An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
The summary contents of this Chapter is a Narrative Genealogicall, and Chronologicall concerning the line and state of the Church from Adam unto the stood. The scope of it is to make out the speciall Providence of God toward his Church for the space of all those years, in contradistinction unto the Kainits families, and generations of the wicked.
It giveth onelyonly the direct line (without mentioning the Collateral, which was manifold) enough to draw out the line of Christ the promised seed so farre, which is the main matter of use intended in it. As Luke makes it, Luk. Chap. 3.
The parts of the Chapter generall are three.
1. The title, this is, &c. 2. The brief history of mans creation repeated. Ver. 1.2.3. The speciall Narrative of the descents. Ver. 3, &c. The two former are thus set down.
Ver. 1.Ver. 1. This is the book of the generations of Adam; in the day when Elohim created Adam, in the likenes of Elohim he made him. — This is the book of the generation of men, in which day God made, &c. Sep. — Cald. Same with Hebr.
Ver. 2. Male and femal the created them, and blessed them, and called the name of them Adam in the day of their being created. — Cald. Same — Named his name Adam, &c. Sep.
1. The title of this Chapter sheweth its contents. The terms carry no difficulty in them. 1. The subject here is in the relation,foreign This, that is, This scripture, or chapter here recorded. 2. The attribute, the book, foreignso it nose's a writing compiled of several leaves, a catalogue, a register or record, it commeth from a word signifying to number. 3. The specification of this attribute,foreign Of the generations of Adam. This word generation, somtimes noteth, the succession of descents from the same stocke. So it is. Matt. 1.1. Somtimes it carrieth in it not onelyonly the progeny descended, but the events and conditions proper to the same. Gen. 2.4. And. 6.9. Prov. 27.1. It may very well import both here. Here being joyned with the genitive of the efficient, it must be understood actively, that is, the record of those succeeding children, seed, and their conditions, which Adam begat, or brought forth; This name is usually understood of the man, but no preiudice can be, if it be of the woman also; as afterward it is given.
Quest. But doth this expresse all the line of Adam, as an intire genealogy?
Answ. Surely no: for it is evident he had many sons and daughters, who are not here named; this therefore must be restrained to the line wherein the Church was propagated, which the spirit thought suff…cient to reveal for edification.
2. The brief of mans creation is repeated. Wherein is laid forth the state of creation in respect.
1. Of the main discriminating property of this creature from all the rest; in which description. 1. The time is touched,foreign In the day of Elohims creating Adam, that is, in the sixth day when God created Adam. 2. The excellent specificating property is declared, in the Image of Elohim he made him. That was not a dead image,foreign as of Cesar upon his mony, no such can be of God. But a living, active form, which made man know God aright, will what he willed, &c. A rectitude conformed to Gods will, as before it hath bin opened; this goodnes of God is repeated to his glory and mans shame.
2. The sexes are declared,Ver. 2. foreign male and Female he created them. Gen. 1.27. That is, in such a state as from them should issue the generations, of men, unto which both sexes must concurre.
3. The blessing is recorded, which is spoken of Gen. 1.28. foreign The summe of that, was much good superadded to their being. 1. In propagation, 2. In dominion, 3. In allowance of all necessaries abundantly for life, &c. No cause had man to sin against this God.
4, The naming of them.foreign And he called the name of them Adam in the day of their being created, The name, though somtimes proper to the husband, yet here is common to man and woman.
The Jewish fables, that it is the name of a man onelyonly who hath a wife, and so of a woman who hath an husband, is too vain to touch upon.
Now take the Notes from hence.
D. 1. Providence hath made a sufficient Register of the Churches rise and growth and state, for faith, not for curiosity.
D. 2. Genealogies of the Church revealed by God ought to be known and believed by men.
D. 3. Gods will is made out, that his Church was to be propagated by generation, not creation.
D. 4. The generations of the Church, were ordered to be from Adam fallen, that grace might appear.
D. 5. The record of mans creation in Gods Image it necessary to be studied by man in his fall. Its Gods glory, Ver. 1.
D. 6. Sexes in mankind God hath made necessary for the generations of his Church.
D. 7. Gods blessing make's man onelyonly fruitfull to propagat his Church.
D. 8. One nature and name hath God given to both sexes of man; that they might learn their union in conjugall estate.
D. 9. In the day of Creation, or in their best estate Man and woman were Adam. That is, dust. Ver. 2.
1. The third generall of the chapter is a narrative often descents from Adam, and the propagation of the Church from the creation to the flood, which will divide it self into 10 portions.
1. Ths History of Adam for his time.
Ver. 3.Ver. 3. And Adam lived 30 and 100 years and begat in his likenes, in his image, and called his name Scheth.— Cald. same. Son must be supplied. — Adam lived 230. Years &c. Sep. a mistake.
Ver. 4. And there were dayes to Adam after he begat Scheth 800 years, and he begat sonnes and daughters — Seven hundred yeers &c. Sep. Cald. same with Heb.
Ver. 5. And all the dayes of Adam which he lived, were 900 years, and 30 yeers and he died Sep. And Cald. same.
In this narrative of Adams course, for passages are remarkable,foreign 1. The time of his life before Scheth. 2. The time after Scheth was born. 3. The summe of all his years. 4. His conclusion.
1. In the first head, these particulars occurre. 1. The number of his forepast years. And Adam lived, 30 and 100 yeers; the Hebr so number years from the lesse to greater, no other father can be reckoned of Adam but God himself, he the first man created, with whom beginne's the history of the world, the years were Solary, as long as we injoy, however some have laboured to make this history vain by faigning years for months, the constant distinction of the words which signify Year and month by the Spirit of God will teach us what Moses meaneth by years in this place, and besides this the description of years about the time of the flood, which questionles upon the same account as here, will clear the expression, to not Solary years. The right acception of this is needful to take a true chronology, which the Spirit is pleased to give us.
2.foreign The birth of Scheth at the end of those years, wherein is declared, 1. His production he begat, nothing els is in the original, but the act, yet by what followeth, a son must be added, he begat a son, such defects are usual, where the supply is carried evidently in the context. As 1. Chro. 18.6. David put in Syria. That is, a garrison though not expressed, for that was proper to keep footing in the enemies country. 2. Sam. 8.6.
2. His condition,foreign Adam begat him in his likenes, in his image. The very same words which God useth to expresse the condition of mans creation, it was in the image and likenes of God. But here it referre's to Adam, he begets a son in his own likenes and image, not onelyonly in substantialls of nature, but in the accidental corruption; for as Gods image was rectitude to his will, so Adams image being fallen, was Lust, corruption, and perversnes against God. 3. His nomination,foreign And called his name Scheth. Here the Father name's him, in the former chapter, it was the mothers act, but doubtles guided by her husband, The reason of this name was touched before.
2.Ver. 4. The calculation of Adams time after this. 1. The number of his year.foreign And there was dayes to Adam after he begat Scheth, 800 yeers. These are to be accounted proper solary years, and by them is begun the true Chronology of the world which Pagan histories knew not. 2. One special end of his long continuance, which was,foreign And he begat sonnes and daughters; Doubtles providence did so continue for the increase of the world; whence also the age of Chauvah may be guessed, though the time of her exspiring be not mentioned, she being mother of all these, as Adam father.
3. The summme of all his time.Ver. 5. And all the dayes of Adam which he lived were 900 years and 30 years. foreignSo that he continued to the 800th year of Scheth, to the 695th yeer of Enosh, to the 650 yeer of Kenan to the 505th of Mahaleel, to the 470th of Jared to the 308th of H…noch, (whom he saw not translated, but died 57 years before,) to the 243 of Methuselah, and to the 58th of Lamech, 726 years before the flood. So that nine generations of these ten he saw, and doubtles all this while, taught his seed the wayes of God, what state that was in innocency, what misery came in by his transgression, what remedy was to be exspected in the promised seed; so God kept him to be a sufficient witnes of his dealings from the very first unto the world for their due conviction, and after him, continued of the seed of his Church to glorify him.
foreign4. His conclusion is here declared, and he died, this catastrophe of all these aged patriarchs, which shuts up the longest time, must be meant of bodily expiration; their bodies returned unto the dust, and their spirits unto God, who gave them, onelyonly this came on them, as a fruit of sin, yet as overcome by the promised seed, and as a step to the resurrection.
The Notes hence are.
D. 1. The spirit of God hath taken care to give a sufficient chronology unto the Church from the first.
D. 2. Some distance of time may be in delaying the reforming seed of the Church, but it shall come.
D. 3. Sinful Adam beget's his seed in his full image sinful as himself.
D. 4. Grace can make a sinful seed of man to be a setled Church-reformer. Ver. 4.
D. 5. Providence gave out large progenies, and long time, to the first fathers.
D. 6. The Spirit willingly hath silenced the history of all the first times but of the Church.
D. 7. Gods pleasure hath bin to give the world a full witnes of his creation, &c. by Adam. Ver. 4.
D. 8. Death though overcome by Christ shutteth up the time of the greatest saints below, in way to a resurrection. So farre Providence hath ordained. It is good so to dye. Ver. 5.
The second part of this narrative of the Churches line concerneth the second Patriarch Scheth, of whom it is thus written.
Ver. 6.Ver. 6. And Scheth lived five years, and 100 years, and begat Eenosh. — Cald. same. — Seth lived 205 years &c. Sep.
Ver. 7. And Schet lived after he begat Enosch seven years, and 800 years, and begat sonnes and daughters. — Cald. same. — 700 and 7 years. Sep. mendose, but this makes the full number, with that before.
Ver. 8. And all the dayes of Scheth were twelve years, and 900 year, and he died. Sep. and Cald. same.
Herein may be taken to observation these periods. 1.foreign From Scheths birth to the next seed wherein the line of the Church is continued wherein. 1. The number of years. And Scheth lived five years, and 100 year, in 235th of Adam. 2 The seed produced he begat Enosh. This was the seed of the Churches line, but not to be conceived to be the first born of Scheth, as neither he was of Adam.
2. The term of life after, wherein. 1.Ver. 7. The number of yeer. And Scheth lived after. foreign&c. 807 yeers. 2. His race indefinitely spoken of, and begat sonnes and daughters. The number not named, nor his wife of whom, though some are so bold as so say, her name was Hazura.
3. The final summe of his dayes, 1.Ver. 8. The number.foreign And all the dayes of Scheth were 12 year and 900 year. 2. The conclusion, and he died. He lived lesse than Adam in the whole. 18 year, he survived Adam 112. His death is to be understood as before, as the fruit of sin, and yet as hopeful in the Church toward a resurrection. It may be demand…d.
Quest. Why is there no more mention of Scheths acts?
Answ. It is the pleasure of Gods Spirit to be silent, yet enough was touched before, that he was a sure, and firme restorer of religion instead of Hebel.
The Notes here are.
D. 1. Succession of Gods witnesses in his Church is the Constitution of his Providence,
D. 2. The distance and end of them on earth are surely determined by the Lord; yet death hath its peculiar consideration in the Church, they dye not like other men, Ver. 6.7.8.
The third portion concerneth Enosh, the third from Adam, of whom thus.
Ver. 9.Ver. 9. And Enosh lived 90 year and begat Keinam. Cal. same— 190. Sep.
Ver. 10.Ver. 10. And Enosh lived after he begat Keinam, 15 year, and 800 yeer and he begat Sonnes and daughters. Cal. Same. — 715 Sep.
Ver. 11.Ver. 11. And all the dayes of Enosh were five years, and 900 year, and he died. Sep. and Cald. Same.
Three periods may be observed in this Patriarch as in the former. No difference starts but in the number of his years. As to his name though it note a miserable man, yet it is not observed by the spirit, that the reason of his name was from thence; yet good use may be of it. This fourth seed was born. 195th year of Scheth, the grand Father, in the 325th of Adam the great-grand Father. Enosh lived lesse years than his Father 7. He survived his Father 98 year. He lived to the 161 of Lamech, 84 of Noah. 156 before the flood.
D. 1. Miserable poor creatures may the seed of the Church be in the world. Worms, and no men.
D. 2. Death puts an end to their misery and lets them into joy. Ver. 9.10.11.
The fourth history is as brief of the fourth Patriarch.
Ver. 12.Vers 12. And Keinan lived 70 yeers, and begat Mahalalel. — Cald. same. — 170. Sep.
Ver. 13.Vers 13. And Keinan lived after he begat Mahalalel, 40 year, and 800 year, and begat sonnes and daughters. — Cald. Same. — 740 year. Sep.
Ver. 14.Vers 14. And all the dayes of Keinan, were 10 years, and 900 year, and he died, — Sep. and Cald. Same.
The same periods of time occcurre here in the history of this Patriarch. His name also signifieth lamentation. He lived in whole, five year longer than Enosch, he survived him, 95 yeer, he lived, to the 909 of Noah 1235. Of the world.
D. 1. Lamentable may be the state of Gods Church.
D. 2. The Church groweth under such state, and in time that endeth. Ver. 12.13.14.
The fifth from Adam Mahalalel is the next.
Ver. 15.Vers 15. And Mahalalel lived, 5 years and 60 year and begat Jared, — Cald. same. — 165. Sep.
Ver. 16.Vers 16. And Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared, 30 year, and 800 year, and begat sonnes and daughters — Cald. same. — 730. Sep.
Ver. 17.Vers 17. And all the dayes of Mahalalel were 5, and 90 year, and 800 year, and he died.
The same periods are remarkable here, the name of this sounds the praise of God.
He begat his son Anno. 65 of his own, of Keinan 135, of Enosh 235, of Scheth 330, of Adam 460, He lived lesse in number of yeers than his Father, 15. He survived him. 55 yeer. He died. 234 of Noah. 1290. An. Mundi.
D. 1. Some times of praise to God may succeed in the Church on earth.
D. 2. All earthly praise must have its end below. Ver. 15.16.17.
The sixth portion describe's the sixth from Adam.
Ver. 18.Ver. 18. And Jared lived 2 and 60 year, and 100 year, and begat Chanoch. — Sep. and Cald. Same.
Ver. 19.Ver. 19. And Jared lived after he begat Chanoch, 800 year, and begat sonnes and daughters — Sep. and Cald. Same.
Ver. 20.Ver. 20. And all the dayes of Jared were 2 and 60 year, and 900 year, and he died — Sep and Cald. same.
The same distinctions of time are observable about this Patriarch. He survived his Father 132 yeers. The number of his yeers were, 67 more than his Father. He lived to the 306 of Noah, 234 yeer before the flood. His name some derive from a word signifying dominion. These notes may arise from that conjecture.
D. 1. The Church seed may be in dominion sometime here below. Jarad from Radah.
D. 2. The dominion of the Church below hath its period. Ver. 18.19.20.
The seventh part of this history of the line of the Church concerneth the seventh from Adam Chanoch of whom it is thus written.
Ver. 21. And Chanoch lived five and sixty year and begat Methuschalach. — Cald. Same — 165, Sep.
Ver. 22. And Chanoch walked earnestly with the Elohim: after he begat Methuschalach 300 year, and begat sonnes and daughters. — And Chanoch walked in the fear of God, &c. Cald. And Enoch pleased God, and Enoch lived after he begat Methusalach 200 years, &c. Sep.
Ver. 23. And all the dayes of Chanoch were 5 and 60 year and 300 year. Sep. and Cald. to same. 365.
Ver. 24. And Chanoch walked earnestly with the Elohim, and he was not, because Elohom took him. — And Enoch pleased God, and he was not found, because God had translated him. Sep. — And Chanoch walked in the fear of God, and appeared not, neither also did God kill him. Cald.
In this narrative occurre these particulars.
Ver. 21.1. The period of time unto this eminent seed, wherein. 1. The number of yeers, And Chanoc lived five and sixty yeer. 2. The issue, and begat Methuschalach.
Ver. 22.2. The period of time after the birth of this seed. He was alter he begat Methuschalach 300 yeers and begat sonnes and daughters. Wherein we have. 1. The manner of his life, and Chanoc walked with God. Of which we shall speak hereafter. 2. The number of yeers. After be begat Methushalach 300 yeers. 3. The progeny added, and begat sonnes and daughters.
Ver. 23.3. The term of his life on earth. And all the dayes of Chanoc were five and sixty yeer, and 300 yeer. So long he conversed among men.
Ver. 24.4. The course or manner of his life is recorded, and chanoc walked vehemently or continually with God. foreignThe verb in the conjugation Hithpael, note's so much, and the notable marke which the Spirit of …od hath put upon Chanoc, teacheth a more than ordinary walking with God. In which these particulars are eminently observable.
foreign1. The kind of his life expressed in the term or scope of it. God, it was with God, or to God, that is, a life from God the principle, unto God the Lord and end of it, and by God, as the mediatour and rule of it, for so the Apostle writes it, by faith Enoch had a testimony that he pleased God, which must be, by beleeving in him, in whom God is onelyonly well pleased. So that this was the life of Christ in faith and holines called here a walking with God. Hebr 11.5. Pleased. Sep.
foreign2. The reality of life in the motion, or operation of it, he walked, it was no sedentary or speculative life, but a mooving, walking, working life. It is an usuall phrase to set forth the life of God. To walk before God. Gen. 17.1. To walk in his law. Ex. 15.16. It notes. 1. Reality of life which giveth action, 2. Progresse or growth in walking. 3. Profess…on of it in his way. In fear of God. Cald.
3. The eminency of intention, noted both by the conjugation, which notes a repeated act, with more violence, and by the doubling of the testimony, he walked with God.
And again, He walked with God, which doubtless teacheth, that he Eminently, and zealously and more powerfully bestirred himself for God than others of the holy Patriarchs. So the Spirit witnesseth, That Enoch the seventh from Adam, witnessed more against sin, and prophesied saying. The Lord commeth &c. Jud: v. 14.15. He was Eminent in exercise of Faith, of the duties of his calling, of conversation in Holiness. It is observable the opposition of this to Chanoc the third from Adam, his name is upon Earthly titles and fabricks, but this hath his name onelyonly with God. He did the work of God, and walked with him in a full Spirit and all his might. 4. The Continuance of this manner of life, it was so long as he had continuance on Earth, after the time of his Calling; he began his course and ended it with God while he was below; This crowned his walking with God, even Perseverance. 5. The Conclusion of his time on Earth, wherein 1. The manner of it, He was not, foreignthat is, he vanished, and ceased to be here below, but not by death for then Moses, would have said of him as of the rest, he died, but here he saith, He was not, or he disappeared, he conversed not any longer among those holy Patriarchs on Earth; but having finished his Testimony, he was not found. It is a grosse fable that God should take him, because he was given to lust, as some Jewes imagine, and it seemeth to be favoured. Wisd. 4.11 And no less a groundless conjecture, that the Patriarchs should think him to be slain by some of the Kainits, Enemies to the Church; for the reason of his disappearing followeth. 2. The ground of his not being any longer here below, — He was not, Ver. 24.because God took h…m — Translated him, saith the Apostl… with the Sept.foreign Sep. Heb. n. 5. — Neither would the Lord stay him. So the Cald. Doubtless this was Gods miraculous art, exempting him from the common lot or the rest, changing him in a moment, and assuming or taking him to himself, as he did Elijah in the Law, and Christ in the Gospel. It is foolish to say God took him by death. Miraculous was this act of grace. His translation was Anno mundi 987, before the flood 669. Why God should make this saint more eminent in respect of his change than Adam, or any other of those Patriarchs, no reason can be given but the free grace of God, who giveth what he pleaseth; when he pleaseth and to whom he pleaseth; who also hath revealed that in all times some special witnesses are needful.
Learn hence.
D. 1. God of his own will hath chosen some eminent witnesses to bear out his name in all ages Enoch, Elijah and CHRIST.
D. 2. God alone is the terme and scope of life to gracious saints.
D. 3. Eminent conversation with God becommeth them who are eminent witnesses to him.
D. 4. Exact walking with god must discover the life that is from him.
D. 5. Holy walking with God, as it must be by faith, so it is pleasing to him.
D. 6. True life of God and conversation with him alwayes carrieth perseverance with it.
D. 7. Marriage it no hinderance in it self to the highest measure of grace. Ver. 21.22.
D. 8. The highest measure of grace is not to be perfected here below.
D. 9. There is a state of life for saints, when men cease to be here. Souls are immortal.
D. 10. God will take and crown those souls that walk with him. Ver. 24.
The History of Methushalach the eigth from Adam now followeth.
The name of this Patriarch seemeth to be Prophetical to some. It signifieth, He died and the emission, or dart then came, viz the flood, which was the year of his death Or it may be the sending out of death, which is conceived Enoch foretold to come in the flood after this son.
The history relates nothing of him, but the usual periods of time.
1. The space of years before the next seed of the Church. 187 year. Ver. 25.Ver. 25. And Methushelach lived seven, and eighty year, and an hundred year and begat Lemech. — Cald. same. — 167. Sept.
2. The remainder of his time, ver. 26.Ver. 26. And Methushelach lived after he begat Lemech two and eighty year, and seven hundred year and begat sonnes and daughters. — Cald. same. — 802. year Sept.
3. The summe of all his time and his conclusion, ver. 27.Ver. 27. And al the dayes of Methushelach were nine and sixty year, and nine hundred year, and he died — Sep. and Cald. same.
These Notes may be from this longest liver.
D. 1. God sometimes may Prophesy of vengeance unto his enemies in the very names of his servants. So in Zerubbabel, &c.
D. 2. The longest life on earth will not perfect man, it will cease and yeild to change. The 1000 year is short of perfection.
9. The history of the nineth from Adam carrieth in it more and is thus related. — Ver. 28.Ver. 28. And Lemech lived two, and eighty year, and an hundred year, and begat a son. — Cald. same. — 180 year. Sep. — V. 29. And he called his name Noach, saying, this shal comfort us from our work, and from the grief of our hands from the ground which Jehovah cursed. — Cald. same. — foreign — Sept. — Ver. 30. And Lemech lived after he begat Noach five and ninety year, and five hundred year and begat sonnes and daughters. — Cald. same. — 565 year. Sep. But falsely. Ver. 31. And al the dayes of Lemech were, seven and seventy year, and seven hundred year, and he died. — Cald. same. — 753. year. Sept.
In this narrative are observable these particulars. 1. The space of time between Lemechs first being and the next eminent seed of the Church, wherein we have, 1. The number of years, 182. 2. The issue he begat a son. 2. The nomination of this son, wherein we have, 1. The imposition of the name, — And he called his name Noach. 1. Imponens, the Father,Ver. 29. doubtless not without the instinct of Gods Spirit,foreign forasmuch as we see the event sure aimed at by it. Therefore it is strange to think that Lemech was deceived, as Chavah concerning Kain. It is a groundless conjecture that Lemech should think this son to be the Messiah; as Luther. 2. The name imposed signifieth rest, Noach. foreignAnd although the word which giveth the reason of it signify comfort Nacham, yet no necessity it should be derived from that word, but it is sufficient that by comfort rest is given. 3. The reason of the name. — Saying, this shal comfort us from our works, wherein, 1. The subject prophesied of, Noach the son of Lemech. 2. The good prophesied by him, which is Comfort, foreignnow this Noach is said to bring in Typically as repesenting Christ, or initially, for in his dayes God performed somthing of the comfort here spoken of. Gen. 8.21. And by that means brings in rest in some measure to the Church. 3. The sad conditions against which this comfort is promised in this seed. 1. Against their works.foreign such were doubtless the hard travails and burdensom labours unto which the first sin had subjected them. This son is prophesied typically to bring in some remission and ease against such sore travails. 2. Against the grief of their hands. — This is an aggravation to the bitterness of those afflictions which sin had brought upon them.foreign So sweat and weariness are great sorrows, or, concerning these, he shall give us more rest, he typically setting out the Mediatour, who was to give rest indeed, and sanctifie all labours to make us more partakers of Gods holiness, by which comes true rest. So we read God smelt a savour of rest in Noachs offering. 3. Against the curse which was the cause of bitterness in both the former,foreign God laying that upon the earth for mans sake, — Under which curse the whole state of misery below in mans destitution is certainly carried; of the redress whereof Noach was not onelyonly a type in figuring Christ, but in his time God renewed his covenant of grace and made a further initial discovery of his grace unto the Church at that time.Ver. 30. Fourthly, the space of Lemechs life afterward with his progeny, He lived after he begat Noach 595 years, and begat sonnes and daughters. Fiftly.Ver. 31. The sunne of all, and his conclusion, all his dayes were 777 years, and then he dyed, that is, in the Faith, as the other eminent members of the Church; Anno. M. 1651. 5 year before the flood.
These Notes.
D. 1. Outward names may be the same to the righteous and the wicked; so it was to this seed, and that Digamist of Kains family. Ch. 4.18. Ver. 28.
D. 2. God hath set times for eminent refreshings to his Church. Act. 3.
D. 3. God makes the names of his seed prophetical of the peace of his Church.
D. 4 The first times before the flood had real and typical discoveries of Gods rest in Christ.
D. 5. The rest, in Christ onelyonly, being seen, can give comfort against Gods curse in temporal and spiritual things. So it was here in the type.
D. 6. Faith must fetch out the comforts of Christ both before and after his comming. So Lemech, This shal comfort us. He speaks in faith. Ver. 29.
D. 7. The holy Patriarch had a numerous progeny, not all eminent in the Church. Ver. 30.
D. 8. Soules may foresee the comforts of the Church, and yet dye before the accomplishment of them. So Lemech. Heb. 11. ult. Ver. 31.
The history of the tenth from Adam is continued from the last verse of this Chapter to the close of the nineth Chapter of this book, wherein many memorable passages are related of Gods providence in the acts of justice and of grace, which we shall take notice of in passing over this narrative.
All recorded in this Chapter is in the last verse. Ver. 32.Ver. 32. And Noach was the son of five hundred year, and Noach begat Schem Cham. and Jepheth. — Cald. same. — And Noe begat three sonnes, &c. Sept. In this is related onelyonly, 1. The age of Noach to the springing of his Family, — He was the son of 500 year, foreignthat is, before this progeny was, which were preserved with him in the Ark. That Noah abstained all this while from marriage is a groundless conjecture, or whether he might have any Children before is uncertain, the scripture is silent, and therefore is it rash to determine; onelyonly so old he was, a son of 500 year, that is current; as the son of a year with the Hebrews is of the first year current. 2. His Progeny, — And Noach begat Schem Cham and Jepheth.
Two things are here considerable. 1.foreign The act of Noach, he begat, which is questioned how to be understood, whether of time past, as if he had begotten them all already, which cannot be by what is revealed: or of time present, which is more than probable that he began to beget and had one of them that year, or of time to come, from that time he begat afterward, which must be meant of Schem, and Cham.
2. The order of these sonnes, Schem is here named first, &c. The question is whether he were the first born; which the Scripture afterward declareth he was not, for Jepheth is said to he the elder, Gen. 10, 21. Again it is evident that Schem was born in the 502d year of Noach, for he was of 100 years when he begat Arphaxad, two year after the flood, Gen, 11.10. Jepheth therefore must be begotten first, in the 500 year of Noach, Schem the second; and Chame third, Gen. 9.24. So that the method here in naming is not naturall as they were born, but personal, Schem being first for dignity, because God made him the Eminent Father of his succeeding Church. It is certain they were all grown up and married before the flood; for they went and their wives into the Ark. Gen. 7.13.
Note.
D. 1. A stated and full time of warning doth God vouchsafe to his, of his judgments to come on the world. So the 500th year of Noah is here mentioned.
D. 2. The time is stated by God of bringing forth soules either to common; or speciall Salvation.
D. 3. God accounts not of any, as man accounts upon outward priviledge; he is no respecter of persons.
D. 4. To whom God giveth preeminence, with him it must stand. So with Schem.
D. 5. It is a blessing upon the holiest to have families, and progeny.
D. 6. The Scripture record of persons is not alwayes naturall, as menare born, but gratuitous to whom God vouchsafeth; as Jacob also before Esau: somtimes historical, to a further narrative. Ver. 32.