Commentary Upon Genesis 1-3, Table of contents
A Table of all the Obſervations, and Principal Points handled in this Book.
CHAP. I. Verſe 1.
DIvine Truths ſufficiently commend themſelves, without the help of any …naments of Art or Eloquence. Page 5
We muſt firſt give our Aſſent unto the Truths of God, and ſearch into the fuller underſtanding of them afterward. p. 6
The World had a Beginning, nay, it began but a while ago. p. 7.
Before the World was, God is. ibid.
Creation is the work of a Mighty Power. p. 8
The World was nothing till God gave it a Being. p. 9
Heaven is more Excellent then the Earth. ibid.
The Earth, and all the ſtore of it, is the work of Gods Hand, p. 10
Verſe 2.
The beſt way to judge of things aright, is to look back and conſider them in their firſt Original. pag. 12
All Creatures, how Glorious and Beautiful ſoever they appear at preſent, were Baſe and Deformed in their original. ibid.
The Earth was empty, till God furniſhed and ſtored it. p. 13
Imperfections and Wants are no part of Gods Work. ibid.
The forms and natures of all ſorts of Creatures are the Works and Effects of Gods Spirit. p. 14
God Spirit is preſent every where, even in the midſt of the greateſt darkneſſe. p. 15
The way of Gods working is ſecret, &c. ib.
All Creatures are Perfect by degrees. p. 16
God is pleaſed to cheriſh the Meaneſt of all his Works. p. 17
Verſe 3.
The general Good of the creature is Gods Firſt care. d. 18
God needs no other Means to effect any thing, but his Own Word and Will. p. 19
God loves to do all his Works in the light. p. 20
Light is the Work of God Himſelf. p. 21
God can, and often doth, bring Light out of Darkneſſe. p. 22
Gods Word and Deed are all one. p. 23
The want of ſecond means cannot hinder Gods Work. p. 24
Verſe 4.
God takes a view of all his Works that he makes. p. 25
God is a Sufficient Witneſſe to Himſelf, p. 26
All that God doth, is exceeding good and Perfect. p. 27
Light is a good Creature. p. 28
That and that only, is good which God Approves. p. 26
Light and Darkneſſe cannot ſubſiſt together. p. 30
Light and Darkneſſe take their turns, and ſucceed one another, in the Order that God hath appointed. ibid.
Verſe 5.
All things muſt be called and diſtinguiſhed by Names, as may be agreeable to their Natures, Page 32
God takes Time and Leiſure in bringing things to paſſe. p. 33
Verſe 6.
The Vaste Body of the Heavens is the work of God. page 35
The Ayr in which we move and breath is Gods creature. ibid.
God ſo orders all things, as they may beſt ſerve for Uſe. p. 37
God can put Beauty and Excellency on the baſeſt things. p. 38
Verſe 7.
God performs all things according to that which he hath decreed. Page 39
Where God doth provide the Means, yet it is he that muſt perform the work by them. p. 40
The Clouds and Rain are Gods Works, and are raiſed up onelyonly by his Power. p. 41
Verſe 8.
The Glorious Frame of the Heavens was raiſed by the Word of God. p. 42
Whatſoever God hath Settled, ſhall continue for ever, &c. ibid.
Verſe 9.
It is the Will of God that all Creatures ſhall depart from their own Private, for a Common good. p. 44
All Creatures in the world obey the voyce of God. p. 45
It is only Gods Powerful Reſtraint of the Seas and Waters, that makes the Earth habitable for Man and Beaſt. p. 46
The huge and vaſte Seas are the Creatures of God, &c. ibid.
Verſe 10.
The goodneſſe of every Creature of God ought to conſidered in Particular. p. 48
Verſe 12.
God will have nothing barren and anprofitable. Page 50
The Herbs and Plants of the Earth are Gods Creatures. p. 52
The ſubſtance of all Trees and plants is from the Earth. ibid.
God can draw Life out of Death it ſelf. p. 53
God provides for all his Creatures, that they may not wholly periſh. ibid.
Fruits ought to Reſemble the Nature of the Stock of which they come. p. 54
Verſe 14.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars are no gods, but creatures. p. 57
When God hath prepared Means, he doth ordinarily perform all things by Means. p. 58
The Places, and Uſes of all Creatures, are aſsigned unto them by God himſelf. ib.
All ſorts of Creatures are ordained by God for Uſe and Service. p. 60
Diſtinction between the Day and the Night, is an Ordinance eſtabliſhed by God. ib.
It is not unlawful by the Stars and Planets, to gueſſe at ſome Events that follow. p. 61
All the Affaires of Men are ordered and directed by God himſelf. p. 62
Verſe 15.
The Excellencies of the Creatures are not of themſelves, but are beſtowed on them by Him that made them. p. 63
Where God provides Ordinary Means, he takes away thoſe which are Extraordinary. p. 64
The Light which God beſtowes upon the Creature, he gives for the uſe of others, as well as for thoſe that Receive it. p. 65
No diſtance can hinder us of the effects of Gods care and providence over us for good. p. 66
Although God be pleaſed to make uſe of Means; yet he binds not himſelf to work all by means. p. 67
Verſe 16.
We may take notice of any Eminency of the Creature, to lead us to the Admiration of the Super-eminent Perfection of the Creator. p. 69
God uſeth to proportion the Abilities of his Creatures. ibid.
Men muſt make uſe of Light to direct them in their Employments. p. 70
Though all the Creatures be not furniſhed alike, yet none of them wants that which is competent for their uſe. p. 71
All Creatures are Perfect in their Kinds. p. 72
Thoſe of weak Abilities, may be uſeful for ſome kind of Employment, p. 73
God takes care for the Government of the Night as well as the Day. ibid.
Verſe 20.
Gods Works are carried on towards Perfection. p. 76
God leaves nothing Empty that he hath made. p. 77
God works all things, but of all things. p. 78
God diſpoſeth all Creatures in ſuch places as are moſt agreeable to them. p. 79
Breath and Life are the gifts of God. ibid.
The variety of Gods Works are Infinite. p. 80
The Motion and Being of every Creature is ordered by the Will and Decree of God. p. 81
Verſe 21.
The Eminency of any Creature ought to be obſerved, &c. p. 82
Many other Creatures go beyond Man in outward things. p. 83
God furniſheth every Creature with Parts and Abilities. ibid.
God can out of the ſame Maſſe draw out infinite variety of ſeveral ſhapes and natures. p. 84
God Reſpects the Meaneſt of the Works that he hath made. ibid.
The meaneſt of the Creatures that God hath made, are good. p. 85
Verſe 22.
Fruitfulneſſe is a gift beſtowed only by God himſelf. p. 86
Fruitfulneſſe in the Creatures is a ſpecial Bleſsing of God. p. 87
The Bleſſing of Propagation is from God alone. p. 88
Nothing ſo Vaſte or Wide, but God can Furniſh or Fill at his Pleaſure. ibid.
Verſe 24.
Man and Beaſts are of near Alliance. p. 90
Beaſts are wholly of the Earth. p. 91
All the Beaſts on Earth are Gods ſtore. p. 92
Verſe 25.
God brings to effect whatſoever he wills. p. 92
Verſe 26.
Man is a ſingular and extraordinary Piece of work. p. 96
God provides before-hand, all things for mans ſupply. p. 98
God is pleaſed to expreſſe himſelf unto us, after the manner of men. ibid.
Eminent Works of God, require of Men eſpecial obſervation of them. p. 99
Works of Moment and Importance ought to be undertaken with Advice and Counſel. p. 100
God in all his wayes and works, is guided by no Counſel but his Own. ibid.
Man hath no Maker but God Alone. p. 101
Man, in his firſt Creation, was made by God after his Own Image. ibid.
Gods Image in Man is his greateſt Glory. p. 103
God hath Advanced man to have Dominion and Lordſhip over all his VVorks. p. 104
Mans Dominion over the Creatures, is no right belonging to him, &c. p. 105
God gives Bountifully. p. 106
Gods bleſsings upon his Children ought to be remembred in Particular. p. 107
Verſe 27.
Gods Purpoſes, and Promiſes, are all Yea, and Amen. p. 109
Gods Special Favours ought to be often Remembred. ibid.
The Diſtinction of the Sexes of Man and Woman, is ordained by God Himſelf. p. 110
Verſe 28.
It is by Gods bleſsing that Man muſt be ſuſtained and upheld. p. 110
God will have men to take notice of the Bleſsings that he boſtowes upon them. p. 111
God can eaſily bring Multitudes out of One. p. 112
All men and Nations are of one Blood, and have but one Father. ibid.
Mans Repleniſhing the Earth, is by Special Command from God. p. 113
Thoſe that have Poſſeſsions in the Earth, may ſo manure them, that they may be uſeful and fraitful. p. 114
All the Creatures of the Earth are the Servants of Man. ibid.
Verſe 29.
God created Man without Means. p. 117
That God that hath given us life, will give Means to preſerve our life. p. 118
Gods goodneſſe in ſupplying us with neceſſary proviſion, requires ſpecial obſervation. p. 119
Men that have the greateſt Poſſeſsions in the world, muſt receive their Allowance from Gods Hand. ibid.
Mans Food is the gift of God. p. 120
All the proviſion that God hath allowed Man for his Food, is drawn out of the Earth. p. 122
God doth ſtrangely counterballance our Honours, in all his diſpenſations unto us. p. 123
Plain and Ordinary Fare may and ought to content the beſt amongſt men. ibid.
Gods Allowance of Food to Man, is of great variety. p. 125
God gives us not our Proviſions at once, but by a continual Supply. ibid.
It is onelyonly by Gods Decree and Bleſsing upon the Creatures, that they have ſtrength to nouriſh us. p. 126
Verſe 30.
God allowes Sufficient Proviſion for the Creatures that he hath made. p. 127
Men and Beaſts are allowed by God the ſame Proviſions of Food, &c. p. 128
Verſe 31.
The whole Frame of the Works which God made in the Creation of the VVorld, is perfectly good. p. 129
CHAP. II
Verſe 1.
IT muſt be our Care to obſerve, how God Diſpoſeth and Ordereth that which he hath wrought. Page 3
The Creatures that God hath made, are to be looked on as an Army arrayed in an excellent and well compoſed Order. ibid.
God perfecteth every work that he takes in hand. p. 4
Verſe 2.
God Commands nothing, but that which is Convenient. p. 6
God makes his Lawes Equal and Reaſonable. ibid.
God Creates no more; then what he made in the Beginning. p. 7
God ceaſeth not from his Works of Providence, &c, p. 8
Verſe 3.
The Worſhip of God ought to be Mans firſt and chief care. p. 13
God makes great account of the Sanctifying of his Sabbaths. p. 14
The Sabbath Day is a day of Bleſsings. ibid.
The Sabbath is a Day of Reſt, ſet apart to an Holy Uſe. ibid.
The Law given by God to obſerve the Sabbath Day, is Perpetual. p. 18
Meditation in Gods Works, is a Chriſtians chief Exerciſe. p. 19
Verſe 4.
He that gives things their Being, may Order them as he will. p. 21
When we mention the Being of the Creatures, we ought to Remember Him that made them. ibid.
Verſe 5.
Every Herb and Plant is Gods Creature. p. 22
The Mercies of God muſt be taken Notice of. ibid.
That which is brought to paſſe without ordinary Means, must needs be wrought by the Power of God. ibid.
There can be no Rain on the Earth, unleſſe God ſend it, p. 23
It is by Rain from Heaven, that all the Herbs and Plants on the Earth do grow. ibid.
God makes uſe of Mans Labour to cheriſh the Fruits of the Earth. p. 24
The Fruitfulneſſe of the Earth comes onelyonly by Gods Bleſsing. p. 25
Verſe 6.
God wants no Means to effect whatſoever he will. p. 26.
God can bring things to paſſe without any Means at all. ibid.
Gods power is never clearly diſcovered, till all Means be removed. p. 27
Every Creatures ought to be uſeful unto that from whence it is produced. ibid.
Verſe 7.
The Subſtance of Mans Body is exceeding Baſe and Vile. p. 28
God hath framed Mans Body into aa excellent piece of work. p. 29
The Soul of Man comes Immediately from God himſelf. p. 30
The Life of Man conſiſting in the union of the Soul with the Body, hath a very weak foundation. ibid.
The Life of Man is onelyonly by his Soul. pag. 31
None worthy the Name of a Living Soul, but he that lives by a Reaſonable Soul. p. 32
Verſe 8.
The Fruitfulneſſe of one part of the Earth above another, is from God Alone. p. 34
Man can have no more title to any part of the Earth then God allowes him. page 35
God beſtowes upon men his Beſt and Chiefeſt Bleſsings. p. 36
Verſe 9.
God takes Special Notice of all things that he beſtowes upon us. p. 39
Every Plant on the Earth growes where God Appoints it. p. 40
Gods Bounty abounds unto men. ibid.
It is uſual with God to mix delights and pleaſure, with uſefulneſſe and profit in all his bleſsings. p. 41
The beſt amongſt men have need of Outward Means, to put them in mind of their Duties. p. 42
Spiritual and Religious Duties ought to be remembred in our Employments in the things of this Life. p. 43
Gods Commandements ought to be ſtill before the face of his Children. p. 44
God teacheth his Children by things of Ordinary and Common uſe. ibid.
God engageth himſelf by his Word to do us good. p. 45
The continuance of Preſent, and hope of future Life are aſſured by Gods Providence. p. 46
All Gods Promiſes muſt be underſtood under the Condition of the performance of our Obedience. p. 47
Good and Evill are bounded and limited only by the Will of God. ibid.
Verſe 10.
Gods Bleſsings are every way Compleat and Perfect. Page 49
Springs and Rivers of Waters are not the leaſt of Gods Mercies. ibid.
Verſe 11.
Gold is a Creature of great Price with Men. p. 50
God is none of the Creatures in which our Happineſſe conſiſts, p. 53
Verſe 15.
Every Son of Adam is bound to ſome Employment or other in a particular Calling, p. 55
Mens Callings and Employments are by Gods Own Appointment. p. 57
Duty, and not Gain, ſhould be the Ground of the undertaking of all our particular Callings. p. 58
Mans Labour at laſt redounds unto himſelf. p. 60
Mans Employment ought to be in thoſe places where it is moſt needed. ibid.
The Labour of man makes nothing at all, but only by his Husbandry, &c. p. 61
Verſe 16.
Experience of Gods goodneſſe, is the beſt Means to encourage us to chearful obedience unto Gods Will. p. 64
Mans Labour about the things of this life gives him good title unto that which he enjoyes. p. 65
All Mans labour is for his own good. ibid.
The beſt way to quiet our hearts in what we want, is to ſet before our eyes what we do enjoy. p. 66
The Proviſions which God allowes us for this Life, are of wonderful variety. p. 67
Whatſoever God-beſtowes upon us, he beſtowes Freely and Fully. p. 68
The moſt Righteous amongſt the Sons of Men muſt live under a Law. p. 70
The Will of God is that which Man is to take for his Rule. Page 71
God is pleaſed to give a Law to furniſh us with all needful Means to further us in the performance of our Duties. pag. 72
The Matters in which God delights to try our Obedience, are in themſelves of no great importance. p. 73
Our Abundance and Delights muſt be uſed within the Limits of Obedience. ibid.
Diſobedience is a fearful Sin in Gods Account, p. 74
The Terrours of the Law are Uſeful to the beſt amongſt the ſons of Men, p. 75
Death and Deſtruction are in Gods Hand, ibid.
All kinds of Evils and Miſeries are the Wages of Sin, p. 76
Gods Judgments are certain, as well as his Promiſes of Mercy. p. 77
Vengeance and Judgment follow Sin at the heeles. ibid.
Verſe 18.
God knowes all our Wants, and makes Proviſion to ſupply them. p. 80
Gods Providence and abundant goodneſſe never failes us, p. 81
A Solitary life is an uncomfortable life, p. 82
God takes Notice of our Wants, as a Faithful Helper, p. 83
God makes nothing but for ſome neceſſary uſe, and to ſome profitable end, ibid.
A Wife is not good, till it be not good to be without a Wife, p. 84
It is Gods Will that a man ſhould be the better for his Wife, p. 85
It is only God that muſt ſupply our Wants, p. 86
Nothing moves God to Compaſsion, but his own bounty and goodneſſe, ibid.
A VVife is but an Helper to her husband. p. 87
A Wife cannot be a good VVife, unleſſe ſhe be a Meet and a Fit VVife, p. 88
Verſe 19.
Gods Mercies ſhould be precious unto us. p. 90
We muſt know the unſerviceableneſſe of other things, that we may Approve the profitableneſſe of that which is truly good, p. 91
God can diſpoſe of the Creatures to be where he Appoints them, ibid.
Man may lawfully uſe that power over the Creatures which God hath put into his hand, p. 92
God is pleaſed to employ men in many things, which of right belong unto himſelf, ibid.
Verſe 20.
No Creature can be applyed to any other uſe, then that for which it was firſt created by God, p. 94
Beaſts are not comfortable companions for men. p. 95
Verſe 21.
Sleep and quiet Reſt are given by God himſelf. p. 97
God is pleaſed to manifeſt his VVorks to men, ibid.
God takes care for us even while we ſleep, p. 98
God delights to vary his wayes in all his operations. ibid.
Gods VVayes and VVorks are full of holy Inſtructions, p. 100
The VVife muſt be neither her husbands Lord nor Vaſſal, ibid.
A VVife ſhould be a ſtrong Helper to her Husband, p. 101
God requires nothing of us that may hurt us, ibid.
God takes nothing from us, but he takes care to recompence it to us, p. 102
It is uſual with God to leave with us lively Remembrances of his Mercies. ibid.
Verſe 22.
God can change any thing into what Form he pleaſeth, Page 104
God is Exact in all the works that he undertakes, ibid.
Women as well as men are Gods own workmanſhip. ibid.
God hath allowed but one Wife to one man, p. 105
Man hath nothing but what God beſtowes upon him. p. 106
Every Child of God muſt deſire to receive his Wife from Gods hand, ibid.
Verſe 23.
Gods Bleſsings ought to be entertained by us with Thankfulneſſe, p. 108
We may know as much of Gods Wayes and Works as concerns us, for the quickening of us unto our Duties. p. 109
It is Conſent that makes the Marriage between Man and Wife, p. 110
The beſt amongſt men need to be minded of their Duty. p. 111
Verſe 24.
Marriage of Man and Woman is an Ordinance of God, p. 113
Married perſons muſt be wholly and entirely one to another. p. 114
Married perſons are to adhere and cleave firmly one to another, ibid.
Verſe 25.
Nakedneſſe of mans Body was Glorious, till Sin made it ſhameful, p. 116
Inordinate Motions to evil thoughts ariſe from the corruption of the heart within. ibid.
CHAP. III.
SAtans End in his Tempting of Gods people, Page 10
Of the Means by which Satan endeavoured to move Eve, to queſtion Gods Love to Man. p. 12
Satan's cunning Endeavours to winne credit and a good opinion of himſelf, p. 14
Satan's Practice to take away from the woman the terrour of the Curſe threatned by God. p. 16
Satan's Practice to faſten mans heart to dependance upon the Creature, page 17
A Conſideration of Satans great Art in managing this Temptation, p. 20
Verſe 1.
It is the c…ſtome of Satan to attempt men before they be ſettled in a courſe of godlineſſe, p. 27
Satan contrives Miſchief againſt ſuch as never provoked him, p. 28
No place can free us from Satans Aſſaults, p. 29
Satan is the Authour of every ſinful Motion, p. 30
Satan makes choice of the fitteſt Inſtruments he can find for his own wicked Ends. p. 31
Cunning and Subtile perſons are dangerous Inſtruments to deceive, p. 22
No Advantage can aſſure a Child of God from the Temptations of Satan, p. 33
Our Weakneſſe is Satan's Advantage, p. 35
Solitarineſſe is many times a Snare, p. 36
Satans main End, is Mans Deſtruction, ibid.
Satan uſually pretends the good of thoſe, whom he intends to deſtroy.
Satan and his Agents in tempting men to ſin, are very wary in diſcovering their full intentions at firſt. p. 40
Diſcretion and Warineſſe in mens Actions, ought to hinder the Effectual proſecution of that which they intend. p. 41
The forgetting of Gods Mercies is a great means to take off a mans heart from him. ibid.
It is a dangerous Snare to a man to have his Eyes too much fixed upon his Wants. p. 42
The Nature of Man is apt to be carried againſt all Reſtraint and Subjection. p. 43
Ambiguous and Doubtful expreſsions are dangerous Snares. p. 44
Verſe 2.
It is dangerous to lay open our ſelves freely to perſons unknown. p. 45
It is dangerous to queſtion Evident and Known Truths. p. 46
Blaſphemous Suggeſtions ought not to be heard, without indignation, p. 47
When Gods Mercies are mentioned, we muſt remember his Name that beſtowes them. ibid.
Gods Mercies ought not to be repreſented in weak and cold Expreſsions. p. 48
Verſe 3.
Mens Speeches are Proportioned, according to the meaſure of the affections of the heart, p. 50
When we remember any Law of God, we ought to ſet before us the Sanction annexed thereunto, p. 51
When we lay the Law of God before us, we muſt fix our thoughts upon him that gives it. p. 52
It is an hard matter to bring mans heart to ſubmit unto any yoke of reſtraint. p. 53
Whoſoever will not be entangled to ſin, muſt not come near them. p. 54
The ſleighting of the Curſe of the Law, makes way to the Tranſgreſsion of the Law. p. 55
Verſe 4.
A little yielding to Satans Temptations, invites him to a ſtronger Aſſault, p. 56
Thoſe which ſeem modeſt in ſin at the firſt, grow bold in it at the laſt. p. 57
No Truth of God ſo clear and manifeſt, but Satan dare to contradict, ibid.
Satan and his Agents never make uſe of Gods Word, but for Miſchief. p. 58
Verſe 5.
Satan in his promiſes, gives men no ground to build upon. p. 59
It is Satans policy, to caſt ſuſpitions of evil ends, on that which he cannot blame, p. 61
It is uſual with Satan to charge men with thoſe evils whereof himſelf is guilty, p. 62
Diſcontent at our Preſent Condition is a Dangerous Temptation of Satan. pag. 63
Blindneſſe and Ignorance is a great Miſery. p. 65
It is great Injuſtice in any man, to hinder others for his own Advantage. p. 66
It is falſe Liberality to withhold things that are of true Value, and to beſtow that which is of little worth. p. 67
Mans leaning to the Creature, muſt neceſſarily divide his heart from God. p 69
Self-Love and Seeking is one of Satans moſt dangerous Snares. p. 70
Satan layeth his ſnares for men in thoſe things wherein they take moſt Delight. p. 72
Satan tempts us to ſin in our Duties, p. 73
The ſearching after the knowledge of unneceſſary things is unprofitable, p. 74
The promiſes of Satan are of ſuch things as are either Evil, or Unprofitable, pag. 75
The ſpecial End that Satan perſwades wicked men to aime at, is, that they may be as Gods. p. 76
It is Satans Policy to draw men to depend upon the Creature, &c. p. 77
Self-ſeeking, and Dependance on the Creature, are Evils that be inſeparable. p. 78
Satans Preferments are Baſe ſlaveries. p. 79
Haſty Reſolutions are dangerous in the Iſſue. p. 80
The nearer things are to be enjoyed, the more ſtrongly the heart is affected towards them. ibid.
Verſe 6.
Things uſually appear unto us, as we ſtand affected towards them in our hearts, p. 83
Sin proceeds not from the outward Object, but from the corruption of the heart within. p. 84
It is dangerous for a man to fix his Senſes upon enticing Objects. p. 85
Men are more apt to give credit unto lies, then unto the Truth of God. pag. 86
Men are eaſily drawn to believe, and hope any thing of that which they affect and deſire. p. 87
The Terrours of wrath to come cannot prevail againſt ſtrong Affections to things that are preſent. p. 88
Outward Senſe is an ill and a dangerous guide. p. 89
A man cannot naturally deſire any thing, but under a ſhew and appearance of Good. p. 90
Man is an ill chooſer of his own good. p. 91
It is a groſſe Evill to chooſe what we like out of reſpect to our ſelves in particular. p. 92
Luſt once conceived, will at laſt bring forth actual ſin, 94
It is not in the power of Satan to draw any man to ſin, without his own conſent, 95
They that ſin themſelves, are ſeducers of others. p. 97
One that is fallen into ſin, is many times moſt dangerous to his neareſt friends, p. 98
It is the property of true Love, to communicate to others whatſoever it ſelf embraceth for good. p. 99
The ſtrongeſt man is not able to ſtand againſt Satan, if God leave him to himſelf. ibid.
Verſe 7.
Man can diſcern nothing, but what God is pleaſed to diſcover unto him. p. 102
It is a great folly in man, not to foreſee Evil before it be too late to help it p. 103
Satan never diſcovers any thing unto us, but to do Miſchief. ibid.
Thoſe which diſcover not before-hand the Evils, which the errours of their wayes lead them into, yet they ſhall in the end feel the miſery into which they bring them, p. 104
Sin is able to make the moſt Excellent of all Gods Creatures vile and ſhamefull. p. 105
Men are more apt to be affected with the outward evils that ſin brings upon them, then with the ſin that cauſeth them. p. 106
Garments are but the Covers of our ſhame, p. 107
Moſt of our neceſsities are brought upon us by Sin. p. 108
When men are fallen off from God, their nature thereby corrupted, carries them ſtrongly to ſeek help from the Creature, ibid.
Sin beſots men, and makes them fooles, p. 109
All the care men take, is rather to hide their ſin, then to take it away. 110
All Satan's promiſes prove nothing but Lies and meer Deluſions. 111
Verſe 8.
God will find men out in their ſins. 114
God when he is provoked by our ſins, yet he is the firſt that ſeeks to make peace with us. ibid.
God when he deals with men, delights to be hearkened unto with Reverence, 116
God ſo deales with men, that he may humble, but not confound them. ibid.
God many times calls men to Accompt, and proceeds in Judgment againſt them in the midſt of their Delights. 117
It is needful to obſerve a fit Seaſon in dealing with Offendors after they have ſinned. 118
The Preſence of God is terrible to a Sinner. 119
When men are fallen away from God, they are left to miſerable Shifts. 120
Men are naturally apt to flie from the Means of their own Good. 121
The Terrours of God will ſhake the Hearts of all thoſe that ſleight his Judgments. 122
A guilty Conſcience is filled with Terrour upon every Occaſion, 123
Whatſoever we truly fear, we cannot but endeavour to flie from. ibid.
Mens hearts are wonderful prone to conceive of God as they do of a mortall man. 124
Verſe 9.
Terrours may prepare a mans heart, but it is onelyonly the Word of God that informs and ſubdues it. 125
The way to get our bearts affected with what we hear, is to apprehend our ſelves to be ſpoken unto in particular. 126
Thoſe that endeavour to flie from God, can by no means ſhift themſelves out of his preſence. page 127
God loves a free and voluntary Acknowledgment of ſin from his children. 128
God is full of mildneſſe and gentleneſſe in his dealing with offenders. 129
The Knowledge of ones ill condition, is an effectual means to bring him unto true Repentance, 130
All thoſe that deſire to get out of their miſery, muſt conſider with themſelves, what brought them into it.
Verſe. 10.
All men muſt appear before God, and anſwer all that they are charged with, when he comes to Judgment. 133
Men are apt to conceal all that they can, even from God himſelf. ibid.
One ſin commonly drawes on another. 134
Gods Word is terrible to a guilty conſcience, 135
It is an hard matter to bring men to confeſſe any more, then is evident in it ſelf. 136
Men may be brought more eaſily to acknowledge any thing then their ſinne. ibid.
No Means can work any further, then they are carried on by God Himſelf. 138
Verſe 11.
Mans frowardneſſe cannot overcome Gods Love and Patience. 139
God can eaſily convince men by themſelves. ibid.
God takes notice of all our wayes. 140
God accepts of no Confeſsion, till men acknowledge their ſins. 141
Men muſt be dealt withall in plain terms, before they will be brought to acknowledge their ſins. ibid.
Whoſoever will convince a man of ſin, muſt charge him with the very act in which he hath ſinned. Page 142
In ſinful acts our hearts ought onelyonly to be fixed upon our own Actions. 143
The breach of Gods Commandement, is that which makes any act of ours a ſin. ibid.
Verſe 12.
No man can bear out ſin before God. 146
When mens ſins are manifeſt, yet they will labour to extenuate them what they may. 147
A man in this ſtate of Corruption, Reſpects none but himſelf. 148
Seducers are juſtly chargeable with all the ſins committed by thoſe that are ſeduced by them. 149
It is uſual with men, when themſelves have committed the ſin, to lay the blame upon God. 150
It is uſual with men, to caſt Gods Bleſsings in his teeth with Diſcontent. 151
Men may eaſily by their own folly, turn the Means ordained by God for good, into ſnares for their deſtruction. 152
It is dangerous to embrace any motion preſented unto us, without examining the ground of it. 153
Verſe 13.
No Actor in any ſin can eſcape Gods diſcovery. 155
Mens ſins muſt be ſo far manifeſted, as may conduce to the Advancing of Gods glory. 156
A good mans heart ought to be deeply affected with the ſenſe of his own ſinne. 158
The ſeducing of ones nearest friends is a foul heart-breaking ſin. ibid.
Sin, and the enticements thereunto, are dangerous Deceits. 159
Verſe 14.
God will not reaſon the caſe with ſuch as he deſtinates to deſtruction. 164
Whoſoever hath an hand in ſin, ſhall be ſure to have a ſhare in the puniſhment. 165
Every inſtrument in the acting of ſin, is liable to Gods Curſe. ibid.
One mans puniſhment, ought to be other mens inſtruction. 166
God layes his Judgments upon no Creature, but upon juſt deſert. ibid.
Gods Curſe upon any creature is the fountain of all Plagues. 167
It is uſual with God in his Judgments to point at the ſin for which they are inflicted. 168
It is onelyonly ſin that makes one more vile then another. ibid.
It is a ſhameful abaſement to be glewed to the Earth. 169
Verſe 15.
Mans Salvation is Satans grief and vexation, 175
Gods indignation is never ſo much kindled againſt the Wicked, that he forgets his Mercy towards his Own. 176
Gods Mercy towards man in the Means of his Salvation, proceeds meerly from Himſelf. ibid.
God Sanctifies all thoſe whom he Saves. 177
It is an Effect of true Sanctification, to hate both Satan and all that bear his Image. 178
Whoſoever truly abhors ſin, muſt needs hate the very inſtruments of Evil. 179
Godly men, the more they are acquainted with ſin and ſinners, the more they abhor them. ibid.
Sanctification is the work of Gods Spirit. 180
The work of Grace wroughts in the heart of man is unreſiſtible. 181
The work of mans Sanctification is not forced upon him. ibid.
The ſtate of man into which be is now eſtabliſhed by Grace, is unchangeable. 183
Hatred and Enmity is the fruit of ſinne. ibid.
Satan is the Authour of all envy and malice againſt Gods Children, 185
The Malice and Hatred between the godly and Satan, is by Gods Decree. ibid.
God directs the malice of Satan againſt the godly, to their good at the laſt. 186
God ſupplyes moſt comfort to thoſe that moſt moſt need it. 187
God is able to ſtrengthen the weakeſt of his Servants, and againſt Satan all his Power. ibid.
The greatneſſe of mans ſin, is no …rre to Gods Mercy, 188
Gods Mercies are beſtowed on the godly, and to their poſterity after them. ibid.
The Promiſes of Mercy and Grace belong onelyonly to the Holy Seed. 189
OnelyOnly godly children are worthy to be accounted Children. 190
Wicked men be the Devils Children. ibid.
There is irreconcileable hatred between the godly and the wicked. 191
Enmity and Malice againſt godly men, is an evident mark of a child of the devil, ibid.
Chriſt is truly the womans Seed. 192
Chriſt, in the dayes of his fleſh, was, in his own Perſon, wounded by Satan and his inſtruments. 193
Chriſt ſuffered nothing in his Perſon, but what God had before decreed. 194
Though Satan wounded Chriſt, yet he could not conquer him. ibid.
Chriſt, and all that are members of his body are one. 195
The Members of Chriſt may ſuffer by the malice of Satan. 196
Chriſt, in his own Perſon, takes up the Quarrel of his Church againſt Satan and all his Agents. 197
The wounds which the Members of Chriſt receive by the hand of Satan, ſhall not be mortal. 198
The Combat between Chriſt and Satan, ſhall end at laſt in the Total ſubduing of him. 199
Chriſts Victory over Satan, is not for himſelf alone, but for all his Members. 200
Verſe 16.
All the Afflictions of Chriſts Members are diſpenſed unto them under the Covenant of Grace. 202
God hath not freed his children from the Afflictions of this life. 203
God in his Afflictions to his children, hath mixed with their bitterneſſe ſome ſweetneſſe of mercy. 205
God hath mixed Bitterneſſe with the Bleſſings of this life. 206
It is the Wifes Duty to be ſubject to the will and direction of her husband. 207
The ſubjection of the Wife to the Husband muſt be in the inward affection of the heart. 208
Verſe 17.
The Curſe upon all Creatures proceeds from the Will and Decree of God. 209
It is our own ſin that brings the Curſe of God upon all that we enjoy. 210
The greateſt of all Creatures are under Gods Command. 211
The Curſe of God upon the Creatures is a part of Mans puniſhment. ibid.
Mans life in this world, is a life of pain and ſorrow. 212
The Short pleaſures of ſin drawes after it a Long puniſhment. 213
Mans Food is out of the Earth. ibid.
Verſe. 18.
Thorns and Thiſtles are the Effects of Gods Curſe upon man for ſin. 214
As we are more or leſſe ſerviceable unto God, ſo we may expect the Creatures to be ſervice able to us. 215
God makes good his Promiſes, by which he hath engaged himſelf unto us, &c. ibid.
Though God reſtores us his Bleſsings, yet we enjoy them with ſome abatement. 216
Verſe 19.
Mans Emmployment in this life, is in painfull Labours. 118
There is profit in all the Duties which God enjoyns us. 219
Whatſoever we undertake in obedience to Gods Command, ſhall not want effect. 220
Gods Sanctions are certain, as well of Judgment as of Mercy. 221
Though God hath freed his children from eternal death, yet he hath left them under the ſentence of temporall death. 222
Mens bodies are baſe every way, &c. 223
The diſpoſing of mans life is in Gods hand. 224
Death is certain to all men. ibid.
The Judgments of God are Juſt and Equall in all things. 225
Verſe 20.
God leaves not his Children without means to ſupport them. 226
The Grace which God works in his Childrens hearts, is Faith. 227
Gods Promiſes muſt be embraced by Faith. 228
A godly man muſt be careful to preſerve memorials of great mercies. 229
It is fit in giving Names, to make choice of ſuch as may give us ſomething for our direction. ibid.
Verſe 21.
The Cloathes that we wear, are Gods proviſion. 230
Neceſſary Proviſion is as much as we can look for at Gods hand. 231
Our Cloathes are borrowed from other Creatures. ibid.
Verſe 23.
God withholds from us many Bleſsings for our good. 233
When men have broken out into one ſinne, they are in danger to fall into another. ibid.
God oftentimes prevents mens falling into ſin. 234
The ſureſt way to prevent mens falling into ſin, is to be far from the Allurements that entice them unto ſin. 235
Men are naturally apt to think themſelves ſafe in the performance of outward acts of holy Duties. ibid.
God cannot endure the defiling of his Ordinances. 237
No Bleſsing ſo firmly aſſured to us, whereof ſin may not deprive us. 238
Mens Dwellings and Employments are both aſsigned by God. 239
God leaves Remembrances, to mind us what we are. 240
Verſe 24.
Gods Judgments are to be remembred carefully. 241
God loves to leave Monuments both of his Mercies and Judgments. ibid.
In ſearching into Gods Judgments, our care muſt be to obſerve the Cauſe of them. 242
The beſt of Gods Servants have need of the Terrours of his Judgments. ibid.
It is a great help to be informed by ſenſe, of thoſe things that are to work effectually upon our hearts. 243
The Angels themſelves are miniſtring ſpirits for the good of the Saints. p. 244
There is no means to eſcape Gods Juſtice, if men walk on in a courſe of Rebellion againſt him. ibid.
End of the text · John White, Commentary Upon Genesis 1-3 (1656)