are reckoned vp but ten and Deut. 7. 1. Act. 13. 19. there are counted but seauen for it seemeth that some were wasted or mixed confusedly with the rest before the Israelites did possesse the land Q. Which were the borders of the land of Canaan A. Sidon on the North-west allotted to the tribe of Aser Gaza on the South-west a citie which befell the tribe of Iuda Sodom with the other cities that were destroyed Gen. 19. on the South-east and these are the bounds of the whole land of Canaan Ioshua onely describeth the West part thereof Iosh. 13. 3. Q. Why is Sem called the brother of Iapheth here and not also of Cham A. Some are called brethren by nature as Iacob and Esau some by nation as the Iewes were Pauls brethren some by affinitie as Christ and his kins-folkes Matth. 12. and some by religion and affection as all Christians Then Iapheth and Sem are called brethren because they were not onely so by nature but also in affection So Siâ—…eon and Leui brethren for their affection in euill Gen. 49. Then though C ham by nature were Sems brother yet God accounts him not so because he was not of his affection and religion euen so wicked and prophane Christians though they are accounted our brethren in the iudgement of the world yet they are not so in the iudgement of God Q. Why is Sem called the father of the sons of Heber onely seeing he had more sonnes then Heber A. As Cham is called the father of Canâ—…an onely because his curse was visibly executed on him so here Sem is called the father onely of Hebers sonnes because his blessing was visibly powred on them Gen. 14. 19. Secondly because they onely retained the faith and religion of Sem thirdly by this God will show that Sems blessing did not belong to all his posteritie but onely to those that retained his faith Neither can we be partakers of the blessings of our Elder brother Christ except we be followers of him and holy as he is holy Q. Which are the sonnes of Sem A. Elam of whom came the Elamites so called from him but afterwards Persians from Perseus their gouernour secondly Assur father of the Assyrians who were enemies to Israel Assur is also the name of a citie in Iudea built by Salomon thirdly Arphaxad his genealogie and countrey are not spoken of in Scripture but that he is the Father of Christ. Luk. 3. yet it is thought that Chasdin or the Chaldeans are of him fourthly Lud of him came a people in Africa neere Aethiopia this I know is contrarie to the receiued opinion for this Lud is thought to be the father of the Lydians in Asia and Lud the sonne of Mizraim is thought to bee the father of this people in Africa but wee must not thinke that the world was so deuided among the sonnes of Noah as though Sems posteritie did onely possesse Asia Iapheths Europe and Chams Africa precisely without entermingling for as Madai thought Iapheths sonne did inhabite Media in Asia and Canaan who came of Cham did possesse Palestina in Asia so why may not Lud though Sems sonne inhabite Lidia in Africa fifthly Aram of whom came the Syrians called Aramites from him and their land Aram in the old testament but Syria in the new the chiefest citie of this land is Damascus Q. What sonnes had Aram A. Hus whose sonnes possessed the land of Hus Iobs countrey Iob 1. 1. which was a part of Idumea Lam. 4. 21. secondly Chul he inhabited Armenia thirdly Gether hee dwelt in Caria a countrey in Asia-Minor betweene Licia and Ionia fourthly Mash whose posteritie inhabited the hill Masius aboue Nisibus and they were called Masiani Q. What sonnes had Arphaxad A. In the Hebrew text Selah is called his sonne but the Greeke hath Caman which Luke followeth in his 3. chapter for there as also here in the Greeke Selah is called the sonne of Cainan and Cainan the sonne of Arphaxad some thinke that Selah was the adopted sonne of Cainan and the naturall sonne of Arphaxad but it is like that Luke in a matter of so small moment would not disagree from the Greeke text because it was in great account amongst the people then according to the Hebrew text Selah is the sonne of Arphaxad and father of Heber Q. What sonnes had Heber A. Peleg in whose daies the earth was diuided that is the inhabitants of the earth who before were of one tongue and one countrey are now diuided into diuers tongues and regions and therefore because when he was borne this diuision fell out hee is called Peleg which signifieth diuisionâ—… some thinke this name was giuen to him before he was borne by way of prophesie but it is like hee had it from the euent that fell out when he was borne neither is their opinion sound who thinke this diuision to haue beene in the end of his dayes which was in the 48. yeere of Abrahams age and 38. yeeres after the death of Ninus for at that time the world was replenished with people with diuers languages Kings and kingdomes and therefore this diuision was long before the last yeere of Peleg His other soâ—… is Ioktaâ—… who hath here 13. sonnes reckoned but because they seated themselues in remote and vnknowne regions beyond the East-Indies and fell away from the God of Heber to worship vnknowne Gods therefore they are little mentioned in Gods word and they doe yet remaine vnknowne to vs. Q. What countries did Ophir and Hauilah possesse A. Ophir did possesse the land which from his name is called Ophir doubtfull whether it be Cephala in Aethiopia or Chersomsus in India or Peru in America but we know that Salomons shippes fetched store of fine golde from this Ophir 1. Kings 9. and 10. chapt Hauilah did possesse India as Iosephus and Hierome doe affirme Q. What are Mesha and Sephar A. Mesha is a countrey in India where the sonnes of 〈◊〉 dwelt so called as it is thought from Mash the sonne of Aram. Sephar is a hill in India also and Luther coniectureth that this may be the hill Ararat or Iâ—…anus Q. Was there such a diuision of nations beforâ—… the flood as now is after A. Before the flood their was a diuision amongst men in respect of qualities for then some were good some bad c. Secondly in respect of religion for the posteritie of Setâ—… who are therefore called the sonnes of God did onely worship the true God but Cains posteritie were Idolaters or rather Athiests Thirdly in respect of place For Cain remooued from the place where he was and dwelt on the East-side of Eden Gen. 4. and there his posteritie planted themselues apart from Seths progenie yet their was not so great a diuision before the flood as after because after the flood the world was diuided in diuers tongues and speeches sects and religions lawes and gouernments townes and regions arts and occupations orders and degrees c. And in this
vexed to see not only others but also his owne posterity fall to idolatry yet he is comforted before he dyeth to see the Church renued again in Abraham and Isac and no lesse comfort was it for Abraham and his sonne to enioy the society of old Sem who saw the first world the flood the building of Babel who questionlesse did instruct them with the knowledge of the true God and of those things which he had both receiued of his father Noah and which hee had seene by his owne experience Q. What sonnes had Terah A. Abraham Nachor and Haran where Abraham though youngest is first placed for honour and dignities sake as before Sem is put before his elder brethren Secondly Abraham is not onely mentioned here but also Nachor and Haran for the better vnderstanding of the history of Lot the sonne of Haran and of Rebeccah Isaacks wife who was of Nachors house Q. How doe we know that Abraham was the youngest of these three A. Because he was borne when his father Terah was a hundred thirty yeares old for Terah dyed two hundred fiue yeares olde vers 32. of this cap. Then Abraham departed from Charran 75. yeeres olde Gen. 12. 4. therefore if Abram was 75. yeeres old at the death of his father it is manifest that he was borne the 130. yeere of his fathers age and so consequently he was yonger then Nachor and Haran who were borne before this time for Milcah Nachors wife was the daughter of Haran verse 29. therefore questionlesse Haran was the eldest Againe Haran died before his father verse 28. If then he died and had a daughter who was married before Abraham was 75. yeeres old then doubtlesse he was the eldest if then Abraham was borne when Terah was 130. yeeres old Haran must needs be borne when Terah was 70. For at that time he begate that is he began to beget children verse 26. Therefore by this also we may gather that Nachor was elder then Abraham Q. What shall we say to the Hebrewes who hold that Abrahams age of 75. yeeres is not counted from his birth but from his departure from Vr of Chaldea A. If this were true that Abraham was borne when his father was 70. yeeres old we must admit that hee was 135. yeeres olde when hee departed from Charran which is contrarie to Gen. 12. 4. Againe by this supputation it would follow that Isaac was born 35. yeeres before Abraham came to Canaan for Abraham was 100. yeeres old when Isaac was borne Gen. 21. But that is false for Isaac was borne in Canaan Yea if this fiction of the Hebrewes were true wee must be forced against the Scripture to admit that Abraham was 160. yeere old when Isaac was borne and that he liued 100. yeeres whereas he liued but 175. Gen. 25. Neither neede we with Augustine Quest. 25. in Gen. That Abraham came twice to Canaan once when his father was liuing and then hee remained there 60. yeeres and another time after his death for the Scripture both here and Act. 7. Mentions onely of once comming to Canaan and that after his fathers death Q What signifieth Vr of the Chaldees here A. It may either signifie fire properly and so the Hebrews think that Haran died in the fire but that Abraham was wonderfully deliuered from thence which sauours of a fable because neither mentioned by Moses nor Paul Heb. 11. Neither by Iosephus nor Philo who haue written much of Abraham Secondly This Ur may signifie metaphorically persecution and affliction which often in Scripture is called fire as Psal. 66. 12. Lam. 1. 13. And so Abraham was deliuered from the afflictions of the Chaldees Thirdly it may be here the name of a Citie as the Chaldee paraphrase taketh it or a countrey as the Greeke translateth it and this is most proper then Vr was a Citie or Countrey in Chaldea so called either from the fire which they saw come from heauen vpon the fathers sacrifices or else from the sacred fire which was kept there for fire was holy amongst the Gentiles especially amongst the Chaldeans Persians and Romans or it might haue beene called so because it stood in a low place or valley which the Hebrews call Vr. In this countrey then or Citie Haran died before his father that is his father being yet aliue and from hence Terah tooke Abraham Lot and Sarai to goe to Canaan Q. Was Sarai Abrahams halfe sister by his father Terah and not by his mother as thinketh Clem. Alexand. lib. 2. Strom. A. No but she was the daughter of Haran and sister to Lot and Milcha which Milcha was grand-mother to Rebecca Isaaks wife Gen. 22. 20 23. Then though properly shee was his brothers daughter yet shee is called his sister Gen. 20. 12. As Lot is called his brother Gen. 13. 8. For the Hebrewes vse to call their kinsfolkes brethren and sisters and though properly shee be Terahs grand-childe yet according to the Scripture phrase shee may be called his daughter For grandfathers are called fathers in Scripture as Iacob calleth Abraham his father Gen. 48. 15. 16. Shee was then Abrahams sister that is his brother Harans daughter by the same father Terah but not by the same Mother for Haran was Terahs sonne by an other woman so that he was but halfe brother to Abraham Here then we see how carefull Abraham is now and other fathers here after to take them wiues of their owne kindred and not strangers being Idolaters and this they did when as yet there was no positiue law to forbid them as afterward it was commanded by Moses Deut. 7. 3. Q. What was Iscah whom Moses calleth the daughter of Haran A. This Iscah is no other woman but Sarai for els it had beene impertinent to haue spoken of her in this place the signification also of the word so much importeth For both Ischai and Sarai signifie the same thing to witte principality or rule Then Sarai we see had two names as many other in the Scripture and though Abraham marryed her being his mothers daughter yet we must not thinke that marriage vnlawfull in him for it was not exhibited by law yea after the law we see it was in vse by the practise of Othniel for he marryed with Achsah the daughter of his brother Caleb Iudg. 1. 13. Yet although this marriage was not vnlawfull in Abraham and Othniel because it was permitted them being extraordinary persons wee must not put it in practise for many things were lawfull to them which to vs are vnlawfull And though Moses doth not expresly forbid it yet by analogy and consequence it seemeth to forbid such kind of marriage Moses Lev. 18. doth not in expresse tearmes forbid the grand-child to mary with the grand-mother or with the wife of his grand-father or a man to marry with his mothers brothers wife and yet these marriages by proportion are vnlawfull Moses onely there sets downe expresly a few vnlawfull marriages that by those wee may iudge
thy sins here is the golden candle sticke if thou wilt wash thy handes and feete here is the brazen lauer wilt thou bee Purged from they Leprosie here is the riuer Iordan wilt thou florish like a Bay tree thou must be planted by this riueâ—… wilt thou bring forth much fruite thou must be sowne with this seed wilt thou sacrifice thy sins to God thou must kill them with this sword wilt thou goe to the kingdome of heauen this is the only way here is the fiery Pillar and the cloud to conduct thee to Canaan and â—…ere is the Star that will leade the to find out the Son of righteousnesse Iesus Christ that bright morning Starte with whome we shall shine in eternity of glory as Stars in the firmament In this word then must we conucrse both day and night not in curious â—…earching and prodigious speculation but in serious weeping and religious aâ—…oration neither must our minds be opâ—…ressed with terrestriall and infernal occupations but they must be filled with â—…elestall and supernall meditations Therefore if we will profit here we must last off all carnall affection that wee â—…ay receiue for our weary soules eternall refection for if no beast could â—…uch the mountaine and heare Gods â—…aw why should beastly minds touch â—…e bible and read Gods Law And in â—…arching this Word let vs not in it â—…arch for riches and honour to our selues which is to seeke for dirt amongâ—… Iewels and poyson amongst medicaâ—… ments to ouerthrow our selues but lâ—… vs search for him who only is sufficienâ—… to content our soules within our bodies as hee was the only efficient to presenâ—… our soules into our bodies Therfore wâ—… conclude with Augustine Scripturâ—… creatura ad hoc sunt vt â—…pse quâ—…ratur ipse diligatur qui ipsam creauit qâ—… illam iâ—…spirauit The internall and eternall generation of the word was not knowne to thâ—… Gentiles but was obscured with an obscure fable of Minerua begotten of Iâ—…piters braine by the which also they diâ—… signifie learned notions conceaued iâ—… the mind expressed by word or writ Then to be short right Honourable heere I doe offer to your tuition anâ—… fruition my Minerâ—…a not begotten oâ—… my braine but in my braine neither iâ—… shee armed with a helmet 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 speare to terrifie Mâ—…mus and therefore â—…e more desirous shee is to shelter herâ—…lfe vnder the shadow of your Honors â—…tronage being perswaded that you â—…e both a Patrone a patterne of learâ—…ng the fruits whereof haue not only â—…freshed the-hearts and eares of great â—…rittaine but with Dedalean wings they â—…ue bin transported beyond the Ocean 〈◊〉 that Rhodanâ—…s Betis and Rhenâ—…s haue â—…asoned their siluer streames with the â—…licious taste of your learned fruits â—…hen what remaines quam vt ocior Icarâ—… Visas gementis littora Bospâ—…ri Sirtâ—…sque Getulas câ—…norus Ales Hyperebâ—…rosque campos Moreouer your Honor being a Father â—…d Patrone of iustice if any wrong be â—…fered to her by Mâ—…mus she may boldâ—… fly to the Chancery for succor thereâ—…re I hope that as your Honor hath â—…rmitted your glorious titles to grace â—…r Frontispice so you wil not refuse to beautifie her with your gracious aspecâ—… and respect That GOD which hatâ—… exalted you to so great dignities in thiâ—… world preserue your body and soule and crowne you in the World to come with blessed Immortality Your Honours in all duty euer to command ALEXANDER ROSSâ—… THE ARGVMENT Q. WHo wrote these bookes of Moses A. Himselfe proofe hee was the first â—…at writ in the world Secondly The holy â—…host testifieth the same Exo. 24. 4. Deu. â—…1 9. and Christ Iohn 1. 45. and 5. 46. Q. When wrote he this first booke A. Before the Israelites went from Eâ—…ypt Râ—…as 1. Because then feeding his â—…ather in-lawes sheepe 40. yeeres in Maâ—…ian he was most at leisure to write Rea. 2. â—…o comfort the Hebrewes beeing oppressed â—…ith Egyptian seruitude for in this Booke 〈◊〉 read the life and death of their Anceours their courage patience vertue affliction Gods promises to Abraham that after 400. yeeres seruiâ—…de in Egypâ—… they should be deliuered and inioy the laâ—… of Canaan Q. How came Moses to the knowledge of these things contained in thâ—… Booke A. Either by reuelation from God 〈◊〉 by tradition of his Ancestors for the knowledge of these things Moses â—…ad from Iosephs children they of Ioseph he of Iacob Iacob of Isaac he of Abraham and he of Shem Shem of Noe hâ—… 〈◊〉 Methusalem and he of Adam with whâ—… be liued 243. yeeres Questions on the first Chapter Questions WAs the world created or eternal Answ. Created 1. There can bee but one eternall 2. Almost all the Philosophers are against the eternitie of the world 3. They that hold it â—…ternall can bring no sound reason 4. Thâ—… most ancient monuments or records amongst â—…he heathen are not so olde as the fâ—…ood of Noah Q. Could God make more worlds then one A. Yes for he is Almighty and hee made it â—…ot of any matter for that should haue bin exâ—…austed but more he would not because hee â—…eing one delights in vnitie Q. Why in Hebrew saith Moses Gods created joyning the noune plurall with the verbe singular A. To signifie the mystery of the Trinitie one essence in three persons 2. It is the propertie of the Hebrew phrase Q. Why in the beginning of this booke speaketh Moses only of heauen and earth A. Because by the name of heauen he comprehends all celestiall bodies and by the name of earth the 4. elements for water is in the earth fire and aire as witnesse the springs exhalations or earthquakes and burning mountaines or hote waters Q. Did God create the earth moveable or not A. Immoueable Iob. 38. Psal. 39. and 104. this is vnderstood in respect of the whole earth yet it is moued in respect of parts by earthquakes Iob. 9. Q. Of what figure is the earth A. Round Esay the 40. This figure is most perfect capable ancient Q. Is the earth vnder the water or not A. Vnder because heauiest yet Exo. 20. Ps. 24. and 136. it seemes the water is vnder the earth but it is to be vnderstood that a great part of the earth was made higher then the waters for mans habitation Q. Why cannot the whole earth moue A. Because hee is in his naturall place which if it should moue it should ascend and this is against the nature of the earth Q. What is vnderstood by the spirit that moued vpon the waters A. A winde which often in Scripture is called a spirit or the holy Ghost or the power and mighty operation of God which also is often called by the name of Spirit in this sense the Spirit of God is sayd to carry Elias to heauen and to haue caught away Philip Acts 8. Q. Why is God brought in speaking in the creation A. To shew his absolute power whose word is his worke 2. The second person
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
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
discords they haue lost their ancient glory and Constantinople which was the Queene of the Easterne Cities and sometimes the house of God and vineyard of Iesus Christ is become now a cage for Mahomet the diuell and his excrements the Turkes who as it seemes were only borne to be a plague to Gods people Q. Which are the three sonnes of Gomar here mentioned A. Ascanaz of whome came a people which did inhabite Ascania a countrey in Asia-minor in which there was a lake of the same name euen in the time of the 〈◊〉 Kiphath of him came the Paphlagons a people also in Asia which name they had of Paphlagon the sonne of Phiâ—…eas Thogarâ—… of him came the Phrygians a people in Asia neere to Bithinia Lydia and Misia they are called by the Hebrewes as Iosephus saith Thygrammanes from this Thogarma Q. Which are the foure sonnes of Iauan A. The first is Elishah of him came the Aeolians a people of greece who leauing their country went to Asia and seated themselues in Mysia which they called Aeolia from their owne name Elishah sold blew and purple to the Tyrians Ezech. 27. 7. His second sonne is Tharshish whose posterity inhabited Cilicia now called Turcomania where that famous City Tarsus was built as is thought by Sardrnapalus in which Paul was borne Act. 21. 39. hither 〈◊〉 fled 〈◊〉 1. 3. the people of Tharshish were famous for shipping Ezech. 27. 12. therefore Pompeius vsed their helpe in his sea fight against Caesar and the medeteranean sea is called Tarsis from them Psal. 48. 7. The third sonne is Cittiâ—… of whom came the Cyprians who did inhabite the Iland Cyprus not farre from Syria and Cilicia therefore the Iland was called Citica the Hebrewes call it Chittiâ—… and here was the city Citiuâ—… This Cyprus was many yeares vnder the gouernment of the Venetians but now they are vnder the seruitude of Magog the Turke His fourth sonne is Dâ—…danim of whom the Rhodiant came who inhabited Rhodus an Iland in the Carpathian sea famous for the citie Rhodos which was possessed by the Christians many yeares But at last proud Nabuchadnezzar the Turke by our negligence tooke both the city and the Iland Q What is meant by the Iles of the Gentiles A. Not onely the plots of ground which are compassed about with the sea but also countries and regions within the continent for the whole earth may be called an Iland because it is all compassed with the sea the Iles are giuen them with the rest of the earth to the sonnes of men the Iles are inuited to praise God Isa. 42. 10. The Iles shall waite for Christ. Isay 51. 5. the kings of the Iles shall offer gifts to Christ. Psal. 72. 10. and this was accomplished when God perswaded Iapheth to dwell in the tents of Sem. Gods children in this world may be likened to Iles for as Iles are separated from the rest of the earth so Christ hath chosen his Saints out of the world Ioh. 15. Secondly as Iles are compassed about with the sea and most subiect to stormes so the the Saints in this world are most subiect to afflictions Ioh. 16. Q. Which was Chams first sonne A. Câ—…sh the father of the Aethiopians of whorn mention is made Isa. 11. Ezec. 29. and 30. Amos 9. Nahâ—…m 3. Soph. 2. and else-where but the name of Aethiopia is sometime giuen to Arabia sometime to India because of the commerce that was betweene the Aethiopians these countries as also because they in sâ—…merare both black but Aethiopia properly 〈◊〉 in Affrica vnder which name not only the country of the Abissines is coÌ„prehended but also the Southeast part of Affrica from the meridionall line to caput bonâ—… spei and this confusion of the name hath caused many errors amongst the learned then this name of Cush and Aethiopia so often vsed in Scripture is rather to bee vnderstood of Arabia which was neere to India then of the remote countries of Affrica therefore Moses wife being a Madianite is called an Aethiopian Numb 12. Theodoretus thinketh that the Queene of Saba who came to see Salomon was Queene of Aethiopia Quest. 22. in Num. The Aethiopians did vse to call their Queenes Candaces whose chiefe gouernour the Eunuch was conuerted by Philip. Act. 8. Mathiac the Apostle did preach the Gospell to the Aethiopians as thinketh Sophronius Q. What was Mizraim A. The father of the Aegyptians who are still called by this name in the new Testament but in the old Mizraim and because Mizraim was Chams son therefore in Scripture Aegypt is called the land of Châ—… Psal. 105. 23. and 78. 51. If Mizraim was the father of the Aegyptians they neede not brag so much of their antiquity This country was first gouerned by their owne kings whâ—… they called Pharaoh then they were subdued by the Aethiopians in the dayes of Hezekias After that Cyrus the Persian ouercame them But vnder Darius Nothus they fell away from the Persian and were gouerned by their owne kings till Alexander subdued them After his death it fell to Ptolomeus by whose name their kings were called till Cleopatra after whose death the Romans made it a Prouince after them the Saracens had it and now it is vnder the Turkish slauery This country was famous for Abraham Ioseph the Patrâ—…kes the birth of Moses the deliuery of the Israelites for arts and sciences fruitfulnesse and riches townes and schooles for Christ and his mother who fled thither for many Martyrs and Christian professors for the first Monks and Eremites who from thence did ouerspreade all Europe But as before it was infamous for idolatry so now it is for Mahometâ—… blasphemous herefie Q. What people came of Phut A. The Lyrians a people in Affrica neere Mauritania where there is a riuer called Phut They are called by this name Eze. 27. and 38. cap. But they are called by the name of Lybia Act. 2. and Dan. 11. in Lybia there hath beene famous Churches but especially Carthage renowned for that learned Bishop and glorious Martyr Cyprian Q. What was Canaan A. The cursed sonne of Chaâ—… of whom came the Canaanites which did inhabite that land which was called Canaan the land of promise Iudea and now the holy land it was deuided in Iudea Samaria and Galile in it God was once well knowne but now instead of God Mahomet is worshipped Q. What was Seba A. The sonne of Cush and father of the Sabeans a people in Arabia-felix but there is a twofold Sheba the one in Arabia the other in Aethiopia this in Hebrew is written with Sâ—…mech that with Shiâ—… from this the Queene of Saba came to Salomon from that the wise men came to worship Christ both these places are mentioned Psal. 72. 10. the Kings of Shâ—…ba and 〈◊〉 shall giue gifts Q. What other sonnes had Cush A. Hauilah the father of the Getulians Sabtah of whom came a people called Sabathâ—…i dwelling in Arabia-felix Raamah and Sabtecha whose posteritie also did