An Exposition of Genesis, Preface
The AUTHORS PREFACE.
There needs no armed prologue to guard the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It is all-sufficient to defend itself against the powers of hell, and to secure those also who betake themselves to the protection of it. Only some things are fit to be premised & foreknown in order to the due explication of the whole body of Scripture.
I. The Division of Scripture. The whole Book of Scriptures is usually divided into two integral parts. 1. The Old Testament. 2. The New Testament. Again the Old hath two known parts of it. 1. The Law. 2. The Prophets. All these together do but make up the revelation of one intire will of God concerning the way of mans salvation; and therefore called one foundation, or fundamental revelation of the Prophets and Apostles. Ephes. 2:20. Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone held out by them. 1. The law, contained in the five Books of Moses, is the first copy of Gods will committed to writing, wherein is delivered. 1. The history of the World and Church, from the creation, for the space of 2500 years. 2. The Covenant of God then manifested to man. 3. A Prophesy of a clearer discovery of all this mind of God in Christ. Who was their Prophet whom God would raise up unto them like unto Moses, Deuter. 18:5. 2. The Prophets are but a larger commentary on this Law, sent of God in several ages, to make out more of this will of God unto the Jewes, and to testify against their iniquity violating this law.
The New Testament likewise called the Gospel (because the glad tidings foretold by the Law and the Prophets are actually declared to be accomplished in them by the Apostles) is but the full discovery of Gods mind at first written in the Law. So is it said John. 1:17. The Law came by Moses, & grace and truth by Jesus Christ. Which revelations of Moses and Christ are not contrary but subordinat. Gods Law is his will for salvation, Moses gave this at first mo…e darkly, but Christ in the evidence of truth and the sweetnes of grace. We are entring upon the reading of the copy by Moses, which we shall better understand having such help from Christ.
II. Of the division of the Law. As the Law hath been divided into three parts for the contents of it. History, Covenant, and Prophesy; so as to the form of compiling, it is divided into five books. 1. Genesis. So called by the Greek Interpreters, as declaring the generation or rise of all things. 2. Exodus, Which notes the going out of Israel from Egypt. 3. Leviticus, So called for that it concerns the Law of Sacrifices for the sonnes of Levi. 4. Numbers, Because therein are numbred the tribes of Israel, their journies, and stages in the Wildernes. 5. Deuteronomy. Which contains a repetition of the Law of God formerly written. All these are called the Law by the Holy Ghost in the writings of the Apostles. If any Book should not beare the name, the first of Genesis were most like to be unfit, but that also is called the Law. Gal. 4.21. In the opening of all which, in this order we shall proceed.
III. Of the Author. The Authour of this Law was God himself who by his Spirit spake in Moses. Sufficient evidences of which are the following truths. 1. Gods visible appearance on mount Sinai. Exodus. Ch. 19. and 20. 2. His writing upon the Tables of stone with his own finger, as is expressed Exodus. 31, 18. 3. The Testimony of the Prophets that God spake unto Moses, and delivered his law to him Psalm. 103.11. 2. Chron. 34.14. Daniel. 9.11. Malach. 4:4. 4. The witnes of Christ unto Moses and the Law of God delivered by them. Mark. 7.9.10. and 12.26. Luke. 16.29.31. John. 5.46.
IV. Of the Penman. The Penman of this first part of Scripture called the Law was Moses, who is described in sacred Scripture. 1. By his Genealogie. He was the Son of Amram, who was the Son of Kahath, who was the Son of Levi, who was the Son of Jacob, who was the Son of Isaac, who was the Son of Abraham, and so the seventh from Abraham. Exodus. 2.1. Numb. 16.59. 1. Chron. 6.1.2, 3. 2. By the place of his birth, and that was Egypt, and of his education, Pharaohs court; being drawn out of the water by Pharaohs Daughter and so brought up in all the wisdom of the Egyptians 40 years. Acts. 7.23. 3. By the condition of his exile, 40 years he was a stranger in the land of Madian, being discovered for killing the Egyptian. Acts. 7.29.30. 4. By his call from God to be the Ruler of his people, and to bring them out of Egypt and to rule his Church in the wildernes. 40 years he received the lively Oracles of God. Acts. 7.37, 38. 5. By special favour vouchsafed him by God to come up into the mount, and speaking with him face to face. Exodus. 24, 12. and 33, 11.17. Deuter. 34.10. 6. By his faithfulnes in bringing the law from God, and ruling his house. No servant could be more faithful, only the son surpasseth him. So witnesseth the Spirit. Hebr. 3.2.
V. Of the time of writing the Law. This Law was written by Moses when he was above 80 years of age, and as is conceived from the creation above 2500 years. The way of Gods revealing his will before, was by immediate apparition, and extraordinary manifestations of himself in visions in the night. Why God did not give out his Law in writing sooner, which contained his will formerly revealed, and is now to be the standing rule of learning God, no reason can be given, but Gods own will. But that now the Law and the Testimony in holy Scriptures, is the only continent of the Oracles of God, the Prophets and Christ largely confirm, besides what the matter itself largely demonstrateth, Isai. 8.20. John. 5.39.
VI. Of the Language. The speech or Language wherein this Law was written, all must grant to be the Hebrew, that which was natural unto and understood by Gods Israel, unto which all other Translations must be suited; and from thence as needful that the will of God by Translations should be made out to all people in their own Languages; for which end, when God brake down the partition wall betwixt Jew and gentile, he gave his Spirit in Tongues to make his Law known to all. Acts. 2.
VII. Of the use of this Law. The scope and use unto which God intended this Law (universally concerning not the Jew only but the Gentile, not only for times of old but for ever Rom. 15.4.) is, 1. To be a ground of faith, to hold out all things to be beleeved unto life, concerning God and mans self. All is written for faith. 2. To be a rule of walking unto all flesh that they might order their wayes directly unto God, and so to be a sufficient revelation for perfecting soules to life. So that this Law was not given to Israel only, but to all that ever have hope to Godwards. These things being noted, in general, we see the Law is much our concern to study.
SEPHER BERESHITH. HEBR.
GENESIS. GR. LAT. ENG.
THE first Book of the Law of Moses is called in Hebrew by the first word foreign, in the Greek foreign. Noting it to be the Book of the Generation and beginning of all things. It containeth an History of the rise of the VVorld, and the Church in it, together with the Doctrine revealed, Religion exercised, and the Government of all for the space of 2369. Years, from Adam to the death of Ioseph. The general resolution of this Book is into so many Parts, as we find the several states of the Church.
1. That which concern's the state of institution of all things, and the Church withal. Chapters 1, & 2.
2. That which relates the state of destitution of it, and corruption by sin. Chap. 3.
3. That which point's at the restitution of it after the fall into sin, and several providences in succeeding times. Chap. 3. v. 15. Chap. 4. &c. Many particulars will be noted in these Generals.
The first General hath two main Heads.
1. A relation of the being of all Creatures and of Man the subject of the Church. Ch. 1.
2. A description of the VVell being of him by several additions. Chap. 2.