An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
THE first Chapter containing the History of the beginning of the World, & the Church, finished in six dayes, is best divided into so many parts, each declaring one dayes work We therefore begin with.
1. The History of the first dayes work, to open the special matters therein contained.
Ver. 1.Ver. 1. In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. Hebr. Text. — Heaven singular. Syr. and Chald. readings agree.
V. 2. And the Earth was without form (or was deformity) and void (or emptiness) and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God (or God the Spirit) moved (or did sit) upon the face of the waters. Hebr. —. The Earth was invisible, and unprepared, &c. upon the deep, &c. was carried upon the waters, Septua. Vers. — Wilde and wast, &c. breathed on the waters.. Chald. Paraph.
V. 3. And God said, Let there be Light, and there was Light. — Sept. and Chald. agree.
V. 4. And God saw the Light that it was good, and God divided between the Light and between the Darkness. — Septuag. and Chald. same.
V. 5. And God called the Light Day, and the Darkness he called Night, and the Evening was and the Morning was the first Day. — Septuag. and Chald. same.
In this narration of the first Dayes work are these particulars observable.
I. The Time is here pointed out, in the beginning, so it is to the letter;foreign which expression according to the subject spoken of hath a various acception. 1. As spoken of the uncreated Son of God it notes eternity, John 1.1. 2. As spoken of the Creature which sometimes was not, it must mean the beginning of being in time. So Christ notes the beginning of the World and of the creation, Matth. 24.21. Mark. 13. v. 19. foreign. The Chald. Jerus. reads. In Wisdom, Prov. 3. v. 19. Psal. 104.24. Some apply this to Christ, by whom all things were made, John. 1. But it is strange to the letter.
2. The Creator is God, Elohim, a word plural,foreign yet joyn'd with a singular verb. It notes the Almighty, & is a name of Power. sometimes we have Eloah, and El, in the singular number. Some gather from this the Trinity of relations or persons in the Godhead. So sometimes is God called Creators, Eccl. 12.1. Isai. 54.8. It is a pious conjecture, but no great stresse is to be laid on the term. It is true there are three that bear witness in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost; and these three are foreign, 1. John. 5.7. And every one createth The Father, Ephes. 3. v. 9. the Son, Coloss. 1.16. the Spirit, Psal. 33.16. &c. But the plural especially notes Majesty.
3. The Act, Created, that is gave being to,foreign or made to be out of nothing, or that which was contrary, or as good as nothing; Mightily and wonderfully made, such is the weight of the expression. Concerning which act note, That Creation is twofold, 1. The making of something out of no preexistent thing. So (as to the material creation) nothing was in that strict sense created but the Chaos, or masse, out of which other things were made. Or 2. The formation of the several sorts of material beings out of that masse. Creation must be taken here in the latter sense; of the former, the Text gives no account (though it cannot but be supposed.)
4. The object of this Act, what God created, expressed in these three terms, Heaven, Earth, and Light, of which in their order.
foreign1. Heaven prece'des. The Heavens. The word is plural, and emphatical, intimated in the letter prefixed. In the plurality are contained all the Heavens that are created, with all the Creatures that are contained in them. So that truly it is conceived Angels and the Heavens invisible were all the work of this day, Col. 1.16. Acts 17.24. These were not before.
Ver. 2.2. The Earth, so expressed emphatically,foreign whereof consider. 1. The state created, it was then the Earth, and it was not so before. 2. The state before creation, 1. It was deformity, or an informed thing, a stupendious heap. 2. It was emptiness itself, void of all good, nothing but confusion; Therefore when God createth, it is, that it should not be empty, Isai. 45.18. 3. Darkness was upon the face of the deep. This noteth the sad condition of all before creation, there was an universal want of all that was good. Nothing but abysse or horrid deep. Therefore God is not said to create the Darkness, that is but the privation of Light, only God orders it, that it should not prevail to the discomfort of his Creatures which were to be created. It is hard to say any thing of this Abysse, but a confused nothing. The surface of the waters is conceived by this as some read, Psal. 104.6.
3. The Light was created,Ver. 3. it is a most excellent creature, whose Name God himself owneth. It is most comfortable to the creatures, the excellency whereof is scarse attaineable to our knowledge, Job 38.19. It cannot be honored more then to be a resemblance of God and Christ, 1 John. 1.5. John. 1.5. The elementary fire ordained to be uppermost (if there be any such thing) is conceived here by some (Junius) Light from it. 5. The manner of creation is expressed two wayes. 1. The Spirit moved on the face of the waters, or sate upon them as a bird. 1. The subject of the proposition, the Spirit of God, this is God the third Person, Psal. 104.30. Isai. 40.12. Not any wind which is the motion of the aire, for that was not yet created. 2.foreign The Act of this subject, moved, or covered over, or sat upon the waters, as Eagles over their yong, Deuter. 32.11.foreign Brooded or hatched to use the metaphor. 3. The object of this act, The face of the waters, foreignthat is the Abysse mentioned before, or waters flowing over that confused matter. 2. God said, Let there be Light, and there was Light. where in is discovered, the Agent God, 2. The way of his production by his word. Psal. 33. v. 6.9. and 148.5. Hebr. 11.3. 3. The effect, immediatly it was done,Longi de Grandilo. and there was Light upon his saying it. This made that Orator say, he spake like a God indeed.
6.Ver. 4. Gods Judgement upon this work done. God saw the Light that it was good. 1. Gods sight here is seing with effect, he did provide it should be good.foreign He needed not review his work: But he saw and approved it. Verba sensus denotant affectum. 2. Goodness here is derivative, and stands in conformity to Gods will; Light was such as God would have it that was its goodness.
7.foreign Gods discrimination of Light from Darkness, that is, he put a distance between them,Ver. 5. that they should succeed one the other, and be at their appointed times. Psal. 104.20.22.
8. Gods nomination of both, He called the Light Day, and Darkness Night, that is,foreign by his own institution he made Day and Light reciprocal, and so Darkness and Night.
9. The issue of all in the constitution of the first Day, one Day, to the letter.foreign But read first: Evening and Morning are taken synecdochically for all the darkness and all the light, which maketh a natural Day, called foreign, 2. Cor. 11.25. The time of light, or that which is said to consist of twelve houres is the civil Day, for labour continuing from Sun-rising to Sun-set, Psal. 104.22. John. 11.9. The former is meant in the text. And Evening is put before Morning, because darkness was first: The Jews thus begin their Dayes from Evening. The Chaldaeans from Sun-rising: the Egyptians from Noon: the Romans from Midnight. The first account was to Evening from Evening. This is Gods constitution of the first Day.
From the whole we gather up these Observations.
D. 1. Divine Revelation hath set the Worlds rise, or beginning, 2 Pet. 3.5.
D. 2. The Eternal God hath given Beginning to Time & Things.
D. 3. The Almighty Creator hath made all to be of nothing.
D. 4. The vast Heavens and all in them are Gods Creatures. ver. 1.
D. 5. The Earth universal in its form is the fruit of Gods Creation.
D. 6. The Earth before Creation was emptiness, and as nothing.
D. 7. Darkness or Privation of all Light or good, covered that Masse.
D. 8. God the Spirit alone doth hatch the Earth out of Waters. Ver. 2.
D. 9. Light is the first glorious Ornament of Creation.
D. 10. Gods Word gave being unto Light. Ver. 3.
D. 11. God ordered his Light to be good, and so approved it.
D. 12. God hath distinguished Time of Light, as well as made it v. 4.
D. 13. Night and Day are of Gods naming and making.
D. 14. From Evening to Evening is the Naturall Day.
D. 15. By faith only can we distinctly understand the Worlds Creation, represented by Gods own Revelation. Ver. 5. Hebr. 11. v. 3.
The History of the second Dayes Work.
Ver. 6. And God said, Let there be an Expansion in the midst of the Waters, and let it be dividing between Waters to waters. Hebr. Text. — foreign, a firm body, &c. dividing between water and water. Sept. Inter. — a Firmament. Chald. in the rest the same.
Ver. 7. And God made the Expanse, and divided between the Waters which (were) under to the outspread Firmament, and between the Waters which (were) above to the outspread Firmament; and it was so. Hebr. — Septuag. and Chald. the same. Only the Septu. leave out (it was so.)
V. 8. And God named to the Expanse Heavens, and the Evening was, and the Morning was the second Day. — Heaven, and saw that it was good. The Sept. addes. Chald. agreeth with the Hebrew.
In the History of the second Dayes worke are related these three things.
I.foreign Gods causation of the work intended V. 6. In the which occurre.
I. The force he puts to it, God said let there be, &c. It is the word of his Power, coming from Father, Son and Spirit. Hebr. 1. Vers. 3.
2. The work it self,Ver. 2. an expansion in the midst of the waters, an outspread thing. So to the letter.foreign Sutable to this is that phrase of stretching out the Heavens, Psal. 104.2. Isai. 40.22. In the Greek it is foreign. A solid firm thing. Whence the Latine calls it Firmamentum, and we Firmament. Now though the original word do not so signify, yet such is this vast expanse, a mighty strong Partition. Iob 37.18. Pro. 8.28. So that it is a firm expansion. An that extension is meant here, which is between us and the waters in the clouds, Amos. 5.8.
3. The use of this work,foreign It was to separate between the waters above, and the waters beneath it. Here beginnes order in the world to distinguish things; and we know, what a sad confusion there was, when God opened the windows of Heaven, and the fountains of the deep in the flood. This was to be a perpetual division or partition in the midst of the waters, viz. those forenamed, or the deep as it is called, V. 3. Some of these were gathered above in the clouds. …o… 26 8 Ps. 135.7. The other under were gathered into one Place. as, Vers. 9.
2. The effect is related as God commandded it to be done, Vers. 7.Ver. 7. wherein. 1. The cause is repeated, God made, that is, by his word 2. The effect done, the expanse was compleated. 3. The use and end of it to divide and separate the waters above from those beneath. Those are above the Firmament wherein fowl flye. Psalm. 148.4.
3. The nomination of this work, he that made the expanse, named it,foreign Heavens.Ver, 8. By this is meant the sublunary Heaven, where Aire, Clouds, Winds are, and Fowls fly. Dan. 7.2.13. Sometimes it notes the upper-Heavens, where Sun, and Moon, and Starrs are placed, but not here; yet afterwards in this Chapter it is so. V. 17. Unto this is added the constitution of the second Day, and the evening was and the morning was the second Day. Both together made the second natural Day.
So that we may take these Notes hence.
D. 1. Gods speaking is his making. Word and Power go together with him.
D. 2. The Outspread Firmament is the fruit of Gods Word. Ver. 6.
D. 3. The Firmament is a partition between Waters and Waters. V. 7.
D. 4. The Firmament doth its duty at Gods command, admirably to preserve Creatures, & abides V. 7.
D. 5. God who gives being best gives the name to things. Their natures are all known to him.
D. 6. The Lower Firmament is Heaven where Waters are. Job 26.8.
D. 7. The second Day is Gods Creature as the first.
D. 8. Work and Day should lead us more to know God their Maker. Ver. 8.
The History of the third Dayes worke.
Ver. 9.Ver. 9. And Elohim said, Let the Waters under the Heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry be seen, and it was so. Hebr. Text. — The Chal. Reads the same with the Hebr. — foreign, &c. Sept.
V. 10. And Elohim called on the dry, Earth, and on the gathering together of the Waters he called Seas. And Elohim saw that it was good. — foreign, &c. Sept. — The place of gathering the waters. Chald.
V. 11. And Elohim said, Let the Earth bud forth budding Grasse, the Herb seeding seed, the Fruit-tree yeelding fruit of its kind, whose seed is in it upon the Earth, and it was so. — Herb of Grasse seeding seed after Kind, and after likenes. Sept. — The Son or issue of whose seed is sowen, &c. Chald.
V. 12. And the Earth brought forth budding Grasse, Herb seeding seed of its kind, and tree yeelding Fruit, whose seed is in it of his kind, and God saw that it was good. — Seed in it, on the Earth, Sept. addes. — Grasse, whose issue of the seed is sown, &c. Chald.
V. 13. The Evening was and the Morning was the third Day. — Sept. and Chald, same.
In the History of this third Dayes work are considerable these particulars.
1. The Creatour who is here the same Elohim God, Father, Son, and Spirit.
2. The work, and that consists of two great parts.
1. The putting of Sea and Earth into place and being, about which also is observable. 1. The disposition of all the waters into their place, and making the dry part now to be and appear. As 1. The waters which were above the Earth covering all, are now by time made to come to their appointed place.foreign This word is used onelyonly for gathering of waters and men, as some note, here it is proper to the waters. They are a regulated congregation as the Septu. calls them. As aequor is derived from just or even; and so aqua, as it were aequa summa Job. 38.8.10.11. Psalm. 33.7. and. 104. v, 6.7.8. 2. The dry. foreignThat is the portion drained & separated from the waters, where in creatures sutable to that place were to be preserved, as man and beast Vers. 24 2. The nomination of them, 1.Ver. 10. Upon the dry, he put the name of Earth. foreignWhich notes a thing trod. The same word in other places notes parts of the dry. Particular lands. But here it is the univers al Earth.
2. Upon the gathering together of the waters he called Seas, foreignwhich notes the Ocean and all the particular armes of it. This likewise was given sometimes to vessels, 2 Chron. 4. vers 2. sometimes to Lakes, Matth. 8.32, Luc. 8.33. 3. The approbation of this part of Gods work, God saw that it was good; He ordered it to be so, and he judged it to be so, that is conformed to his will as he appointed it.
2.Ver. 11. The making of the Earth to become fruitful. 1. In grasse for cattel. 2. In Herbs of all sorts. 3. In Trees of all sorts. 4. In Power of propagation; seed in them, and power in that seed to increase.
3. The means of effecting all this, and that is Elohims Word,Ver. 12. he calleth things that are not as if they were, Rom. 4.17.
4. The effect is full in every tittle answearing to the command of God. His word hath its proper as perfect successe.
5. Gods Judgement upon this worke. It was good, such as he would have; suiting his great Idea.
6. The constitution of the third Day in the finishing of this work;Ver. 13. and Evening was, and Morning was, the third Day. See Ver. 5. and 8.
From all which Note.
D. 1. The Waters, sometimes boundles in themselves, are now gathered with in Line and Measure.
D. 2. The habitable dry part of the Globe, sometime invisible, is made to be apparent.
D. 3. Gods Word only makes these parts of the inferior Globe so to be in their nature. Ver. 9.
D. 4. To God belongs the naming as the making of his Creatures.
D. 5. The Seas are the Waters gathered into their due place.
D. 6. The Earth is the dry habitable part of the World standing out of the waters.
D. 7. Good is this Globe of Earth, and Sea, suitable unto Gods own mind and his own Idea of them. Ver. 10.
D. 8. Gods Word alone make's Earth be fruitful in all that issueth out from it, Grasse, and Herbs, and Fruit-trees, &c.
D. 9. Propagation of Fruit, as well as the first being of it, is by Gods Word; he makes Seed and inableth to multiply. Ver. 11.
D. 10. The Earth, Herb, Tree, &c. are obedient unto Gods Word.
D. 11. God made the Earth fruitful without Sun, or Moon, or influence from them.
D. 12. Gods goodnes provides an habitation for his Creatures before they are. Ver. 12.
D. 13. The third Day with its works is Gods Creature. Ver. 13.
The History of the fourth Dayes Worke.
Ver. 14. And Elohim said, Let there be Lights in the Expansion of the Heavens to separate between the day and between the night; and let them be for signes, and for stated times, and for dayes, and for years. — foreign. Luminaries, to shine upon the Earth, &c. Septuag. — And that by them dayes and years, may be numbred. Chald.
V. 15. And let them be for Lights in the Expansion of the Heavens to give Light upon the Earth, and it was so. — Chald. same. — foreign. For shining in the firm body of Heaven. Sept,
V. 16. And Elohim made the two great Luminaries, the greater Light for the rule of the Day, and the lesser Light for the rule of the Night, and the Starres: — foreign. Sepe. — Chald. that same with the Hebr.
V. 17. And Elohim set them in the Expansion of the Heaven, to give Light upon the Earth. — Sept. and Chald. the same, with the Hebr.
V. 18. And to rule in the Day and in the Night, and to separate between Light and between Darknes. And Elohim saw that it was good. — To rule the Day and the Night, &c. Scptua. — Chald. agreeth with the Hebrew.
V. 19. And the Evening was, ond the Morning was the fourth Day. — Sept. and Chald. agree.
In this History of the fourth Dayes work are these particulars.
1. The Creatour the same Elohim, God the Father, Son and Spirit.
2.Ver. 14. The causation or way of producing this dayes work, (he said) it was by the word of his power.
3. The work it self wherein are to be noted these particulars.
1. The Creatures themselves set out.foreign 1. Generally in one name, Lights, or Lightsome bodies. The word in the Hebr. is the same for light, which is the cause, and light the effect. But the Greek distinguisheth, calling the one foreign, that which given light, and the other foreign, which is the shining of such a body. Here it is meant of the bodies and subjects created to give light. 2. Specially by three distinct expressions. 1. The great Light, and that is called the Sun, and hath several names as foreign, the warm Sun,foreign nothing hid from his heat, Isai. 30.26. Ps. 19.6. And foreign, the glistering Sun, Job. 9.7. And usually foreign that glorious ball or body that ministreth light to the World, Deut. 4.19. and 33.14. Psalm. 136.8. It is called the great Light by way of eminency,Ver. 16. and as it is made the fountain of Light to all other Luminaries, which is thought to be 166. or 170. times greater then the Earth. 2. The lesser Light is the Moon,foreign called also sometimes foreign for fairnes, Isai. 30.26. and sometimes foreign, Psalm. 139. v. 9. For its cooling influence. This for Li…ht is here stated to be the greatest Light next the Sun, and however Astronomers declare other Starres to be of greater bodies this we are sure of none but the Sun is to us of greater Light. 3. The Starres are added unto the two former as lesser Lights,foreign and are called foreign Starres of Light. Ps. 148.3. They are both the Planets, & fixed Starres, of which some are of several magnitudes and different in glory, 1. Cor. 15. v. 41. Some constellations of which are named, foreign, and the twelve signes in the Zodiak, called foreign, Job. 9. v. 2. and 38. v. 31. Amos. 5.8. foreign, 2. Kings. 23. ver. 5. Other names by which these are rendered are Arctures, Plejades, Orion, &c. About the applications of some whereof Interpreters are not agreed.
2. The Acts of God about these creatures are set out to be two. 1. Giving them being, he said let them be, and he made them, Ver. 14.16. 2. Setting them their place and station,foreign God gave them their place or set them. Ver. 17.Ver. 17. or fixed them, which ordinance is unchangeable but by himself.
3.foreign The place where they were made and set, the Expansion, which notes that the Heavens and Orbs where those are, goe under the name of this Expansion, and the several Chambers or Sphears, (if such there be) peculiar to each.
4. The end of their Creation, and setling there, which is various in Gods expression. 1.Ver. 18. To distinguish night and day. The time of the Suns appearing in the Hemisphere of the Heavens is day; and the season of his absence, and of the appearance of Moon and Starrs is night. Ver. 16:2. To be for signes and seasons, for dayes and yeers; For signes, sometimes Miracles, as the standing of the Sun. Josh. 10. Its going Back. Isai. 37:8. Sometimes naturall as Eclypses. Psal. 65:8. Luk. 21:25. For seasons as to order Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumne. Gen. 8:22. Psal. 104:19. Arcturus riseth in September, and beginneth Autumne, Orion in December, and beginneth Winter. Pleiades in the Spring. As the Dog Starre in the Summer. But for any such signes, as some wicked Astrologers make of the Starrs, to do their work in foretelling voluntary Acts and events, they serve not. Such a Trade God utterly prohibits. Jerem. 10:2. By this likewise are constituted dayes Natural and civil, as years by the revolutiō of the Sun. And these are established. V. 14:3. To be for light upon the Earth. ver. 15.Ver. 15. which is a sweet comfort to all the creatures; before, God made Light, now, he sets it in these bodies, which are receptacles of Light, to yeeld it forth unto this world, as God doth order them, which indeed is the Life of it. 4. To-give their Influences by day and by night. The Sun mainly ruling in the day, and the Moon and the Starres in the night, all giving their several Influences for the good of the Creatures, and this is the Rule and Dominion which God hath given them.
4. The approbation of the work, God saw that this work was Good also, conformed to his will, and Great Idea, as he fore-determined it, so he made it, and now he commends it. V. 18. Then followeth the constitution of the fourth day, this work being done, from Evening to Evening; the Evening was and the Morning was the fourth day. ver. 19.Ver. 19.
These observations result from the whole.
D. 1. Light, the first Creature in time, is gathered into due subjects by God himself. Luminaries as Light are Gods Creatures. V. 14.
D. 2. Two Great Luminaries or receptacles of Light God hath made above others. V. 16.
D. 3. The Sun is the Greatest Light-some Body. V. 16.
D. 4. The Moon is next to the Sun for Light. V. 16.
D. 5. The Starres are Luminaries of several degrees. V. 16.
D. 6. Gods word made all these. He said. V. 14.
D. 7. God hath set all these in the Heavens, and there is no removing them. V. 17.
D. 8. The Sun makes the day by Gods ordinance. V. 16:18.
D. 9. The Moon and Starres make the light of Gods VVord. V. 16:18.
D. 10. These Luminaries are some times made by God, amasing signes of Grace and Iustice. V. 14.
D. 11. These Luminaries have natural significations at all times. V. 14.
D. 12. All the Light in these is for the Good of the Creatures on Earth. V. 15.
D. 13. Power and influence, as two Causes, God hath given to the Luminaries. V. 14.
D. 14. The Suns Dominion is in and over the day. V. 16.
D. 15. The Moon and Starrs rule in the night. V. 16.
D. 16. These Lights were good works of God. V. 18.
D. 17. These Glorious works must lead to the Creator. V. 18.
D. 18. The fourth day, closing with these, is Gods Creature. V. 19.
The History of the fifth dayes Work.
Vers 20. And Elohim said, let the waters make to creep the creeping thing of a living Soul, and let fowl fly upon the Earth towards the face of the Expansion of the Heavens. Hebr. — Chald. The same. — Let the waters bring forth creeping things of living Soules, and Fowles flying, &c. And it was so. This added. Sept.
V. 21. And Elohim created the great Whales, and every living Soul creeping, which the waters made to creep in their kind, and every winged Fowl after its kind, and Elohim saw that it was good. — Chal. Same with Hebr. — Every living Soul of creeping things, &c. That they were good. Septu.
V. 22. And Elohim blessed them in saying, Increase and multiply, and fill the waters in the Seas, and let the fowl multiply in the Earth. — Septu. and Chal. Same.
V. 23. And the Evening was, and the morning was the fifth day. — Septu. Chal. Same.
In the History of this dayes work, these Particulars are recorded.
1. The Creator the same Elohim as before.
Ver. 20.2. The Creatures this day framed, set forth.
1. In a general notation which is twofold. 1. Creeping things of a living Soul. Or Creeping thing and living Soul by way of opposition. The Creeping thing, the word used is from the active verb foreign, which some read, Let the waters abundantly bring forth; to the letter it signifieth, let them make to creep; which notes both their being and motion, and the abundance wherein they were Created. So is it used. Exod. 1.7. and Ch. 8.3. Where speaking of the increase of Israel, and the frogs, the Spirit useth the same word. Now this creeping is applyed to all creatures, moving without feet, or with very short ones, either in the waters or in the Earth. Levit. 11:29. Whiles wormes make their progress by the vertue and force of their mouths, the Serpent by his belly, the fish by their finnes, and Elfs and such like things by shorter feet. Here properly it is used for Creatures in the water. These are said to have a living Soul, not the Life of plants, as on the third day was opened, but living by a Soul sensitive and locomotive, yet falling farre short of the living Soul of Man afterward spoken of.foreign 2. Let the Fowl fly, under which a second General sort of Creatures are noted, whose being and moving is in the Aire; Now as Creeping thing in the singular notes all kinds, so here also the Fowl that flieth notes every bird of wing, and in this expression they are not only produced in being, as when they are hatched from Egges, but brought forth in perfect state and motion.
2. In their location or situation, which is twofold. 1. Waters, for the swimming Creatures called Creeping here in a general name; God only speaks these Creatures to be there, not that the waters had any causality in their being; And this sentence, let the waters make to creep, is equivalent with what followeth, let the Fowl fly on the Earth, which is only the place of these Creatures, not the Cause. 2. Earth and superficies of the Heavens, here hath God fixed these Creatures also, the expanse under the Moon is the place of their Flight.
Ver. 21.3. In their specification. 1. Great Whales Dragons,foreign sometimes noted by the same name. God made them great. See how he sets out this work to Job. Ch. 40. and 41. 2. Every living Soul that creepeth or swimmeth in the waters.foreign This is another word of a larger signification then the former foreign. Levit. 11.44. All the kinds of this and every of them were made with their motions. This is more proper to the watry Inhabitants, yet extended to Amphibious creatures also.foreign Psal. 148:10. 3. Every winged Fowl in their kind from the Eagle to the Wren together with all their motions and properties.
4. In their propagation, created also. 1. To creeping or swimming Creatures, God said, Increase, multiply, and fill, (The. v. 28.) the waters in the seas. Three words set out their abundant propagation, and of all Creatures none multiply like to these, as is visible in their spawn. 2. To the Fowl or birds, he saith only let them multiply in the Earth, he saith not fill the Earth; and however by the decree of God these much increase, yet farre inferior to the former. 3. Gods acts about these Creatures, by which only, without help they were produced, these are four.
1. God said, the waters shall bring forth, or swimming things shall be made to swim in the waters. It was by the word of his power. Verbum est Impetus Voluntatis. saith Basil. V. 20.
2. God created. V. 21. That is, made all these of nothing to be of their several measures, qualities and motions. They were not produced out of any praeexistent matter of waters, as some vainly enough conceive making them to concurre with God.
3. God blessed them, saying &c. V. 22.Ver. 22. That is, God spake good effectually concerning them, and not onelyonly put these creatures into being, but into the way of continuing their kinds, so that they now abound by vertue of that word of blessing. Gen. 24.60. Psal. 128.3.4. This was not given to the former dayes works. The Lights they were not to increase.
4. God saw that it was good. Here is his approbation as of his other works, as being all conformed unto his own mind. Ver. 22.
4.Ver. 23. The Constitution of the fifth day upon this work ended. The Evening was, and the morning was the fifth day.
From all which we conclude.
D. 1. Fish and Fowl are not of themselves, their being had a beginning.
D. 2. Abundance of these swimming and flying Creatures were made at the beginning.
D. 3. All these Creatures were at first produced in full strength for motion.
D. 4. Every kind from the Whale to the Shrimp, from the Eagle to the Wren were made at first.
D. 5. Gods Word alone made these of nought without concurrence of any other cause. V. 20.
D. 6. The water for fish, and the expanse over the Earth for fowl are places of sustentation.
D. 7. All these Creatures are good in their Creation. God calleth them so. V. 21.
D. 8. Gods blessing in creation makes the propagation of these Creatures abundant now.
D. 9. Every fish and bird is a demonstration of Gods wisdom and power and goodness, &c. Why then should they not lead unto him?
D. 10. The fifth Day with the work thereof is Gods Creature. V. 23.
The sixth dayes Work.
Ver. 24.Ver. 24. And Elohim said, the Earth shall (or, let the Earth) bring forth the living Soul after his kind, Cattel and Creeping thing, and wild beast of the Earth after its kind, and it was so. — Chal. the same with. Hebr. — The Sept. addes foreign, and all Creeping things of the Earth.
V. 25. And Elohim made the wild beast of the Earth after its kind, and the Cattel after their kind, and every Creeping thing of the ground after its kind, and God saw that it was Good. — Chal. the same. — That they were good. Septu.
V. 26. And Elohim said, let us make Adam in our Image, according to our likeness, and let him have Dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the Fowl of the Heavens, and over the Cattel, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth on the Earth. — Chal. the same. — Let them rule, &c. over all things of the Earth. &c. Sept.
V. 27. And Elohim created Adam in his Image, in the Image of Elohim created he him, male and female he created them. — Chal. the same. — The Sept. hath the Image of God but once here.
V. 28. And Elohim blessed them, and Elohim said unto them, Increase, and multiply, and fill the Earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea, and over the Fowl of the Heavens, and over every beast (or living thing) creeping on the Earth. —Be strong over it for Subduing. Chal. — And God blessed them, saying, &c. And rule over it. Sept.
V. 29. And Elohim said, behold I have given unto you every herb seeding seed, which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every Tree which (hath) in it the fruit of a Tree seeding seed; to you it shall be for meat. — Sept. and Chal. the same.
V. 30. And to every wild beast of the Earth, and to Every Fowl of the Heavens, and to every creeping thing upon the Earth, which hath in it a living Soul, every green herb, for meat, and it was so. — Sept. and Chal. to the same.
V. 31. And Elohim saw all that he had made, and behold it was very good, and the Evening was, and the Morning was the sixth day. — Sept. and Chal. Same.
In this History of the sixth dayes Work are considerable these Particulars to be opened.
1. The efficient Creator.
2. The creature Produced, and that of two kinds.
1. Beast. V. 24:25.
2. Man. V. 26:27.
3. The Acts of God about all these.
1. Creat…on.
2. Benediction.
3. Provision.
4. The Approbation of his work, and constitution of the sixth day.
1. As to the Creator, it is the same Elohim, of whom we have discoursed before.
2. The Creatures produced of which we will treat distinctly according to the two parts of this dayes Work.
The first Part of the sixth dayes Work.
In the first Part of this dayes Work, which was the Creation of the Irrational Creatures on the Earth we may observe.
1. The work it self, and that is set forth two wayes.
1. By the Genus,foreign (or generally) Living Soul. This is the general nature, under which Marine and Terrene Creatures are comprehended. This name is not given to plants, though they have a kind of life; but only to sensitive and locomotive Creatures. So that one general nature containes under it the living soul belonging to the waters, which comprehends multiplicity of species or special kinds. And the living Soul belonging to the Earth, of which also several kinds in special are here numbred.
2.Ver. 25. By the species which are named and they are 3. 1. Some are of a tamer sort, used among men,foreign that belong to herds and flocks, for plough, carriage, &c. these are meant especially by the name Oxen, Sheep, Horses, Swine, &c. 2. Some are creeping as if they did swim upon the Earth, as fish in the sea; The same word here used for both foreign. As Worms, Serpents, Pismires, &c. Creeping things of the ground. V. 25. 3. Some are wild roaring in woods and wildernesses, and places remote from men, these have their name from life foreign, Because most lively, active and stirring. As Lions, Wolves, Bears, Foxes, Hares, &c. These in perfect strength, and in all their several kinds were the work in part of the last day.
2. The way of production of all these, Gods Word, and therein Gods Almighty Creation. He said, and saying Created, that is, made to be, and subsist without any concurrent help.
Object. 3. The place wherein, or matter out of which these creatures were produced, this is said to be the earth.Solut. It is here questioned whether the earth hath no causation, seing Jehovah saith, let the earth bring forth? Unto which it is returnd. No more causality is in this then was in clay and spitle to open eyes. If earth or ground were the matter it was extremely indisposed to bring forth such creatures; it was the same as to bring life out of death: so that we may look upon foreign the Continent. ver. 24. and foreign the indisposed matter of these Creatures. ver. 25.
4. The efficacy of this word creating, which put the Creatures in being, it was so. At Gods word these were produced, nothing resisted, but every Creature in every kind stood up.
5. The approbation of this part of the work done, God saw that it was good, that is as before. All was consonant to the will of God decreeing and commanding these Creatures so to subsist; and for good uses.
Quest. If question be, whether all creeping things that come out of putrefaction, were created at first?
Answer. It is answeared. 1. They may be said to be in the bodies potentially out of whose corruption they proceed. 2. It may be said, God did make their kindes at first; had determined the way of their generation; whether from corruption; or by conception. Either God sheweth he can doe still.
Quest. Again, if it be inquired why God reserves these to the same dayes work with Man?
Answer. His will is reason enough to satisfy his creature, but yet farther, God respects a congruity of the general nature of things; so there was between Fish and Fowle, who where to be in places much agreeing in their general nature, and so their natures fitted to the places where they where to live. No lesse here, these creatures and Man being to possesse the earth and live there, God was pleased to make all the inhabitants of the earth this day, as he did of the waters in the day before the; order of speaking of these creatures is changed in 2. Verses, which may shew not one after another, but all were produced together.
From all which we note.
D. 1; Elohim is the only Creator, or Alpha of being to the most irrational creature on Earth.
D. 2. By an Almighty word doth God create all the bruites upon the earth.
D. 3. Cattell, wild beast, Creeping things, from the Elephant to the Pismire, are of one living Soule.
D. 4, These living Soules God commands to come out from the Earth, which is dead it self, as the originall, not as the cause of them. So he gives bread from heaven. Exod. 18. It is not so with Man.
D. 5. The Earth is the appointed place for beasts. V. 24.
D. 6. Not only individuals of creatures, but kindes are made of God.
D. 7. Its Gods peculiar to say and have it done.
D. 8. The poorest worm is Gods creature as well as Man. Sprung of the same womb of Omnipotency, we call them sisters, So doth Iob. (Ch. 17:14. and 25:6.) challenge them.
D. 9. All these living Soules were good in nature, and in use created. Sin corrupts all.
D. 10. Much of God is to be seen and known in and by brutish creatures. V. 25.
The second part, of the sixth dayes Work.
Now followeth the last and great work of God, even the master peece of his Creation, Man. Though last in order of execution, yet the first in Gods intention, for him all the things were made as is evident by his commission over them, therefore it was no neglect of God to forbear his making until the last; In which History observe.
1. The Creator, the same Elohim, Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit, that doth this.
2. The Consultation about his making, V. 26.Ver. 26. where in may also be noted.
1. The Consultation it self, let us make. foreignGod speaks thus in the Creation of Man only, wherein he seems to consult for the making of this Creature; which he doth not about any els, but only saith let them be, and they were. Much a doe men have made to obscure the light, about this plural expression, by whom, and to whom it is used. Quest. Most grant it to be the speech of God, as indeed with out impiety, Answer. it cannot other wise be conceived, as some yet have done by glossing it to be Moses words, which cannot be unles he were Creator. Some think the plural number is used as an expression of Majesty, as Earthly kings use to pronounce and write themselves, We, &c. But that stile was not in the World then. In truth comparing one Scripture with another, the Father, Son, and Spirit are in consultation here, and no other but God in Trinity of Persons, as he more clearly hath discovered himself, can be understood in this: the truth of which assertion appears by this second argument. 1. All here are equally workers, yea all must be the same God, for no creatures are called upon here to contrive or expedite it. 2. Whose Image here is one, their nature is one, but it is said our Image, go they must be one who speak. Object. If it be replied. The plural number takes in all, as well as the number of three?Sol. It is answered, it doth so, but when God hath determined plurality to three, it is time then to settle and be certain, that there are no more, Matth. 28, 18. 1 John. 5.7.
2. The Act consulted on, making, foreign, let us or we will make. 1. Wisdom is carried in it by consultation. 2. Power, in that it puts in being. So that a wise and powerful effect is this.
foreign3. The object of this act. Adam. Which is the name of the Kind, common to both sexes Man and Woman. This name notes the original of mans materials, Red Earth, of which his body was framed, Gen. 2.7. But carrieth in it the whole man, matter and form.
foreign4. The form and condition wherein God made Adam, in our Image, according to our likenes. That is in our Image, most like to us. It is an Hebraism noting a superlative Image. Therefore needles is the dispute about the difference of Image, and likenes. This Image stands in representing God. 1. It is a made Image. 2. It is a true Image. 3. It is a very near and lively Image. Which appears. 1. In the spiritual and immortal nature of it. 2. In the rectitude of mind, will, affections, members, all pure and righteous conformed to Gods will, Ephes. 4.24.
foreign5. The end of this creature, and that is to be Lord and Ruler of all creatures els made, in the seas and earth. Herein consider. 1. The act of priviledge, let them rule, or have dominion. 1. It notes power despotical, as of the master of a family over all in his house. 2. Subordinate and stewardly, not absolutely to do what he list with Gods creatures. 3. Plenipotentiary all just and due power is consigned him. 2. The object of the rule, the inuentary of them, is Fish, Fowl, Cattel, creeping things, Earth, all the inferior Globe. but not the celestial one, Ver. 26.
3. After the Consultation is related the Execution of that counsel taken for mans creation, wherein.
1. The Creator repeated, Elohim who consulted.
Ver. 27.2. The Act consulted, three times here repeated and the object variously specified.
1. Elohim created Adam in his Image, according to what he resolved, we will make man such, as before opened. 2. In the Image of Elohim he created him; that it might not be mistaken whose image it was, he doth plainly call him Gods image. This is in the place of likenes, so that, these be synonymous. 3.foreign Mat. 19.6 Male and semale he created him; that is one man and one woman; no Hermo…hrodite as some wicked Jewes glosse. Nor multitudes of these sexes as in other creatures, but one man and one woman, which Christ urged against divorce. This God did to make all men of one Originall have a holy seed; other wise he had enough of the Spirit to make more. Mal. 2, 15. Act. 17, 26. Note hence.
D. 1. God hath made himself known in Trinity of Relation, as well as unity of being from the beginning.
D. 2. God the Father, Son and Spirit, put forth Wisdom, Power and goodnes eminently in making man.
D. 3. Man in his first estate, was a creature bearing the most exact Image of Gods rectitude.
D. 4. The Image of God in man was made, and created, not begotten, as in the eternall Son.
D. 5. Man in this Image was the best of terrestriall creatures, for whom all the rest were made.
D. 6. The Image of God resting upon man did fit him to rule over all the Creatures subjected. V. 26.
D. 7. God himself created this man, and no helper was with him. Vain such thoughts of any.
D. 8. One man, and one woman alone, did God create to make an holy originall of man.
D. 9. Mans originall should be his Copy for being, and conjugall condition. V. 27.
4. The benediction bestowed upon this creature now followeth. V. 28.Ver. 28. wherein may be observed.
1. The greatnes of him that blesseth, it is the Creating Elohim, that hath power enough to blesse, as he had to make, This is the glory of a blessing, when it commeth from a mighty hand.
2. The form of blessing,foreign he doth by his word, as also he created by the same way, He speaks good unto the creature, and commanded it upon them, which was not without effect.
3, The matter of the blessing described two wayes.
1. Generally, he blessed, which is a notion of good, he superadded some good to to these excellent creatures which he had made.
2. Specially, and so the matter of it is in two heads.
1. Propagation, and that in three expressions, Increase, Multiply, Fill the earth.
foreignThe first word giveth power to propagate their kind, It is not Increase in stature but in number, and this was the blessing of the Creator upon man, that the one Adam, Male and female in a pure state of marriage should produce a seed for God.Ps. 127. The fruit of the womb is his reward. This would not have failed in innocency, but mans sin brought in barrenties.foreign The second word, is an inlargement to the first, That this propagation in a pure conjugall state should produce multitudes, as the starres of heaven; but God would have all these to spring from one root, and did not create multitudes at first, that man might be united within hims…lf, and all nations being of one blood might be indeared, however sin hath now made one man a wolfe against another. And however adulterous conjunctions bring forth a numerous seed, yet the blessing was given to the creature, not to the sin, however the wise God see good so to permit and order it to the hurt of the sinner.foreign The third word inlargeth the multiplicity unto fulnes. Fill the Earth. 1. The compasse wherein they should multiply, is the whole earth. 2. The measure is to the filling of the habitable world. Sin makes inhabitable the world.
2. Dominion expressed in two words. 1. Subdue it. In this: 1. The limits of his dominion are the earth, in the utmost extent.foreign 2. The act of dominion here, Subdue, be strong over it, as Cald. It is the bestowing of the end of his creation on him, spoken of before; Subduing is by plowing, tilling, and making use of it, as is more expressely spoken. Chap. 2. 2. Rule over, &c. Where. 1. The object of Rule,foreign fish, fowl, beasts, and creeping things named, all those God made ready to his hand. 2. The act expressed, is to rule over them; wherein he giveth man a right to them, an use of them, and a command over them, This order of one creature above another is Gods own blessing upon man. Obj. If it be questioned whether such order of rule should have bin in innocency between man and man.Sol. No doubt but there was order created between Husband and wife;1 Coa. 11. in which sense the Apostle calleth the woman the Image of the man, for in nature, they both had the Image of God. Neither is it to be conceived, that the God of order, would leave such a creature disorderly. Order is of God, Disorder of sin. And doubtles naturall power of parents on children, and of Husband over wife, &c. must needs have bin, but without all irregularity, and oppression.
Ver. 29.5. The sweet provision which God made for Man and all other living soules, wherein are considerable.
1. The Provider, it is the same great Elohim, the Father of the family of the whole earth. Eph. 3.
2. The parties provided for,Ps. 26: & 147. Man and beast, unto you, unto the beast, fowl, and creeping thing, all wherein is a living soul, an animal life to be preserved. He preserveth man and beast, and feed's ravens, &c.
3. The matter of provision,Ver. 30. herbs and all their issue. Trees and all their fruit. Although here is no mention of feeding upon the slain creatures, yet if sacrifice were, as it was after the fall, as appears in Abel, there must be eating flesh then, however it did not appear before: Grasse for beasts. Herb and tree for man.
4. The manner of making this provision, God gave it. It was all the sweeter out of his gift and from his hand, and this commeth with the blessing; And it is a great one to be fed by the hand of God. Behold, &c.
5.Ver. 31. The last head in the history of this dayes work, is the approbation of all Gods works and the constitution of the sixth day. 1. The approbation as it respects all the works of God, but especially man, It is repeated here with an Emphasis, behold it was very good. Nothing evill or hurtfull in its own nature, but all exactly good. 1. In being. 2. In End. 2. All this done, the sixth Day is now constituted. The Evening was, and the morning was the sixth day.
D. 1. Elohim onelyonly is the pure fountain of blessing He is mighty to do good. He whom God blessed.
D. 2. Man was not onelyonly a good Creature, but a blessed one.
D. 3. Gods word brings home blessing. The word of power.
D. 4. Gods blessing is the cause of propagating man from man; not to detract from the dignity of the Creature.
D. 5. Gods blessing make's multitudes of generations.
D. 6. Gods blessing make's the earth mans habitation.
D. 7. Gods blessing is the cause of order among creatures.
D. 8. Gods blessing putts the earth and creatures under man, V. 28.
D. 9. Right to use and rule the Creatures îs Gods blessing upon man. The world subjected by God. Man had need to rule a right. He is but trusted in this blessing.
D. 10. God would have man know him to be his feeder, & wait for meat from him, as be thankfull to him
D. 11. Creatures are made food to man meerly by the blessing of God V. 29.
D. 12. Beasts, fowl, and creeping things have meat from God.
D. 13. God provide's better for man than for beast.
D. 14. Gods real blessing certainly follows his verbal. It was so. V. 30.
D. 15. All creatures, but especially man, were very good in nature and End, as made by God.
D. 16. God would have men convinced of the Eminent goodnes of his works, six times he repeats. God saw it was good.
D. 17. The sixth day, as well works in it, is Gods creature.
D. 18. In dayes and works man should study to know God fully. Therefore is all this revealed. V. 31.
Thus farre the History of the World in its Original, and the Sixe first dayes.