Psal 93. 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 natural 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 wind 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 sence 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 in Trinity the word essential of the Father by whom the world was created Q. Why was the light first created A. To beautifie al the rest of the creatures 2. The world was created in 6. daies which could not bee distinguished without the light and darkenes Q. Was this light spirituall such as God is sayd to inhabit as Christ is called the light of the world and the Apostles light the regenerate light A. No but corporall and sensible first the darkenes that went before was sensible ergo light 2. By this light the 3. dayes were distinguished before the creation of the sun but they were sensible 3. This Narration of Moses is historicall not allegoricall Q. Then what light was this A. Not the light of the elemental fire nor of a light cloud nor of water but of the sun which was the first day diffused through the whole hemisphere the 4. was collected into the globe of the sun we see The 1. day this light had but one common property to illuminate the 4. it had particular vertues to bring out particular effects 3. This light the 4. day began to bee cause of generation and corruption the measure of time the cause of increase and decrease in the moone Q. How did this light before the 4. day distinguish the day from night A. In moouing from east to west and from west to east by the motion of the 1. spheare Q. In what place of heauen was this light created A. In the east for this light returning to this same point of the east from which it went made a naturall day Q. VVhen was heauen and earth created A. Before the first day in respect of their substance and matter but in the sixe dayes in respect of their forme and perfection Q. What is meant by the firmament that separateth the waters from the waters A. The aire and starry heauens with all the spheres betweene which do separate the watry clouds from these waters below but properly the lower regiō of the aire doth separate these waters which are generated in the single region from the waters below which low region is called by the name of the whole firmament Q. What are these waters aboue the firmament A. Not Angels as Origen not waters properly so called aboue the stars as Basil would haue for their natural place is below and there is no vse of them aboue the starres neither the heauen called the Cristalline which hath neither the substance similitude or qualities of water but by these waters wee vnderstand the watery clouds aboue this lower region in the aire These waters in other places are sayd to be aboue the heauēs that is aboue the aire which in Scripture is called heauen Q. How made God the drie land to appeare A. By causing the earth which before was plaine to swell with mountaines 2. By the waters which before were spred ouer the whole earth to betake themselues to one place Q. Then were there mountaines before the flood A. Yes for the flood rose 15. cubits higher then the mountaines the mountaines are called eternall Psa 76. Wisedome is ancienter then the mountaines Pro. 8. They make the earth the comelier more fruiteful more commodious for man and beast they hold out the seas from ouer-flowing the earth out of them springs and riuers proceed they defend the valleies from the raging of the windes that without them the earth could not be before the flood Q. Is the earth or seas highest A. The earth for all riuers run into the seas naturally because they flow downewards 2. Men are said to go down into the seas in ships Psal 107. Again if the seas were higher ships should sayle swifter to the land then from it 4. The farther we were in the sea we should see the land the better Ob. But Psa 104. and 33. it seemes that the waters are higher then the earth A. In Ps 104. Dauid speaks of the springs that are generated in the mountaines or of the watery clouds that couer the hills in Psa 33. Dauid speakes of the miraculous standing of the red sea Q. Were briers thornes and poysonable hearbes created before mans fall A. Yes because these are parts of this world without which it is not perfect and although poysonable hearbs are not fit for meate they are good for physicke Q. In what time of the yeere was the world created A. In the Autumne because the Iewes before they departed from Egypt began their yeere in Autumne and also before the stood for the flood began in the second month that is about the month of Nouember 2. The Iewes Exod. 23. are commanded to keepe the feasts of Tabernacles in the end of the yeere that is in Autumne when fruits are ripe and also this same feast in the beginning of the yeere Chap. 34. nature also shews that Autumne is the end of the yeere by the maturity of the fruite and falling of the leaues from the trees It is also the beginning of the yeere as the yong seeds budding out of the earth do testifie Lastly in the creation the fruits of the trees were ripe and ready to be eaten Q. Were the starres created the fourth day A. Yes in respect of their light motions and operations but they were made the 1. day in respect of their substance for they are the thicker part of the spheres Q. Why were the stars created after the planets A. Because God will shew his power which in producing of plants doth not depend on the starres 2. To keepe the people from idolatrie whom he knew would be bent to worship the starres when they consider their beauty motion and operation in producing hearbs now they are inexcusable because this vertue they haue in producing hearbs is from God who in the beginning
Noe shal be acceptable to God who for his sake appoynted times and seasons for sowing and reaping and gaue Noe the skill to finde out wine that comforts the heart of man and also in his time God did sweepe away the sins of this age which did grieue Lamech with an vniuersall floud Q. Which of Noes three sonnes were eldest A. Iapheth is the eldest as it is plaine Gen. 20.21 C ham the youngest Gen. 9.24 but Shem is first named First because in dignity 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 Patriarches here named abstaine 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 ready so soone to beget children as we are for now when a man is 30. he is in the prime of his yeeres but then none was sayd to come to mans estate till hee had bin a 100. yeeres and more Secondly Moses drift her is not to set downe the names of all the sons of these Fathers but of such as Abraham and the Israelites came and therefore he omits those first borne of whom Abraham came not and speakes of the youngest as Mathew in describing Christs genealogie speaketh of Isaac not of Ismael of Iacob not of Esau of Iudas and Dauid not of their elder brethren because of them came not the Lord. Questions on the sixt Chapter Q. VVHat is vnderstood by men that began to multiply A. By men wee vnderstand the sonnes of Caine who because they tooke many wiues did increase faster then Sheths posterity and as they multiplied so did their sinnes multiply for the multiplication of mankinde is a blessing but we see the more blessings God bestoweth on vs the worse we are Q. What is meant here by the sonnes of God A. Not Angels neither good nor bad neither with bodies nor without bodies for they being Spirits are not moued with carnall lust neither was it to drowne them that God sent the flood but to destroy man therefore by the sonnes of God is vnderstood men for of them only doth God speake here throughout all the Chapter Q. What sort of men were these that are called the sonnes of God A. Some thinke they were very tall and mighty men therefore they are called the sons of God as the mountaines of God the Cedars of God that is high and tall hills and Cedars others thinke they were the sonnes of Princes and Iudges which are called gods in Scripture others againe say that they are those whereof Paul speaketh Rom. 8. They that are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God that they were holy and iust men but they are of soundest iudgement that by them vnderstand the posterity of Sheth who although they degenerated yet Moses giueth them that honourable title to shew their ingratitude in forsaking their heauenly Father Q. Why is the posterity of Sheth called the sonnes of God A. Because God had separated them from the rest of the world as a peculiar people to himselfe they did serue him and reuerence him as their heauenly Father secondly because Sheth their father was an holy and iust man by consequent the sonne of God both by adoption and imitation therefore God doth honour his posteritie in calling them the sonnes of God for their father Sheths sake so wee see what an honour it is to haue holy parents Q. Was it vnlawfull for the sonnes of God to take to themselues wiues of the daughters of men A. Yes for those daughters of men were Caines posteritie excommunicated from the Church for they were the sons of old Adam because they were not borne agayne by the immortall seed of the Word Now it was vnlawfull for Sheths posteritie to marry Caines daughters being of a contrary Religion this kind of matrimony was forbidden afterwards Exodus 34. and Deuteronomy 7. For this cause Abraham and Isaac would not haue their sons marry with Canaanites secondly they tooke those wiues not for multiplication of mankinde but to satisfie their immoderate lust therefore this copulation was vnlawfull for they should not haue defiled their bodies as knowing they are the Temples of the holy Ghost Q. How doe we know that these were not Angels which are called here the sonnes of God A. Because Angels are Spirits not composed of any physicall matter nor inclosed into bodies as the soules of men therefore they cannot be moued with carnall lust Q. Some do thinke they haue bodies and therfore are heere vnderstood to haue taken them wiues of the daughters of men how then is it that they haue no bodies A. If they had bodies they should be eyther celestiall or elementall celestiall they are not for heauenly bodies haue but one kinde of motion which is to turne round but Angels ascend and descend and haue all other kindes of mouing Elementary they are not for whatsoeuer is composed of Elements is corruptible but the Angels are not If they say that Angels haue in them but one element then I would know which it is Againe they should graunt that the bodies of Angels are more ignoble than the bodies of men because in sublunarie bodies the more elements they are composed of the nobler and perfecter they are and if their bodies are baser then their mindes are imperfecter for there is a proportion betweene the forme and the matter Q. Cannot Angels beget children A. No for they haue no feede fit for procreation because they feed not for seede is a part of our food Againe if they could procreate children they should be distinguished in male and female for both these must concurre in procreation Q. What is meant by these words My Spirit shall not alwayes striue with man A. By the word Spirit is not vnderstood Gods prouidence nor God himselfe taken essentially nor his wrath and indignation nor mans soule but Spirit is taken for God himselfe personally or for the holy Ghost the third person in the Trinity by which Spirit Christ preached in Noe to the disobedient spirits of the old world 1. Pet. 3. The meaning then is My holy Spirit shall not contend alwayes or a long time with sinnefull man by exhorting conuincing outwardly and inwardly by the checkes of conscience because he is but flesh that is fleshly-minded walketh after the flesh and not after the Spirit Q. What then is meant by flesh heere A. Not flesh properly so called secondly nor as it is taken for the nature of man as Iohn 1.14 Christ the Word is said to be made flesh but heere it is taken for the corruption of mans nature Here then God calleth man whom he had made to his owne Image flesh to make him ashamed that he
conceptions are imperfect and deformed secondly many children being conceiued do perish before they come to maturity thirdly many children are wicked and rebellious not regarding the wombe that bare them with anguish nor the pappes which suckled them with danger These are great punishments inflicted on women for the sinne of Eua fourthly her conceptions are a punishment for many infirmities doe accompany a woman that is with childe as swimming in the head tooth-aches perturbations in the minde vitiosities in the stomacke as to refuse good and wholesome meates to desire to eate those things which Nature being sound abhorreth Q. What is the reason that women doe bring forth their children in sorrow A. Gods decree in punishing the sinne of Eua secondly the narrow passage of the belly with a dilatation and stretching out of the internall parts therof causeth most sharp and sensible paines hence the Scripture compares exquisit sorrow and paine with the sorrowes of the child-birth Psal 48. Mica 4. Reu. 12. but this paine should not haue bene in the state of innocency Q. Whereon was the ground cursed for Adams sake A. In that it did not bring forth fruite of it owne accord as it should haue done if Adam had not sinned or at least with little labour Secondly In that it brought forth noxious fruitlesse and poysonable herbes after the Fall Q. Why did Adam call his wife Eua the mother of liuing A. Because by this name hee would testifie his faith in beleeuing that Christ the Seed of the woman should bring that life againe to man which be had lost by his sinne Q. Did God make coates of skinnes for Adam and his wife A. Yes but whether God killed some beast or whether he created the skinnes of nothing or of some matter it is vncertaine howsoeuer by those skins he did put Adam in mind of his mortality and that he had neede of clothing both for his body which now was to be subiect to infirmities as also for his soule which now was defiled with sinne and therefore must bee clothed with the righteousnesse of Christ which garment hee did put on by beleeuing that Christ the Lambe of God should bee killed to clothe his naked soule 〈◊〉 this beast was killed to clothe his naked body these skinnes also doe signifie our mortification for as these beasts were killed so wee must kill our sinnes for this cause the skinnes of the Sacrifices were giuen to the Priests Leuit. 7. Eliâ—â— and Iohn Baptist with many other Saints did weare skinnes Hebr. 11. Q. Why did God doth them with skinnes A. First to show them that it wâ—â— lawfull for them to kill beasts although not to eate yet to clothe their bodyes Secondly To teach â—s sobriety for those were skinnes not Silke Purple or cloth of Gold which are not worth so much for necessity as for pride Thirdly that this first Adam might in same sort be a type of the second Adam Iesus for this was cloathed with the skinnes of dead beasts so Christ with our dead sins for he became sin for vs that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him so our Iacob tooke our flesh and skin and in it receiued the blessing for vs. Q. Was it needefull that Adam should be clothed now after his Fall A. Yes First to hide his nakednesse Secondly to defend his body from the iniuries of the aire Thirdly To assure him that although hee was a sinner yet God would not quite forget him and cast him away Q. Why did God say that AdaÌ„ was like to him A. By these words God would shew how worthy Adam was to be scorned who thoght to bee like to any of the three persons in the Trinity for eating of the forbidden fruite so this word vs doth not signifie Angels but the three persons of the Trinity Q. Why did God driue Adam out of the garden A. To let him see how foolishly hee had done in giuing more credit to his wife then to him Secondly to keepe the tree of Life from him lest he shuld abuse it by thinking to haue life by it seeing he had now violated Gods Law for although this tree was a signe of life before his Fall now it is none Thirdly that by driuing him from this tree of Life he might seek for a better life then this tree could yeeld euen that heauenly life which is hid with Christ in God Q. When was Adam cast out of Paradise A. That same day he sinned for he being now a sinner and rebellious against God was not fit to stay any longer in that holy place but what day of the weeke he was cast out is vncertaine yet it is thought the eighth day after his creation he was cast out in the euening of that day for Satan did not suffer him to stay long there vntempted yet I do not hold that he was cast out that same day he was created for so many things as fell out betweene his creation and casting out of Paradise could not be done all in such a short space as a piece of a day for the beasts were created the sixth day before man was Secondly in such a short time Adam could not haue perceiued the pleasures and happinesse of that place therefore he was not cast out that same day hee was created Q. Why would God haue Adam to till the ground A. Because now the ground was cursed and would not yeeld fruite without hard labour Secondly by this seruill worke heâ— would put him in remembrance of his sinne which brought him to this misery yet afterwards God mitigated his hard labour in freeing euery seuenth yeere from his tillage to put them in mind of that ease they lost by sin which was restored againe spiritually by Christ Q. What is meant heere by the Cherubins and the fiery Sword A. Not fearefull visions nor the torrid Zone nor a fire compassing Paradise like a wall neither the fire of Purgatory as Theodoretus Aquinas Lyranus and Ambrosius do imagine but by the Cherubins we vnderstand the Angels which did appeare oftentimes with wings as Daniel 1.9 and the figures of these were wrought in the tabernacle Exo. 25. By the fiery sword we vnderstand most sharpe and two-edged swords which the Angels in the forme of men did shake by the which shaking and swift motion the swords did seem to Adam to glister like fire for more terror left he should attempt re-entrance there The Angels also haue appeared at other times with swords in their hands as we read Numbers 22. of the Angel that met Balaam and of that Angel that Dauid did obserue with a sword in his hand 1. Chro. 21.16 Q. Why are these Angels called Cherubins A. Because they did appeare with wings in the Tabernacle and the Temple they were wrought with two wings they appeared to Esay with 6. wings who are called in the 6. of Esay Seraphins because they are inflamed with the loue of God they appeare with
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
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
presence Ionas 1. But his presence doth signifie heere the place of his worship where he shewed his presence and that is his Church or else he went out of Gods presence that is he was depriued of Gods loue and fauour Q. Why did Caine build a Citie A. For his better security for hee was in continuall feare secondly because hee was worldly-minded placing his happinesse in the cities and forts of this world and not looking for that city whose builder and maker is God thirdly that he might the more securely tyrannize and prey vpon other mens goods and lands for he is the first King and Conquerour in the world and therefore Kings should not delight in conquering kingdomes with bloud lest they be counted the successours of Caine and Nimrod that mighty Hunter for Magna imperia sunt magna latrocinia Q. VVhen did Caine build this Citie A. Not when Henoch was borne for theâ— there was no great need to build seeing there were but few persons in the world but in his old age for Caine liued a long time and now man-kinde was greatly multiplied Q. VVhy did he call his Citie Henoch and not by his owne name Caine A. Because his owne name was odious to the world in respect of his murther therefore he would not disgrace his citie and those that dwelt therein secondly because he loued Henoch exceedingly therefore he would immortalize his name Q. How is it vnderstood that Iabel was the father of them that dwelt in tents and had cattell A. He was the inuenter of shepheardry of feeding of cattel now Abel being dead for tents heere signifie such tents as shepheards doe vse and not those that souldiers doe vse in warres Q. Who were the first Inuenters of Musicke and Smiths craft A. Not Pythagoras Linus Orpheus or Vulcan but Iubal and Tubal-Caine the posterity of Caine so wee see that in externall things Caine and his posterity were blessed as the wicked are generally in this life but the inheritance of the Saints is in heauen Q. Was it lawfull for Lamech to haue two wiues A. No for it was against the first institution of Marriage secondly against the law of Nature which doth shew that one should be content with one thirdly this pluralitie of wiues did arise of incontinency and lust and not of desire to propagate to the increase of the Church as many Saints haue done Q. What is meant by these words I would slay a man in my wound c A. Heere Lamech perceiuing that hee was hated for his cruelty braggeth to his wiues of his strength that although he were wounded yet hee were able to kill a man this hee did speake to make his wiues and others feare him the more the Hebrewes thinke that Lamech did kill Caine in the wildernes thinking him to be a wilde beast and perceiuing that it was Caine he killed also the yong man that deceiued him Q. What meaneth these words If Caine shall be auenged seuen-fold then Lamech c A. Either he speaketh this to affray others from killing him although he was a murtherer so making a derision of Gods iudgement hee had laid vpon Caine as if hee woulâ— say If he that killeth Caine shall be punished seuen-fold then he that killeth me shall be punished seuenty seuen-fold that is a great deale more or else by these words he seemeth to repent for his murther as if hee would say Was Caine punished so hardly for his murther then I am woorthy of a seuenty seuen-fold worse punishment Q. Was Sheth the third sonne of Adam or had 〈◊〉 â—â—y more besides those three mentioned in Genesis A. It is credible that in the space of an hundred and thirty yeeres for in the hundred and thirtieth yeere Sheth was borne Adam had many more children than those three because that Adam and Eue were created perfect and apt for procreation So also it was necessary that the world should be multiplied according to GODS Decree Increase and multiply But these three Moses onely nameth because of all the rest they were most eminent Abel the ripe of Christ and the Church which are Abels that is mourners in this life Caine the tipe of the diuell and his Church and the father of the wicked Sheth the origin and roote of the Church the Father of Christ yeâ— the origin of all mankind after the flood for Abel was killed and Caines posterity drowned Q. Why doth Eua say that God hath put another seed to me in stead of Abel speaking of Sheth and not of any other of her sonnes A. Because Sheth was likest Abel of all Eâ—â—'s children both in religion toward God vprightnes of life towards men and in loue and reuerence towards his Parents Q. What did Enoch signifie A. Sorrowfull or miserable hee also was a tipe of the Church which is pressed although not oppressed with sorrow and misery in this life Q. VVhy doth Moses say that in his dayes men began to call on the name of the Lord A. To signifie that now men began to worship God more publikely then they did before to exhort the people to repentance to preach openly but wee must not thinke that God was not worshipped at all till now for Adam did worship God and taught his sonnes Abel and Caine to sacrifice and Sheth also was an holy man and tipe of Christ and of the Church Questions on the fift Chapter Q. VVHy doth Moses rehearse the ten generations of Adam A. First to shew the genealogie of Christ the promised seed Secondly because hee is to speake of Enochs translation therefore hee would shew his generation Thirdly to shew that amongst these multitudes God had his Church although it was then small for God hath neuer wanted some since the creation who doe worship him and call vpon his name Q. Why doth Moses say here that God did both create and make man and what is meant by Adam here A. He doth distinguish creation from making for to be made is to be formed of some pre-existant matter but to be created is to bee produced of nothing then both these words he vsed to signifie the diuers poducing of the soule and body The soule is created because it is produced of nothing the body is made because of some thing and by Adam he meaneth both the man and the woman giuing them one name to signifie that they are both of one flesh Q. How is it vnderstood that Adam begat a sonne after his image A. First by his image we vnderstand his nature and substance Secondly his reason and power he had ouer all other creatures Thirdly the corruption of his nature so that now Adam being sinfull and mortall begetteth sinfull and mortall children then Sheth was begotten after the image of Adam a man indued with reason and dominion ouer the creatures subiect to sin and death as Adam Q. Why is it not sayd that Adam did begâ—â— Caine and Abel after his image A. Because a part of this image doth consist