bee the more circumspect in obeying God considering hee might be as well put out of it as he was brought in if he brake Gods Law Thirdly that hee should haue no cause to accuse God of cruelty in putting him out of that place which by nature was due to him therefore he returnes to the place from whence he came Q. Then why was Euah created in Paradise A. Because Adam out of whose side shee was taken was now in Paradise Secondly she is not now properly created but formed and framed out of Adams rib for when Adam was formed she was created potentia in him in respect the body of Adam was the matter of her body Q. Should man haue wrought in Paradise A. Yes but not for need and with trouble as now but with pleasure to keepe himselfe from idlenesse Secondly thereby to stirre him vp the more to contemplate heauenly things And thirdly to trie the diuers natures of grounds and of those things that grow on the ground Q. Doth these words You shall eate of euery tree of the Garden containe a precept or a permission A. Not a precept but a permission for if God did command Adam to eate of â—…uery tree he should haue beene tied to it Secondly man hath no need to bee commanded to eate when he is hungry for he can doe that by nature Thirdly he knew that all the trees were created to that vse therefore he needs no commandement to eate Q. Was this commandement of not eating the tree of Knowledge of good and euill inioyned to Eua also A. Yes for so she confessed to the Serpent Secondly if she had not beene commanded to abstaine from it shee should not haue sinned in eating of it Q. How could this precept belong to Eua seeing she was not yet created A. It was first giuen to Adam and then by Adam it was deliuered to Eua. Q. Why did God forbid Adam to eate of this tree A. First to let him know that he was but a creature and seruant and therfore had a Lord whom hee must serue and obey Secondly to let him see that hee had free-will and power both to chuse and refuse any thing hee pleased Thirdly to exercise him in obedience Q. But seeing God knew that Adam would violate this precept and bring himselfe and his posterity to perpetuall miserie why would God inioyne it to him A. To make him inexcusable for he made him vpright and gaue him grace to obey if he would dedit Adamo posse si vellet non velli posse Secondly Although God knew that man would sinne yet he did permit him because he was to conuert that sinne of Adam to his greater good in sending his Sonne into the world Thirdly he suffered him to fall that his Mercie and Iustice might appeare the more Q. How is it vnderstood that whatsoeuer day Adam should eate of the Forbidden tree he should die A. Hee did not die actually as soone as hee had eaten the forbidden fruite but now he was subiect to death and the necessity of dying is laid vpon him Secondly he may be said to dye actually that day because then the infirmities of body and soule which are the fore-runners causes of death actual did seaze vpon him so mortuus est morte inchoata sed non completa Q. Why did not God expressely threaten Adam with death eternall A. Because God in the old Testament speaketh but sparingly of death eternall and vnder shaddowes Secondly death corporall is better knowne to man not onely by faith and reason but also by experience then death eternall which onely is knowne by faith Thirdly hee would speake of such a death as did not onely belong vnto him but to all his posterity although they did repent and this is the death of the body whereof all are partakers Q. Why did God threaten Adam with death A. Because death is the greatest and most fearefull miserie that can happen to man Secondly The name of death comprehends all the miseries and afflictions that doe befall man in this life because they are preparations to death Nam vt via ad generationem est generatio sic via ad interitum est mors Q. Then what death is meanâ—… here A. Both of body and soule temporall and eternall Q. How can death corporall bee a punishment for sinne seeing it proceeds of naturall causes as of contrary qualities A. It is not the punishment of sinne as it proceedes of naturall causes but in respect that God ordained Adam to liue immortally if he had not sinned now hauing sinned death followes as the stipend of sinne Q. Why was it not good that man should bee alone A. Because man without the woman could not procreate children and so man-kinde could not bee multiplyed Secondly Christ could not haue come in the flesh Thirdly the Elect and Church of God could not haue increased if Adam had beene alone Q. How were the creatures brought to Adam A. Either by the helpe of Angels or by that naturall instinct which the Greekes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the which euery creature perceiueth what is good and bad for them Q. Why did God bring the creatures to Adam A. First To let him see how much he did excell them and how much the more he should be thankfull Secondly Because hee was the Lord of the beasts God would haue him to see his seruants Thirdly that he might name them Fourthly that posterity might know what excellent knowledge Adam had in giuing names to the creatures according to their kindes Q. Why were not the fishes brought to Adam A. Because they doe not so much resemble man as the beasts secondly because they could not be such a helpe to man as the beasts thirdly because they could not liue out of the water Q. Had Adam the knowledge of all things as soone as he was created A. Yes because he was created perfect as well in regard of the gifts of his minde as of his body secondly hee was to be the Father Teacher and Gouernour of mankinde which hee could not haue beene without excellent knowledge thirdly knowledge was a part of Adams happinesse and hee could not haue beene perfectly happy if hee had beene at any time ignorant fourthly if God prepared food and all things needfull for his body then much more science and vnderstanding which is the food of the soule Q. Should Adams Pesterity in the state of innocencie haue knowledge ingrafted in them without labour A. No for it is naturall to man to attaine to knowledge by his senses and experience therefore the soule hath receiued a body with senses which the soule may vse as organs to beget knowledge yet man in that happy estate should haue attained to knowledge sooner and with greater ease than now because the wit was most excellent the senses more perfect the life longer the body healthier and stronger and there should haue beene no impediment to learning as now Q. Had
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
Henoch and not by his owne name Caine A. Because his owne name was odious to the world in respect of his murther therefore he would not disgrace his Citie and those that dwelt therein secondly because he loued Henoch exceedingly therefore he would immortalize his name Q. How is it vnderstood that Iabel was the father of them that dwelt in Tents and had Cattell A. He was the inuenter of Shepheardry and of feeding of Cattell now Abel being dead for Tents heere signifie such Tents as Shepheards doe vse and not those that Souldiers doe vse in Warres Q. Who were the first Inuenters of Musicke and Smiths Craft A. Not Pythagoras Linus Orpheus or Uulcan but Iubal and Tubal-Caine the posteritie of Caine so wee see that in externall things Caine and his posteritie were blessed as the wicked are generally in this life but the inheritance of the Saints is in heauen Q. Was it lawfull for Lamech to haue two wiues A. No for it was against the first institution of Marriage secondly against the Law of Nature which doth shew that one should be content with one thirdly this pluralitie of wiues did arise of incontinencie and lust and not of desire to propagate to the encrease of the Church as many Saints haue done Q. What is meant by these words I would slay a man in my wound c A. Heerâ—… Lamech perceiuing that he was hated for his crueltie bâ—…aggeth to his wiues of his strength That although he were wounded yet hee were able to kill a man this hee did speake to make his wiues and others feare him the more The Hebrewes thinke that Lamech did kill Caine in the Wildernesse thinking him to be a wilde beast and perceiuing that it was Caine he killed also the young man that deceiued him Q. What meaneth these words If Caine shall be auenged seuen-fold then Lamech c. A. Eyther hee speaketh this to affray others from killing him although he was a murtherer and so making a derision of Gods iudgement hee had layd vpon Caine as if hee would say If hee that killeth Caine shall be punished seuen-fold then hee that killeth me shall be punished seuentie seuen-fold that is a great deale more or else by these wordes hee seemeth to repent for his murther as if hee would say Was Caine punished so hardly for his murther then I am worthie of a seuentie seuen-fold worse punishment Q. Was Sheth the third sonne of Adam or had he any more besides those three mentioned in Genesis A. It is credible that in the space of an hundred and thirtie yeeres for in the hundred and thirtieth yeere Sheth was borne Adam had many more children than those three because that Adam and Eue were created perfect and apt for procreation So also it was necessary that the world should be multiplyed according to Gods Decree Increase and multiplie But these three Moses onely nameth because of all the rest they were most eminent Abel the type of Christ and the Church which are Abels that is mourners in this life Caine the type of the Diuell and his Church and the father of the wicked Sheth the origin and roote of the Church the Father of Christ yea the origin of all mankind after the floud for Abel was killed and Caines posteritie drowned Q. Why doth Eua say that God hath put another Seed to me in stead of Abel speaking of Sheth and not of any other of her sonnes A. Because Sheth was likest Abel of all Eua's children both in Religion toward God vprightnesse of life towards men and in loue and reuerence towards his Parents Q. What did Enoch signifie A. Sorrowfull or miserable he also was a type of the Church which is pressed although not oppressed with sorrow and miserie in this life Q. Why doth Moses say that in his dayes men began to call on the Name of the Lord A. To signifie that now men began to worship God more publikely then they did before to exhort the people to repentance to preach openly But wee must not thinke that God was not worshipped at all till now for Adam did worship God and taught his sonnes Abel and Came to sacrifice and Sheth also was an holy man and a type of Christ and of the Church Questions on the fift Chapter Q. WHy doth Moses rehearse the ten generations of Adam A. First to shew the Genealogie of Christ the promised Seed Secondly because hee is to speake of Enochs translation therefore hee would shew his generation Thirdly to shew that amongst these multitudes God had his Church although it was then small for God hath neuer wanted some since the Creation who doe worship him and call vpon his Name Q. Why doth Moses say here that God did both create and make man and what is meant by Adam here A. He doth distinguish creation from making for to be made is to be formed of some pre-existant matter but to be created is to be produced of nothing then both these words he vsed to signifie the diuers producing of the soule and body The soule is created because it is produced of nothing the body is made because of something And by Adam hee meaneth both the man and the woman giuing them one name to signifie that they are both of one flesh Q. How is it vnderstood that Adam begat a sonne after his image A. First by his image we vnderstand his nature and substance secondly his reason and power he had ouer all other creatures thirdly the corruption of his nature so that now Adam being sinfull and mortall begetteth sinfull and mortall children Then Sheth was begotten after the image of Adam a man indued with reason and dominion ouer the creatures subiect to sinne and death as Adam Q. Why is it not sayd that Adam did beget Caine and Abel after his image A. Because a part of this image doth consist in bearing rule ouer the creatures which dominion Abel had not being taken away by vntimely death and from Caine this power was taken away because he was accursed and the Earth commanded not to yeeld her encrease Q. What doth this name Sheth signifie A. To be set or appointed in stead of Abel and as Abel was the type of mortalitie so Sheth is the type of our resurrection for Adam seemed to be dead Abel being killed and Caine accursed but in the birth of Sheth hee seemes to reuiue againe and as he in Sheth was reuiued so we all in Christ shall be made aliue and in that Adam giueth the same name to his sonne that Eua did they both testifie their faith and hope they haue in the promised Seed Q. Why are the yeeres of Adam and the rest called Dayes A. To signifie that although our life bee neuer so long it shall consume as dayes for all yeeres are composed of dayes therefore euerie day wee should be mindfull of Mortalitie and thinke that euerie day is the last and wee must beseech God that hee would teach vs to number our dayes
Q. What is the cause that Adam and the rest here named before the Floud liued so long A. First because they liued soberly and were contented with simple dyet not pampering their bellyes as now with varietie of Dishes Secondly the constitution of their bodyes were better than ours stronger and not subiect to Diseases Thirdly they had more experience and skill in the nature of Hearbes and Fruits which they did eate than wee haue Fourthly the Earth then brought foorth excellenter Hearbes for the food of man than it hath done after the Floud Fiftly God would haue them liue so long that Man-kinde might the more be multiplyed Sixtly that man might the more commodiously finde out Arts and Sciences which they could not doe without long experience Seuenthly the moderate temperature of the ayre was then greater Eightly they did liue so long that Adam night teach them the Creation of the World his happinesse in Paradise and reiection from thence c. that the knowledge of God and Religion might the better be established amongst them and propagated by them Q. What kind of yeeres were those that Moses mentioneth here A. Not the yeeres of the Moone which we call Moneths for by this computation we should confesse that Kenan and Enoch did beget sonnes and daughters before they were seuen yeeres old and that Abraham being 17. yeeres of age was a very old man but Moses meaneth the yeeres of the Sunne which were equall with our yeeres as we haue prooued in the Preface vpon the second book of our Iewish Historie Q. Why did Moses subioyne vnto euery one of their liues this Particle and he died A. First to shew the ineuitable punishment and consequent of sinne vpon all Man-kinde And from hence we may conclude that euerie one that dyeth is a sinner euen children for death is the wages of sinne I except Christ who dyed not because he sinned but because he came to destroy sinne and death and Satan that hath the power of death Secondly to shew the vanitie of this life which is so short Thirdly to put vs in minde of our mortalitie that wee might prepare our selues for our end All must die euen those are gone that liued so long and although that we thinke they liued many yeres yet we may truly say that they did not liue one whole day for none of them liued 1000. yeeres which to God is as one day Q. What is the cause of the great difference betweene the Hebrew Copies and the translation of the Septuagints in the computation of the yeeres betweene Adam and the Floud A. Wee cannot say that those seuentie Interpreters which Ptolomey did imploy in translating the Hebrew Bible into the Greeke Tongue did erre in their computation seeing they vse no figures as the Greekes and Latines doe in this computation but they vse the names of their numbers But rather wee thinke that those that copyed out the translation of the Septuagints out of Ptolomeus Librarie did erre in mistaking the Greeke figures for one letter or figure may easily be mistaken for another or else they were somewhat negligent because they thought these numbers of yeeres not to be necessarie But we must adhere to the Hebrew veritie or else if wee follow the Septuagints in their computation wee must yeeld that Methusalem did liue after the Floud sixteene yeeres which is directly against the truth of Gods Word which affirmeth that eight soules did onely escape the Floud that is Noah and his Family Q. Did Henoch die or not A. Hee did not die so witnesseth Paul Heb. 11. and Moses also in this place for hee subioynes to euery one of their liues that liued before and after Henoch vntill the Floud and he died but of Henoch hee speaketh no such thing Q. Why did God translate Henoch that hee should not see death A. First that he might assure the faithfull of their resurrection and life eternall secondly because the World did degenerate and came as it were to the height of impietie therefore hee tooke him away lest he had beene desiled with their wickednesse and so be made partaker of their plagues thirdly because God would shew the World how highly he esteemeth those that walke with him that is that obey loue and feare him Q. Whither was Henoch translated A. Not to the earthly Paradise for that was destroyed with the Floud but he was translated to that heauenly Paradise whereof Christ speaketh to the good Theese on the Crosse and whither Elias was caught now although hee dyed not yet his translation was in stead of death Q. What signifieth Noe A. Rest which name his father Lamech gaue him because of the comfort hee should haue of him thinking that he was the promised Seed that should tread downe the Serpents â—…ead or rather because that he perceiued by the Spirit of Prophecie that he should be the type of Christ for as Noe restored the World after the Floud so did Christ after the floud of his Fathers wrath restore the World to spirituall life secondly as Noe did build the Arke so hath Christ built the Church thirdly as Noe offered sacrifice whereby God smelled a sauour of Rest and said hee would curse the ground no more so in Christs Sacrifice which hee offered on the Crosse is the Father well pleased and he will not be angry with his Church for euer Q. How was Noe a comfort to Lamech concerning the sorrow and worke of his hands and touching the Earth which the Lord cursed A. By Sorrow and the workes of our hands may be vnderstood Sinne which is our owne worke as holinesse is the worke of God by the Earth which was cursed we vnderstand the barrennesse of the Ground and the hard labour of the Husbandmen for the Ground was cursed twice once for Adams sake and once for Caines but now Lamech comforteth himselfe that Noe shall be acceptable to God who for his sake appointed times and seasons for sowing and reaping and gaue Noe the skill to finde out Wine that comforts the heart 〈◊〉 man and also in his time God did sweepe 〈◊〉 way the sinnes of this age which did grieue 〈◊〉 mech with an vniuersall Floud Q. Which of Noes three sonnes were eldest A. Iapheth is the eldest as it is plaine Gen. 10. 21. C ham the youngest Gen. 9. 24. but Shem is first named First because in dignitie he is preferred before his brethren Gen. 9. 26. so Abraham is named before his elder brother Gen. 11. 26. Iacob before Esau Gen. 28. 5. Ephraim before Manasses Gen. 48. 20. Secondly Shem is first named because of him Abram and his posterity the Israelites descended of which Moses is purposed to speake most Q. Why did the Patriarchs here named â—…staine so long from begetting children as Noe till he was 500. yeeres old c A. As they liued longer then wee so they were not readie so soone to beget children as we are for now when a man is thirtie he is in the
that the ground was drie in the first day of the first moneth of the 601. yeere as it is set downe in the 13. verse and the next verse showeth that the earth was dryed on the 27. day of the second moneth A. Both is true for the first day of the first moneth the earth began to drie so that the waters were quite remooued but the earth was not perfectly drie till the 27. day of the second moneth and by this reckoning also we see that Noah was in the Arke a full yeere that is 365. dayes for he entred the Arke the 17. day of the second moneth in the 600. yeere and there continued till the 27. day of the 2. moneth in the yeere 601. Q. Why did not Noah goe out of the Arke till God spake to him A. Although it was now time for him to goe seeing the earth was drie yet such was his modestie and obedience that as he did not enter the Arke without a warrant from God so hee will not goe out without the same warrant so should we depend on Gods mouth and doe nothing but what hee commandeth for obedience is better then sacrifice secondly wee see that many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord desiuereth them out of all Noah had suffered much griefe sorrow and feare but now behold here is an end Q. Did the beasts also come out of the Arke at Noahs command A. Yes for these dumbe creatures were obedient to Noah because he was obedient to God Againe the beasts came out that they might increase and multiply this blessing was giuen to the creatures in the creation and the same is now renewed in the restauration of the world and in that none of the creatures did wagge till Noah gaue way and came out first himselfe in this we haue the patterne of a well-ordered family for there is the grace of God where the seruants obey their Masters the Master feareth God and all are ioyned together in loue and concord Q. What is the mysticall signification of the comming out of the creatures A. The Arke may signifie the Sinagogue the beasts cleane and vncleane the Iewes and Gentiles their comming out doth signifie that both Iewes and Gentiles which beleeued in Christ should come out of the Sinagogue that is forsake the Iewish ceremonics Q. Why did Noah build an Altar to God A. That by offering sacrifice on it hee might testifie his thankful mind vnto God 2. to teach his posteritie how they should serue God for any blessing receiued he offered sacrifice for his deliuerance vpon an Altar of earth and we must offer the sacrifice of praier and thanks-giuing vpon our Altar Christ. He offered to God the cleane beasts and wee must offer to him cleane soules and bodies which is our reasonable seruing of him his sacrifice was a burnt offering and ours must be a broken spirit Q. Of what matter was this Altar made A. It is most like that it was made of earth for this law was giuen after by Moses Exod. 20. verse 24. An Altar of earth thou shalt make to mee secondly this kinde of Altar was most vsuall euen amongst the Gentiles Hic viuum mihi cespitem hic verbenas pueri ponite thuraque Horat. lib. 1. od 19. thirdly by this Noah will teach vs that God delights not in external pompe and splendor he loueth the giuer more then the gift and the widdowes mite more then the rich mans sinnes For nunquam est manus vacua à munere si area cordis repleta sit bona voluntate Gregorie in Hom. Q. Had Noah any expresse command to build an Alter A. We doe not reade that God did expressely command this yet wee may gather by consequence that Noah did not this without warrant First it was ancient to serue God after this manner as we see in the persons of Caine and Habel Secondly Noah did nothing without Gods warrant without this he did not build the Arke nor enter therein nor come out from thence much lesse would he build an Altar Thirdly we see that God smelled a sauour of rest in his sacrifice which could not be if it had beene offered without Gods direction Fourthly Noah knew that the seauenth beast was receiued into the Arke not for procreation but for Sacrifice Fifthly he did questionlesse beleeue in Christ our perfect Sacrifice therefore he could not testifie his faith better then to build an Altar and offer a sacrifice Q. Why would God bee worshipped by Sacrifices A. First because he will haue them by this kinde of exercise to vse themselues to bee thankfull to him for though hee be a spirit and delighteth more in a contrite spirit then in burnt offerings yet because of their dulnesse he would haue them worship him with visible offerings Secondly these sacrifices were types of Christ whose body was to bee offered for them and no sacrifice without relation to Christ could be acceptable Thirdly Least the people wanting these visible signes should fall to idolatry seeing other nations vsed sacrifice and they not Q. Where did Noah offer this sacrifice A. The Iewes thinke it was vpon Mount Sion where Cain and Abel did offer before and on which Isaac was to be sacrificed but it is more probable that this was done vpon the mountaines of Armenia where the Arke rested Q. What doth it signifie that God melled a sauour of rest in Noahs sacrifice A. That it was acceptable vnto him not in respect of the offering it selfe for it is impossible that the blood of calues and goates should take away sinne Heb. 10. 4. but God did accept of it because it was offered in faith secondly with a willing minde thirdly because it had relation to Christ who had giuen himselfe to be an offering and sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vnto God Eph. 5. 2. Q How is it vnderstood that God would curse the earth no more for mans sake A. That is that God would not at any time ouer whelme the earth with water depriue her of her fertility inhabitants and ornaments as he had before yet this doth not exclude particular cursings vpon particular houses townes or countries nor that vniuersall fire by which the world shall bee purged in the last dayes and this couenant that God made with Noah concerning the waters is the figure of that euerlasting couenant of peace which the father hath made with vs in Christ. Q. Which is the imagination of mans thought euill from his youth A. Because of originall sinne which all men drawes from Adam for hee was the roote of mankinde and such a nature wee haue from him as he had himselfe that is corrupted with sinne then all mankinde is subiect to this euill because all are from Adam Secondly all the nature of man that is his body with the parts thereof his soule with the faculties thereof are defiled Thirdly it bindes all men to death both temporall and eternall Fourthly it depriues vs of Gods image and
we may see the prouidence of God By whom and not by fortune these things come to passe for it is he that hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Act. 17. 26. Secondly although amongst vs there be many diuisions in religion in lawes in speech c. yet because wee came all of one stocke we should all studie to vnitie for these diuisions came of sinne but vnitie is more ancient for it was from the beginning before sinne came into the world Questions on the eleuenth Chapter Q. WHat was that one speech that was spoken before the confusion of tongues A. Not the Aegyptian tongue as the Aegyptians nor the Phrigian as the Phrigians nor the Syriac as Theodoretus quest 59. in Gen. nor the Chaldee as Philo lib. de confus ling. would haue but the Hebrew For the Syriac and Chaldee tongues are but Dialects of the Hebrew Secondly the names that are mentioned in Scripture before the confusion of tongues are Hebrew and significant Thirdly there are many words which all other tongues haue borrowed from the Hebrew as Sac Babel c. Which doe testifie that this tongue is most auncient Fourthly the most of the Fathers and all the Recent writers are of this opinion Q. Did the Hebrew tongue remaine in vse after the confusion A. Yes but onely in Hebers family therefore it is called the Hebrew tongue Yet all Hebers posteritie did not vse this tongue but onely Peleg and Reu and those that were in the straight line of whom Christ came and it seemes in that this language was not changed that Heber did not consent to the building of Babel This then is that tongue in which God spake and gaue his Oracles both before and after the flood It was spoken also by Angels and by his owne people the Iewes it did not proceede of sinne as other tongues but was from the beginning euen in Paradise it is that tongue that doth containe the misteries of our saluation and like enough it shall be that tongue which we shall speake in heauen yet though this tongue was not confused at the building of Babel it was notwithstanding confused in the captiuitie of Babel And since that time Hebrew did cease to bee in common vse among the Iewes and Syriac or mixed Hebrew came in place so that the tongue which Christ and the Apostles vsed amongst the Iewes was not Hebrew but Syriac Q. Why did the people remooue from the East into the plaine of Shinar A. They remooued from the East that is from the hillie countrey of Armenia where the Arke rested into the plaine of Shinar or Chaldea First because they were now exceedingly increased and an 100. yeeres had beene pinned vp in that countrey therefore now seeing all feare of the flood was gone they thought good to discend to the plaine and inlarge their habitation Secondly because the plaine was more fertile pleasant and commodious for them Thirdly because their minds were not content with their present estate therefore they begin to couet for more ground and a richer soyle and this couetousnesse hath beene the cause of so many wants transmigrations and confusion of tongues Q. Of what matter did they build their Tower and Citie A. In stead of stone they vsed bricke because in that plaine countrey stones were scarce and because of the aboundance of clay they had matter enough to make bricke of Secondly in stead of mortar artificiall they vsed naturall morter or a kinde of slime that was found in their pits riuers of the nature of brimstone which Seâ—…iramis did vse for the building of Babylon and here we may see their forwardnesse in exhorting one another to this wicked worke A shame for vs who are not so earnest to build vp the Church of Christ the heauenly Ierusalem as they were to build vp their earthly Babel Secondly although they wanted matter that is stone and morter to build their Towre with yet rather then they will giue ouer they will make matter to themselues and in this we see the nature of the wicked who will leaue nothing vn attempted to bring to passe their wicked designes Aâ—…dax omnia perpetigens â—…umana ruit per veâ—…itum nefâ—… Thirdly this sinne is most fearefull for it is intollerable pride against the Maiestie of God and it is not amongst a few but vniuersall and that so soone after the flood Q. Of what height did they inteâ—…d to build their Towre A. It is Hyperbolically spoken here that the top thereof may reach to heauen as the cities of the Anakims are said to be walled vp to heauen Deut. 1. 28. 〈◊〉 tree to reach vp to heauen Dan. 4. 18. Caperâ—… to be exalted to heauen Mat. 11. 23. That is exceeding high for it is not like they were so foolish as to thinke they were able to raise a towre to the heauen For as Philâ—… saith the earth being the Center cannot either in the whole or in the parts thereof touch the heauen which is the circumference and in respect of the huge distance betweene earth and heauen though the whole earth should be set on an heape it could not reach to heauen much lesse a Tower yet it is like they did resolue to build it so high that the toppe thereof might exceede the highest mountaines that so they might bee preserued from the flood And this counsell is thought to haue proceeded from wicked Nimrod to whom the rude multitude gaue speedie consent now how farre they proceeded in their worke none is able to define the Iewes haue idlely coniectured that it was 27. miles in height but it is probably recorded that in Hieromes time some part of this huge building was yet extant Q. For what end did they build so high a Tower A. For two the one to get a name that is to be made famous to posteritie or rather infamous as he that burned the Temple of Diana For such is the desire of glory in man that rather then hee will be buried in obliuion hee will doe those things that are most odious both in the sight of God and man that he may be spoken of after death this sin is deriued from Adam to all mankind for he desired to be like vnto God and wee doe all desire that glory which is onely due to God For this cause so many Piramides and Towers Collassus and triumphant arches haue beene erected yea whatsoeuer noble â—…orke is done yet amongst men it is for this end and what will not a man doe to immortalize his name For Pulchrum est digito monstrari dicier hic est but we ought rather to consider what the Prophet saith Psal. 49. Man being in honour abideth not he is like the beast that perisheth like sheepe they are laid in the graue death shall feed on them their beautie shall consume in the graue from their
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