres in the things here below they cannot explaine the hid causes and properties of hearbs stones and liuing creatures yea they know not what is doing now in other countries and if they know not things present much lesse things to come Q. But if they had the perfect knowledge of the starres could they noâ—… tell what is to come A. No because wee cannot haue perfect knowledge of particular effects except wee know their particular causes now the starres are but generall causes 2. If this doctrine were true then twinnes borne vnder the same starre at the same time should bee of the same nature and disposition but this is false as witnesseth the birth of Iacob and Esau. 3. It should follow that all those that are killed in the warres at the same time should be borne at the same time which is most false 4. That all those that liue according to the same lawes and religion should bee borne at the same time vnder the same starre 5. That all the actions of mans free will should be knowne to them which cannot be seeing man can alter and change his will when he list 6. If men could tell by the starres what is to come they should bee had in great esteeme but it fares otherwise with them for the greatest both Diuines and Philosophers confute them Kings and Magistrates condemne and punish them 7. If they can tell what befalls to man much more can they foretell what shall befall hearbs and trees which are more subiect to the starres then man but this is false for they cannot foretell how many Peares a Peare-tree shall bring forth Q. Are not then the starres naturall signes of things to come A. Naturall signes are rather the causes or effects of that they signifie but the starres are neither 2. How can the starres which are still the same be the signes of so many innumerable accidents as fall out in the world yet I except Comets which are not naturall starres but Meteors generated of naturall causes yet they are supernaturall signes of things to come Q. Can the Astrologers foretell nothing true A. Yes often-times ehey fore-tell things truely but that is not because of the starres but by the instinct of Satan with whom they haue commerce and hee can foretell many things partly by Reuelation from God and partly because he is a subtile spirit and of long experience and hee makes those men foretell things to come rather by mouing their phantasies or by dreames or by offering to their eyes the shape or to their eares the words of those things he will foretell or by characters 2. They can foretell things to come because God permits them for the greater destruction of those that curiously consult Sooth-sayers so he suffered Balaam and his Asse to prophesie 3. Men that are of subtile spirits may foretell some things by looking diligently into the life manners and dispositions of men as one may foretell that a tyrant oppressing his subiects shal be killed 4. They may foretell some things which may fall out true because of the credulity of those that consult with them for if they foretell good successe to any this oft-times falls out because of the feruent desire and vsing of all meanes to attaine the same which doth fall out not because it was fore-told but because hee to whom it was fore-told vsed the meanes to haue it Q. Is it not lawfull then to consult with Astrologers and Sooth-sayers A. No
because in consulting with them wee derogate from Gods glory and honour them in thinking that they can fore-tell all things which is proper only to God 2. If it be vnlawfull to conuerse with an excommunicate person much lesse should wee haue commerce with Satan who is excommunicated from heauen to the place of darkenesse and is the pernicious enemy of God and man Q. Whether are the beasts or fishes perfectest A. The beastes because they haue more perfect senses beget more perfect blood in our bodies than fishes haue more commerce with men and are docible in many things fishes are not Q. Why then were they created before the beastes A. As nature begins at that which is most imperfect in generation so God in the creation did keepe this course for man the little world and pattetne of all the creatures was not created till the sixth day 2. God keepeth that course in the 3. last dayes which hee did in the 3 first in the first he created heauen and in the 4. did replenish it with starres the 2. hee made he seas the 5. replenished it with liuinâ—…g creatures Q. Why speaketh Moses of the creation of some particular fishes and not of trees and beasts A. Because these fishes are greater then any earthly creatures therefore wee should the more extoll Gods glory in considering them Q. How doe the waters bring forth the fishes A. The waters are not the efficient cause of the fishes but the materiall yet but in part for fishes are compounded of the foure elements notwithstanding the waters are the predominant matter of the fishes not in respect of their substance for that is earth but in respect of qualitie moist and cold Secondly the temperature of the fishes are waterish Thirdly Water is the place of habitation generation and conseruation for the fishes Q. Why were the birds created the fift day with the fishes and not the sixth A. Because they were created of the water as the fishes Secondly because of the great resemblance betweene the birds and fishes both in respect of their place water and aire for both these elements are perspicuous humid moueable and easie to be changed one into the other Secondly In respect of their bodies for both are light and swift the finnes of the fishes answer to the birds wings and their scales to birds feathers they both want eares paps milke bladder Thirdly Many kindes of birds dwell in the waters as the Sea-meawes Swans c. Fourthly their mouing is alike for as the fishes swim so the birds flie Fiftly They both vse their tayle to guide their flying and swimming Q. Were the Birds created of the Water A. Yes but not of the thickest of the water but rather of a watery vapour betweene water and aire therefore the Birds conuerse in the water and aire Q. But it seemes the birds were created of the earth the sixt day by these words of the 2. chapter And the Lord hauing formed out of the ground euery beast of the field and euery bird of the aire brought them to Adam A. If God had created them the sixt day of the ground Moses had not spoken of them the fift day Secondly in these words alleaged the coniunction and hath no reference to the word ground as though both had beene formed of the ground but to the word formed so the meaning is that not only the beasts that were formed of the ground but the Birds also which God had created were brought to Adam Q. How doth the earth bring forth liuing creatures A. Not actiuely but passiuely for the earth is not the efficient but the materiall cause of earthly creatures Q. What difference is there betweene the beast cattell and creeping thing verse 25. A. By behemah in Hebrew is vnderstood the great beasts as Iob 40. 15. By chaiah the wilde beasts in whom there is seen most liuellnesse by remesh creeping things such as haue no feet at all as Serpents and they that haue short and little feet as Ants. Q. Why did not God blesse the earthly creatures as he did the fishes A. Moses did omit this for breuities sake Secondly the blessing of the fishes doth belong also to the beasts Thirdly man is blessed and in him the beasts as when hee was cursed the earth was also Gen. 3. And when he was punished the beasts were punished also Genesis Q. Why was man particularly blessed A. Not only for multiplication but also because of the elect And thirdly because mans copulation is oftentimes sinfull and inordinate Q. Did God create in the beginning imperfect creatures as Bees Waspes and such like A. Hee did not create them actually as hee did the perfect creatures but hee created them in their causes as hee gaue that faculty to the fiesh of an horse to beget Waspes being dead Q. Were Mules now created or not A. They were not First because they were found out by Anah Genes 36. Secondly they are barren but God created all creatures with his blessing to be fruitfull c. Genes 1. Thirdly this kinde of procreation is against nature but God created euery thing according to his kinde Genes 1. Fourthly this is against his owne law Leuit. 19. Q. Why was man and the cattell created in the same day A. First Because they both dwell in the earth Secondly The earthly creatures are more familiar with man then others Thirdly they are more profitable to man then other creatures Fourthly They are most like to man of all other creatures Q. How doth Gods goodnesse and wisedome appeare in the creatures A. Many wayes First In the variety of so many thousand diuers kindes of creatures Secondly In the comely order that is seene amongst them Thirdly in that all things that serue for the perfection of the world is in the world nothing can bee added or impayred Fourthly In the sympathy and concord that is amongst some and the discord and hatred that is amongst others of the creatures Fiftly In the pulchritude and comelinesse that is in euery creature as may be seene in the body of man Sixtly In the admirable gouernment and administration of the world in the which there is nothing so euill whether it be naturall euill as the defects of nature or voluntary euill such as is the euill of punishment and of sin but all serues for the glory of God and the perfection of this Vniuerse Q. How is the power of God seene in the world A. First By creating it of nothing Secondly By sustaining it with his power Heb. 1. Thirdly By working many things miraculously aboue the course of nature in which we see that God doth not worke of necessity Fourthly He is not tyed to the second causes Q. Could God haue made the world better then it is A. Yes for his power is not limited therefore he might haue made it sooner then he did and larger and fuller of Creatures Q. Why was man the last of all the creatures created A. Because God would
their force and former goodnesse Q. Should the wilde bedstes such as Lyons haue fed on flesh before the Fall as they doe now A. No but on the hearbs only first because heere is no flesh mentioned but onely hearbs secondly if it had beene permitted to them to eate flesh before the Floud then those rauening beasts that were in the Arke should haue eate flesh but in the Arke there was no flesh for them therefore they did feed on the hearbs Q. How comes it now that these kinde of beasts doe not feed on hearbs now but on flesh A. Because the earth doth not yeeld such comfortable and nourishing hearbs as then secondly the temperature of the creature is not so sound now as it was before the Floud Q. How is it vnderstood that all which God made was very good A. All things were good first in respect of their substance which is vnchangeable secondly in respect of their perfect estate they were created in thirdly in respect of their accidents or properties fourthly because of their operations which brought forth perfect effects Q. Why did not God see that all things were very good till man was created A. Because man is the eud of all the creatures secondly in him as in a little world â—…n to be seene all the creatures thirdly becausâ—… Christ who is essentiall goodnesse was to sanctifie the nature of man in taking vpon him his flesh Questions on the second Chapter Q. DId God create the world at the saâ—… instant or in the space of sixe dayes A. In the space of sixe dayes first because Moses narration is historicall and therefore he speaketh of sixe distinct dayes secondly Moses Exodus 20. and 31. vrgeth the Iewes to worke sixe dayes and rest the seuenth because God created the world in sixe dayes and rested the seuenth this reason had beene ridiculous if GOD had made the world in an instant thirdly if we vnderstand Moses in this place allegorically then wee must make this whole historie an allegorie fourthly if the seuenth day had beene the first and in it God had created the world then how is it vnderstood that God rested the seuenth day fiftly how could so many diuers kindes of creatures bee created in the same instant of time yea then we must say that man was created and brought into Paradise and was cast asleepe and Eâ—…ah was formed of his rib the same instant Q. How then is that vnderstood Ecclesiast 18. He that liueth for euer created all things together A. It is to be vnderstood of that confused masse that God created in the beginning out of the which afterward hee created the rest of the creatures in their distinct dayes Q. Why did God spend so much time in making the world A. Not because he was weake and could not make it in lesse time but that we might the more seriously consider the order of the creation distinction and replenishing of the world and in these the omnipotencie wisedome and goodnesse of God Q. Did God make the world of necessitie or of his owne accord A. Of his owne free will because he made it at that time and manner he thought fittest secondly because he in creating wrought otherwise than the course of Nature doth for he made the heauens without light then made light first imperfect afterward perfect and he made the hearbs before the Sunne Q. Can it be gathered from hence that as God created the world in sixe dayes and rested the seuenth so likewise the world shall continue siâ—… ages or sixe thousand yeares and after shall be 〈◊〉 perpetuall Sabbath A. No for this computation is but a coniecture or fixion of Elias not the Prophet but the Rabbin hauing no ground Secondly 〈◊〉 this were true we should know how long the world should continue and fully know the time of Christs comming which cannot bee for his comming shal be as a theefe in the night as Lightning his comming shall bee aâ—… the comming of the flood of this houre knoweth no man not the Angels the Father hath put in his owne power the times and seasons Q. Were the Angels created or are they eternall A. Created Psal. 149. Reuel 4 10. Colâ—…s 1. The Church confesseth the Fathers confirme and generall Councells establish this point Secondly onely God is eternall Thirdly They are parts of the world therefore created Q. Are the Angels reall substances or onely good and bad motions in the minde as thought the Sadduces A. They are indiuiduall substances First Their names doe shew this for they are called Messengers Watchmen c. Secondly their actions and operations which onely belong to personall substances for they serue God come to vs comfort vs gather together the Elect an Angell wrestled with Iaacob conferred with Abraham they were receiued by Lot c. Angels declared Christs Natiuity to the shepheards his Resurrection to the women Thirdly some of them stood some fell therefore substances Fourthly wee shall bee like them Ergo they are not bare motions Q. What is meant here by the Host of Heauen and earth A By those of Heauen is meant the Angels for they are called the heauenly host Luke 2. also the Stars Esay 34. Therefore the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera Iudges 5. By the host of Earth is meant all the earthly creatures therefore God is called the Lord of hostes Q. Were the Angels created before this visible world A. No because God created all things in the beginning ergo Angels and not before or else this had beene no beginning Secondly They were created for the vse of man but man was not before the beginning ergo nor Angels Q. Were they created after the sixe dayes A. No for God rested from all his worke the seuenth day Q Then what day were they created A. The first that they might bee the beholders and admirers of Gods power and wisdome in creating the World Secondly They are called Angels of Heauen in Scripture not onely because they inhabit but also because they were created with the heauen the first day Thirdly this is manifest in Iob 38. where it is sayd that the Sonnes of God that is the Angels did sing and showte when God laid the foundations of the earth Q. Where were they created A. In Heauen for some of them fell from thence And Christ saw Satan like Lightning fall from Heauen therefore they are called the Host and Angels of Heauen Q. Why doth not Moses speake distinctly of the creation of Anâ—…els A. Because hee did accomodate himselfe to the rude capacitie of the Iewes therefore hee doth onely speake here of the creation of visible creatures Q. What is meant by Gods rest on the Sabbath day was he wearie A. No but by his rest is vnderstood his desisting and ceasing to make other creatures Q. Did God rest from all his workes A. Yes of creation but not of preseruation for yet the Father worketh with the Son Iohn 5. Q. Did God create no
if we respect the circumstances of Adams sinne to wit the place Paradise where no occasion of sinne was the time when he sinned immediately after his creation at the first encounter yeelding to his enemy the excellencie of the person that sinned Adam being created to Gods owne Image if wee regard also that infinite hurt and misery that hath falne vpon mankinde by that sinne of Adam we must confesse that it is the greatest sinne that euer man committed Q. Whether was the sinne of Adam or Eua greatest A. If we consider both their persons then Adam did sinne more grieuously because hee was wiser and stronger than Eua and hee was the head af the woman for this cause saith the Apostle that by one man sinne entred into the world Rom. 5. yet in two respects Eua's sin was greater than Adams first in that she did beleeue the Serpent more than God which Adam would not haue done secondly in that she did entice Adam to the same sinne Q. How were their eyes opened after the eating of this fruit A. They were not blinde before nor haâ—… they now more libertie of will than they had or greater knowledge but now they know â—…uill by experience which before they knew by science and their eyes are said to bee opened because they perceiue their nakednesse is ignominious and their affections inordinate which before were decent and holy Q. Why did they couer their members after the eating of the forbidden fruit A. Because they were ashamed of their nakednesse secondly by this they thought to hide their sinne but in vaine for none can hide sinne but God therefore blessed is he whose sinne is couered Psal. 32. Q Why did they couer their priuy members A. Because their inordinate lust began most to appeare here secondly these are the instruments of generation which then became sinfull therefore all people are ashamed to see those parts because sinne comes by generation Hence circumcision the signe of generation was on this part of the body Genesis 17. Q. Why did they 〈◊〉 the leaues of the Figge tree A. Because the leaues of the Fig-tree are broadest or else because their guilty consciences accusing them and being in feare they tooke of the leaues of this tree which was neerest Q. What is meant here by the noyse of God A. This sometimes signifieth thunder Exodus 9. sometimes any sound Ezek. 12. sometimes Gods distinct voyce like thunder Iohn 12. here it signifieth some fearefull noyse and sound by which God would signifie that now he was comming to encounter with Adam Q. What signifieth the winde of the day A. This is a description of the euening for at the going downe of the Sunne in those places that are neere the Mediterranian Sea commonly the winde doth blow from the Sea and as God came to iudge Adam in the euening so will hee come to iudge all man-kinde in the euening of the world with the sound of the Trumpet Q. How did God speake to Adam here A. God speaketh in Scripture sometime internally by his Spirit sometimes externally either by Angels or by men Here then it is like that Christ spake in the forme of man for in this forme he did oftentimes appeare to the Fathers of old and in the fulnesse of time this word was made flesh and dwelt with vs. Q. Why did not God accuse Satan as hee did the man and the woman A. Because Satan was alreadie condemned for his pride but the other two were to receiue the sentence of condemnation therefore hee would not condemne them till hee had conuicted them Q. Whether did God curse the Diuell or the Serpent A. He cursed both the Diuell mystically and the Serpent literally the Diuell as the principall agent and the Serpent as his instrument but this Curse is pronounced of the Serpent onely because it was the Serpent that Eua did see and speake to and the Diuel did lurke within the Serpent Q. How could the creeping on the belly and the eating of the dust be a punishment and a curse seeing this was naturall to the Serpent before mans fall A. The Serpents creeping before was pleasant now it is painefull then it was comely now it is base execrable and contemptible Q. Why did God curse the Serpent A. To augment Satans griefe the more who vsed him for his organ in this wicked tentation Secondly because the Serpent being Satans instrument was the occasion of mans fall as the beast with whom any man did lye was to be stoned Leuit. 20. Thirdly because by this God will shew how much he abhorreth sinne in punishing for mans wickednesse dumbe and senselesse creatures therefore the Earth was cursed for Adams sinne the beasts and fowles were drowned sor the sinne of the first World the Cities that entice the Israelites to Idolatrie must be burnt yea the Cattell and euery thing in those Cities Deut. 13. yea the dumbe creatures for mans sinne were dayly offered vp in sacrifice Q. What is meant by the Womans Seed and the Serpents seed A. By the Womans Seed is meant especially Christ the Womans Seed according to the flesh and with him all the faithfull by the Serpents seed are meant both the rauenous beasts which naturally hate mankinde as also wicked men which are called Serpents in Scripture and generation of Vipers Q. What is meant heere by the Head and the Heele A. By the Head of the Serpent is meant the power of the Diuell sinne and death by which he woundeth vs by the Heele is meant the humanitie of Christ and his members which Satan did hurt by the death of the Crosse and woundeth yet by persecuting his members Q. How can the multiplication of the womans consceptions be a punishment for sinne A. The conceptions of the woman are a punishment because sometimes their conceptions are imperfect and deformed secondly many children being conceiued doe perish before they come to maturitie Thirdly many children are wicked and rebellious not regarding the wombe that bare them with anguish nor the pappes which suckled them with danger These are great punishments inflicted on women for the sinne of Eua fourthly her conceptions are a punishment for many infirmities doe accompany a woman that is with childe as swimmings in the head tooth-aches perturbations in the minde vitiosities in the stomacke as to refuse good and wholesome meares to desire to eate those things which Nature being sound abhorreth Q. What is the reason that women doe bring forth their children in sorrow A. Gods decree in punishing the sinne of Eua secondly the narrow passage of the belly with a dilatation and stretching out of the internall parts thereof causeth most sharpe and sensible paines hence the Scripture compares exquisite sorrow and paine with the sorrowes of the child birth Psal. 48. Mica 4. Reu. 12. but this paine should not haue been in the state of innocency Q. Wherein was the ground cursed for Adams sake A. In that it did not bring forth fruite of it
of all his blessings and is the cause of all our infirmities and of all our actuall sinnes Q. Why will not God destroy all liuing things as he did A. Because mans imagination is so euill from his youth that if he should punish him as he deserued hee should euery age send a flood for there is none that doth good no not one Psal. 12. So then that hee spareth vs it is to be attributed to his mercy not to our merits Q. Is God the cause that mans imagination is euill from his youth A. No he made man holy but hee fell of his owne accord God then is the cause of mans heart and of his imaginations but not of the corruptions and vitiositie thereof and yet he doth permit sinne because he vseth it for a scourge to the wicked and for a means to aduance his owne glory Q. What doth God besides promise Noah A. That all the dayes of the earth seede time and haeruest heate and cold c. should not cease in which words he sheweth vs the renouation of the world which answers to the creation Before the creation there was confusion and darkenesse and so likewise before this renouation in the creation God made the lights of heauen now hee restores them then he gaue man dominion ouer the creatures now he restores the same as God gaue man foode then so he doth now man was then created to Gods image and the same is now mentioned God made a lawe then that man should not eate of the forbidden tree and here hee commands that man shall not shed blood they receiued a blessing then to increase and multiply the same they now receiue Q. Shall there be summer and winter night and day c. so long as the earth remaineth A. Yes so long as the earth remaineth in that state it doth now subiect to generation and corruption in the parts thereof and obnoxious to many imperfect qualities which at the last day shall be abolished the substance remaining for euer and then the summer and winter shall cease Againe that which is spoken here is meant of the world in generall and not of particular countries and times for there was neither seede time nor haruest for the space of three yeares sixe moneths in Eliahs time and in the land of Egypt there was no distinction of day and night for three dayes because all that time there was darkenesse and in the dayes of Iosua the sunne stood still a whole day Q. Why doth God speake onely of summer and winter and not of the other two parts of the yeare A. Because these are the two principall parts of the yeare and most opposite the other two depends on these and participates of their qualities the spring then and haruest being both hot and cold in the one they agree with Summer in the other with Winter So likewise here is mentioned onely heate and colde because these two qualities are more actiue and forcible in generation and because more sensible then moyst or dry so seede time and haruest are onely named because sowing and mowing are the most vsuall and profitable actions amongst men Q. Doth God promise to Noah onely these temporall blessings as heate and cold summer and winter and not spirituall A. Hee promiseth these temporall blessings and vnder them spirituall For as the stability of the world is promised so the stability of grace in Christ is included and vsually in Scripture vnder earthly shadowes spirituall blessings are couenanted Canaan was a type of heauen Dauids kingdome of Christs spirituall kingdome Solomons temple of Christs Church therefore altars priests and sacrifices of Christ our golden Altar our high priest our sweete smelling sacrifice againe we must note that oftentimes God altereth the seasons and qualities of the ayre but it is for our sins therefore when wee see cold summers hot winters raging stormes excesse of heate and cold drinesse and moistnesse let vs leaue to trouble God without sinnes and he will leaue to trouble vs with his plagues moreouer let vs not fixe our chiefest happinesse in these temporall blessings But let vs looke to him that is the giuer and the end of all euen Iesus Christ the authour and finisher of our faith And lastly let not these blessings be motiues of security but rather stirre vs vp to be thankfull to him that prouides all things necessarie for this life and a crowne of righteousnesse for the life to come Questions on the ninth Chapter Q. VVHy doth God first of all blesse Noah with increase of children A. Because of earthly blessings this was the greatest the earth being now voide of mankind and Noah knew not till now whether it was lawfull to beget children seeing God had destroyed mankinde Secondly to teach vs to account our children chiefe effects of Gods blessing and to bee thankfull to him for them behold children are the inheritance of the Lord and the fruite of the womb his reward Psal. 127. 3. Q. Is this blessing all one with that which Adam had in paradise A. Yes in respect of the matter but not of the manner for then procreation of children should not haue beene painefull Secondly not inordinate thirdly not imperfect Q. How could this blessing belong to Noah seeing he had no children after the flood A. Although this blessing was fulfilled in his children yet it is giuen to him because he beeing the roote their increase was his increase Secondly because he was found righteous before God and God smelled a sauour of rest in his sacrifice Thirdly to let his children know that this blessing did belong to them onely for their iust fathers sake Q. Is euery increase the blessing of God A. All that are lawfully procreated are Gods blessings both in respect of the childe begotten and in respect of the manner of begetting but those that are not begotten in marriage doe not proceede of Gods blessing in regard of the manner of procreation howsoeuer in themselues they may bee the effects of Gods blessing Secondly the increase of all other creatures doe proceede of Gods blessing but for mans sake for whom they were created Q. Which is the second prerogatiue that God giueth now to Noah and his sonnes A. That their feare and terrour may bee vpon al the beasts fowles fishes and creeping things this dominion had Adam but after a more excellent manner for the creatures were subiect of their owne accord now of feare and by constraint and although that man hath power to rule ouer the beasts with feare yet great men must not rule their inferiour brethren with feare but rather with loue for Viri sancti non praeesse gaudent hominibus sed prodesse Greg. mor. lib. 21 cap. 11. Q. Hath man this dominion ouer all the creatures and at all times A. No For the wilde asse derideth the multitude of the Citie and heareth not the crie of the driuer Iob 39. 10. the Vnicorne will not serue nor will he tarrie by the