Commentary Upon Genesis 1-3, Book 3 · Chapter 3 · Verse 19
VERSE 19.
IN the ſweat of thy face] With hard labour which cauſeth both ſweat and wearineſſe, wheras his work in Paradiſe was eaſie and pleaſant. This painfulneſſe in labour muſt needs be a conſequent of Gods curſe upon the earth, which thereby becoming more barren in it ſelf, required the more labour to make it fruitful. So that the earth which of it ſelf ſhould be apt to bring forth nothing but briars and thornes, with hard labour ſhould yield him bread; this clauſe hath in it both a precept and a promiſe.
Till thou return to the ground] A phraſe that both expreſſeth the continuance of his labour which ſhould not end but with his life: and withal pronounceth the ſentence of death upon him, and the corruption of his body after death. This ſentence although pronounced againſt the man alone, yet comprehends the woman too, who was to be mortal as well as he; as the former injunction of painful labour is indifferently extended unto both, the one and the other, and all their poſterity, as all experience makes it evident.
For out of it thou waſt taken] Thus God manifeſts his juſtice in the cenſure, which reduceth man to no worſe condition then he was in at firſt. So righteous is God in all his judgements, and ſo careful to ſhew us the equity of them. Now the woman was not framed out of the duſt of the earth immediately; yet ſeeing the man was made of duſt, it muſt needs follow, that the woman who was taken out of him, could be made of no better ſubſtance, and therefore may be truly ſaid to be taken out of the duſt as well as the man.
For duſt thou art] As Pſal. 103.14. Eccleſ. 12.7. And ſuch are all the ſonnes of Adam, though cloathed with skin and fleſh, and ſenced with bones and ſinews. This indeed is the matter of all mens bodies, whatſoever forme God is pleaſed to grace them withal.
And unto duſt ſhalt thou return.] Fleſh and bones, and all as experience ſhews, and ſo to continue till God raiſe us at the laſt day, to cloath us with glory and immortality.
To begin with the firſt Clauſe, mans labour in the ſweat of his face. We may
1 OBSERVE. Mans employment in this life, is in weariſom and painful labours.
Obſerve. 1 ALl things indeed are full of labour, Eccl. 1.8. But mans task eſpecially is to labour with his hand, Eph. 4.28. 1 Theſ. 4.11. which if he do not, by the Apoſtles cenſure, 2 Theſ. 3.10, 12. he muſt not eat. (It is true, that ſome callings, as Miniſters and Magiſtrates imploy the minde moſt, and not ſo much the body; but thoſe employments (as all experience teacheth) are of all the reſt moſt weariſome and painful.) Reaſon,
1. The curſe that is laid upon the earth for ſinne, by which without hard labour it yields no fruits for the ſuſtaining of mans life.
2. The Lord hath ſo appointed it for mans good.
1. To humble him by leaving him that remembrance of ſin.
2. To make him long for heaven, Rom. 8.22, 23.
3. To preſerve the body in health, See Eccl. 5.12. and to keep the minde in frame, 2 Theſ. 2.11. which unleſſe it be exerciſed in uſeful and profitable things, is filled with vain and evil thoughts.
Firſt, this reproves all idle ſloathful perſons, living without callings, or idle in their callings, or in unprofitable callings. Who are all moaths,
1. In the State, Prov. 18.9.
2. To themſelves in their own eſtates, Prov. 20.4.
3. Enemies to their bodies and their minds; both which, idleneſſe corrupts and weakens.
Secondly, and ſhould ſtirre us up to diligence in ſuch employments as we are called unto.
1. In obedience to Gods command.
2. And as therein ſerving God, and not men, Eph. 6.7.
3. And being profitable, Prov. 14.23. to our ſelves, Prov. 10.4. and others, Prov. 21.5.
4. And thereby procuring us a juſt title to what we poſſeſſe, 2 Theſ. 3.12. Only,
1. Labour that which is good, Eph. 4.28.
2. And with a deſire to be profitable to community, Pſal. 112.5, 9. 1 Tim. 6.18.
3. In a way of juſtice, 1 Theſ. 4.6.
4. Depending on God for his bleſſing on our labours, which only makes them proſperous, Pſal. 127.2.
Thirdly, long for heaven, where we ſhall ceaſe from all our labours, Rev. 14.1….
Now if we obſerve this commandment, we may take notice of a promiſe annexed or implied at leaſt; Adam muſt ſweat, but thereby he ſhall have bread to eat. So that we may thence in general
2 OBSERVE, There is profit in all the duties which God enjoyns us.
Obſerve 2 NOt only honour to God, Mat. 5.16. (though to ſpeak properly, God is not profited by our ſervices, Job 35.7.) and good to men, Job 35.8. But ſpecially to our ſelves, Deut. 6.24. and 10.13. who have by our labours ſufficiency, and in exerciſing our ſelves in other duties, our fruit in holineſſe, and the end everlaſting life, Rom. 6.22. yea, even in giving and exerciſing duties of mercy, there is profit as well to our ſelves as to others, Iſaiah 32.8. Proverbs 11.24, 25. Reaſons,
1. God who is in himſelf al-ſufficient, and perfectly bleſſed, neither needs, nor can be profited by any creature.
2. Neither is it for his honour, that his ſervice ſhould be unprofitable, as wicked men unjuſtly ſlander him, Job 21.15.
3. Neither could his ſervants have otherwiſe any encouragement to go on in his ſervice with cheerfulneſs, which God requires, Deut. 28.47. and delights in, 2 Cor. 9.7.
Firſt, it manifeſts the folly of wicked men joyned with fearful impiety, who complaine of Gods government, Mat. 25.24. as hard and rigorous; eſteem his laws, bands and coards, Pſal. 2.3. and reject them with the Capernaits, Joh. 6.60. And in the meane time ſubject themſelves to the yoke of Satan, who ſeeks their deſtruction, whoſe wayes yield them no fruit but ſhame, Rom. 6.21. and profit them not at all, Job 33.27. as themſelves will be forced to acknowledge, when it will be too late to help it.
Secondly, make choice of Gods Commandments with David, Pſal. 119.30. and that,
1. Upon good grounds, Pſal. 119.96. and 128.
2. And with a firm reſolution to keep them, Pſal. 119.106.
1. As more eaſie, Mat. 11.30. to a renewed heart.
2. More honourable, Prov. 12.26. both in reſpect of the Commander, and of the Commandment.
3. And more profitable both at preſent and hereafter, Romans 6.22.
4. And more full of peace and comfort, Pſal. 119.165. The meanes to bring our hearts (which by nature cannot ſubmit unto Gods yoke, Rom. 8.7.) to make choice of, and cleave to his Commandments, are,
1. To beg at Gods hands both wiſdom to underſtand his Law, Pſal. 119.18. and a renewed heart to encline to it, ver 36.
2. To compare the wayes of ſin with the ways of righteouſneſs, both in the preſent practice, and in the iſſue of both at laſt.
Thirdly, let all that are godly ſerve the Lord in all duties commanded by him with cheerfulneſſe; it ſhould be joy to the juſt to do judgement, Prov. 21.15. Gods Commandments ſhould be ſweeter to our taſte then honey, Pſal. 119.103. our delights, ver. 143. our joy, v. 62. This cheerfulneſſe our hearts may be wrought unto,
1. By the love of God which makes all ſervices eaſie, Gen 29.20.
2. And of the Law it ſelfe for the purity of it, Pſal. 119.140. the righteouſneſſe and ſaithfulneſſe of it, v. 138. the wonderful perfection and admirable effects of it. Pſal. 19.7, 8.
3. For the reward ſet before us hereafter, and peace which our obedience to the Law brings at preſent; See Pſal. 73.24. and 119.165. This cheerfulneſſe of ſpirit is neceſſary,
1. To ſweeten, and make us deſpiſe thoſe incombrances which we meet in our wayes.
2. To encourage others.
3. To bring honour to God.
But it is obſervable, that in this Commandment though the labour enjoyned be hard and painful, yet it ſhall not want effect: though it be purchaſed with the ſweat of his brows, yet his labour ſhall produce him bread to ſuſtaine his life. Whence
3. OBSERVE. Whatſoever we undertake in obedience to Gods Commandment, ſhall not want effect.
Obſerve 3 PRov. 14.23. He that ſoweth plentifully ſhall reap plentifully, 2 Cor. 9.6. which is not only true in reſpect of the future reward promiſed, 1 Cor. 15.58. but beſides in reſpect of mens preſent labours, that they ſhall not want ſucceſſe, unleſſe God be pleaſed to deny his bleſſing, to humble men for their ſins, as Hag. 1.6. otherwiſe the promiſe holds, and is made good to all that in their labours ſerve God in ſincerity, Pſ. 128. 2. Iſa. 65.23. Unles God ſee it fit ſometimes to with hold his bleſſing on them for ſome greater good to us, or honour to himſelf. Reaſons,
1. That God is able to give ſucceſſe, and by his bleſſing to proſper mens endeavours, no man can deny.
2. That it concerns him in point of honour to proſper that which he commands, is as clear as theformer.
3. It is needful to be ſo, leſt other wiſe men ſhould be diſcouraged in his ſervice, if they ſhould labour therein without bringing any thing to effect.
Let it encourage all men in the ſervices which God Commands, wherein they are ſure not to labour in vaine, but either to effect what they undertake,
2. Or to attain ſomething that ſhall be better for them.
3. And to have the reward of their endeavours from God, Iſa. 49.5. ſo they undertake things,
1. In obedience to Gods Command.
2. To a right end, for his glory, and the good of others.
3. And depend upon Gods bleſſing, and not on their ownlabours for ſucceſſe.
After the injunction of painful labour, follows the duration of it, for terme of his life, containing withal the ſentence of God, concerning mans diſſolution by death, with the equity thereof. In this ſentence, take notice
1. Of the moderation thereof, in reſpect of the curſe threatened.
2. Of the mitigation thereof.
1. In the time, Adam ſhall die, though not that day.
2. In the kinde of death, it ſhall be temporal, but not eternal, though both were included in the Sanction. Whence
4 OBSERVE, Gods Sanctions are certain, as well of judgement as of mercy.
Obſerve 4 NOt only unto the wicked, Gen. 4.12. Eccl. 8.12, 13. but unto the godly too, 2 Sam. 12.14, 18. but with this difference.
1. That their judgments are only outward and temporary, whereas wicked mens judgements are ſpiritual and eternal.
2. And thoſe judgements are laid on them, not as a part of their debt for ſin, which Chriſt hath ſatisfied to the full.
3. And are ſanctified to them, ſo that they work together to their good. Reaſon
1. Both the threats of judgement, as well as the Promiſes of mercy are founded on the ſame grounds of Gods Truth, and Immutability, and Power.
2. And have the ſame ſcope, the honouring of God in the manifeſtation, as well of his juſtice as of his mercy, giving to every man according to his deeds: ſee Pſal. 58.11. Iſa. 59.18, 19.
1. Learne to tremble at Gods judgements, Pſ. 119.120. as well as to hope in his mercy: yea, even the godly, who though they are freed from the everlaſting curſe, by the death of Chriſt, yet are liable to ſuch chaſtiſements, Pſal. 89.31, 32. as may make their hearts ake, Pſal. 143.4.
2. Let it appale the hearts of all wicked men, that notwithſtanding all Gods threatenings, go on deſperately in their ſins, Deut. 29.19. who as they diſhonour God in the higheſt degree, either denying his Power, Holineſſe and Providence, Pſal. 94.7. and his truth, or imagining him to be like unto themſelves, Pſal. 50.21. ſo they bring upon themſelves the wrath of God to the uttermoſt, to their everlaſting deſtruction, Deut. 29.20. Pſal. 50.21.
If we conſider this ſentence of Gods decreeing mans diſſolution, and the turning of his body into duſt; in particular we may
5. OBSERVE, Though God hath freed his children from eternal death, yet he hath left them, as well as others, under the ſentence of temporal death.
Obſerve 5 DEath by ſinne paſſed upon all men, Rom. 5.12. Heb. 9.27. from which though Henoch was exempted, Heb. 11.5. and Elijah, 2 Kings 2.11. as ſhall be ſuch as are found living, when Chriſt ſhall come to judgement, 1 Cor. 15.51. 1 Theſ. 4.17. yet upon the reſt, as well godly as wicked, this ſentence takes hold, as all experience ſhewes. Reaſon
1. That by it they might be put in minde of ſin that brought death upon them, Rom. 5.12.
2. They have no harme by death, which is at preſent but a ſleep, wherein they reſt from their labours, Iſa. 57.2. and which ſevers them not from Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 4.14. through whom it is ſanctified to them, ſee 1 Cor. 15.55. and is made an entrance into life, Rev. 14.13. and hurts not the body, which ſhall be raiſed up in glory, 1 Corinth. 15.42, 43.
Prepare for it, as being 1. Moſt certain, Eccl 9.5.
2. And yet uncertain in the time and meanes of it, Luke 12.20.
3. And whereof men are naturally regardleſſe, being bewitched by the world, Pſal. 49.11.
4. And yet being of all other things that which moſt nearly concerns us. To this end,
1. Make ſure of Chriſt; whom if we have, to die is gaine, Philip. 1.21.
2. Be alwayes doing good, ſee Luke 12.40, 42, 43. knowing there is no work nor device in the grave, whither we go, Eccl. 9.10.
3. Stand looſe from the world, that it may not trouble us to go out of the world.
4. Let us have our converſation in heaven, Phil. 3.20. and lay up our treaſure there, Mat. 6.20. whither by death we are tranſlated.
The Lord contents not himſelfe to minde Adam, that he was taken out of the duſt; but tells him that he is duſt, and ſhall be reſolved into duſt. Whence
6 OBSERVE, Mens bodies are baſt every way; both in their original, in their preſent condition, and in their diſſolution.
Obſerve. 6 IN their Original, of the duſt, Eccl. 3.20. earthly, of the earth, 1 Cor. 5.47. in their preſent condition, no better then duſt, Pſal. 103.14. Eccl. 12.7. their food, out of the earth. Pſal. 104.14. their clothing no better, and their dwelling houſes of clay, Job 4.19. In their diſſolution, turned into duſt, Pſal. 104.29. where one may ſay to corruption, thou art my father; to the worme, thou art my mother and my ſiſter, Job 17.14. Reaſon,
1. To humble us, Gen. 18.27.
2. To magnifie Gods mercy, in abaſing himſelf to look on ſuch vile wretches, ſee Pſal. 113.6, 7, 8. to give his Sonne for them, to advance duſt and aſhes to ſuch a glorious condition, as the Apoſtle deſcribes, Cor. 15.42, 43, 49.
3. To move us to long for heaven, ſee 2 Cor. 5.1, 2.
Firſt, It reproves all that glory in Beauty, or Ability, or beſtow all their care and labour in making proviſions for the body, by coſtly clothing, delicate feeding, ſumptuous building; and in the mean time leave the ſoul empty and naked, diſcovering therein
1. Their earthly mindes, Phil. 3.19.
2. And groſſe folly, Pſal. 49.13.
3. Joyned with ſome impiety, in glorying in that wherein God eſpecially labours to abaſe them.
Secondly, let it move us to ceaſe from our cares, of providing for theſe earthly tabernacles, and to beſtow our labours for the ſupplying and adorning of the ſoule, As
1. More immediately given by God.
2. Carrying the moſt lively character of his Image.
3. More capable in it ſelf of true beauty.
4. Yet moſt deformed by ſinne.
5. Conſequently requing moſt care and labour, to repaire and reſtore it unto that condition, in which it was created. To which purpoſe, endeavour to enrich that with knowledge, Pſal. 1.9. adorne it with humility, 1 Pet. 3.4. eſtabliſh it in faith, Heb. 13.9.
Now in that God, who threatened death to our firſt Parents, in the day wherein they ſhould eate of the forbidden fruit, yet ſuſpends the execution thereof till a longer time; though the weakneſſe and infirmities of nature, which before their fall they were not ſubject unto, ſeized on them at preſent: we may from thence
7 OBSERVE, The diſpoſing of mans life is in Gods hand.
Obſerve 7 WHich God chalengeth to himſelf, Deut 32.39. David acknowledgeth, Pſal. 3.15. Daniel teſtifies to Belſhazzar, Dan. 5.23. and is clearly manifeſted by all experience, Pſal. 104.29. ſo that it is not in the power of men to cut it off at their pleaſure, 1 Kings 19. Dan. 3.27. and 6.22. though God uſe them to that end ſomtimes, as his executioners, Pſal. 17.13, 14. Reaſon,
1. He gives it, Pſal. 104.30. Job 33.4. no reaſon then that any creature ſhould make his gift void.
2. And he can preſerve it, ſee Iſa. 54.16.
3. To have power of life and death, belongs to the higheſt Authority, which is founded in God alone, ſee John 19.10, 11. that all men might feare before him.
Firſt, let it arme us againſt the threats and violence of wicked men, who
1. Cannot ſhorten our life one day, ſee Luke 13.32.
2. Nor till we have ſerved our time, Acts 13.36. and finiſhed our courſe, 2 Tim. 4.7.
3. And then ſhall but make us the ſooner poſſeſſours of our reward.
Secondly, depend upon God for our lives.
1. Seek them at Gods hand with Hezekiah, Iſa. 38 3. with David, Pſal. 102.24. and Jonah, and depend not on meanes with Aſa, 2 Chron. 16.11, 12.
2. Bleſſe him for them, Iſa. 38.20.
3. And ſerve him with them, living to him, and not to our ſelves, 2 Cor. 5.15.
The decree of God for mans diſſolution is clearly expreſſed; the time when this ſhall be, God keeps in his own breaſt, that is not expreſſed at all. Whence
8 OBSERVE, Though death be certain to all men, yet the time of death is uncertain.
Obſerve 8 NOt in reſpect of God, who numbers every mans days out unto us, Luk 12 19. as appears, not only by extraordinary judgements, that fell upon Dathan, Uzzah, Ananias, &c. but in the ordinary courſe of Providence. Reaſon
1. That men might not be hardened in ſin, as uſually they are when judgement is deferred, Eccl. 8.11. but walk in fear, as being not aſſured of life for one moment of an houre.
2. To be aſſured of the terme of life would not profit us any way, either to prevent death, which is certainly determined, or to further repentance, which that blaſphemous thief upon the Croſſe found no place for, though he ſaw death before him, Luke 23.39. It is true, notwithſtanding, that God extraordinarily may reveale unto men beforehand, the time of their death or removal from hence, as in Aarons and Moſes caſe, Numb. 20.26. Deut. 32.49. and Elijahs, 2 Kings. 2.3, 5. and Hezekiahs, 2 Kings 20.6. but that is not uſual.
Let it move all to ſtand looſe from the world, in which they have no aſſurance to continue one moment, to have our lamps alwayes burning with the five wiſe Virgins, Mat. 25.7. to make ſure of Chriſt and Heaven, to be alwayes well-doing, that our Maſter may finde us ſo, whenſoever he comes, Mat. 24.46, 47. for feare of the danger threatened, ver. 50, 51.
But it is worth our obſerving, that God together with the ſentence, which he pronounceth againſt man withal, manifeſts the equity of it, that he doth man no wrong, ſince he leaves him in no worſe condition then he was at firſt, reſolving him into duſt that was but duſt. Whence
9 OBSERVE, The judgements of God are juſt and equal, all of them in all things.
Obſerve 9 AS Moſes profeſſeth, Deut. 32.4. and Job acknowledgeth, Job 1.21. and 2.10. and David, Pſal. 119.75, 128. though many times we ſee not how, ſee Jer. 12.1. which notwithſtanding, God reveales unto his ſervants, as he did to Abraham in the deſtruction of Sodom, Gen. 18.32. Reaſon
1. He cannot wrong his own creatures, no more then the Potter can the clay, nay, much leſſe.
2. His Nature will not ſuffer him to do otherwiſe; he that is God muſt neceſſarily do good, Pſal. 119.68. out of the Lords mouth proceeds not good and evil? Lam. 3.38.
3. Nor the reſpect to his owne honour, magnified as well in his juſtice, Pſal. 64.8, 9. as in his mercy and truth.
4. It would otherwiſe diſcourage his own ſervants, ſee Mat. 25.24, 25. as the opinion of Gods favouring of the wicked, and afflicting his own ſervants, had almoſt diſcouraged David, Pſal. 73.13, 14.
Let it ceaſe our murmurings againſt Gods adminiſtrations, towards our ſelves or others, to which our corrupt nature eaſily inclines, Pſal. 73.3. againſt which the Pſalmiſt gives a ſpecial Caveat, Pſal. 37.1. and juſtifies God in all his wayes in which he is righteous, Pſal. 145.17. To this purpoſe
1. Let us lay that before us, as a principle unqueſtionable, with the Prophet, Jer. 12.1.
2. That we may ſee, and ſo beare witneſſe to that juſtice of God,
1. Confider, that God may charge the beſt of his ſervants with folly, ſee Pſal. 130.3. and 143.2.
2. To ſatisfie us concerning the ſeeming proſperity of the wicked: Conſider
1. What they enjoy, 1. Only outward things, neither grace nor glory, which are the godlies portion, Pſal. 84.11.
2. And thoſe unto their own hurt, Eccl. 5.13. ſo that a little that a righteous man hath, is better then the riches of many wicked, Pſal. 37.16.
3. That alſo oftentimes to their deſtruction at the laſt, Prov. 1.32. for which purpoſe God advanceth them, Pſal. 73.18. whereas good mens afflictions turne to their good, Pſal. 119.67, 71.
4. Judge nothing of mens condition, till we ſee the end, Pſal. 37.37.