Commentary Upon Genesis 1-3, Commentary on Genesis · Chapter 2 · Verse 20
VERSE 20.
ANd Adam gave names] An evident Argument of Incomparable Wiſdom in him, who underſtood their natures at the firſt view, better then we do now by all our obſervation, after ſo large experience, and was able at an inſtant to find out fit names for them; whereas the finding out of apt names and terms in Languages requires much Judgment and Learning. This Wiſdom, ſeeing it was not gotten by uſe, and experience, muſt neceſſarily be infuſed immediately by God Himſelf.
To the Fowl of the Ayr, and to every beaſt] And to them only. For neither could the Fiſhes of the Sea be brought to him, without a miracle; neither was it to any purpoſe for Adam to ſeek for a companion for himſelf amongſt them, which could not live with him in the ſame Element.
But for Adam was not an Help found] Neither in Gods Judgment, nor in his Own, who the more he conſidered, and knew of the nature of the Creatures, the more unfit he found them for his Society, for which he eaſily found, that God had never Created them. It is true, that they were and might be uſeful to him ſome other way, as they are now unto us many wayes, according to the ſeveral abilities which God hath given them. But for Propagation (which could not be but by another Sex of the ſame Nature with Man) or for continual, and comfortable commerce, they were utterly unfit, ſo that there wanted another helper to Man then was to be found amongſt any of thoſe Creatures that God had yet made.
In that none of thoſe Creatures, which God had made for other Ends, was fit to be an Helper, and Companion for Adam, we may,
1. Obſerve, No Creature Can or Ought to be applyed to any other uſe, then that for which it was firſt Created and Ordained by God.
Obſerv. 1 EIther in that diſpoſition or faſhion that God hath given them in their Creation, as the Earth to ſtand ſtill, the Waters to flow, the Heavens to move, Men and Beaſts to walk, and Birds to flye, &c. Or, in ſuch alterations, by the Art and Induſtry of men, as God hath made them capable of; As Iron and Steel to cut, ſilver and braſſe to give a found, barren ground to become fruitful by manurance, the Stock of one plant to nouriſh the Graft of another, and the like. Beyond which they cannot be carried by any Art or Labour of Man, who cannot make ſtraight that which God hath made crooked, Eccl. 1.15. That whatſoever God hath made, might be for ever; ſo that nothing might be put to it, nor any thing taken from it, Eccl. 3.14. And thus it muſt needs be, 1. Becauſe he hath made all his works in Wiſdom, Pſal. 104.24. and to alter them from what they were firſt appointed, were to make them worſe. 2. That Gods Soveraignty may be acknowledged, when the Rule and Law which he hath given the Creature remains unalterable, when all things continue according to his Ordinance, Pſal. 119.91. that all fleſh may fear before him. 3. For avoiding Confuſion, which muſt neceſſarily follow, by mens altering and changing of all things according to their own pleaſure, which alters every moment.
Who are they then that alter the Natural uſe of the Creature into that which is againſt nature, as the Apoſtle inſtanceth in one particular, Rom. 1.26? ſeeking Stability in Uncertain things; Inward content in Outward things, which were never ordained to fill the heart, Eccl. 5.10. Good in Evil, and the like. Whereby, 1. They endeavour to Croſſe the Law that God hath ſet in Nature. 2. Abuſe both the Creatures, and the Power that he hath given man over them. 3. And failing in their end at length, ſhew themſelves fooles, in ſtriving againſt the ſtream.
More particularly, to take the words Poſitively as they are laid before us. That none amongſt the Beaſts or Fowles could be found to be a fit companion for Man; We may,
2. Obſerve. Beaſts are not fit, nor can be made Comfortable companions for men.
Obſerv. 2 AS wanting the meanes of Commerce, both by Reaſon and Speech, and having nothing, to ſpeak of, common with men (if they had them both) neither in their Chief Employments, wherein they are, or ought to be exerciſed; nor in the Rules by which they are, or ought to be guided; nor in the Ends whereunto they are directed, and Ought to be carried.
They muſt then needs degenerate from the Nature of men, that take no delight, but amongſt their Sheep and Oxen, ſet their hearts upon them, and make them their chiefeſt care. Or at beſt ſort themſelves with none but men of Senſuall and Bruitiſh minds, no whit fitter for a Chriſtians Commerce, then the very Bruit Beaſts themſelves.