in bearing rule ouer the creatures which dominion Abel had not being taken away by vntimely death and from Cain this power was taken away because he was accursed and the earth commanded not to yeeld her increase Q. What doth this name Sheth signifie A. To be set or appointed in stead of Abel and as Abel was the tipe of mortality so Sheth is the tipe of our resurrection for Adam seemed to be dead Abel being killed and Caine accursed but in the birth of Sheth he seemes to reuiue agâ—ine and as he in Sheth was reuiued so we all in Christ shal be made aliue and in that Adam giueth the same name to his son 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 â—â—lled 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 euery day we should be mindfull of Mortality and thinke that euery 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 diet not pampering their bellies as now with variety of dishes Secondly the constitution of their bodyes were better then 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 then wee haue Fourthly the earth then brought forth excellenter hearbes for the food of man then it hath done after the Floud Fifthly God would haue them liue so long that Man-kinde might the more be multiplyed Sixthly that man might the more commodiously finde out Arts and Sciences which they could not doe without long experience Seuenthly the moderate teÌ„perature of the aire was then greater Eightly they did liue so long that Adam might teach them the Creation of the World his happines in Paradise and reiection from thence c. that the knowledge of God and religion might the better bee established amongst them and propagated by them Q. VVhat kinde of yeeres were those that Moses mentioneth heere A. Not the yeeres of the Moone which we call moneths for by this computation wee should confesse that Kenan and Enoch did beget sonnes and daughters before they were seuen yeeres olde and that Abraham being 17. yeeres of age was a very olde man but Moses meaneth the yeeres of the Sun which were equall with our yeeres as wee haue prooued in the Preface vpon the second book of our Iewish History Q. VVhy 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 euery one that dieth is a sinner euen children for death is the wages of sinne I except Christ who died 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 vanity of this life which is so short Thirdly to put vs in minde of our mortality that we might prepare our selues for our end all must die euen those are gone that liued so long and although that wee thinke they liued many yeeres yet we may truely say that they did not liue one whole day for none of them liued 1000. yeeres which to God is as one day Q. VVhat is the cause of the great difference betweene the Hebrew copyes and the translation of the Septuagints in the computation of the yeeres betweene Adam and the Floud A. We cannot say that those seuenty Interpreters which Ptolemy 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 we thinke that those that copied out the translation of the Septuagints out of Ptolemeus 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 bee necessary But wee must adhere to the Hebrew veritie or else if we follow the Septuagints in their computation wee must yeeld that Methusalem did liue after the Floud 16. 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. He did not die so witnesseth Paul Hebrews 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 he should not see death A. First that he might assure the faithful of their resurrection and life eternall secondly because the world did degenerate came as it were to the height of impietie therefore he tooke him away left he had beene defiled 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 Thiefe on the Crosse and whither Elias was caught now although be 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 head 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 he 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 work of God by the earth which was cursed wee vnderstand the barrennesse of the ground and the hard labor of the husbandmen for the ground was cursed twice once for Adams sake and once for Caines but now Lamech comforteth himselfe that
themselues in the Persian sea Q. Then Phison is not Ganges of India nor Gehon Nilus of Egypt A. No for Ganges springeth out of Cancasus of India Nilus out of the mountaine of inferior Mauritania but Phison and Geho◠out of Armenia Nilus exonerateth her selfe in the Mediterranean sea but Phison and Gehon into the Persian Gulfe Q. What country is this Hauilah A. Not a country in India but bordering vpon Palestine and Assyria as may be gathered out of Gene. Chap. 25.18 Q. What is Bdellium A. It is a blacke tree the bignesse of an Oliue tree from the which there runneth a kind of sweete gum Plinius lib. 12. Chapt. 9. Q. How is that vnderstood that God did put Adam into the garden A. Either by the inward perswasion of God hee was led thither as Christ was led to the wildernesse Math. 4. or he was caught by the Spirit as Henoch Habbacuc and Philip or else by an Angell in the shape of man he was led to Paradise Q. Why did not God create Adam in Paradise A. To let him know that Paradise did not belong to him by nature but by grace Secondly to teach him to bee the more circumspect in obeying God considering hee might be as well put out of it as hee 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 hee 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 idlenes Secondly thereby to stirre him vp the more to contemplate heauenly things And thirdly to try 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 euery tree he should haue bene tied to it Secondly man hath no need to be commanded to eate when he is hungry for hee can do 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 Q. Yes for so shee 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 he must serue and obey Secondly To let him see that hee had free will and power both to chuse and refuse any thing he pleased Thirdly To exercise him in obedience Q. But seeing God knew that Adam would violate this precept bring himselfe his posterity to perpetuall misery 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 et velle et posse Secondly Although God knew that man would sinne yet hee did permit him because he was to conuert that sinne of Adam to his greater good in sending his Sonne into the world Thirdly hee suffered him to fall that his mercy 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. He did not dye actually as soone as he had eaten the forbidden fruite but now he was subiect to death and the necessity of dying is layd vpon him Secondly hee may be sayd to dye actually that day because then the infirmities of body soule which are the fore-rūners 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 corporal is better knowne to man not onely by faith and reason but also by experience then death eternal 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 misery 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 meant 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 ordayned 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 hee did excel them and how much the more he should be thankefull Secondly Because hee was the Lord of the beasts God would haue him to see his seruāts 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 help to man as the beasts thirdly because they could not liue out of the water Q. Had
Why was the Diuell so earnest to teâ—â—â— Eua A. Because he hated God and would not haue man to glorifie but to anger him Secondly Because of his pride and enuy for hee could not abide that man should bee in such happinesse himselfe being in misery Q. Why did Adam eate of this fruit A. Partly through the instigation of his wife partly through curiosity desiring to try what kinde of sinne this should be which God did prohibit so Nâ—â—â—â— in vetitâ—â—â— semper cupiâ—â—â—sque negaâ—a Q. Was Adam deceiued also as the â—oâ—â—â— was A. No Adam was not seduced but the woman 1. Tim. 2. For Eua did not deceiue Adam because sâ—â—e thought all was true that Satan spoke but Satan deceiued Eua because he made her beleeue that which he knew himselfe was false Secondly Eua confessed that she was deceiued but Adam doth not say that he was deceiued but The woman gaue to me and I did â—aâ—e Q. Was the sinne of Adam and Eua the greatest sin that euer was committed A. If wee doe consider one sin with another then wee say that Adams sinne was not the greatest for the sin against the holy Ghost is greater but 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 excellency of the person that sinned Adam being created to Gods owne Image if wee regard also that infinite hurt and misery that hath faine 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 he was the head of 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 had they now more libertie of will than they had or greater knowledge but now they know euill by experience which before they knew by science and their eyes are sayd to be 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 coâ—ered Psal 32. Q. Why did they couer their priuy members A. Because their inordinate lust beganne most to appeare heere 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 regeneraon was on this part of the body Genesis 17. Q. Why did they take the leaues of the Figge tree A. Because the leaues of the Figge 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 heere by the noyse of God A. This sometimes signifieth thunder Exodus 9. sometimes any sound Ezec. 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 Mediterranean Sea commonly the wind doth blow from the Sea and as God came to iudge Adam in the euening so will he come to iudge all mankinde in the euening of the world with the sound of the Trumpet Q. How did God speake to Adam heere A. God speaketh in Scripture sometime internally by his Spirit sometimes externally either by Angels or by men Heere 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 thâ— woman A. Because Satan was already condemned for his pride but the other two were to receiue the sentence of condemnation therefore he would not condemne them till he had conuicted them Q. Whether did God course the Diuell or the Serpent A. He cursed both the Diuel mystically and the Serpent literally the diuell as the principal 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 Diuell 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 lie was to be stoned Leuit. 20. thirdly because by this God wil shew how much he abhorreth sinne in punishing for mans wickednes dumb and senslesse creatures therefore the earth was cursed for Adams sinne the beasts and fowles were drowned for 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 daily offered vp in sacrifice Q. What is meant by the VVomans 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 humanity 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 〈◊〉 conceptions be a punishment for sinne A. The conceptions of the woman are a punishment because somtimes their
wings to signifie there swiftnesse and diligence in executing Gods commandements Questions on the fourth Chapter Q. VVHat is the subiect of this Chapter A. Concerning the propagation of mankinde especially of Caine and Abel in whose persons were to bee seene the wicked and the Church of God Caine signifieth possession this is a fit name to the wicked for they seeke nothing else but possessions and honours in this world and therefore Caine built a City so the wicked laboureth to bee secure to haue rest and ease in this world but Abel signifieth vanity and sorrow so is the estate of the godly their life here is but vanity and they account all things but vanity their life is sorrow they weepe for their sins and for the vanities of this world and because they are persecuted by the posterity of Caine. Q. When was Caine borne A. After Adam was cast out of Paradise â—or there he remained but a short while neither was it fit that in Paradise a place holy and the tipe of heauen any carnall copulation which now was sinfull should be committed Q. Why did Eua say I haue obtained a sonne of the Lord A. Because she was glad thinking she had borne the promised Seed that should tread downe the Serpents head but she was deceiued for he was reiected although hee was the first borne and therefore a King Priest and Abel whom shee counted vanity was chosen and his sacrifice accepted Q. Why is it sayd that Abel was a feeder of sheepe A. To signifie that Abel was the figure of Christ for as heâ— was killed by his brother Caine so was Christ of his brethren the Iewes as Abels sacrifice was receiued so was that perfect Sacrifice of Christ accepted of the Father as a full Propitiation for our sins and as Abel was a shepheard so was Christ the true Shepheard that laid downe his life for his sheepe sake Q. Wherein was Abels sacrifice better then Cain's A. In that it was of the best and fattest signifying that the best things must be giuen to God Secondly it proceeded of faith and loue that Abel carried to God Hebrewes 11. Q. How did Cain know that God respected the sacrifice of Abel A. By some visible signe as by fire from heauen consuming the sacrifice for so he vsed to shew afterward that he liked the sacrifice by sending fire as Leuit. 9. Iud. 6.1 Chron. 21. 1. Kings 18. Q. Why doth God say that Abels desire should be subiect to his brother A. Because Caine was the first borne and therefore by nature had great priuiledges ouer his younger brethren which words God speakes to restraine him from hurting Abel for though God accepted Abels sacrifice yet he would not take away the honour of Caines Birth-right and the priuiledges that followed the same Q. VVhy did Caine kill his brother Abel A. First for enuy because God accepted his sacrifice and therefore he thought that Abel should haue obtained his birth-right secondly by the instigation of Satan who coÌ„sidering the holy life of Abel thought that of him should come the promised Seede so hee beganne already to persecute Christ Q. Wherein was Caines answer to God euill A. In three things first in that it was a lie secondly in that it was impious for hee lied not to man but to God thirdly in that it was vnreuerent Am I my brothers keeper Q. Why is it sayd that Abels bloud did crie to God A. To expresse the wickednesse of this sinne In Scripture foure kindes of sinne doe crie to God first murder as in this place secondly that fearefull sinne of Sodome Gen. 18. thirdly the oppression of the poore Exodus 3. fourthly the keeping backe of the labourers hire Iames 5. Q. VVhat is Caines punishment A. First he was accursed that is depriued of Gods loue and fauor and hated of all good men and he was the first man that was cursed as the Serpent his father was the first creature that was cursed because both the Diuell and Caine were murtherers Adam was not cursed but the earth for him secondly the earth also is cursed for Caines sin and made vnfruitfull thirdly he is made a vagabond and fugitiue signifying that he should be so troubled with the sting of his guilty conscience that he should be in continuall feare Q. VVas Caines sinne greater than he could beare A. No for his sinne was not greater than Gods mercy his punishment was not greater than Gods iustice could inflict and so by these words hee either accuseth God of iniustice in saying his punishment is greater than he can beare or else he despaireth if he say his sinne is greater than he can beare and so he sinneth now more fearefully than before for before he sinned against his neighbor here he sinnes against God Q. VVhat meaneth Caine when hee saith he shall be cast out from Gods face A. By Face either he meanes his presence in the Church and in this sence to be cast out from Gods face is to be excommunicated out of the Church or by his face wee may vnderstand his fauour and protection as often in Scripture also in this sence to be cast out from Gods face is to lose his loue care and fauour as to haue his face is to haue all blessings Q. VVhy was hee afraid to be killed seeing there were no more men now but Adam A. Although Moses doth not mention other men at this time because his drift is to speake only of the propagation of the Church yet we must know that now when Abâ—l was killed mankinde was multiplied for hee was killed the 129. as some or the 130. yeere of the world as others doe thinke Q. VVhat it meant by the seuen-fold punishment that they shall suffer who shall kill Caine A. By this is either vnderstood that they shall be punished to the seuenth generation or else by seuen-fold is vnderstood manifold as often in Scripture So then hee that did kill Caine should be most seuerely punished not onely for murthering a man but also for murthering such a man as was marked by God that he should not be murthered Q. But why would not God haue Caine killed A. First to shew that he abhors murther secondly hee would haue him to liue long in beare and torment thirdly that by him liuing so long in torment and misery others might be warned to abhorre murther fourthly that hee might haue the longer time to repent him for his sinne Q. VVhat marke was this that God set vpon Caine A. Whether it was a marke on his body or madnesse and feare in his minde it is vncertaine yet it was some reall and visible signe that men might be warned by not to meddle with him Q. How is it vnderstood that Caine went 〈◊〉 from Gods presence A. Heere his presence doth not signifie his knowledge and power for none can flee from that as VVhither shall I flee from thy presence Psalme 139. and Ionas thought to haue fled from this