noÌ„ possum longè supra vires meas hoc esse confiteor sed tamen quantum vel donat sapere c. in the secret of his wisedome some manifest and plaine for men to see As namelie to shew himselfe to be of power t August ibid. de ciuit Dei lib. 22. cap. 1. Potentius melius esse iudicans etiam de malis benefacere quà m mala esse non sinere to turne that which was euill into goodnes Secondlie that all those that u Psal 73.27 Ionas 2.8 August de Gen. 11. cap. 5. Hinc maximè commendatur quale bonum sit Deus cum nulli ab eo recedenti bene est depart from God doe fall into destruction Thirdlie that the x Psal 18.32.33 Act. 17.28 strength of a creature is in the Lord so that none is y 1. Sam. 2.9 Psal 33.16 strong in his owne might Fourthly that hee might take z Psal 9.16 Chrysost in oper imperf Hom. 5. Dixit enim apud se tria hec retia haebeo extensa super omnem mundum vt quisquis euaserit de retibus gule incurrat in retia vanae gloriae qui euaserit de retibus vane gloriae incidat in retia auaritiae De his tribus retibus nullus hominum ad perfectum euasit Iren. lib. 5. Quoniam autem initio homini suasit transgredi praeceptum conditoris ideo eum habuit in sua potestate potestas autem eius est transgressio apostasia his colligauit hominem per hominem ipsum iterum oportebat victum eum contrariò colligari ijsdem vinculis quibus alligauit hominem vt homo solutus reuertatur c. his enimies in the snares that they had set and Sathan who maliciouslie desired to obscure his glorie might in his owne craftinesse be confounded Hee tempted Adam being full to eating being in the glorie of the image of God to be as God and get the victorie the same tempted a Matth. 4.3 Iesus the Sonne of Marie being hungrie vnto c 1. Cor. 2.8 Quem nemo principum seculi huius cognouit Chrysostom Hom. in Matth. 13. Diabolus cum audisset venientem de coelo vocem deinsuper Ioannem testimonium illi tam insigne perhibentem ac demum esurieÌ„tem vidit magno teneri coepit ambiguo nam neque hominem illuÌ„ esse nudum credere poterat propter ea quae diuina vox de coelo protulerat nec rursus istud recipere quod filius esset Dei quem esurlentem videbat eating was d Iren. lib. 5. QuoniaÌ„ in principio per escaÌ„ non esurientem hominem seduxit transgredi praeceptum Dei in fine esurientem non potuit dissuadere eam qua à Deo esset sustinere escam Elatio itaque sensus qua fuit in serpente dissoluta est per eam qua fuit in homine humilitas repulsed and again vnto the glorie of the world the same who was e Isai 53.3 Ioh. 1.11 despised of the world and yet in no wise could obtaine his purpose Moreouer he that triumphed for leading Adam into sinne who being f Gen. 1.27 Eccles 7.31 voide of sinne had power in will and wisedome to haue auoided euill was himselfe in the triumph g Hose 13.14 Ephes 4.7 taken captiue his h 1. Ioh. 3.8 wiles dispersed his works dissolued and they i Psal 68.12 of the familie who were k Psal 51. All the faithfull borne in sin and l Ephes 2.3 Rom. 3.23 subiect by nature vnto wrath were able m Reuel 7.14 12.11 by the might of him that ouercame to resist his power and subtiltie and to n Ios 10.24 set their feet in the necke of his furie and malitiousnes Thus the Lord getteth him honour o Exod. 14.17 of all his enimies who wilfullie seeke to subuert or to obscure his glorie This is the end of all them that p Psal 68.2 79.9.10 striue against the Lord they must glorifie God in their own confusion As for me it is q Psal 73.28 good for me to draw neere vnto God for those that r Psal 37.4 delight themselues in him the Lord will giue them their hearts desire Question 3. verse 17. How it could be that the woman hauing such excellent gifts by creation could so easilie be seduced PArtlie through the policie and craftines of so wilie an enimie and partlie by laying her selfe open vnto his assaults His craftines appeareth in that a Ambros lib. de Paradis c. 12. Itaque machinatus est vt noÌ„ primò Adam adoriretur sed Adam per muliereÌ„ circumscribere conaretur Et addit Adamum à Deo mulierem ab Adamo didicisse mandatum he incountreth with her in the absence of her husband in that hee doth it by a creature b August quaest vet Test. q. 31. AdmisceÌ„â— enim se serpenti egit per illum quasi per organum vt nec mulier occulti diaboli intelligeret doluÌ„ sciens prudentâ—m esse serpenâ—em subiected to her that thereby she might suspect none euill in that hee doth not at the first presume to teach but c Cyprian de zelo liuâ—re lib. Diabolus in pace subdolus in persecutione violentus Eundem igitur odisse maximè oportet blandienteÌ„ tuncque maximè auersari eum matâ—ra promittit Chrysost Hom. in Mat. 13. as one desirous of her welfare asketh as it were of her estate And lastlie hauing conceiued hope of victorie by the proportion of her answere trieth her with the d Because that by her answere she after a sort shewed some vnstedfastnes of mind which vnstedfastnes was apt to be kindled with hope and especially with hope of supremacie or deitie whereof the Heathen man had experience Si violandum est ius regnandi gratia violandum est Cic. offic lib. 3. Eurip. strongest and aptest temptation that could be shaped vnto the same On the other part the woman although shee shew her holinesse by defence of the truth of God yet withall shee sheweth weakenesse first such as might be without sinne and yet the occasion of sinne Secondlie such as being partlie euill were by the e August de Gen. ad lit lib. 11. cap. 30. Ideo interrogat serpens vt pranaricatio esset inexcusabilis vt non ex obliuione sed cum memoria retinetur praeceptum tanquam in illo Deus assistens praesensque contemnitur enimie forced vnto farther euill For first being content to admit his conference whether of f Cyrill in Iulian. lib. 3. Mulier existimabat fortasse alijs animantibus datum esse humana voce loqui simplicitie or g Tanquam ex re noua cuius causa non satis perspecta admiration both which h Mat. 24.36 1. Tim. 3.16 1. Pet. 1.12 may be in a creature voide of sinne yet thereby she was intangled by his speech Secondlie in not i Chrysost Hom.
distribuere panperibus is from our owne corruptions Thirdlie riches of godlie men are vsed as n Psal 132.3.4 Ambros in Luc. 15. Discant diuites non in facultatibus crimen haberi sed in ijs qui vti nesciant nam diuitiae vt impedimenta sunt improbis ita bonis sunt adiumenta virtutum the instruments of God to promote religion and to set forth the worship of the Lord. Fourthlie verse 4. The worship of God o 1. Cor. 10.31 Coloss 3.17 ought to bee the beginning continuance and end of all our actions Fiftlie verse 5. Christian religion and the rule of godlines p Numb 26.53.54 c. Ephes 4.28 Contr. Pythagoricam communitatem Cicer. de Legib. libr. 1. Gell. noct Attic. lib. 1. cap. 9. Platonicam Plato de Leg. lib. 5. Foelicem ac beatam fore ciuitatem in qua non audiretur meum non meum Senec lib. de Morib Quietissimam vitam agerent homines si hac duo verba à natura rerum omnino tollerentur meum iuum Et contr Anabaptistas requireth that there should bee distinctions of honours riches and authoritie and that euerie man should know the bounds of his own preferment Sixtlie verse 6. Riches q 1. Tim. 6.9 Clement Alexandr Padagog lib. 3. cap. 6. Diuitiae sunt serpenti fimiles quem si quis nescit inoffensè eminus accipere bestiam sine periculo summa canda apprehendens ea manis circumplicabitur mordebit Sed si quis magnificum se praebens rectè scienter ijs vtatur cum verbi quidem carmine bestiam detraxeris ipse verò illasus manscrit Senec. epist 20. Magna haereditas ex amito inimicum facit plus autem gaudebit tua moâ—e quo pâ—us accipit haue manie inconueniences since the fall of man wherefore those that excell in riches are to r 1. King 3.9 striue by prayer with the Lord that they may excell in wisedome and grace to vse them without offence Seauenthlie verse 7. Wicked seruants are Å¿ 1. King 12.10 2. Chron. 24.17.18 often the causes of great afflictions vnto their maisters Eightlie the Church of God is alwaies compassed t Psal 83.5.6.7 Matth. 10.16 with enimies who greedilie gape for the spoile thereof Ninthlie verse 8. It is not enough for the godlie to be peaceable vnlesse they be u Mat. 5.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pacem facientes Psal 34.14 peace-makers and prouokers of others thereunto Tenthlie kindred in the flesh or coniunction in the spirit ought to be x 2. Sam. 19.12 Rom. 9.3 sufficient cause in the Church of God of peace and concord The eleuenth verse 9. Wee ought to y Psal 7.4 Matth. 5.40 forgoe our owne right to vphold and maintaine peace so farre as may z Rom. 12.18 Matth. 10.33 1. Tim. 5.8 Ergo that peace which cannot be obtained without the ouerthrow of faith of religion or a mans household estate the same ought not to be reconciled But in these cases hypocrits will finde many excuses stand with the glorie of God and the profit of his Church The twelfth verse 10. Men which are a 1. Sam. 25.10.11 2. Pet. 2.15 ouergreedie of their owne commoditie are in the end vnprofitable to themselues b Prou. 11.24 for the Lord doth adiudge them vnto pouertie The thirteenth the vengeance of the Lord doth c Psal 107.34 destroy a fruitfull and pleasant land for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein The fourteenth verse 11.12.13 Those that for worldlie profit or commoditie doe choose their conuersation with the wicked they are d 2. Pet. 2.7 compelled to vexe their righteous soule by their vncleannes and oft times e Gen. 14.12 Reuel 18.4 to be partakers of their punishments Question 2. verse 15. How standeth it with the truth of Gods promise that the Israelits the seed of Abram were so long agoe expelled the land of CanaaÌ„ seeing the Lord here promiseth it to Abram to his seed for euer AFter that Lot was departed away from Abram when a Ambros de Abram lib. 1. cap. 3. Indiuisa domus duos non sustinet Nonne melius est emigrare cum gratia quà m cohabitare cum discordia August in Psal 132. Nam in discordia non benedicis dominum Hieron Comment in Rom. Quisquis corpus affligit sed concordiam deserit deum quidem laudat in tympano sed non laudat in choro contention and strife was ceased in his house the Lord to the end to comfort Abram for the b Caluin in Gen. 13. losse of so deare a friend doth recompence as it were his absence with the presence of himselfe in steed of a kinsman doth promise children and in place of the land which Lot had c Chrysostom Hom. in Gen. 34. Cessisti ob tuam mansuetudinem regione meliore amaniore fratris filio tantam pacis habuisti curam vt nihil non potius delegeris quam esse inter vos contentiones ea propter largas illas à me retributiones accipe chosen giueth Abram the whole countrie and his seed for euer In which graunt or gift are three points of difficultie to be considered the manner the measure and indurance of the graunt or patent For the first point the Scripture testifieth that God gaue not d Act. 7.5 vnto Abram the inheritance of a foote of this promised bequeth notwithstanding the Lord saith thus I will giue it vnto thee and to thy seed for euer What meaneth e CONCILIATIO 20. this I will giue but I doe f Anallage temporis scripturis nobis ipsis frequens familiaris nunc praeteriti pro futuro vt Esa 1.7 Iere. 2.15 Hab. 1.5 nunc futuri pro praeterito Esa 6.7 giue thee and thy seed for if hee gaue it not when was it giuen to Abram If he gaue it how saith the Scripture he gaue him none inheritance therein Shall wee thinke that the Scripture implyeth anie contrarietie in this Shall wee thinke that Steuen whose words they are silled g Act. 7.55 Iohn 7.15.16 with wisedome and the holie Ghost and knowledge of the Scriptures standing h Act. 6.12.14 in iudgement and answering for his life would affirme any doctrine against the testimonie of Moses or alleage anie historie which either was not knowne or not beleeued of the councell that were his iudges Wherefore this is to be vnderstood as the meaning of the Scripture that it is as if the Lord had said I so giue it i Pet. Mart. in Gen. 13 Ita proxima sententia particula priorem interpretatur Quasi dicat ita tibi cam dabo vt illam in semine tuo sit habiturus thee as that it shall be vnto thy seed an inheritance foreuer So that Abram himselfe enioyed the k Iure scilices diuine non solum quo cuncta iustoruÌ„ sunt sed etiam speciali iure quod suo verbo hanc terram dominus
alios adhibere quamuis operis sui mercede accepta non curauerint vtrum cam Noe sapienter an verò inauiter fabricaret Et ideo non in eam intrauerunt quia non crediderunt quod ille crediderat builders and carpenters which happelie wrought vpon the Arke till the waters had stopped their passage from comming to receiue it for their sauegard The reason was they c Heb. 4.2 receiued not the word by faith they d Gen. 19.14 Ezech. 33.32 counted Noah his preaching to be but dotage his building cost in vaine And those that will not beleeue the preaching of the word they will not e Iohn 12 35.36 Ioseph of the warres of the Iewes lib. 7. cap. 12. reciteth diuers signes which happened before the destruction of Ierusalem foretolde by Christ Luk. 21. First that a blazing Star in fashioÌ„ of a sword hung ouer the citie Secondly that at the feast of vnleauened bread a light shone round about the Altar about midnight as cleere as day Thirdly that a Cow led to be sacrificed calued a Lambe Fourthlie that the Brasen gate of the TeÌ„ple which twentie men could scarsely open was seene to open at midnight of it owne accord Fiftly that the first of May there were seene in the aire Chariots and standing battels skirmishing in the clowdes and compassing the Citie Sixtly in the Temple was heard the sound of a wonderfull terrible base voice which said Let vs goe hence Seuenthly a certaine countrie fellow one Iesus the sonne of Anani seuen yeeres before the Citie was destroyed began to crie out A voice from the East a voice from the West a voice from the foure windes a voice against Ierusalem and the Temple a voice against this people and though they whipped and scourged him to the bone yet he ceased not to crie Woe woe to Ierusalem And yet that people that would not obey Christ and his Apostles preaching were destroyed for all these signes as though they had had no warning be admonished by signes those that will not f Luc. 16.31 Chrysost in cap. 1. ad Galat Comment Haec autem Christus ipse in lucit in parabola loquentem Abraham declarans se velle plus fides habendum esse scripturis quà m si mortui reuiuiscant beleeue the Prophets will not receiue an Angell or one that is risen from the dead But now when they saw the floud increased the heauens resolued into raine cattell and wild beasts striuing for life within the streames their houses like fish pooles receiuing the waters their children readie to perish and themselues separate from help and comfort what could they doe but g Prou. 12.28 Heb. 12.17 August Serm. de Temp. 36. Age panitentiam dâ—m sanuâ—es si sic agis dico tibi quod securus es quia poenitentiam egisti eo tempore quo peccare potuisti Si vis agere poenitentiam quando iam peccare non potes peccata te dimiserunt non tuâ—llâ— repent too late wish woe vnto themselues that would not in time be warned Obser Sleepie securitie contempt h Mat. 24. vers 30. of the word is a certaine token of destruction and the same i Mat. 24.40.41 1. Thess 5.3 shall goe before the end Secondlie those that mixe k Heb. 4.2 not the word with faith l Luc. 16.31 Ignati epist ad Philadelph Iesus mihi pro archiuis est quim nolle audire manifesta pernicies est will receiue no grace to beleeue the tokens that are promised to foreshew the comming of the Lord to iudgement but as it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be in the end of the world Question 3. verse 6. How it is said The Lord repented that hee made man THe Scriptures a Numb 23.19 1. Sam. 15.29 Malac. 3.6 often testifie that with the Lord there is no repentance nor b Iam. 1.17 shadow of change and surely as there is no shadow of turning with the Lord so is there in deed c Bernard Sermon de quadrup debit Viae Domini viae rectae viae pulchrae viae plenae viae planae recta sine errore quia ducunt ad vitam pulchrae sine sorde quia docent muÌ„ditiem plenae multitudine quia totus iam muÌ„dus est intra Christi sagenam planae sine difficultate quia donant suauitateos no shadow of contrarietie in Scripture albeit to vs as to them that are bleare eyed d Tertul. in Marcion lib. 1. Lippientibus etiam singularis lucerna numerosa est one candle seemeth manie Wherfore we must diligentlie consider how the Lord can rightly here be said to repent and to be sorrie when as in other Scriptures it is said hee cannot repent The Scriptures which are the e Ierem. 15.19 Matth. 4.4 mouth of God f CoÌ„ciliatio 8. are compelled through our infirmitie and ignorance to speake many things of God which in deed are proper vnto men which otherwise of man g August octuag triuÌ„ quaest lib. q. 52. Diuina scripturae à terreno humano sensu ad diuinum coelestâ— nos erigentes vsque ad ea verba descenderunt quibus inter se stultissimorum etiam vtitur consuetudo could not be vnderstood thereby to make meÌ„ rise by little little from the knowledge of themselues to the knowledge of the Lord. For this cause it calleth the power might of God the h Exod. 6.6 Psalm 44.3 118.15.16 arme and the right hand of God not that hee hath a hand or arme but because our strength and power is executed by our hand and arme which the Lord doth otherwise performe then we can vnderstand In this i Anastasius Nicaen lib. quaest in Script q. 21. Nonnulli autem ob summam pultitiaÌ„ cum scripturam audiant dicentem aperi oculos tuos vide c. Malè audientes nec intelligentes existimant Deum humana forma praeditum nec intellexerunt vt qui essent nunium insâ—â—ienteâ— quod cum hominibus per homines loquens Deus auditorum imbecillitati sermonem accommodet quoniam videmus per oculoâ— videndi facultatem oculos nominas audiendi facultatem aures iussum or Sed oportebat cum non solum audire haec verba sed etiam ea quâ— docent Deum non posse circumscribi quò enâ—m inquit ibâ— Ã facie tua sense his prouidence is called his k Psal 34.15 Pro. 15.3 Isa 37.17 eye because we with our eyes do watch see The appearing of his presence is called his foote because l Psal 18.9 Isai 66.1 we by our feet doe come in presence That which he will preserue vnhurt is called m Deut. 32.10 Psal 17.8 Zacar 2.8 the apple of his eye because the same of vs is most carefullie preserued His essentiall substance is called n Amos 6.8 The Lorde hath sworne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 benephesho by his life or soule that
repeated which say they is to note his want of wisedome Secondly for that the Lord deferred it of his owne accord seuen daies But they are manifestly confuted by the Scripture first Gen. 6.3 in respect of Gods foreknowledge Secondly Gen. 7.4 God saith not I will deferre seuen daies but prepare thou within seuen daies for seuen daies hence I will cause to raine c. Thirdly though Noah Daniel and Iob had then liued c. Iere. 15.1 Ezech. 14.14 lamented the desperate case of so many millions of soules which would not yet be warned although they now were readie to be ouerwhelmed with the waters Wherefore surelie his faith was verie great as the a Hebr. 11.7 1. Pet. 3.20 Scripture doth commend the same that hee would not be snared b Luc. 17.2.3 with the scandals and offences of the world but beleeued the comming of the floud when as almost heauen and earth and all the creatures did secure him otherwise His obedience wonderfull that b Gen. 6.22 7.5 Matth. 8.10 he did in all things obey the will of God and despised the reproofe of sinners and the alluremeÌ„ts of the world His patience a mirrhor to the godlie that c Numb 11.15 Iob. 3.1 c. Iere. 20. vers 14. compared did not murmur vnder so great aduersitie of losse of goods and lands of banishment out of the world daunger that in humane reason might insue but in all things did follow the calling of the Lord and committed himselfe vnto his protection Obser 1. The godlie haue neede of d Heb. 10.36 2. Thess 4.10.11 Reuel 3.10.11 strong faith and patience to e Ephes 6.12 Matth. 24.21.24 resist the scandals wherewith they shal be besieged especially toward the latter end Secondlie those that will not watch and f Vers 11. Prou. 1.27 Ierem. 2.31 Matth. 24.14 Ezech. 33.5 be warned by the word shall sodainelie be taken g 1. Thess 5.2.3 Reuel 16.15 a sleepe in sinne Thirdlie the tokens which shall goe before the day of iudgement h Which were foretold by Christ and his Apostles in the Scriptures Mat. 24. ver 15. Luk. 17. 21. Rom. 11.26 2. Thess 2. shall not of the wicked be regarded because the common course of things i 2. Pet. 3.4 shall continue alike as from the creation Question 4. verse 11. What are meant by the fountaines of the great deepe and the windowes of heauen which were opened IT pleaseth the spitit of God to describe vnto vs the manner how the earth was ouerflowed by two notable arguments thereof First by the meanes or causes by which it came which are called the fountaines of the great deepe and the windowes of heaueÌ„ Secondlie by the effect which these instruments of God did bring to passe a floud of waters fifteene cubits aboue the highest mountaine vnder heauen The word tehem which a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taham Locus aquarum multarum aquaruÌ„ multitudo profunditas Rab. Dauid is Englished the deepe is commonlie taken in the Scripture for b Exod. 15.5.8 Psal 106.9 Esai 51.10 the sea or c Gen. 1.2 Psal 42.7 Metaphora a place of much water The great deep therfore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tehom rabba or d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rabba to multiplie or increase Gen. 8.17 Psal 78.15 multiplied waters is nothing els but the vniuersall gathering together of the water which is called e Gen. 1. vers 10. Basil Hexam Hom. 2. Abyssus significat copiosam aquaÌ„ ad cuius fundum non facile penetrari possit deorsum versus August in Psal 41. Abyssus est profunditas quaedam impenetrabilis incomprehensibilis maximè solet dici de aquarum multitudine Vbi enim altitudo ibi profunditas est quae penetrari vsque ad fundum non potest seas The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 magnenoth translated fountains is deriued from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gnaijn f Deut. 19.21 Esai 52.8 which signifieth an eye And because fountaines as mens eyes doe drop forth teares therefore also a spring of water in the Hebrue tongue g Gen. 16.7 24 42. 49.22 is called gnaijn The same word doth also signifie h Exod. 10.15 Leuit. 13.55 Numb 11.7 the colour or outward proportioÌ„ of any thing as where it is said the grashoppers of Aegypt couered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eth gnen the vpper face of the earth namelie the i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tanquam vmbra Appolon Summum Cicer. fin 3. Superior pars cuiusque rei cenfacies quae externos oculis cernitur longitudinem cum latitudine habens sine profundo superficies or that which the eye beholdeth of the earth So that from the verie signification and nature of the word I gather that as there were two chiefe immediat causes of the floud one from the sea the other from the heauen so also there were two speciall causes from the sea one by the k Eccles 1.17 Psal 10â— 10 Hieron in Eccles 1. Putant quidam aquat dulces quae in mare fluunt vel ardente desuper sole consumi vel salsugini maris esse pabula Ecclesiastes autem noster ipsarum aquarum conditor eas dicit per occultas venas ad capita fontium regredi de matrice abysso in sua semper ebullire principia vaines and pores of the earth which now were broken l Ambros de Noa arc cap. 14. Vim diluuij conuenienter scriptura expressit dicens coelum terram pariter esse commota vndique ergo influentibus aquarum molibus conclusum genus hominum purgetur vp to send forth mightie streames the other m Gen. 1.10 Chrysost Hom. in Gen 25. Quasi diceret praecepit tantum Dominus statim aquarum natura mandato conditoris obediuit vt confluxit totum orbem inunduit Ambros de Arc. cap. 14. Vndique ergo influentibus aquarum molibus conclusum genus hominum purgetur Philo Iud. Maria tumentia fluuijque aucti torrentes simul perennes ciuitates cunctas in campestribus regionibus sitas inundarant de vita Mosis lib. 2. from the gathering together of the waters which now were m Seneca de Natur. quaest lib. 3. cap. 27. de causa diluuij Prima imbres 2. flamina aucta redandaÌ„tia 3. cum per ista profusium est cresâ—unt maria supra solitum c. in miram altitudinem erigitur mare tuta illa hominum receptacula supergreditur Deinde senientiam de solis terrae irruptionibus sequitur absurdum cum aquae enim euocabaÌ„tur quò abibant fon iâ—us occlusis Resp author de mirab in operibus August lib. 1. cap. 6. Quamodo retrò nisi apertis aditibus remtrabant Et Hieron Tract in Gen. Nota secundum Ecclesiasten quod omnes aque atque torreÌ„tes per occultas venas ad matricem abyssum reuertantur againe dispersed and oueflowed their banks
are worne out and vnknowne vnto the Hebrues knowledge in the original language there were also imperfections in the Hebrue fountaine which are the writings of holie men as they were inspired by the holie Ghost seeing the a Prou. 30 6. Iob. 13.7.8.9.10 Lord himselfe pronounceth against him that shall seeme in such sort to defend his truth euen he wil condemne him for a liar Wherefore seeing the Scripture hath affirmed the Ark rested vpon the mountaines of Armenia the seauenteenth day of the seauenth month the same of vs b Ignatius Epist. ad Philadelph Christus mihi pro archiuis est quem nolle audire manifesta est pernicies must be maintained and beleeued albeit the wit of man the peruersnes of the aduersaries of the truth the subtiltie c Which thing hee setteth on worke by a threefold endeuour against the holy Scripture the open deniall of Atheists the deprauations of heretikes the reiecting of Canonicall bookes or thrusting in of Apocryphal as of Enochs prophesie into the Canon of which Hierom saith Comment in Isai 54. the Diuell lieth in wait in Apocryphal bookes that he may slay the simple of the diuell himselfe doe bend themselues against it and we remaine vnable d August Epist. 2. Tanta est enim Christianarum profunditas literarum vt in ijs quotidie preficerem si eas solaâ— ab incunte pueritia vsque ad decrepitam senectutem maximo otio summo studio meliore ingenio conarer addiscere NoÌ„ quo ad ea que necessaria sunt salâ—ti taÌ„ta in ijs perneniatur difficultate sed cum quisque ibi fidem tenue it sine qua piè recteque non viuitur tam multa tamque multiplicibus mysterioruÌ„ vmbraculis opaca intelligenda proficientibus restant tantaque non solum in verbis quibus ista dicta sunt verùm etiaÌ„ in rebus qua intelligenda sunt lates altitudo sapientiae vt annosissimis acutissimis flagrantissimis cupiditate dicendi hoc coÌ„tingat vt cuÌ„ consummauerit homo tunc incipit to defend the same Neuerthelesse herein remaineth no such difficultie but onelie this seeing the truth hereof might by two meanes be fulfilled the learned stand in doubt which of these meanes was it by which the Lord performed it which whether so euer wee take e Hilar. lib. 2 de Trin. De intelligentia haeresit error non de scriptura est sensus non sermo fit crimen the truth remaineth as it is First therefore a full sufficient answere is found among the writings of the Iewes The waters say they f Liber incerti authoris cui titulus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gnekidhothlischac ligationis Isaac Vide Mercer praelect in Gen. cap. 8. preuailed vpon the earth one hundreth and fiftie dayes albeit they began to be diminished before the full end of an hundreth and fiftie dayes for nothing letteth but they might well be said g Ijgeberu inualuerunt significat vt vulgata fers editio obtinuerunt terram to preuaile to be strong and deepe vpon the earth albeit they were in part diminished That God remembred Noah as saith the text may h Per recapitulationem Augustin quaest in Gen. 25. Recapitulatio ista si aduertatur in scripturis multas quaestiones soluit quae indissolubiles possunt videri Quid sit recapitulatio vide quest 4. in cap. 2. August de Doctr. Christiana lib. 3. cap 36. well be vnderstood before the end of an hundreth and fiftie dayes or otherwise then i Caluin in Gen. 8. Recordatio ista de qua loquitur Moses non modo ad externam rei apparentiam vt loquitur sed ad sancti quoque viri affectum referri debet when Noah perceiued it For where it is said the water ceased the fountaines were stopped and the raine from heauen is k Gen. 7.11.12 Quicquid in contrarium contendunt Aben Ezra Hier. Oleaster in Gen. doubtles to be vnderstood at the end of fortie dayes and so continued Neither is this against that place which saith that l Vers 3. the waters were abated after an hundreth and fifty dayes for the Scripture doth often speake to fit our m Chrysost Hom. in Gen. â—2 Pro nostra infirmitate omnia narrat diuina scriptura vnderstanding so that albeit they did before decrease yet Noah neither by marke nor meanes could vnderstand the same But now that the Arke was setled on the mountaines and the winde began to force away the water Iust Noah might well consider n August ArcaÌ„ magis diuina prouidentia quaÌ„ humana prudentia gubernauit ne incurreret vbicunque naufragium de ciuit Dei lib. 14. cap. 27. Haud aliter enim non cecinisset cum Ouidio Trist 1. Eleg. 2. Mâ—â—iseâ—um quanti montes voluuntur aquarum c. his greatest daunger past and certainelie conceiue that God remeÌ„bred him Such answere I suppose to be sufficient to withstand the slanderous cauils of the wicked whereunto may be ioyned the second exposition of the words of Scripture For what inconuenience if it be vnderstood of the seauenth month not of the yeere as o Gen. 7.11 8 5. is meant in other places but from the beginning of the floud This will p Peâ—er in Gen. cap 8 one say were to darken the course of historie Surelie nothing lesse for seeing the Scripture as the q Non occurrit Hebrues vse to say doth presuppose an vnderstanding reader seeing it plainelie signifieth that the floud indured longer r For surely it had been miraculous if the Arke had rested before the falling of the water Wherefore it is necessarie that thus the scripture should be opened and the mouthes of gainsaiers should be stopped then the seauenteenth day of the seauenth month of the yeere which was but iust fiue months from the Å¿ Namely months of the Moone or after account of Scripture which coÌ„taine 147. daies and an halfe beginning of the same It leaueth onelie to be vnderstood that this was the seauenth month and seauenteenth day which is six months sixteene dayes after the first increase of waters For mine owne part reuerencing the iudgement of learned men which vnderstand it otherwise I consent vnto those that gather thus much by the text First that the floud increased fortie dayes t Gen. 7.11.12 Sic intelliguÌ„t Ioseph Antiq 1. cap. 40 Chrysostâ—m in Gen. Hom. 25. Caluin in Gen. 7. according to the Scriptures at the end whereof it continued fifteene cubits aboue the mountaines one hundreth fiftie dayes that is vntill the nine and twentith day of the eight month of the yeere which was the thirteenth day of the seauenth month of the floud At that time the waters began to fall and Noah perceiued it by the winde that passed vpon the earth Foure dayes after which was the seauenteenth day of the seauenth month the Arke rested u Ptolom Geograph de script Asiae tab 3. Strabo de situ
it beleeue his word Neither f Chrysostom Hom. in Gen. 28. Non quia ipse habeat opus recordatione needeth hee to be put in remembrance by the rainebow least hee should destroy the world with waters but that wee by seeing it g Chrysost ibid. Sed vt nos ad illud respicientes nihil durum suspicemur Hieron in Ezech. c. 1. Quando apparebit in nube sciamus nos secundum antiquitatis exemplum nequaquaÌ„ perituros esse diluuio might remember that God remembreth vs and vpon the assurance of his promise might feare none euill But whether is this rainebow a signe of nature or a signe of grace a token that the earth cannot from thence forth be ouerflowed or that it shall be kept by the mercie of the Lord. Surely although h Aquin. quodlibet 3. artic 30. Idem in GeÌ„ Comment cap. 9. Caietan in Gen. Comment cap. 9. some doe take it as a naturall signe to shew that there is no such aboundance of waters gathered as whereby the world is in daunger of a floud yet much more doth it pretend the infinite power of God which restraineth the waters that they cannot flow For alwaies it is perceiued the darker the clouds are and the more disposed to raine and the more the creatures doe threaten a floud the clearer is this signe of heauen if no naturall cause beside doe let the same And much rather it agreeth with the power of God to whom it i Deut. 32.36 2. King 3.13.14 Isai 63.5 appertaineth to saue when none can help and in the greatest k Exod. 14.15 c. dangers to shew the greatest tokens of deliuerance Doctrines 1. verse 1.8 This couenant confirmed vnto Noah l Sic enim legenduÌ„ est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vaeni hineni ego ecce ego id est hoc insuper addo ad benedictionem oratio continuata immediatelie after his sacrifice teacheth that the Lord will giue vnto the godlie their m Psal 37.4.13.14 55.22 hearts desire and graunt them n 2. Sam. 7.19 1. King 3.13.14 more then they doe aske Secondlie verse 9. The Lord bestoweth his blessings on his creatures o Deut. 9.6 Isai 48.9.11 for his owne sake not for p Rom. 9.11.16 Against the new sprung opinion of iustification This was an absolute couenant not conditionall In the couenant of grace there is a coÌ„dition required as Iere. 31.33 and the same not for the Lord Iob. 35.7 but for our owne behoofe 2. Pet. 1.8 c. Iren. lib. 4. c. 28. Nec nostro ministerio indigens Deus sed quoniam bonus misericors vt beneficiat ijs qui perseueraÌ„t in seruitute eius foreknowledge of anie recompence for here is no stipulation of reward Thirdlie verse 10. The couenant of preseruation is extended to the beasts q Psal 36.6 145.9 for God is louing vnto all his creatures Fourthlie if vnreasonable creatures are vouchsafed to be partakers of the couenant of preseruation how r Gen. 17.7 Exod. 20. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed to a thousand generations to theÌ„ that loue me Against the Anabaptists much more may the children of the faithfull be partakers of the couenant of grace by Baptisme although Å¿ Gen. 17.7 August Epist 23. Itaque paruulum etsi non fides illa quae in credentium voluntate consistit iam tamen ipsius fidei sacramentum fidelem facit Nam secundum quenâ—m modum sacramentum corporis Christi corpus Christi est sacramentum sanguinis Christi sangnis Christi est ita sacramentum fidei fidei est they haue not by reason of their infancie attained the gift of liuelie faith Fiftlie verse 11. God hath most constantlie performed t Isai 54.9 his promise in the preseruation of the creatures which was not confirmed in the blood of Christ he will therefore most vndoubtedlie u Isai 62.8 Heb. 6.17.18 performe the couenant of grace sealed by his death to those that obserue the condition thereof Sixtlie verse 13. That the world neither hath bin nor shall againe be drowned with waters x 2. Pet. 3.5.6.7 Ierem. 5.22 Basil Hexam Hom. 4. Vt ne superinfluens aqua c. Luther in Gen. 9. Iris significat nullum diluuium venturum esse tamen hoc non ex aliquae naturali causa sed tantum ex verbo Dei Caluin in Gen. 9. Idem in Ierem. 5. Hieron Zanch. de oper Dei part 2. lib. 3. cap. 3. Non autem ex causis naturalibus vt nunquam futurum sit diluuium Contra â—pinantâ—â— non posse terram totam aquis obrus nisi miraculo qui ponunt Iridem signum naturale serenitatis Valer. Flacc. Argonaut lib. 1. Emicuit reserata dies coelianque resoluis arcus standeth not of causes naturall but of the good pleasure and promise of the Lord. Seuenthlie the promises of God and the seales therof y 2. Cor. 1 20. Rom. 8.7 1. Cor. 2.14 are sure although they seeme neuer so greatlie contrarie to the reason of man Eightlie vers 14.15 When wee behold the rainebow in the cloud we z Vers 14.15 Luc. 22.19 Hinc dicitur sacramentum visibile verbuÌ„ August tract in Euang. Ioh. 80. The Iewes are accustomed when they see the Rainbow to goe forth and confesse their sinnes that they are worthie of a flood and are preserued only by Gods mercie take away superstition the rest belongeth vnto Christians ought to remember the couenant of God and to confirme our selues therein by faith Question 6. verse 2. Wherefore the Scripture maketh report that Noah was drunke with wine LIke as before the Scripture testified that a Vers 1. God blessed Noah and his sonnes so now doth it proceed to teach in what manner this b For this cause the Genealogies are recited blessing was bestowed vpon them In the register or record whereof wee may consider an excellent doctrine namelie that such of them and their posteritie as were wicked and worldlie men were partakers of worldlie and temporall benefits but haue had withall c As it came to passe to Cham and Canaan vers 25. the wages of their sinne and that the godlie although not so greatlie flourishing in d For Sem was not so fruitfull in children besides in Ioctan who as the Hebrues say made shipwrack of his fathers religion Heb. 10.36 worldly things yet in the end haue fullie enioyed the promises This is the scope of the two next following Chapters In this place is laid downe a preparation thereunto Herein also two points are chieflie handled First that e Vers 6. onelie of these three sonnes of Noah the nations haue increased ouer all the earth against the presumption of some f Berosuâ— auoucheth that Noah had thirtie sonnes after the flood whom he calleth Titans But it is not the true Berosus but a forged fable of Annius of Viterbium heathen and g
Abraha concessit designauit confirmauit August Epist. 49. Et quamuis res quaeque terrena rectè à quoquam possideri non possit nisi vel iure diuino quo cuncta iustorum sunt vel iure humano quod in potestate regum est terra ideoque res vestras falso appellatis quas nec iucti possidetis secundum leges regum terrenorum amittere iussi ectis right but not l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Possessionem sortitam vel sorte datam sicut haeredum est inheritance for the Cananite at that time possessed the whole inheritance thereof but for their wickednes they were disinherited by God and because m Gen. 15.16 Chrysostom Hom. in Gen. 37. Quasi dicat aliquis nondum in tanto numero peccata fecerunt c. their iniquitie was not fulfilled the Lord deferred a time to performe this gift to Abrams seed that Abram and his seed n 2. Cor. 5.7 Isai 51.2.3 Habac. 2.3 might walke by faith and not by sight and from this inheritance which was but temporall might ascend with confidence o Coloss 3.1.2 Heb. 11.10 to that which was immortall perpetuall Abram therefore p For so much the words do found 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lecha-etenennah vlezargneca i. I giue it to thee and to thy seede that is thou shalt haue the right of it namely diuine and so much for vse as shall be necessarie but thy posteritie shall haue the full possession and inheritance And this is that which the Scripture calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inheritance Act. 7. Hee gaue him none inheritance for Abram could not chalenge one foote in humane right saile the field of Machpelah for his buriall hauing the right of inheritance although not actuallie possessing it full well perceiued euen in his pilgrimage the fulfilling of the promise both to himselfe whom the Lord q Gen. 14.15 17.1 c. maintained and defended therein on euery side furnished with wealth and necessarie food and to his seed who by the same fidelitie of God r Gen. 15 6. were promised to enioy it with full possession which hee himselfe had by wandring passed ouer The second point is that the Lord bad him looke from the place in which he was and promised to giue him the land which hee beheld There are which hereupon t Muscul in Gen. 13. Fieri etiaÌ„ potest c. suppose that Abram was sent to view the land from the toppe of some mightie mountaine that hee might see the borders of the countrie but this the Scripture auoucheth not Other thinke u Peter tom 3. in Gen. cap. 15. Abram vigilantem suis vtentem sensibus c. that miraculouslie his sight was sharpned and enlarged for that otherwise he could not by sight haue bin partaker of the measure of the land But what need of miracles what need of hils or mountaines For the Lord saith x August lib. quaest in Gen. q. 28. Sed nulla est quaestio si aduertamus non hoc solum esse pramissum noÌ„ enim dictum est tantum terra dabo tibi quantum vides sed tibi dabo terram quam vides not to Abram I wil giue thee so much as thou seest of the land but I will giue thee all that land thou seest or whereof thou seest part And to this end is y Vers 17. August ibid. Vt perambulando perueniret ad eam quam oculis vno loco flans videre non posset added Arise walke through the land in the length thereof in the breadth thereof that it which he could not discerne at once he might by remouing from place to place consider Thirdlie it followeth I will giue it to thee and to thy seed for euer How z Iulian. apud Cyril libr. 6. Numquid dij dederunt Roma vt regnareÌ„t Iudaos auteÌ„ vt paruâ— tempore liberi semper verò serui ac peregrini essans saith one was this promise verified Both Abram and his seed were a Exod. 12.40 foure hundreth yeere after before they possessed anie inheritance therein and after they had by warre obtained it they continued not long but oppressed with b Iulian. ibid. Cum autem habitarent in Palestina non ne crebrius fortunas mutarunt quam colorem vt dicunt Camelâ—on Caterùm habitarunt in terra sua agros coluerunt fere quadringentis annis ex illo tempore primùm seruierunt Assyrijs deinde Medis postea Persis nunc postremùm etiam nobis ipsis enimies were lastly lead into captiuitie wherby they lost their land and libertie And so far proceeded this banishment of theirs as that vpon paine c Iustin. Mart. Apolog. 2. Promulgatum verò etiam est de excidio eius c. of death they might not come within IerusaleÌ„ In deed it cannot be denied but the afflictions of the seed of Abram both in greatnes of miserie and diuersitie of punishment exceeded the miseries of other nations the reason whereof is alleaged by the Prophet You onlie haue d Amos. 3 8. I knowne of all the nations of the earth therefore I will visit you for your iniquities that is to say you onlie haue knowne me my lawes and iudgements as no e Psal 147.19.20 Galat. 4.9 other nation hath and yet haue not obeyed my commandements more then they wherefore f Iuc 13 47. Cyprian epist 8. Quas igitur plagas qua verbera non meremur quando nec confessores qui exemplo caeteris ad bonos more 's esse debuerant teneant disciplinam you are in iustice to be beaten with greater stripes Notwithstanding the seuerall punishments that they indured the famine warres captiuitie banishment no not their verie sins could euer g Psal 89.33.34 Hieron epist. ad Tit. Comment cap. 1. Deus sicut dicitur solus immortalis ita dicitur solus verax non quod caeteri non immortales sunt veritatia amatores sed quod ille solus naturaliter sit immortalis verus caeteri verò immortalitateÌ„ veritatem ex largitione illius consequuntur falsifie in any syllable the Lords fidelitie For although they were a most stif-necked people h Deut. 9.5.6 as other nations were yet the Lord for the promise i Deut. 7.8 9.5 that he made to Abram gaue them the possession of the land and there failed nothing k Ios 21.45 23.14.15 of all the good which the Lord had promised Wherfore first we haue to examine the substance of the promise and then to discerne of the accomplishment thereof In which when we haue giuen the aduersaries of the truth their full demaund and more also then they could expect or can conceiue to be contained in the promise yet shall we see that the Lord fulfilled it to Abram and his seed in euerie iot and tittle First of all therefore none can denie but as he promised to giue to