Genesis

Like a young gallant who at one throw loses a fair lordship. Adam had a fair lordship, he was lord of the world (Genesis 1:28). Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves. But he lost all at one throw.

Question 8. The next question is, What is the work of creation? Answer. It is God's making all things of nothing by the word of his power, etc. (Genesis 1:1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The creation is glorious to behold; it is a pleasant and fruitful…

Like a sick patient that has no part sound, his liver swelled, his lungs perished, his feet gangrened; such infected, gangrened souls have we, till Christ (who has made a medicine of his blood) does cure us, 1. Original sin has depraved the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the intelle…

2. Also an innate darkness in our spirits as we are sinful creatures: since the fall, our hearts of themselves are nothing but darkness, and therefore no wonder if, when God draws but the curtains and shuts up the light from us, our hearts should engender and conceive such horri…

God made the worlds or ages by Christ. By this word then he means these two things: First, times and seasons, which are ordinary creatures of God, as well as other: for amongst other creatures (Genesis 1) are recorded also times and seasons to be God's creatures. Secondly, he un…

But some have no children, who in all natural reason might conceive. For, as God gave the Law, and thereby a gift and power to increase and multiply, Genesis 1:22. So, he reserved the execution of it to himself, and power to alter or dispense, to add, or diminish as it pleaseth…

And again it is said, that God by his son made the world (Hebrews 1:2). As for the Holy Ghost, the work of creation is also ascribed to him: and therefore Moses says, The spirit moved upon the waters (Genesis 1:2): and Job says, His spirit has garnished the heavens ([reconstruct…

For the better understanding of this, let us consider how the Lord himself has from the beginning kept in his own hands, as a master in his own house, the disposition of his creatures for the use of man, that man might depend on him and his word for temporal blessings. In the fi…

But before God produces grace, so knotty and so rocky are we, and so contrary to grace, that he must fall upon a new and second creation (Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 2:10; Psalms 51:10). The same word that is used for creating heaven and earth (Genesis 1:[illegible]) is here used…

Againe, there is a fourefold kind of obseruation of daies; one naturall, the other ciuill, the third Ecclesiasticall, the fourth superstitious. Naturall is, when daies are obserued according to the course of the sunne & moone, Gen 1:14. thus day follows night, and night followes…

These works he calls things of nothing. In the next place he proves it more plainly, in calling them wind, and Chaos: that is to say, confusion: for so I expound the word Tohu, it being so taken in Genesis 1:2, where Moses shows that the earth was at the first without form, and…

For he which had a beginning, is not of himself, neither can he hold under his dominion, nor govern the things which he created not. When the Lord therefore calls himself the eternal, it is to show that the world was made by his hand, and that this goodly order of nature fell no…

Seeing then without exception he forbids them, it clearly shows they contain nothing but mere illusions, and therefore that all his people should esteem them as abominations. But those that plead for this vanity, allege, that the Lord has given the planets and stars for signs (G…

Fools are wont to inquire at their Idols, as if the world were by them ruled and governed. But God on the contrary calls us to himself, telling us that it is he only who has created heaven and earth, and has placed man upon it, and that he has spread out the heavens, etc. (Genes…

But if we accept of this exposition, the word together, which is added, seems not to suit well with the history of the creation mentioned by Moses. Objection: For the heavens and the earth were not created and adorned in an instant (Genesis 1:2). Things were first intermingled a…

From this we are to gather that the authority of Isaiah was confirmed, to the end he might not only be held for a Prophet, but the chief among the Prophets. Who shall go for us?] I am of opinion indeed that this place notes out the three persons in the Deity, as elsewhere also,…

His meaning is, that all things shall be set in their perfect order, when Christ shall reign; and as it seems here is a close opposition between Adam and Christ. For we know that all the miseries of this life present, have flowed into us from the sin of the first man: for then w…

Beyond all doubt, they have been stupefied by a righteous judgment of God, that all might laugh at the gross ignorance of those who have not scrupled to adulterate "and, change the truth of God into a lie," (Romans 1:25.) The first inquiry here is: Was this star one of those whi…

You shall hear them pride themselves, that they have no children, or but few; this they conceive sets them off in the opinion of the world for the richer men, whereas one child is more riches than all the things that are in the world. And we know it is an ordinary thing (though…

Besides it disturbed the Government of God in and over the whole creation. God had made all things in number, weight, and measure, in order and beauty: pronouncing himself concerning his whole work that it was exceeding beautiful and good, Genesis 1:31. Much of this beauty lay i…

Touching this similitude: first, obserue in generall from the ground of this comparison, that our Savior Christ here makes two kind of trees: a good tree, and an evil tree: by an evil tree meaning that which in regard of any fruit is as a rotten tree, as is the briar, the thorne…

Borders of Gold, and studs of Silver (it's like) have been some special ornaments in these days, and that which is here pointed at by them, in general seems to be an addition to what formerly the Bride possessed, he would add to her beauty, and gloriously complete it: And certai…

We may then warrantably read, and expound this Song; it being Scripture, it must be edifying, and ought to be made use of. It's true, this, and some other Scriptures, were of old restrained by the Jews, from the younger sort, that none should read them, but these who were at thi…

By him, and of him are all things; and for his will and pleasure's sake they are, and were created. Secondly, this great and absolute Lord has granted to man a large charter of the world; and when he had taken an exact inventory of those goods with which he had furnished this gr…

This lower world before the fall enjoyed noon-day light; the light of the knowledge of God, the light of his glory, and the light of his favor. But when man fell, all this light was at once extinguished, and the world reduced back again to total darkness; a worse darkness than t…

And God now, on occasion of this sacrifice that Noah offered to God, gives him and his posterity a new grant of the earth; a new power of dominion over the creatures, as founded on that sacrifice, and so founded on the covenant of grace. And so it is to be looked upon as a diver…

As if I would draw the picture of a man, I would not draw it for to resemble flesh meerly, that a beast has as well as man, but as near as can be, the very countenance, and life of man; I will not draw the back parts of a man, but his face, and countenance to life; so the image…

There are multitudes of Living Creatures in the Sea. The Psalmist says, There are in it things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts, Psalm 104:25. And we read, Genesis 1:20. that when God blessed the Waters he said, Let the Waters bring forth abundantly, both Fish a…

The Sea in Scripture is called, The Deep, Job 38. 30. The Great Deep, Genesis 7:11. The gathering together of the Waters into one place, Genesis 1:9. If the vastest Mountain were cast into it, it would appear no more than the head of a Pin in a Tun of Water. APPLICATION.

That the Lord nourishes and cherishes his Church is evident by his continual providence over her in all ages. When first he created man, he provided beforehand all things needful to nourish and cherish him (Genesis 1:28-29). When he was moved to destroy the earth and all living…

The same power, and goodness of God that manifests itself in giving being to his creatures, appears likewise in their sustaining, and preservation; to give being is the first, and to support it, is the continued effect of that power, and goodness: Thus it is both in the first Cr…

And styled by Malachi the sun of righteousness. Now the sun, is not only a luminous body, but a luminary giving light to the world (Genesis 1). He is our light, opposed to all kind of darkness: to the dark shadows of the ceremonial Law, which possibly is here meant, as a part of…

(2.) More distinct: why? Truths are best known in their frame and dependence; as God's works of creation when viewed singly and apart, every day's work was good; but when viewed altogether in their correspondence and mutual proportion to each other, were very good (Genesis 1:31)…

(Ecclesiastes 3:5) He has made every thing beautiful in its time, or in the true and proper season; therefore we that look upon providence by pieces, stumble at the seeming confusion, and uncertainty of what falls out, as if the affairs of the world were not under a wise governm…

God complains of our backwardness to this work (Jeremiah 8:6): No man repented of his wickedness, saying, what have I done. God upon a review found every day's work good, very good, in themselves, and their correspondence and frame (Genesis 1:31). But when we consider our ways,…

God made us not that he might be happy, but liberal, that there might be creatures to whom to communicate himself: our beings and faculties and powers were the fruits of his mere goodness. When God made the world, then was it verified, He is good, and does good (Genesis 1). For…

I shall draw forth the sense of the text and the doctrine in these propositions. 1. That man was made by God, or is God's immediate workmanship; we have the first notice of it (Genesis 1:26), Let us make man after our own image and likeness. God put more respect upon him than up…

This sense I incline to, because in the next verse it is compared with the stability of the earth. Well then, his word is settled in heaven, partly because the heavens stand fast by the same word by which they were first made (Genesis 1:3, 6): And God said, Let there be light, a…

The Psalmist tells us (Psalm 24:2): He has founded the earth upon the seas, and established the world upon the floods. That part of the world where we dwell, would suddenly be overwhelmed and covered with waters, were it not for the goodness of God; for this the order of nature…

The whole creation witnesses against sin, as having done them a great deal of wrong and injury: that sin has deprived them of their privilege, that they are not now as when they came out of God's hand, and were made by him. When God looked on all that he had made, behold it was…

But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the Commandment might become exceeding sinful. Being to treat of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, it is not only expedient, but necessary that I preface and premise such things as these; na…

Sin has not only taken off our cloth of gold, but has put upon us filthy garments (Zechariah 3:3). God made us after his likeness (Genesis 1:26), but sin has made us like the beasts that perish (Psalm 49, last verse). We are all become brutish in our affections.

The world is a great book in which we read the majesty and wisdom of its Maker. But the soul is the image of God (Genesis 1). The soul is a studied piece; when God made the world it was but a word — let it be, and it was done.

He is the best physician who cures the more excellent part. The soul is immortal and angelic; man was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) not in regard of his body, but his soul. Since the soul is so divine and noble, the cure of the soul far exceeds the cure of the body.

Saints expect upon the assurance of his word, to be more fully like him, as we see in the text, and parallel places. Indeed man was made at first with a concreate similitude to God, which we know was the counsel of heaven, and the result and issue of that counsel (Genesis 1:26-2…

Answer. These are parties to whom the Covenant-promise is made, not these who already have the benefit promised in the Covenant, but believers must have a new heart, and consequently faith already, therefore they cannot be parties with whom the Covenant is made. As because the I…

Although when the creature called "I" and "self" do creep in to lodge in a poor feeble piece of clay, that clay so lustred must be some God. The flower and choicest of Adam's paradise-state is an earthly condition, as is evidenced by his eating (Genesis 2:9, 16), sleeping (Genes…

But yet if grace be taken for undeserved goodness: There are these respects of grace. 1. That God might have given to Adam something inferior to the glorious image of God, that consists in true righteousness, knowledge of God, and holiness (Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 4:24; Colossia…

But if it were sin in itself to live, they ought to expire and restore a usurped life, which they possess, mala fide, to the owner the Lord, as a thief is obliged to restore stolen goods. (3.) The dominion of Reprobates over the creatures, is a part of the good image of God (Gen…

Therefore shall they come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together for the goodness of the Lord (Christ) for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock, and of the herd (Jeremiah 31:12). 1. The Lord made all things at the beginning very good…

But the Apostle says, sin ushered death into the world: By sin came death. Certainly had not Adam eaten of the tree of knowledge, he had not died (Genesis 2:17). In the day you eat, you shall surely die, implying, if Adam had not eaten he should not have died.

They rest from their labors. As God when he had finished the work of creation rested from his labors (Genesis 2:2), so when the saints have finished the work of sanctification, they rest from their labors. Where should there be rest but in the heavenly center?

Without labor the pillars of a commonwealth will dissolve, and the earth will be like the sluggard's field, over-run with briars (Proverbs 24:31). Adam in innocency, though he was the monarch of the world, yet God would not have him idle, but he must dress and till the ground (G…

The soul is a glass, in which some rays of divine glory shine: it has in it some faint idea and resemblance of a deity: it is a celestial spark lighted by the breath of God. The body was made out of the dust, but the soul is of a more noble extract and origin (Genesis 2:7). God…

Marriage is honorable, and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). God did institute marriage in Paradise; he brought the woman to the man (Genesis 2:22). He did as it were give them in marriage.

Answer. When God created man he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge, upon pain of death. For this, consult with (Genesis 2:16-17). And the Lord commanded the man, saying, of every tree of t…

The work of God's Providence (John 5:17): My Father works until now, and I work. The great God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things (Genesis 2:7). He rested from all his works, and therefore the Scripture must needs be meant of God'…

3. He knew the wisdom and will of his creator touching the particular creatures: for after Adam was created, the Lord brought every creature to him, presenting them to him as being lord and king over them, that he might give names to them. Whereby it appears that Adam in his inn…

Your turning of things upside-down shall be reputed as the clay [illegible] of the potter (Isaiah 29:16): from the root [illegible] to think, desire; to form a thing of clay as the potter does. From this is the potter named [illegible] (Zechariah 11:13; Genesis 2:7; Deuteronomy…

Christ cured every disease (Matthew 4:23). "You shall eat of every tree of the garden" (Genesis 2:16). [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] all his master's goods are in his hand [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] (Genesis 24:10).

And verse 18, judgment is said to come by that one man's offense upon all men to condemnation. Now in Genesis 2:17 the threatening was spoken only to Adam as but one man: 'In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'; and Genesis 3:19 that sentence seems only to pass upon…

It is beyond the power of the creature to keep alive his own soul, no not so much as natural life (Psalm 49:7-9). No man can give a ransom for the soul of his brother; no man is able to ransom, or redeem his own life or another's; indeed (which is much) Adam in innocence, was ta…

It is a yoke three waies: first, because it did bind the Church of the olde testament to the obseruation of many and that very costly ceremonies, for the maintenance of the altar at Hierusalem was a matter of great charges. Secondly, it is a yoke because it binds euery offendour…

Neither does God barely threaten this, but he does it in deede; in handling sinners in their kind. Gen 2:17. Because you have eaten of the tree, cursed is the earth for your sake, in sorrow shalt you eate of it all the daies of your life.

Now he speaks of a secret inspiration. What marvel is it then, if all beasts assemble themselves together at God's first beckon; as we see it came to pass in the deluge; indeed even in the creation of the world; when Moses testifies, that at God's commandment all beasts came imm…

If the faithful then at any time have desired that their faith might be confirmed by signs, we must not by and by follow them therein; because it was a thing very rare: as to Gideon, who being taken from the flail to govern the people, he gave two signs which he asked, to the en…

And it was necessary indeed that she should be [reconstructed: wasted] and deformed even to the utmost, before she could rightly taste the help whereof he here speaks. Whereas it follows, that her desert shall be as a place of pleasure, the Prophet has respect to that place of M…

This order we know is observed in the articles of our Creed. For having confessed that we believe in Jesus Christ, who suffered and was crucified for us, we add, I believe the Church; which has issued as it were out of his side (Genesis 2:1, 22-23). And therefore after Isaiah ha…

The word does not mean doctrine, but the purpose which God has made known, with regard to preserving the order of nature and the lives of his creatures. Having created men, he does not cease to care for them: but, as "he breathed into their nostrils the breath of life," (Genesis…

Under the Law, the touch of a leper was infectious; but as Christ possesses such purity as to repel all filth and defilement, he does not, by touching, either pollute himself with leprosy, or become a transgressor of the law. When he took upon him our flesh, he did not only deig…

All these are mercies additional to that great mercy CHRIST, Matth. 6:33 they are given with him, as in Romans 8:32 this is the Tenure by which we hold them, 1 Corinthians 3. 21, 22, 23. Look, what we lost in Adam, is restored again with Advantage in Christ: immediately upon the…

Hence it is, that probabilities are so often dashed; and things remote and utterly improbable are brought about, in very strange and unaccountable methods of Providence. (2.) There is much of Providence seen in the harmony and agreeableness of tempers and dispositions; from when…

That was the proper name of the first man, and it became the common name for all men since. So man was called from the matter of which he was made, Adam, from Adamah, because (as the reason is given, Genesis 2:7) God made man dust out of the earth, or (as we translate) of the du…

Now there was not annexed unto this law, or revealed with it, the least intimation of pardon to be obtained, if Transgression should ensue. Genesis 2:17. we have this law, In the day you eat you shalt surely dye: dying you shalt dye; or bring upon your self assuredly the guilt o…

Now further marke in the wordes, how Christ distinguishes betweene life, and the bodie and applis meate and drinke to life, and raiment to the bodie: and yet we know, that apparel serues to preserue life also, especially in cold countries. But Christ does thus distinguish them s…

He sometimes puts the cup of fury and trembling into their hands while they are on earth, and gives them some fore-tastes of that bitter draught, the dregs of which they must for ever drink off in hell; and there they are accursed completely and eternally. For the curse of the l…

And although want of love cannot dissolve the bond, yet it does the joy and comfort of a married state. Now of all the objects that are allowed us to love here on earth, a wife is the chiefest; yes, to be loved above parents, children and friends, and the dearest of all other re…

And they ground their assertion upon this, that before that time we read not in all the history of the patriarchs, and first ages of the world, of any Sabbath that was observed and sanctified by the holy fathers who then lived; which doubtless they would not have neglected, had…

Direct. 6. Make choice of a meet Yoke-fellow, and delight in her you have chosen; This is a lawful Remedy; See 1 Corinthians 7:9. God ordained it, Genesis 2:21. But herein appears the corruption of nature, that men delight too tread by-pathes, and forsake the way which God has a…

Sins in Scripture are called debts, Matthew 6:12. They are debts to God; not that we owe them to him, or ought to sin, but Metonymically, because they render the Sinner obnoxious to God's Judgments, even as pecuniary debts oblige him that has not wherewith to pay, to suffer puni…

In him he has made his truth glorious in the exact accomplishment of all his absolute threats and promises. The original threat of Genesis 2:17 — in the day you eat thereof you shall surely die — seconded with a curse, Deuteronomy 27:26, is in Christ accomplished and fulfilled,…

The latter (of his flesh and of his bones) declares the means of making that union. This latter has relation to that which Adam said of Eve, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh (Genesis 2:23) which is manifest by the next verse which the Apostle takes out of the…

Contrary is the opinion of Montanists, and Cataphrygians, ancient heretics that accounted those marriages which the survivor made after the death of a yoke-fellow, to be adulterous: with which heresy Tertullian an ancient and learned father was so far infected, as he wrote a tre…

It is his ordinance: and he it is that by his ordinance has made of two, one flesh. Now mark the consequence which Christ as a ruled case, and undeniable principle infers thereon, What God has joined together, let no man put asunder (Genesis 2:18, 22, 24; Matthew 19:6). If no ma…

4. The persons whom the husband by virtue of his place, and whom the wife by virtue of her place, represent, most evidently prove as much: for a husband represents Christ, and a wife, the Church (Ephesians 5:23). 5. The circumstances noted by the Holy Spirit at the woman's creat…

4. Who are over busy in prying into every business of the house, and will have their hand in all. Besides that such husbands afford no opportunity to their wives of giving proof of that understanding, wit, wisdom, care, and other gifts which God has endowed them withal, they tak…

2. If it should be literally taken, it is to be taken as given to her after marriage, when she was out of her parents' government (Psalm 45:10). 3. It has relation to the law of marriage (Genesis 2:24), and implies not a simple forsaking of parents, but a preferring of a husband…

Holy parents commended by the Holy Ghost have been careful in performing this duty, as Abraham (Genesis 24:4), Isaac (Genesis 28:2), Naomi (Ruth 3:1), and others: indeed Hagar had learned this duty in Abraham's house (Genesis 21:21). But the perfect pattern (which surpasses all…

The other time of rest (being the Sabbath day) is by divine institution. It was sanctified to man in the time of Adam's innocency, when he stood as a public head and stock of all mankind (Genesis 2:3). The very name Sabbath, (which in Hebrew signifies rest) and the express prohi…

Thus it was in the Law of Innocency or Covenant of Works with Adam; the Duties required, were all that the Light of Nature and Reason enjoined to Adam in such Circumstances, to which there was one positive Prohibition added, Thou shalt not eat of the Tree of Knowledge, et cetera…

To prove it by Scripture. Shame entered into the world by sin; though they were naked, yet till they had sinned, they were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25; Genesis 3:10). There was verecundia, an awful majesty, or a holy bashfulness in innocency, but not pudor.

In his first molding of him he would plainly and visibly discover himself. So again, when this making of man is explained (Genesis 2:7), And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Before…

But this, very probably, may be only an enigmatical representation of the doctrine of the gospel; let us then consult the other place, where mention is made of this tree of life, and that is in (Revelation 2:7): To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, that…

Of idleness comes no good, but to be sure a great deal of evil: they that are at work are not at leisure to sin, but they that are idle are at leisure to do nothing but to sin. Adam in innocency (that better than golden age) had his calling and employment, he was a gardener (Gen…

This is the mystery that angels pry into and admire (1 Peter 1:12). God does as 'twere act against his own word (Genesis 2:17); he revokes his threatening: 'tis more than we could ask or think, 'tis beyond our reach, as 'tis expressed (Isaiah 55:7-9). Men (when sensible of sin)…

First, Christ's Resurrection is not our [illegible]; that is, it is no part of that payment by [illegible] whereof we are pronounced just: it answers for nothing on our part to divine justice. The law required it not, it was no part of the command, nor any [illegible] of God to…

Fifth, perhaps the mourner has had comfort, and lost it. Adam's rib was taken from him when he was asleep (Genesis 2:21); our comforts are taken away when we fall asleep in security. The spouse lost her beloved when she lay upon the bed of sloth (Song of Solomon 5:2, 6).

The soul is spiritual in its essence. God breathed it in (Genesis 2:7) — it is a spark lit by the breath of God. The soul may be compared to the spirits of the wine, the body to the dregs; the spirits are the more pure and refined part of the wine — such is the soul; the body is…

The word in the Originall, signifies to glew: if there bee any conjunction that is neerer then other, it is signified in that word: there is not a word in all the Greeke Language, that signifies a neerer conjunction, then the word there vsed for cleauing, or glewing. When a man…

Seventh, it were nonsense to say to men under the externally proposed covenant: repent, hear the gospel, use the means, receive the seals — and yet you have no right to hear, nor have we any warrant to baptize you, until you believe; for there is no promise made to you, nor to y…

My life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing. It was a curse (Genesis 3:16): in sorrow you shall bring forth. Many things occasion sorrow; sickness, law-suits, treachery of friends, disappointment of hopes, loss of estate (Ruth 1:20).

Quest. 11. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created? Resp. The sin was their eating of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). — She took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also to her husband. Here is implied, 1. That our firs…

Question. Why Christ was born of a woman? Response. 1. That God might fulfill that promise (Genesis 3:15). The seed of the woman shall break the Serpent's head. 2. Christ was born of a woman, that he might roll away that reproach from the woman which she had contracted, by being…

My son, give, I pray you, glory to God, and make confession to him. A humble confession exalts God; how is God's free grace magnified in crowning those who deserve to be condemned; as the excusing and mincing of sin does cast a reproach upon God, Adam denies not he did taste the…

Sin has brought vanity and vexation into the world, indeed, a curse. God cursed the ground for man's sake (Genesis 3). There were several fruits of the curse:

The liar is near a kin to the devil; and the devil will shortly claim kindred with him (John 8:44): "The devil is a liar and the father of it." He seduced our first parents by a lie (Genesis 3:4). How does this sin incense God? — he struck Ananias dead for telling a lie (Acts 5:…

There is no danger in tasting this tree of knowledge. There was a penalty laid at first, that we might not taste of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3:17): In the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die. But there is no danger of plucking this tree of holy Scripture; if we d…

2. Wherein we should be like the serpent, and that is in prudence and wisdom: Be wise as serpents. The serpent is a most prudent creature, therefore the Devil made use of the serpent to deceive our first parents, because it was such a subtle creature (Genesis 3:1): The serpent w…

3. In the kingdom of heaven we shall be freed from the toilsome labors of this life. God enacted a law in Paradise, In the sweat of your brows you shall eat bread (Genesis 3:9). There is the labor of the hand in manufacture, and the labor of the mind in study (Ecclesiastes 1:8).…

And shall not man much more inure himself to labor? That law in paradise was never yet repealed: In the sweat of your brows shall you eat bread (Genesis 3:19). Such professors are to be disliked, who talk of living by faith, but live out of a calling.

A wanton amorous eye may usher in sin. Eve first saw the tree of knowledge, and then she took (Genesis 3:6). First she looked, and then she loved; [illegible].

Better want the Devil's honey, than be so stung with the wrath of God. The garden of Eden, (which signifies pleasure) had a flaming sword placed at the east end of it (Genesis 3:24). The garden of carnal and sinful delight is surrounded with the flaming sword of God's wrath.

I made a covenant with my eyes. Much sin comes in by the eye: when Eve saw the tree was good for food, and pleasant to the eyes, then she took (Genesis 3:6). First she looked and then she lusted; the eye by beholding an impure object sets the heart on fire; the Devil often creep…

(2.) To quarrel with God's providence, and be unsubmissive to his will is sinful in the spring and cause; it arises from pride. It was Satan's temptation, 'You shall be as Gods' (Genesis 3:5). A proud person makes a God of himself, he disdains to have his will crossed; he thinks…

For they had no Scripture, it was penned many years after: namely, by Moses first of all. I answer; When their Parents Adam and Eve had fallen, God gave them (of his infinite goodness) a covenant of grace, that the seed of the woman should break the serpent's head: Genesis 3:15.…

Which is nothing else but a compact made between God and man touching reconciliation and life everlasting by Christ. This covenant was first of all revealed and delivered to our first parents in the garden of Eden, immediately after their fall by God himself, in these words, The…

Use 2: It gives a great commendation to the grace of God in Christ Jesus; it makes grace wonderfully glorious, that takes the sinner at this nick, and in this pinch. We shall not dispute here; nor is it needful, nor edifying, whether God might have forgiven sin freely, without a…

5. The temptation works under the color of good. The first Printing iron and Master sampler of tempting, has this character of apparent good (Genesis 3:6). The Woman saw that the fruit was good.

Some who have hardened their heart, are called men, but something more, reprobate (Jeremiah 6:28, 30). Seed of the Serpent (Genesis 3:15). Children of Belial (Deuteronomy 1:3).

And verse 18, judgment is said to come by that one man's offense upon all men to condemnation. Now in Genesis 2:17 the threatening was spoken only to Adam as but one man: 'In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'; and Genesis 3:19 that sentence seems only to pass upon…

1. The persons combating, Jesus and the Devil, the Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent. It was designed long before (Genesis 3:15). I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed: it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his hee…

Thus he dealt with our first parents, he seeks to weaken the reputation of God's love and kindness to man, and to breed in the woman's mind a good opinion of himself. That his suggestions might make the greater impression upon her, he manages all his discourse with her, that all…

There is nothing so soon led away as the eye, it is the broker between the heart and the object; the eye gazes and the heart lusts; this is the window by which Satan has crept in, and all manner of taint has been conveyed into the soul. In the first sin, Eve was corrupted this w…

In other cases there need strong arguments and considerations, that the temptation may not stick, when the tempter is gone; as the smutch remains of a candle stuck against a stone wall. When Eve speaks faintly and coldly, the devil renews the assault with the more violence (Gene…

Where? First in the promises themselves as touching Christ, as Genesis 3:15: The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent. And Genesis 22: In your seed, etc.

Of this blessing (as I have said) do the Prophets preach in every place, who did not so coldly consider those promises made to the fathers as the wicked Jews did, and as the popish Schoolmen and Sectaries do at this day, but did read them and weigh them with great diligence, and…

Outward nakednes is, when the bodie being vncouered, is full of deformitie and shame. Now that inward nakednes of heart is noted as a speciall euill, Gen 3:7. Exod 32:25.

From all that come of Adam and Eve, for they are both of man and woman; whereas Christ is of woman, and not of man. Again, Paul adds these words, [made of a woman] to note the accomplishment of the promise, the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). Th…

It is the worke of the deuill, to puffe vp the mind with selfe-liking, and conceit, that thereby he may worke mans perdition. Gen 3:5. But God works contrarily: for he therefore abass men, that he might in his good time, the more exalt them. 3.

The reason hereof is two-fold. The malice of the Deuil who is alway nibbling at the heele, Gen 3:15. And the hatred of the malignant Church (the deuils seede) euer maligning the Church and people of God.

And what did Satan else when he deceived the first man? 'You,' said he, 'shall be as gods' (Genesis 3:5). Therefore all such as dare attribute more to themselves than God permits, do lift up themselves no otherwise than if they meant to proclaim open war against him; for where p…

For Isaiah has an eye to the time when the Moabites were spoiled of all principality and power. And it seems this reproach is like to that which the Lord used to Adam, saying; Behold Adam is become as one of us (Genesis 3:22). For he is there scorned by a biting kind of speech,…

Others translate Forswearing: but because this word also signifies to curse, I doubt not but it is taken here for cursing, the Prophet having an eye to those curses which Moses denounces in the Law against the wicked that transgress it: Isaiah testifies then that all the calamit…

Some expound that which follows, that the women shall not bring forth in fear, and that they were not to fear bearing of children, in regard they should feel no pains therein. We know this punishment was inflicted upon the woman, because of her sin, namely, that she should bring…

For, even among the heathen Infidels, we may find some wives in each respect very dutiful, serviceable and gentle to their husbands: but that obedience of theirs, reached no farther than to content, serve, and please their husbands. For, so did God ordain and appoint (Genesis 3)…

Now the Providence of God with respect to our civil Callings, may be displayed very takingly in the following particulars. In directing you to a Calling in your Youth, and not suffering you to live an idle, useless and sinful life, as many do, who are but burthens to the Earth,…

Not that he needed information, but that he might receive a confession from the mouth of Satan. So he questioned Adam (Genesis 3): Adam, where are you? Who told you that you were naked?

He who first sinned, and had first occasion to have serious thoughts about Gods marking sin, gives us a notable instance of what we have assirmed. And the first in every kind, is the measure of all that follows in the same kind, Genesis 3:8. He heard the voyce of God: so he had…

We have an instance and example of it, beyond all exception in Adam. When he knew himself to be a sinner, and it was impossible for him, as we shall shew afterwards, to make a discovery of any such thing as forgiveness with God, he laid aside all thoughts of treating with him; t…

I. Diligent labour in a mans vocation, wherby he prouides things needfull for himselfe, and those that depend vpō him; for else he should be contrarie to himselfe, inioyning man to eat his bread in the sweat of his face, Gen. 3. 19. and commanding that he that will not labour s…

Answ. Whether thornes or thistles were created of God I will not now dispute: it is not certen that they were: but now it is playne there remaines this difference among plants; some are good: some are bad: the goodnesse that is in some comes from Gods blessing: but the badnesse…

The last part of the verse, in these words, and his desire is towards me, shows not only that the interest was mutual, and that he loved her, as she did him; but that he loved her affectionately, so that in a manner he could not be without her, His desire was to her. 2. That he…

And therefore it is but fit and just that she who made all mankind disobedient against God, should herself be made subject and obedient to man. And this sentence we find inflicted upon her as a punishment for her transgression (Genesis 3:16): Your desire shall be to your husband…

Guilt breeds fear; and that which strengthens fear, weakens violence. Adam having sinned was afraid, and hid himself (Genesis 3:10). When Adam had lost his innocence, he lost his violence.

"He must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet." Things were originally so planned and designed, that he might disappoint and confound, and triumph over Satan, and that he might be bruised under Christ's feet, Genesis 3:15. The promise was given, that the seed of the…

But the light began to dawn immediately after the fall. 2. Presently upon this the gospel was first revealed on the earth, in these words, Genesis 3:15. "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt…

His enemies shall now be made his footstool, in the fullest degree. Now shall be the most perfect fulfillment of that in Genesis 3:15. "It shall bruise thy head."

"Is not this the carpenter, the brother of James and Joses, and Juda, and Simon?" He, by hard labor, earned his bread before he ate it, and so suffered that curse which God pronounced on Adam, Genesis 3:13, "In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread." Let us consider how gre…

In heaven there is a day of everlasting serenity, in hell a night of perfect and endless horror and darkness; on earth, light and darkness take their turns, prosperity and adversity, even to souls as well as bodies, succeed each other. If there be a Gospel day, a day of grace no…

And as he has a multiplicity of business, so every part of it is full of toil, and spending labour: he eats not the bread of idleness, but earns it before he eats it; and as it were, dips it in his own sweat, whereby it becomes the sweeter to him. Though sin brought in the husba…

Adam was a public person, and all his posterity were involved and wrapped up in him, and he sinning, did at once destroy all his posterity, if free grace did not interpose. If Abel's blood did cry so loud in God's ears (Genesis 4:10): "The voice of your brother's blood cries to…

3. We please God when we dedicate our heart to give him the best of every thing. Abel gave God the fat of the offering (Genesis 4:4). Domitian would not have his image carved in Wood or Iron, but in gold.

Object. But is it not said, Cain went out from the presence of the Lord (Genesis 4:16). Resp.

My soul thirsts for you, to see your glory so as I have seen you in the sanctuary. Such as disregard ordinances are not God's children, because they care not to be in God's presence (Genesis 4:17). Cain went out from the presence of the Lord.

Why should any murmur, or be discontented at their condition? Does God owe them anything? Or, can they deserve anything at his hands? Oh, how uncomely is it to murmur at providence! It is fittest for a Cain to be wroth with God (Genesis 4:6). 1. Murmuring proceeds from unbelief.…

Question: Why is not humiliation grace? Wherein does it come short? Answer: 1. Tears in the wicked do not spring from love to God, but are forced by affliction (Genesis 4:13), as water that drops from the still is forced by the fire. The tears of sinners are forced by God's fier…

Envy is a sin that breaks both the tables at once. It begins in discontent against God, and ends in injury against man, as we see in Cain (Genesis 4:6, 8). Envious Cain, first discontented with God, there he broke the first table; and then he fell out with his brother and slew h…

Thus the angels in Heaven do God's will, they serve him in the best manner, they give him their seraphic high-strung praises; he who loves God gives him the cream of his obedience; God challenged the fat of all the sacrifice as his due (Leviticus 3:16). Hypocrites care not what…

For this Church was in the household of Adam, when there was no more but it in the world: for sacrifice to God is a sign of the Church: yea, and beside the sacrifice, they had a place appointed where Adam and his family came together to worship God. For, so much Cain intimates,…

Not so. For there were Cities built even before the flood, Gen. 4.17. Cain built a City: no marvel therefore if there were many after, as Sodom and all her sisters.

In Pharaoh and his host we may see their end, which is usually destruction: that is their reward for persecuting God's Church. Cain slays Abel that notable servant of GOD: but his reward was this, he was cast forth of God's Church, Genesis 4.11, 13. and stricken in God's just ju…

'The righteous is bold as a lion' (Proverbs 28:1). It was guilt in Cain's conscience that made him cry, 'Everyone that meets me will kill me' (Genesis 4:14). A guilty conscience is more terrified with imagined dangers than a pure conscience is with real ones.

1. As for this word iniquity, by it is meant sometimes 1. sin formally taken as it has a disconformity to the Law of God, and supposes a spot and defect, and so it is commonly taken when we pray for pardon of sin; and when David says (Psalm 51), "My sin is ever before me"; and (…

Then as there be two sorts of punishments, one temporary, and another the eternal wrath to come; so there are in Scripture two sorts of remissions, one from the temporary, another from eternal punishment. Therefore sin is put for punishment, (Genesis 4:13). My iniquity (says Cai…

He makes Christ's very blood an Advocate to speak for us, though Christ himself were silent; as he says in another case, Abel, though dead, yet speaks, Hebrews 11:4 Many other things are said to cry to Scripture, (and I might show how the cry of all other things do meet in this)…

As was the case of Ahab, he comes sadly and mourning from Elijah's sharp reproof (1 Kings 21, two last verses), but he could not be well at ease, till he had cast it all off, with putting Naboth to death, and put it off with calling a Council about going to War, and so damped al…

Use 1. But for further use, let us learn from here not to neglect the falls of our brethren, and think it is good for us, neither to meddle nor make with them — let that be far from us. That was the spirit of Cain (Genesis 4:6): "Am I my brother's keeper?" as if he would neither…

Implying, that God is a Prince, and if a Prince, then where is his princely service, if you will serve him, serve him of the best of that you have: God looks for no more but what you have; but when you come and offer him a lame and peremptory sacrifice, and be loath to come off…

When they call I will answer, and when they cry he shall say, Here I am. This has been the course of God's dealing with the prayer makers all along; Abel (Genesis 4:4) God had respect to; it is [reconstructed: in the original], set his offering on fire. Daniel prays, and he says…

I answer: he is said to accept persons, that deales vnequally with men, being bound to deale equally: now God is not thus bound: because he is a soueraigne, and absolute Lord ouer all his creatures, and may doe with his own what he will, Math. 20. 16. Secondly, it may be obiecte…

Ans. It does sometime, but not alwaies: for Eue says of Ss, God has given me an other seede, Gen 4:25. that is, an other sonne. Lastly, it is said, that this one particular seede of Abraham is Christ Jesus.

Here Raca, signifies all signs and gestures that express contempt, as snuffing, scoffing, jeering, sneering, etc. Cain is rebuked of God, even for the casting down of his countenance (Genesis 4:6). Again, the mocking wherewith Ishmael mocked Isaac, proceeded from a contempt and…

The first is, bondage under Satan, who keeps unrepentant sinners in his snare according to his own will (2 Timothy 2:26), he rules in their hearts like a God (2 Corinthians 4:4), and has power to blind them, and to harden their hearts, till he have brought them to eternal death…

Deut 29:2.) but that shee should be tormented, twise as much as shee had tormented others. Againe, these phrases and formes of speech, of rewarding double, or seuen fold, signifie, that God will pay wicked men whome to the full (a definite number being put for an indefinite) as…

For having a long time abused the patience of God, in showing themselves obstinate and rebellious, they shall be constrained in the end to take knowledge of his judgments. Thus although Cain, Esau, and the like (who repented their sins too late) fled from God's presence, yet in…

For this cause the Scripture mentions this exercise of prayer, when it notes out the marks of God's worship. For Moses, meaning to show that the same was again restored, says, that then men began to call upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:26). I take the particle Ci in the sec…

From the blood of Abel. Though Abel (Genesis 4:8) was not slain by the Jews, yet the murder of Abel is imputed to them by Christ, because there is an affinity of wickedness between them and Cain; otherwise there would have been no propriety in saying that righteous blood had bee…

These questions were not to inform God, but only that Adam might give a confession out of his own mouth concerning those things. So he questioned Cain (Genesis 4): Where is Abel your brother? It was a question only to draw a confession from Cain of what he had done.

For if it has come so far that God turns his sight to any man to behold him, that is nothing but grace and mercy, and there must needs follow all gifts and works. As we read in Genesis 4, that God did look upon Abel and his gifts, and not so upon Cain nor his offering. Of this c…

They will fix on something or other, that cannot cure their disease, but shall only make them forget that they are sick. As Cain under the terror of his guilt, departed from the presence of the Lord, and sought inward rest in outward labor and employment; he went and built a Cit…

What else any of them has fixed on in this case, has been no less foolish than his hiding; and in most, more pernicious. When Cain had received his sentence from God, it is said he went out from the presence or face of the Lord, Genesis 4:16. From his providential presence he co…

But the word signifies trouble as well as sin, especially that trouble or punishment that is for sin. So Cain expresss himself upon the denunciation of his sentence; my sin, that is, the punishment you hast denounced against my sin, is too great or heavy for me to bear, Genesis…

Eph. 4. 31, 32. The second branch of sinne here condemned is, to say unto our brother, Raca: whereby we may see that every gesture expressing rash anger, and despite of heart towards another, is murther before God; as casting downe the countenance towards him: this God reprooued…

The reason why we must correct our brother for s[]al offences, is because every great sin has his beginning of some little & small sin; & therefore it is a duty of brotherly correction, to cut off sin in the head, before it growe out to the full. Thus the Lord dealt with Caine,…

Murder was forbidden, and known to be a sin, before the Lord proclaimed, 'You shall not kill.' Indeed, and causeless anger, and bloody revengeful purposes; as appears (Genesis 4:5-6). Fornication was then also accounted a sin worthy of death; as appears (Genesis 38:24).

Thirdly; a teacher in any art, science, or invention, is likewise called a father. Thus (Genesis 4:20-21) Jabal is said to be the father of such as dwell in tents, and Jubal to be the father of such as handle the harp and organ. Fourthly; a superior in wisdom and counsel is like…

Now as the love and fear of God are often used in Scripture for his whole worship and service, so likewise is this invocation of his name. So we find it (Genesis 4:26): Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord. That is, (as many learned expositors understand it, although…

The swearer damns none by his oaths but himself; and although he curse others to the pit of hell, yet shall descend there alone for them. The drunkard, with his intemperance drowns but his own soul in perdition: the bloody murderer may say with Lamech (Genesis 4:23), I have slai…

So that Homicidium est Deicidium; to slaughter a man, it is to stab God in effigy: for though the image of God's holiness and purity be totally defaced in us since the fall; yet still every man, even the most wicked and impious that lives, bears some strictures of the image of G…

There is too much of this violence nowadays. No sin has a louder voice than blood (Genesis 4:10). The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.

They have loved to wander; sin does not care to be near holiness. The wicked get as far as they can from God: Like Cain, who went out from the presence of the Lord (Genesis 4:16). That is the Church of God, where were the visible signs of God's presence: he estranged himself fro…

And such worship as hath not a warrant from divine institution, cannot be offered up in faith, because faith has no foundation where there is no divine appointment. It cannot be offered up in faith of God's acceptance; for men have no warrant to hope for God's acceptance, in tha…

And withal, did not he that made me in the womb, make him? (Job 31:13-15). When our hearts are at any time hot within us, we would do well to put that question to ourselves which God put to Cain (Genesis 4:6): Why am I wroth? Why am I angry at all?

It is true (though not so readily apprehended) that the sullenness, and murmuring, and silent frets of children and servants is as great a transgression of the law of meekness, as the more open, noisy and avowed passions of their parents and masters. We find the king's chamberla…

The promise of him was all, (and it was enough) that God gave Adam in his inexpressible distress, to relieve and comfort him (Genesis 3:15). Eve perhaps supposed that the promised seed had been born in her firstborn, when she said, I have gotten a man from the Lord, so most prop…

If in ordering the goods of the family she yields not subjection, wherein shall she yield it? Against this groundwork some object that the same law of subjection is imposed upon a younger brother in the very same words, and yet a younger brother was not thereby bound to have his…

On this ground David desired God, to lift up the light of his countenance upon him, that thereby he might know the favor and love of God towards him (Psalm 4:6). On the other side by a frowning and lowering face, by hanging down the head, putting out the lips, with the like, ang…

In Hebrew the same word signifies a face, and wrath: because wrath soonest shows itself in a man's face. It is noted of Cain, that being very wrathful his countenance fell down (Genesis 4:5). Now the manifestation of a master's wrath against his servant is a correction.

The spirits now in prison did as little think of that doleful place, as those sinners which are alive. It may be today, tomorrow, the next hour; (Genesis 4:7) sin lies at the door: there's a sentence, and curse that waylays him: sin, for the punishment of sin, it's ready to seiz…

And he is the father of sin (John 8:44). As Jubal was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ (Genesis 4:21), that is, he was the first that taught the use of that instrument: so all the sins in the world, are by his furtherance, both actual and original; therefore h…

Heaven is his throne, there he sits, the earth is his footstool, there he stands. He is everywhere present, therefore we may come to walk with God: Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:21). If God were confined to heaven, a trembling soul might think how can I converse with God, how…

The Greek word signifies our commerce, or traffic, or citizenship is in heaven. Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24). His affections were sublimated; he did take a turn in heaven every day.

2. The order of dignity, when as those are put in the first place, not which are the eldest, but which are best and most in GOD'S favor. This order the Holy Ghost uses in naming Noah's sons, Genesis 5 verse 31: saying, Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth; when as Japheth was eldes…

But it may be objected against Sarah's age, that in the old time they had children, till they were of great age. Eve had her son Seth at 130 years old (Genesis 5:3). For, Adam and Eve must needs be both of one age: and after that, Eve bore many sons and daughters.

Surely there is a way of enjoying God even in our worldly employments — God would never have put us upon them to our loss. Enoch walked with God and begat sons and daughters — Genesis 5:19. He walked with God but did not retire and separate himself from the things of this life.

You lately made yourselves sure of that creature comfort which has forsaken you. Perhaps you said of your child who is now gone, as Lamech said of his son Noah in Genesis 5:29: This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands — meaning that his son should not…

When Adam fell the root was corrupted, and the branches cannot be fresh; the fountain was defiled, and the streams cannot be clean and clear. Hence when Adam begot Seth, an elect in whom the Church was continued, it is said that he begat a son after his own likeness (Genesis 5);…

For if he had sworn falsely, God would have taken revenge upon him, and his writings, before this: which he has not done. Whereas Paul says, Before God I speak it: he teaches us after his own example to bring ourselves into the presence of God, to walk before him as Enoch did (G…

The first: we must bring ourselves into the presence of the invisible God: yes, we must set our thoughts, wills, affections, and all we do in his sight and presence: and we must evermore remember whatever we do, that we have to deal with God himself. In this regard Enoch is said…

After this sort did this Patriarch Enoch preach and publish the Word of the Lord: which (undoubtedly) he had learned of his Father Adam, by influence from the Holy Ghost. For it is recorded of him in the Scriptures (Genesis 5) that he led an upright and godly life, and therefore…

Then had I been at rest.] We usually say when a man goes to sleep, he goes to rest: yet rest is more than sleep, for sometimes a man sleeps when he does not rest, his very sleep being troubled, and he troubled in his sleep: but when rest is joined with sleep it is perfect sleep.…

And for us who have in this matter to do with God, what is our continuance unto that of the world? a moment as it were in comparison of the whole. When mens lives were of old prolonged beyond the date & continuance of Empires or kingdoms now, yet this was the winding up of all;…

This lesson God taught Abraham, Gen. 17. 1. Walke before me and be vpright: and this Enoch had learned long before, Gen. 5. 24. and therefore was reported of that he had pleased God, Heb. 11. 5. now where this perswasion taks place, [illegible] will strike the heart with a reuer…

8. The next remarkable thing towards carrying on this work, we have an account of in scripture, is the translation of Enoch into heaven. The account we have of it is in Genesis 5:24. "And Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him."

David a man after his own heart. Enoch walked with him (Genesis 5:24). All enjoying this communion and fellowship for the substance of it: but the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was standing (Hebrews 9:8).

Eve perhaps supposed that the promised seed had been born in her firstborn, when she said, I have gotten a man from the Lord, so most properly denoting the fourth case; and this was the matter of her joy (Genesis 4:1). Lamech having Noah given to him as a type of Christ, and sal…

Man's Paradise-like life was easy and pleasant, but now it is labor and pain, such as makes him sweat (indeed, Ecclesiastes 2:1-2, his recreations fall little short of his labor for pain and sweat). The old world was very sensible of this, as may be gathered from Genesis 5:29: H…

1 By the way we walk in; it is a private retired way, wherein only some few holy ones walk: therefore it is called a Path-way, to distinguish it from the common road, Proverbs 12. 28. In the path-way thereof is no death. 2 If we walk with God, then we walk in the fear of God, Ge…

This however the scripture supposes to be consistent with a state of misery, expressed by wailing and gnashing of teeth. Genesis 5:24, "Enoch walked with God, and was not, for God took him." In this instance, though the scripture says, Enoch was not, which more directly expresse…

He is born in sin (Psalm 51:5; Job 15:16) — he drinks iniquity as water. All the imagination of his thoughts are evil, and only evil (Genesis 6:5). Now the least evil thought is [illegible], a breach of the royal law: and if there be defection, there cannot be perfection.

Concerning this Ark, much might be spoken out of the book of Genesis: but it is not to our purpose: which is no more in this Chapter, but to show the obedience and practice of faith, and therein the excellency of it. Now the point here to be spoken of, is not the matter, nor the…

And so God who created man, still preserves him, and uses all means to make him conformable to his will, before he casts him off. The Lord did long strive with men in the old world, to turn them from their wickedness: but when nothing would serve them, it is said, It repented th…

It is called the house of God (Ephesians 2:19). They that believe are said to be of the household of God: secondly, the parts of the Catholic church are noted, namely, the saints in heaven departed, and saints living on earth: thirdly, it is said to be named of the father of Chr…

Matthew 5:48: Be you perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. Genesis 6:9: Noah was a just and perfect man in his time, and walked with God. Genesis 17:1: Walk before me and be perfect.

How severely has the great God declared his wrath from heaven against heart-wickedness! The great crime for which the old world stands indicted (Genesis 6:5-7) is heart-wickedness: God saw that every imagination of their heart was only evil and that continually, for which he sen…

2. Which is mostly aimed at here, there is in every one a sinful nature, a sinfulness or sinning sin, an inclination to sin; every one has a straying humor; so that although the similitude of sheep does not agree to them in that sense as sheep are innocent creatures, yet it agre…

They turned vain, foggy, reasonless, and stark nothing in their finer discourses and reasonings, in weighing and poising things. The frame of the heart of man is only evil (Genesis 6:5). [illegible] (Genesis 8:21) signifies a potter's vessel.

The Lord looked down from heaven, to see if any of them did good, but they are altogether become unprofitable, not one does good, no not one (Romans 3:12). And he speaks of all men in an estate of nature without Christ, not one does any good, no not one; all the thoughts and ima…

The Lord saw all to be good, in the beginning and working not to be repented of: this was God's rest and Sabbath, to take delight in his works. When he looked on it altogether, behold it was exceeding good; but afterwards man, the ungrateful part of the creation, though the mast…

II. Noah is saide to be just and perfect, Gen. 6. and God commands Abraham to walke before him, and to be perfect, Gen 17:1. Paul says, Let as many as be perfect, be thus minded, Phil 3:15.

In a word, as he had described repentance by the signs, so he now sets forth their inward obstinacy and hardness of heart, by the outward testimonies of it. For even as we witness our sorrow for sin by abstinence and other exercises; so by our dissolutions and superfluities, we…

Because God's chastisements which had begun to seize upon them, and were afterward to be finished in their captivity, were very grievous, therefore the Prophet sets forth the vehemence of them by these similitudes. For he says, that the Lord will pour out his wrath: as if some t…

If it be objected, that it is absurd to suppose the existence of two wills in God, I reply, we fully believe that his will is simple and one; but as our minds do not fathom the deep abyss of secret election, in accommodation to the capacity of our weakness, the will of God is ex…

This word flesh signifies not only the body, consisting of flesh and blood, skin and bones: but whatever comes from Adam. So says God in Genesis 6: My Spirit shall not always strive with man, because he is but flesh. And Isaiah likewise, Chapter 40: All flesh shall see the savin…

But when this holy man had so long time in vain continued his preaching to the men of that age, and they never a bit repenting their lewd life, but still contemning the word of God, and growing worse and worse: God said at length, after that he saw their obstinate perseverance i…

There will be a last time of any special offer of salvation to impenitent sinners. God's Spirit shall not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3). God sometimes continues long knocking at the doors of wicked men's hearts; but there are the last knocks, and the last calls, that ever…

Let your moderation be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand. EXercise heavenly mindedness, and keep yourhearts upon things eternal, under all the Providences with which the Lord exercises you in this world, Genesis 6:9 Noah walked with God, yet met with as sad Providences in…

Some are such jugglers, that you can see little of their spirits in their lives, you can learn but little of their minds by their words; Jacob was a plain man and so was Job; some translate it a sound man. It is the same expression that is given of Noah, he was [Tamim] in his ge…

Some few instances of the many that are left on record, wherein this truth is exemplified may be mentioned. Genesis 6:9. Noah was a just man, perfect in his Generation, and Noah walked with God.

That there is a common Abuse of this patience of God visible in the world in all Generations. So it was of old; God saw it to be so, and complained of it, Genesis 6:5, 6. All the evil, sin, wickedness, that has been in the world, which no heart can conceive, no tongue can expres…

For the occasion: To looke upon a woman, is not sinne, but may bee done lawfully; yea, thereby a man or woman may glorifie God, as the Queene of Sheba, by beholdingSalomons person, and hearing his wisdom, did take occasion to glorifie God: but here is meant the abuse of the sigh…

Now in this that has beene said, we may note two things: first, the long suffering and great patience of God, that will not have a sinner living in the Church condemned, till he have brought him through all the meanes of his conuersion, and till he be past hope. Thus he dealt wi…

This power, or veil, women were to wear because of the angels. Not as Tertullian did grossly conceive from that mistaken text (Genesis 6:2), to hide their beauty from the sight and inspection of angels (for what veil could do that, or how can angels be affected with corporal bea…

First, there is the Motus primò primi, the first film and shadow of an evil thought, the imperfect embryo of a sin before it is well shaped in us, or has received any lineaments and features. And these the Scripture calls the imaginations of the thoughts of men's hearts (Genesis…

Therefore it is better for us in this state of weakness, that God speaks to us by ministers, men of like passions and infirmities with ourselves, whom we may be able to bear, and whose words notwithstanding our weakness, we may be able to hear. 2. God does now also speak to men…

5. The soul is by nature filled with an evil treasure: the heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only and continually evil (Genesis 6:5). The mind, will and affections are stuffed with a world of blindness, hardness and…

And all those that were then in being when Seth was born, must be supposed then to stand in equal capacity of multiplying their posterity with him; and therefore, as I said before, Seth's posterity were but a small part of the inhabitants of the world. But after the days of Enos…

A man may pray, [reconstructed: hear], and confer, but all those duties are dry stalks to him, which yield no meat, no solid substantial nutriment; some common touches upon the affections he may sometimes find in duty, the melting voice or rhetoric of the preacher may perhaps st…

When first he created man, he provided beforehand all things needful to nourish and cherish him (Genesis 1:28-29). When he was moved to destroy the earth and all living things thereon, he had care of his Church, and provided an ark to keep her out of the waters, and stored up in…

Now it is an especial point of wisdom, to seek the best good that we can, as for ourselves, so also for our children: indeed this is an evident sign of a parent's true love of his child. 2. There is a necessity that children be taught piety, because they are not born but made Ch…

1. An habitual weakening of it. Every lust is a depraved habit or disposition, continually inclining the heart to evil: hence is that description of him who has no lust truly mortified (Genesis 6:5): Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually. He is…

All other sins are come down along, and run combined now, but truly uncharity is the main one, as old age is a rendezvous or meeting place of maladies, but especially subject to cold diseases; thus is it, in the old age of the world many sins, but especially coldness of love, as…

There's a law in our members (Romans 7:23), a powerful active principle within us, that is always urging us to sin. We think, and speak too gently of our own corrupt hearts, when we think the corruption is sleepy, and works not until it be irritated by outward objects, and Satan…

And as he is born in sin, so he is greedy of sin; (Job 15:16) He drinks in iniquity like water; it notes a vehement propensity; as greedy of sin, as a thirsty man to drink. Thirst is the most implacable appetite, hunger is far better borne: It is the constant frame of his heart;…

When others were Plaintiffs these were Defendants; when others spoke against God, these spoke for God. In Noah's days all Flesh had corrupted it self, (the old World was drowned in sin before it was drowned in water:) now at this time, Noah was perfect in his Generation, and Noa…

It is true that Adam was created after the image of God: but yet was that image defaced by sin, so as we are not worthy to be counted among God's works. And the same horrible condemnation is pronounced with his own mouth, where he says, that it repents him that he had made man (…

3. It shows what need there is of a constant watchfulness, that in all things we may behave ourselves as God's children. Sin is always at work (Genesis 6:5). The imaginations and thoughts of our heart are only evil and that continually, and Satan is always at work, spying advant…

But this will not suit with that lazy and dull pace, which is called temper and moderation in the world. 4. Holy singularity, as Noah was an upright man in a corrupt age (Genesis 6:9. Noah walked with God). And we are bidden not to conform ourselves to this world (Romans 12:2).

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears that they should not hear: indeed, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of Hosts has sent in his Spirit by the former prophets: th…

It is a mere hazard, it may be he will, it may be not. It is uncertain whether the Spirit of God will ever put in your heart a thought of turning to God again (Genesis 6:3). My Spirit shall not always strive with man.

It must be new created or renewed till God will own it for his, because till then his image is not legible, if it (in this sense) be at all, for there is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). It is not any one faculty only that sin has defiled, but like a strong poison, it s…

Now we infer, that if God's anger is so terrible, and it is sin that makes God angry, that certainly sin is extremely sinful, contrary to God; or else the God of all grace, the God of patience, whose name is Love, would never be so angry at it, and for it. God witnesses against…

God is so holy, that he cannot sin himself, nor be the cause or author of sin in another; he does not command sin to be committed (it would be to cross his nature and will) nor approve of any man's sin when it is committed, but hates it with a perfect hatred; without iniquity is…

As Job made a covenant with his eyes, that he might not think lustfully of a maid (Job 31:1), so should we take heed to our ways, that we may not offend, not only not with our tongues, but in our thoughts; for they are the words of our heart, and the deeds thereof, and all the w…

1. The multitude of sinners that are in the world, if it were but one or two, they might be winked at, and passed by; but when all the world lies in wickedness, as it does (1 John 5:19), when there is none righteous, no not one (if there had been but ten, God would have spared S…

All men have died of this plague, indeed, our Lord and Saviour had not died, if he had not been made sin for us. Moreover this leprosy has spread itself not only on whole mankind, but on the whole of man; every whit of every man is infected, it has made flesh and spirit filthy (…

He that is pure in heart has his mouth full of heaven. Second, he walks with God (Genesis 6:9). He is still doing angels' work — praising God, serving God; he lives as Christ lived on earth.

Hypocrites forge a title of son-ship. Genesis 6:2: The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair. Fifth, by real sanctification; so all the faithful are peculiarly and eminently the children of God.

That the patience of God may not obstruct holy mourning, let sinners remember: First, God's patience has bounds set to it (Genesis 6:3). Though men will not set bounds to their sin, yet God sets bounds to his patience.

- 2. Hereby he condemned the world. The first end which both God had in commanding, and Noah in making the Ark, was the saving of his household: that is, himself, and all that belonged to him; which were his wife, his three sons, and their wives, Genesis 7:7. But first of all, i…

For the number of forty days, curiosity may make itself work enough; but it is dangerous to make conclusions where no certainty appears. However this is not amiss, that forty days were the usual time allotted for repentance: as to the Ninevites (Jonah 3:4), so the prophet Ezekie…

And therefore Saint Peter here brings in by way of comparison, the similitude of the Ark of Noah: whereby he briefly and in few words, and yet with a certain pleasure, sets down a sure lesson to confirm faith. And that which he here sets down, to have come to pass when Noah made…

Yet it must be confessed that we find the word often used promiscuously, applied as well to the death of the wicked as of the godly; To Ishmael (Genesis 25:8) as well as Abraham, to Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:10). Indeed it is applied to the death of any or all living things (…

Thus it is that the saints are in Scripture termed righteous. So Noah is called righteous (Genesis 7:1). And Abraham pleads with God for the righteous in Sodom (Genesis 18:23-24).

But God never did, and never will speak so terribly by a deluge of water, as by the great deluge in the days of Noah, when the whole world was drowned thereby, excepting Noah, and those which were with him in the Ark. And because the judgment was so dreadful, and the history so…

The Sea in Scripture is called, The Deep, Job 38. 30. The Great Deep, Genesis 7:11. The gathering together of the Waters into one place, Genesis 1:9. If the vastest Mountain were cast into it, it would appear no more than the head of a Pin in a Tun of Water. APPLICATION.

Here there are many wants and vacuities to be filled up; but in your presence there is fullness of joy, and at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11). Look, as when the flood was poured out upon the world, you read, that the windows of heaven were opened…

1. Man's nature cannot endure reproach, especially a scornful reproach, every man thinks himself worthy of some regard. 2. Religion increases the sense of it, as the flood increased when the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of Heaven were opened, (Gene…

1. It is the great pull-back, and constant preservative of the soul against sin. As the beasts are contained in their subjection and obedience to man by the fear that is upon them (Genesis 7:2), "The dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, that they shall not hurt y…

Let me tell you, expressions for outward losses may sometimes be great: First, because all causes concur to make a man's expression of grief for outward things very great. When you see the windows of heaven open, and the fountains of the great deep broken up from beneath, there…

The first is the want of that original righteousness, which was in man by creation: the second is, a proneness and inclination to that which is evil, and to nothing that is truly good. This appears (Genesis 8:21): The frame of man's heart (says the Lord) is evil even from his ch…

The frame of the heart of man is only evil (Genesis 6:5). [illegible] (Genesis 8:21) signifies a potter's vessel. Your turning of things upside-down shall be reputed as the clay [illegible] of the potter (Isaiah 29:16): from the root [illegible] to think, desire; to form a thing…

The latter meaning, I admit, arises out of the former, but we must attend to the design of Christ. Perceiving that this was exceedingly adapted to support their weakness, he intended to assure them that, if any one would receive them in a friendly manner, and do them kind office…

As if he should say, Do you think that the offering up of your sheep in sacrifice has been pleasing to God? Certainly if the fire of those sacrifices had delighted God, if he had smelled a savor of rest in them (as he is said to have done, when Noah offered sacrifice after the f…

But that was broken; and so God after a while, destroyed the earth, when the wickedness of man was great. But after the flood, on Noah's offering a sacrifice that represented the sacrifice of Christ, God, in smelling a sweet savor, or accepting that sacrifice, as it was a repres…

Husbandmen know there is a change, and vicissitude of seasons and weather; though it be pleasant Summer weather now, yet Winter will tread upon the heel of Summer; frosts, snows, and great falls of rain must be expected. This alternate course of seasons in nature is settled by a…

Among such foolish creatures as we are, it must needs be, that offenses will come; and why should not I have my share of those offenses? The God of heaven gives this as a reason of his patience towards a provoking world, that it is in their nature to be provoking (Genesis 8:21):…

This comeliness and courage; the spouse describing Christ as a beautiful, desirable personage, to show that spiritually he is so, calls his cheeks; so to make up his parts, and proportion. And to them does she ascribe a sweet savor, order, and eminency a sweet savor; as God is s…

As God smelled a sweet savor from the blood of his atonement (Ephesians 5:2), so from the graces wherewith for them he is anointed, his saints receive a refreshing cherishing savor (Song of Songs 1:2). A sweet savor expresses that which is acceptable and delightful (Genesis 8:21…

Positive, in regard of the good that may be gained thereby. 1. Many are the evils which children by nature are prone to, even as rank ground is subject to bring forth many weeds: for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth: and foolishness is bound in the heart of…

It is the heart that has forgotten God, and is roving after vanity — this causes all the errors of men's words, and actions, a wandering heart, makes wandering eyes and feet, and tongue. It is the leading wanderer that misleads all the rest, and as we are here called straying sh…

Therefore we are more prone to complain, than to give thanks. Partly from self-love, when our turn is served, we neglect God: as the raven returned to Noah no more, when there was floating carrion for it to feed upon (Genesis 8:7). Wants try us more than blessings (Hosea 5, last…

It is not any one faculty only that sin has defiled, but like a strong poison, it soaks and eats through all; that whereas all was holy, and holiness to the Lord, it is now evil, and evil against the Lord (Genesis 6:5). Every imagination (figment or creature) of the heart is onl…

Grace perfumes our duties (Psalm 141:2): let my prayer be set forth before you as incense. Noah's sacrifice was a perfume (Genesis 8:21): the Lord smelled a sweet savor. The sighs of a wicked man are an unsavory breath; his solemn sacrifice is dung (Malachi 2:3); there is such a…

But it is sure the Lord had not intended to commit heaven and hell any more to a sanctified will, but mutable and slippery in Adam, but to commit all to Christ, to a better covenant, better promises, to a way of free grace not of nature. Yet these men commit the salvation and da…

To the reasons of this point before produced we may add, that God suffers our sins to dwell in us, first to magnify the glory of his mercy, that notwithstanding he be provoked every day, yet he does still spare us. It is said in one place, that when God saw that every imaginatio…

But how should that be? Thus it is: man, corrupt with sin, has much evil love and desire to all sins, as the scripture says (Genesis 8): all the thought of man's heart is given to evil at all times — that is, to pride, disobedience, wrath, hate, covetousness, uncleanness. And to…

The life is the most precious thing, and God has set this commandment as a fence about it to preserve it: You shall not kill. God made a statute which was never to this day repealed (Genesis 9:6): Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. In the Old Law, had a m…

All holy men in those days, lived in tents. Genesis 9:21, It is clear that Noah dwelt in tents, though then he was king of all the world. And so did Lot also, as long as he lived with Abraham: Genesis 13:5, Lot had sheep, and cattle, and tents.

Secondly, an extraordinary kind of blessing is, when an extraordinary Prophet, or servant of God, does set down and pronounce a blessing unto any, and foretells their estate from God. Thus did Noah bless his two sons, Shem and Japhet, (Genesis 9:25, 26, 27) and pronounced a curs…

First, for the Propagation and multiplication of the world after the flood. If any object, Noah and his wife might have served for that end: I answer, they were old; for he was 600 years old, when the flood came: and though he lived 300 years after the flood (Genesis 9:28); Yet…

The souls of men are substances: but the souls of other creatures seem not to be substances; because they have no being out of the bodies in which they are: but rather they are certain peculiar qualities arising of the matter of the body, and vanishing with it. And it may be for…

Oratory cannot make the taste feel the sweetness of honey. There is a light that comes from heaven, above the sun and moon; indeed, above the gospel; and is not extracted, or drawn out of the power of either the soul, no, nor of the gospel, (I conceive,) that brings forth, in ac…

If a man be fallen under his burden, or under his beast, and he is not able himself to help him up, he must then call them that are of strength, and may be of use to help a man in such a case, so that if in this case, if a man's integrity of heart tells him, that he aims at no m…

Againe, the life of a plant is but the vigour in the iuice, and the life of a beast is but the vigour in the blood. Gen 9:4. but the life of man is a spirit and spirituall substance. Thirdly, man is of the same flesh with man, and so is neither plant, nor beast.

Thus Ahab calls Benhadad his brother, that is, his friend (1 Kings 20:32-33); thus Simeon and Levi are called brethren in wickedness, that is, confederate in evil. Thus all men are called brethren one to another, by reason of the bond of nature (Genesis 9:5), at the hand of a ma…

If the faithful then at any time have desired that their faith might be confirmed by signs, we must not by and by follow them therein; because it was a thing very rare: as to Gideon, who being taken from the flail to govern the people, he gave two signs which he asked, to the en…

In the old time when God drowned the whole world in the general flood, the waters in most abundance gushed out of the clouds above, spouted out of the bowels of the earth below, and on every side such streams increased, that nothing was now to be seen but waters: the earth accor…

It is man's honor to be God's servant, and God thinks himself honored by the service of man. It was once a curse, and it is a great curse still to be the servant of servants, as it is said of Ham (Genesis 9); but it is an honor, the great honor of the creature to be a servant to…

But we know what befell this holy person. He that shall read the story that is recorded of him, Genesis 9:21. will easily grant, that he was brought into inextricable distress on the account of sin. His own drunkenness, verse 21. with the consequent of it, gives scandal unto, an…

Tim. 4. 4. Where, by the word is meant; first, the word of creation, whereby God in the beginning fitted the creature for mans use, and gaue him power and soueraigntie ouer it: secondly, the word of restitution, whereby after the fall and after the flood he graunted unto man the…

For, as the Apostle speaks (Hebrews 12:10), they oftentimes chasten as after their own pleasure; and yet we are to give them reverence; we ought to bear with their infirmities, whether they be natural, or vicious, and endeavor to hide and cover them from others. And therefore we…

Possibly indeed, unmercifulness even toward them, and a cruel tormenting of them not to satisfy our occasions and necessities but our unreasonable passions, may be reducible as a sin against this Commandment (for all acts of cruelty are so), but simply to kill them for our neces…

"And thou shalt eat of the herb of the field." The first grant that he had to eat flesh as his common food was after the flood: Genesis 9:3. "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things."

Therefore it comes to pass now, that though the wickedness of man has dreadfully raged, and the earth been filled with violence and wickedness thousands of times, and one age after another, and much more dreadful and aggravated wickedness than the world was guilty of before the…

In regard of their good who reprove, it is said, To them that rebuke shall be delight (that is, much comfort and matter of rejoicing, so as they shall not need to repent what they have done) and a blessing of good shall come upon them (Proverbs 24:25), that is, either a blessing…

So he comes with blandishments, and comfortable words; (Hosea 2:14) I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her. So, (Genesis 9:27) The Lord shall persuade Japhet, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. By fair and kindly words, he draws…

And to be thus freed from the jurisdictive power and tyranny of sin is no small blessing. A Wicked man is at the command of sin, as the Asse is at the command of the driver: the curse of Cham is upon him, Genesis 9:25. A Servant of Servants shall he be.

There are two ways which God uses; by the word, and by his Spirit; by persuasion, and by power; they shall be taught of God, and they are drawn of God (John 6:44). The Lord will allure Japheth: so he works by persuasion (Genesis 9:27), and then by power (Ezekiel 36:26-27). I wil…

The beasts were made to serve men, and how are they held in subjection and obedience to man? ("The dread of you," says God, "shall be upon every beast of the earth" (Genesis 9).) So we are made for the service of God.

(1 Peter 1:17): Pass the time of your sojourning in fear; our whole course must be carried on under the conduct of this grace. Look, as the fear of man is a bridle upon the beasts to keep them from hurting man (Genesis 9:2): The fear and dread of you shall be upon every beast of…

The whole creation (or every creature) is subject to vanity, and under the bondage of corruption, which makes it groan, and puts it to pain, as a woman in labor; as if it cried out, Oh sinful sin! I was free born, and though under dominion, yet not under bondage; I did once serv…

The Scripture is called the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:7; 2 Kings 23:4; 2 Chronicles 34:30, 21). The question is easily determined — it can be the Book of no Covenant, but of that made with Abraham, the oath to Jacob (1 Chronicles 16:16, 17; Psalm 105:9; Jeremiah 11:5; Dani…

1. Because the Lord so threatened Adam, as he remained free and absolute either to inflict the punishment, or to provide an Evangelical remedy, even as Solomon, (1 Kings 2:37) says to Shimei (in the day you pass over the brook Kidron, you shall surely die) that is, you shall be…

It is God then that is here called the Savior of all by deliverance and protection in danger of which the Apostle treats, and that by his providence, which is peculiar towards believers; and what this makes for a universal mediation I know not. Now the very context in this place…

As afterwards in the final destruction of that church and nation, God punished in them the guilt of all bloody persecutions from the beginning of the world (Luke 11:50–51). So Canaan was cursed for the sin of his father (Genesis 9:25). Saul's seven sons were put to death for the…

5th Commandment: Honor your father, etc. He breaks this commandment: who mocks or reviles or beats his superiors (Genesis 9:22); who disobeys their lawful commandments (Romans [reconstructed: 13]:30); who is unthankful to parents and will not [reconstructed: relieve] them if nee…

Secondly, but besides a spirit of bondage, it may please God to set it on by a spirit of grace, as it is in the text, and that will open a heart in such a case to see that he has not only pierced his brother, but the Lord Jesus Christ, and that will make him to mourn bitterly, a…

1. For the name, let it be taken from Uz, the name of a man. And there were three called by that name in Scripture, (Genesis 10:23, Genesis 22:21, Genesis 36:28) from either of these Job's country might derive its name, but from which of these, would be (I think) a nice debate;…

It is supposed by learned men, that he was a king of the Assyrian empire at that day, which had been before begun by Nimrod at Babel. As it was the honor of kings in those days to build new cities to be made the seat of their empire, as appears by Genesis 10:10-12, so it is conj…

Cain built a City: no marvel therefore if there were many after, as Sodom and all her sisters. And though it appears not they dug into the earth for natural stone, yet had they Brick, which they made themselves, Genesis, 11.3: and surely, the world which built the huge tower of…

Pliny says it was a city of Arabia: but it is commonly placed in Mesopotamia. Which is confirmed by Abraham's voyage, who came from there with his father, when he departed out of Chaldea (Genesis 11:31; Acts 7:4). The profane historians call it Charras in the plural number, and…

The Egyptians, Arcadians, and others, brag of their antiquity. As touching Abraham, he came out of Mesopotamia, while the Chaldeans flourished (Genesis 11:31): and lived solitarily in his house, as if the memory of his name should have been buried in oblivion, when the neighbor…

the proud in the thought of their heart "La ou nous avons rendu, Il a dissipe, le mot Grec signifie proprement, Il a escarte ou espars." This expression is worthy of notice: for as their pride and ambition are outrageous, as their covetousness is insatiable, they pile up their d…

So again, Acts 17:23, 24, 25, 26, 27. Whom you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you, God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is the Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in Temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with mens hands, as though he…

First, we must have recourse to the cause of our judgment: for if the cause be insufficient, then our judgment is rash and unlawful. Before the Lord brought upon the world the confusion of languages, he is saide to goe downe among them, to see their fact, Gen. 11. 6. & before he…

Justice first poised the cause, and then anger poured out the vials. Thus (Genesis 11:5) the Lord came down to see the pride of the Babel-builders, before he scattered them, and (Genesis 18:21) he came down to see the wickedness of Sodom, before he overthrew it, though both were…

Now that this Pentateuch which was never as such committed to the Church of God, that had its rise no man knows by whom, and that hath been preserved no man knows how, known by few, used by none of the ancient Christians, that hath been voluntarily corrupted by men of corrupt mi…

This his infinite Spirit being everywhere — yet it is said here by it he went and preached, signifying the remarkable clearness of his administration that way. As when he appears eminently in any work of his own, or taking notice of our works, God is said to come down — so to th…

I say, when we hunt after respect from men, and make that the chief scope of our actions, God's glory will certainly lie in the dust; when we are to suffer ignominy and abasement for his sake, the care of God's glory will be laid aside. The great sin of the old world was this (G…

Between both these, end and means, there is this relation, that (though in sundry kinds) they are mutually causes one of another: section 2, the end is the first principal moving cause of the whole: it is that, for whose sake the whole work is, no Agent applies itself to action…

5. That sin which does most trouble one, and fly in his face in an hour of sickness and distress, that is the beloved sin. When Joseph's brothers were distressed, their sin came to remembrance in selling their brother (Genesis 12:21). So when a man is upon his sick-bed, and cons…

Now, of these two ways, God called Abraham immediately by himself from heaven. Genesis 12:1. Secondly, for the estates of life whereunto God calls men, they are three: General, Particular, Personal.

Question. How do Christians bring blessings to places where they live? Answer. First, by their presence: for, as God said to Abraham the Father of the faithful, Thou shalt be a blessing, Genesis 12:3, so is it with all believers. Laban confesses that he perceived that the Lord h…

Which Country Abraham knew not by name, when he left his own, nor till he came thither: but then God told him, This is the Land I will give thee and thy seed. Genesis 12.7. In this Land thus promised, Abraham dwelt and remained, the rest of his life, which was a hundred years.

He led the Israelites in the deserts of Arabia forty years; whereas a man may travel from Rameses in Egypt to any part of Canaan in forty days: and this God did to humble them, and try them, and to know what was in their heart (Deuteronomy 8.2.) God promised Abraham a son, in wh…

And we must remember, that when men shall curse us for doing our duty, even then the blessing of God shall be upon us; and the curse causeless shall not hurt. And God says to Abraham, he will curse them that curses him (Genesis 12:3). Thirdly, we learn that no witchcraft, nor so…

Sure the latter comprehends all Adam's sons, without exception, even including infants; the former cannot bear so wide a sense. So (Genesis 12:3) In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 22:18) If the meaning be that, without any figure or exception, all a…

Moreover, if the nations be blessed, that is to say, if they be accounted righteous before God, it follows that they are free from sin and death, and are made partakers of righteousness, salvation, and everlasting life, not for their works, but for their faith in Christ. Therefo…

We must first try what is the will of God, and then absolutely put it in execution, leaving the issue to God. Abram is called of God to forsake his country and kindred (Genesis 12); he directly then gives attendance to the commandment, and goes as it were blindfold — he knows no…

Thirdly, we must bless all, do good to all, and hurt none: for, we are heirs of blessings (1 Peter 3:8). Lastly, we must here mark our comfort: if we truly turn to God, and believe in the holy seed of Abraham, all things shall go well with us: God shall bless them that bless us,…

It was the thing that comforted David being cursed of his enemies, in that though they did curse, yet God would bless (Psalm 109:28). And let us comfort ourselves in this, that he will curse them that curse his people (Genesis 12:3). Again, if peace and mercy shall be upon them…

For when the Lord sent Jonah to the Ninevites, he manifests not that which he had decreed in his secret counsel, but meant to touch their hearts, and to bring them to [reconstructed: repentance] by the preaching of the Prophet, that he might show them mercy (Jonah 1:2 and 3:10).…

If so be then they gloried in that they were the children of Abraham, they were also with that to think from what place the Lord did first deliver him, to wit, from the service of idols which he and his father worshipped (Joshua 24:2). But he redeemed him often besides that; to…

And thus with this buckler, he repulses all the difficulties which easily arise, as often as the promises of God do surmount our reach. I grant he sometimes threatens with condition, as he threatened Abimelec (Genesis 12:17), and Pharaoh (Genesis 20:3), and the Ninevites (Jonah…

Has God then showed so rare an example of his power and goodness? why should we not wait for the same still? As touching that which follows, to come after him: some expound it, as if Abraham had called upon the name of the Lord wherever he came: for he no sooner set his foot in…

For this ἐπιγραφή, or title, does not extend to the whole book of Matthew: but the word βίβλος, book, is put for catalogue: as if he had said, "Here follows the catalogue of the generation of Christ." It is with reference to the promise, that Christ is called the son of David, t…

In the Scripture, we Christians are called a blessed people, blessed even by God himself. For God said to Abraham (Genesis 12): In your seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed. Seeing therefore that God has so bountifully poured this blessing upon us, that he might take a…

It is certain that both these names of God Elshaddai and Jehovah, were known among his people before. In the first mention we have of Abrahams addressing himself unto the worship of God, he makes use of the name Jehovah, Genesis 12:7. He built an Altar unto Jehovah; and so after…

God was much in the promises of this to Abraham. The first promise was when he first called him, Genesis 12:2. "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shall be a blessing."

2. He was then married, and so of another house. 3. He had an express particular charge of God to leave his father's house, even as he had to sacrifice his son (Genesis 12:1). Except the like charge can be shown, his example makes nothing to the purpose.

That still voice within persuades more than all the loud crying without, as he that is within the house, though he speak low, is better heard and understood than he that shouts without doors. When the Lord himself speaks by this his Spirit to a man, selecting and calling him out…

That is reason enough, and instead of all reasons to a believer, to awe and charge his heart, that we may not shift and distinguish ourselves out of our duty; that we may shake off sloth and negligence, much more deceits, and fraudulency, and corrupt affection. Many shifts will…

Why did you not tell me she was your wife? So I might have taken her to be my wife," etc. a severe expostulation and an upbraid (Genesis 12). And yet in (Genesis 20) Abraham is at it again, and meets with a more plain and home rebuke, and is charged with no less than sin by Abim…

Paul indeed is called a young man (Acts 7:58), yet his bringing up at the feet of Gamaliel, the largeness and depth of his learning and knowledge in arts and tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18), together with the commission he was entrusted by the High Priest, for the persecuting of t…

'Tis the soul is the child rather than the body: and therefore in Scripture put for the whole man. Abraham and Lot went forth with all the souls they had gotton in Haran, Gen. 12. so All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, that is, all the persons. The body is but the she…

3. He who prayed for them, blessed them, laid his hands upon them, invited them to bring Infants to him (of all which Infants were as incapable, as of the use and ends of Baptism and of actual confession of sin and of believing) judged they ought be Baptized. 4. It's never to be…

And if James be speaking of the nature and causes of the same Justification before God only, with Paul and not of the effects thereof, it were false that James says (with reverence to the holy Lord) that we are not justified by faith 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉 without works, for Pa…

Which difference is much to be observed between the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace: and for that cause the Covenant of Works is, first, more independent, and requires more of man's strength and less grace than the other. Second, it stands more by precepts, less by p…

For could the heart of Christ be cold and indifferent to undergo suretyship for the sons of men: Who warmed and kindled a fire of Redeemer's love in his heart from everlasting? Or was his consent to the Covenant, but as late and young as since Adam fell, or Abraham was called to…

I cannot then be persuaded that God has made a covenant of grace with all — especially with those who never heard a word of covenant, grace, or its condition — much less received grace for fulfilling the condition, without which the whole would be altogether unprofitable and use…

First, to use the word of God aright: as you must in all conditions that concern your soul repair to the Word, so you must consider your own uprightness, and what work of grace is in your soul, that will answer the word, and testify that the work of grace is true: be sure to tak…

Look what God promises to Israel, it is chiefly fulfilled to them that are Israelites indeed; and if they go about to offer up any acceptable sacrifice to God, in God's account, it is as if all Israel had done it. Reason 3. Hence it comes to pass, that God made that ancient cove…

God's will is guided by wisdom; should God sometimes let us have our will, we would undo ourselves; did he let us carve for ourselves, we should choose the worst piece. Lot chose Sodom because it was well watered, and was as the garden of the Lord (Genesis 13:10), but God rained…

Secondly, that he would give him a child in his old age: Genesis 17.16. Thirdly, that unto him and his seed, he would give the Land of Canaan for ever: Genesis 13.15. Fourthly, that in Isaac he would bless all the Nations of the earth. Genesis 21.12.

That Abraham did thus, appears in the Stories written of him. He came to Bethel, and there pitched his tent, Gen. 12.8: and Gen. 13.18. he removed his tent: and 18.1. God appeared unto him, as he sat in his tent door: and 18.9. being asked where Sarah was, answered, she is withi…

Fourthly, he is willing to deny himself of his own right, even upon equal easy terms, to prevent an offense that may grow, and he stands upon equal terms, lest an offense should arise — he yields and denies himself (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7). So Abraham yielded to Lot, though he ha…

The second thing is, how James should be the Lord's brother? Answer: In Scripture, children of the same womb, are brethren: men of the same blood, are brethren; as Abram and Lot (Genesis 13:8). Men of the same country are brethren, thus Saul's countrymen are called his brethren…

Abraham chose rather to lose his right, then to offend Lot. Gen. 13. and so did Christ. Matth. 17. 27.

And it meets with the sin of many, who having received great gifts and graces of the Spirit, are so far from restoring those that sin against them, that they scorn and disdain to speak to them: for if they be at variance with any, the common saying is, I am as good a man as he,…

For my own part I rather think it is a proper name to point out as it were the true and obedient Israelites, for he utters a vehement speech in turning himself to the patriarch; and God in speaking to him that was dead testifies to the living, that that which he had long ago pro…

Has God then showed so rare an example of his power and goodness? why should we not wait for the same still? As touching that which follows, to come after him: some expound it, as if Abraham had called upon the name of the Lord wherever he came: for he no sooner set his foot in…

But this had no reference, except to the tribe of Judah. Others think more correctly that the multiplication of the holy people was happy and blessed, as was said to Abraham, "I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth," (Genesis 13:16;) and again, "Tell the stars, if thou be…

Ezekiel also in his chapter 16, speaking hereof in the person of God, and applying his words by way of upbraiding to Jerusalem, says: This was the [reconstructed: iniquity] of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness, both in her and in her daughter…

We find frequent mention in those ancient times, of the riches of the Patriarchs and others in gold and silver. It is expressed concerning Abraham (Genesis 13:2), that Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold. And Abraham's servant (Genesis 24:35) says of him, The…

"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shall be a blessing." Again the same promise was renewed after he came into the land of Canaan, Genesis 13:14 etc. The covenant was again renewed after Abraham and returned from the…

Contention will as soon clothe a man with rags as slothfulness; that therefore which keeps the peace does not a little befriend the plenty. It was Abraham's meek management of his quarrel with Lot, that secured both his own and his kinsman's possessions, which otherwise would ha…

He that was famous for faith, was famous for meekness; for the more we have of faith towards God, the more we shall have of meekness towards all men. How meek was Abraham, when there happened a strife between his herdsmen and Lot's, which, had it proceeded, might have been of il…

The King of Egypt is called a Dragon in the waters: and the chief horses that Solomon had, in 2 Chron. 9. they came out of Egypt; and the Whore in the Proverbs, had her fine linen out of Egypt. Egypt was a very fruitful Country, Gen. 13:9 The fruitfulness of that place to which…

Let us therefore raise up our hearts to consider of this. And as we read in Gen. 13. 14, 15. where God showed to Abraham the Land of Canaan, says God, look Northward, and Southward, and Eastward, and Westward; for all the land which you seest, to you will I give it, and to your…

His word is satisfaction enough to a gracious heart; if they have his word they can praise him beforehand, for the grounds of hope before they have enjoyment. As Abraham when he had not a foot in the land of Canaan, yet built an altar, and offered sacrifices of thanksgiving, bec…

O how happy were England if it had more peacemakers! Abraham was a peacemaker (Genesis 13:8); Moses was a peacemaker (Exodus 2:13). And that ever-to-be-honored Emperor Constantine, when he called the bishops together at the first Council of Nicaea to end church controversies, an…

What seed? The visible seed: And the Levites that minister to me, will I multiply: He alludes to the promise made to Abraham, of multiplying his seed (Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:5; [reconstructed: Genesis 22:17]). And this promise made to Abraham (says Calvin) belongs to them all…

4. We hallow and sanctify God's name when we never make mention of his name but with the highest reverence; God's name is sacred, and it must not be spoken of but with veneration. The Scripture, when it speaks of God, gives him his titles of honor (Genesis 14:20): Blessed be the…

2. This shows sin is gotten to a great height, that because a man is low in the world, therefore he will Acheronta movere, go to the devil for a livelihood. Abraham would not have it said, that the king of Sodom had made him rich (Genesis 14:23). O let it never be said, that the…

As Christ, after he was tempted, the angels came and ministered to him (Matthew 4:11). As when Abraham had been warring, Melchizedek brought him bread and wine to revive his spirits (Genesis 14:18), so after the saints have been warring with Satan, God sends His Spirit to comfor…

The meaning is: he esteemed it a strange Country to him, and accounted himself a stranger in it. Against which, it may be objected, that he was familiarly acquainted with Mamre, Aner, and Eshcol, three great and mighty men of that Country: then he and they were confederates toge…

Objection 1. Genesis 14:18: When Abraham was coming from the slaughter of the kings, Melchizedek met him and brought forth bread and wine, and he was a priest of the most high God. Now this bread and wine (say they) he brought forth to offer as a sacrifice, because it is said he…

5. Mortify therefore your members, that are on earth, fornication, uncleanness, etc. Beza, Piscator, and others think it probable that Christ uttered this prayer to his Father, in the Syriac tongue, because the Evangelist uses the word [illegible], to be lifted up from the earth…

2. for those that are of affinity. Thus the kinsmen of Christ, are called his brethren: which the Helvidians not observing, thought they had been his natural brethren, by the virgin Mary: thus Abraham and Lot are called brethren (Genesis 13:8, 14), though Lot was but his brother…

It may be also that the Dumeans molested God's people, while their neighbors assailed them on all sides. Of Seir.] It was a mountain of Idumea, as it appears (Genesis 14:6). And under the name of this mountain, he comprehends the whole kingdom.

But he redeemed him often besides that; to wit, when he was in danger in Egypt and in Gerar (Genesis 12:17; 20:14). Also when he discomfited the kings (Genesis 14:16). Lastly, when God granted him issue even at the time when he was past power to beget any (Genesis 21:2).

Drew near.] By this, some understand, that the unbelievers took a narrow view of God's works. For we use to draw near when we would be more certainly informed of any new thing: others refer it to the King of Sodom, who met Abraham (Genesis 14:17), but these things, as I think, s…

But while He is the only Author of all blessing, yet that men might obtain a familiar view of his grace, he chose that at first the priests should bless in his name as mediators. Thus Melchizedek blessed Abraham, (Genesis 14:19,) and in Numbers 6:23-27, a perpetual law is laid d…

Secondly, this is a perfect platforme of prayer, and therefore must containe petition for temporall blessings, els it were not perfect: now we cannot comprehend our requests for temporall blessings under any other petition but this onely, and therefore Christ here propounds them…

So that as Abraham had a seal of the covenant in circumcision that was equivalent to baptism, so now he had a seal of it equivalent to the Lord's supper. Melchizedek's coming to meet him with such a seal of the covenant of grace, on the occasion of this victory of his over the k…

Though God has communicated these things to the children of men, yet he has reserved the dominion in his own hands: So (Haggai 2:8), The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Hosts. He never disposed anything so into the creature's hands, but still he has reserv…

Indeed in so doing he should crosse himself in his own grand design, which is the glory of God, and the happiness of his own soul in enjoying of him; upon these very termes the servants of God have refused to be rich and great in the world, when either of these lay at stake; Mos…

Families, Families. These kind of ingeminations do not always signify every family, but sometimes sundry and many families, sometimes universality, and sometimes multitude, as Hebrew grammarians say; as to show you some instances, (Genesis 14:10) the valley was full of slime pit…

3. A man in the dark is in danger every step he goes; so a man in the state of nature is in danger every step, of falling into hell. Thus it is before Christ teaches us; indeed, the darkness in which a sinner is, while in an unregenerate state, is worse than natural darkness; fo…

Will God speak peace to us when our minds are wandering, and our thoughts are traveling to the ends of the earth (Proverbs 17:24)? If ever you would hear the Word with attention, do as Abraham, he drove away the fowls from the sacrifice (Genesis 15:11). So when we find these exc…

Give attention to the Word as to a matter of life and death: and to that purpose, have a care, (1.) To banish vain impertinent thoughts, which will distract you, and take you off from the work in hand. These fowls will be coming to the sacrifice (Genesis 15:11), therefore we mus…

O be ambitious of pardoning grace. When God had made Abraham great and large promises, Abraham replies, Lord what is all, seeing I go childless? (Genesis 15:2). So when God has given you riches, and all your heart can wish, say to him, Lord, what is all this, seeing I want forgi…

Thirdly, darkness is exceedingly terrible and full of horror. When children are in the dark, they think they see fearful sights; it is therefore called 'the horror of darkness' (Genesis 15:12). So his soul here may be filled with fears and terrors from God's wrath, and of God be…

Secondly, Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity. For though God promised it to himself, when he was 75 years old, Genesis 12:4, and to him and to his seed, Genesis 15:7: Yet neither he nor his immediate seed enjoyed it, but his posterity the Israelites, 430 years after the p…

Here we may observe a most notable work of faith: it makes a man to keep in memory the merciful promises which God has made unto him. This is it which commends Josephs faith for a lively faith, That being about to die, he remembers this merciful promise of God, made to his foref…

Not but that other things also are of as great number; as, the drops of water, dust of the earth, and hairs of men's heads, etc.: but these two are most common, and proverbial phrases, whereby to express a multitude. And again, the stars of the sky are rather named than any othe…

What is a city, but an aggregation and heap of houses and inhabitants? Multitudes had died before Abraham, and gone to heaven, from Adam, Abel, Seth, downwards; and God promises him peace at his death, and a being gathered to those fathers (Genesis 15:15). There was then a city…

And so the proof of this fourth particular, will add further strength and confirmation to that we presented in the former. Now that his being our God (which is the substance of the Covenant of Grace) does engage him to provide glory for separate souls, that one instance of Abrah…

It is the procurement of the mediator that it pleads upon, and in this sense, the imputed righteousness of Christ, and the righteousness of faith are one and the same, because faith takes hold of the righteousness without us, which can be no other but the righteousness of Christ…

Second, that they were to trust to the merit of their own works, or seek righteousness in themselves, more than we? Third, or that they believed not, or that their faith was not counted to them for righteousness, as it is with us (Genesis 15:5-6; Romans 4:3-8; Psalm 32:1-2)? Fou…

(Revelation 1:17) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. Abraham was cast into great horror (Genesis 15:12) when God appeared solemnly to enter into covenant with him. So (Isaiah 6:5) Then I said, woe is me, for I am undone.

Scribes and Pharisees have their reward from men, from men they expect it: Saints expect their reward from God, and God gives it them: Men reward them evil for their good will, and they expect no better: If better come from men, they own it as a gratuity sent from their Father:…

Now he adds the example of Abraham, and rehearses the testimony of the scripture. The first is out of Genesis (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed God, etc. This place the Apostle here mightily prosecutes, as also he does in his epistle to the Romans (Romans 4:2-3).

The first is, the occasion, which was on this manner. After the conquest of the heathen kings, Abraham was still in some fear: in this regard the Lord comforts him (Genesis 15:1). I am your buckler, and your exceeding great reward.

Lastly, it crosses the wicked conceit and imagination of those men, that sing a requiem to their souls, in promising to themselves an impunity from sin, and an immunity from all the judgments of God, notwithstanding they go on in their bad practices; and all because God does not…

He now prevents an objection which might be made against this doctrine, to wit, it seems strange that the Lord should call those nations to him which were far off before: as if they should say, Has God then chosen the posterity of Abraham in vain? Shall his promises so often rep…

Others supposed that Cyrus did but dally with them, only permitting them to go, that having gauged and sounded the depth of their affections, he might take occasion thereby to oppress them and deal the more severely with them, not considering that those things which the Lord had…

He therefore brings them to their original; to teach them that however they were but a small handful now, yet God was able to increase and multiply them. Then he commands them to look to their father Abraham, who being but one man, yet grew into a great number, and God gave him…

He calls them mercies of David, because this covenant which was now so solemnly confirmed, was made in David's hand. True it is that the Lord made the covenant first with Abraham (Genesis 15:5 and 17:7), and afterwards confirmed it by Moses (Exodus 3:15), and lastly he establish…

Under the word Eunuch, by the figure Synecdoche, he comprehends all those that bore any note of infamy upon them, which might be an occasion to separate them from God's people. For it seemed that the eunuchs, and such as had no children, were rejected of God, and excluded out of…

Others think more correctly that the multiplication of the holy people was happy and blessed, as was said to Abraham, "I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth," (Genesis 13:16;) and again, "Tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: so shall thy seed be," (Genesis 15:…

The Greek word μετοικεσία, which the old translator renders transmigration, and Erasmus renders exile, literally signifies a change of habitation. The meaning is, that the Jews were compelled to leave their country, and to dwell as "strangers in a land that was not theirs," (Gen…

(1.) What a mercy was it to us, to have Parents that prayed for us before they had us, as well as in our Infancy, when we could not pray for our selves? Thus did Abraham, Genesis 15:2 and Hannah, 1 Samuel 1. 10, 11. and some here likely are the fruits and returns of their Parent…

Christ Jesus the Son of God, the head of the church, had all Afflictions gathered into an head in him; and yet the father alwaies loved him, and was alwaies well pleased with him. When God solemnly renewed his covenant with Abraham, and he had prepared the sacrifice whereby it w…

The true treasure then (to let the other passe) is in a word, the trueGod, that one only eternal essence in three persons, who made all things and gouernes all things; in him alone is all goodnesse and happines to be found. Gen. 15. 1. I am your buckler, and yours exceeding grea…

And then the great condition of the covenant of grace, which is faith, was now more fully made known. Genesis 15:5, 6 "And he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

The land that God had often promised to their fathers, included all the countries from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates. These were the bounds of the land promised to Abraham, Genesis 15:18. "In that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, Unto thy seed…

The wicked also have their ripening time for hell, and judgment; God does with much long-suffering endure the vessels of wrath, prepared for destruction. Of their ripeness for judgment the Scripture often speaks (Genesis 15:16): The sin of the Amorites is not yet full. And of Ba…

FOr the first: Gods people, although dear and precious in his eyes, yet they have usually been an afflicted people in all generations unto this day. When God was making his Covenant with Abraham, Gen. 15:12 at the going down of the Sun a deep sleep fell upon him: and lo, a horro…

As for the pleasures of the flesh, they do infect and defile the soul, and make it unfit for the hearing of such things, we had need of spiritual ears to hear them. God says to Abraham in Genes. 13:16 I will make your seed to be as the dust of the earth: afterward in Gen. 15:5 h…

He rejoices in him who was to take away the curse, by being made a curse for us. When Abraham was in the height of his glory, returning from the conquest of the kings of the east, that came against the confederate kings of the vale of Sodom, God appears to him with a glorious pr…

God will say, Seeing you sinned with the Multitude, you shall go to Hell with the Multitude. O let us keep pure among dregs; let us be like Fish that retain their freshness in salt waters; and as that Lamp which shined in the smoaking Furnace, Genesis 15:17. Consider, 1. To be h…

Yet he could say, the Lord was his Portion, Psalm 16:5. God is an exceeding great reward, Genesis 15:1. He is a whole Paradise of delight—Bonum in quo omnia bona—He who has God for his God, all his Estate lies in Jewels.

Faith is lean, unless it be fed with meditation on the promises (Psalm 119:92): I had fainted in my affliction, unless your word had been my delight. Hope is not lively, unless we contemplate the thing hoped for, and with Abraham walk through the Land of Promise (Genesis 15), an…

It is said (Acts 7:17), 'When the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt.' The promise is recorded (Genesis 15:5) of multiplying his seed like the stars of heaven. Abraham was seventy-five years old when the promise…

That is one notion we apprehend him by, that he is God all-sufficient (Genesis 17:1), or that he has all things at command, to do for us as our necessities shall require (Psalm 84:11), For the Lord God is a sun and a shield, the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will…

Secondly, That the same common promises have been fulfilled to the faithful in all ages. First, That some promises have been received by one generation, and fulfilled in another, when the matter so required; as for instance, Israel's going out of Egypt (Genesis 15:13-14). And he…

Jeremiah 31:33: "This is the [reconstructed: covenant] that I will make with the house of Israel, I will [reconstructed: put] my laws in their hearts, and in their inward [reconstructed: parts] will I put them." Look to the Covenant as made [reconstructed: with] Adam (Genesis 3:…

(Acts 10:43) To him gave all the Prophets witness, that through his Name, whoever believes in him, shall receive remission of sins. Abraham and David were justified, in that sin was not imputed to them, not by works (Romans 4:1-9, etc.; Genesis 15:6; Psalm 32:1-2, 5). I said I w…

Ans. The same Christ was their Mediator, as ours (Hebrews 13:8), their Rock and our Rock, Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-6; John 8:56). (2.) We are justified as Abraham, and David (Romans 4:1-5; Genesis 15:6; Psalm 32:1-2). 3. They were saved by grace, the Gentiles as well as they (…

What seed? The visible seed: And the Levites that minister to me, will I multiply: He alludes to the promise made to Abraham, of multiplying his seed (Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:5; [reconstructed: Genesis 22:17]). And this promise made to Abraham (says Calvin) belongs to them all…

And therefore it is most absurd to make the faith of Abraham all one in nature with the faith of Devils and Hypocrites, and to make the difference only in having works, and no works, as if there were the same heart leaning, soul rolling, and cleaving to the Lord by faith in Abra…

(2.) There is a piece of unseen willfulness in unbelief, and two refusals in it, as we see in Thomas (John 20:25), as there is a mass of sanctified will required in sincere faith (Romans 10:9-10) (Mark 9:24), and so resistance must be made to that blind impulse of will in unbeli…

Which he also foresignified by many sacrifices, and other types with prophetical predictions, for of this salvation the Prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Chri…

(3) Some in a peculiar manner fix their souls in Believing on the promises. And this is exemplified in the instance of Abraham, Genesis 15:16. Romans 4:20.

(5) The only safe rule of interpreting the meaning of the apostle next unto the scope and design of his present discourse, which he makes manifest in the reiterated proposition of it, and the scope of the places, matter of fact, with its circumstances which he refers unto, and t…

The continuation of the justification of Abraham before God, is declared to have been by faith only; Romans 4:3. For the instance of his justification given by the apostle from Genesis 15:6. was long after he was justified absolutely. And if our first justification and the conti…

But this prerogative was reserved for the father of the Faithful, that his justification and the express way and manner of it, should be first entered on the Sacred Record. So it is Genesis 15:6. He believed in the Lord, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. was account…

Secondly, this power of true faith in man's heart must teach us, not to content ourselves with a general faith and knowledge in religion, but to go further, and to get a sound faith that may purify the heart, at least in some true measure; for, saving faith will cleanse a man in…

Besides, though one be not past age, yet if she be barren (as some by secret reasons in nature are) it is not to be expected, she should conceive. Now, both these lay in Sarah's way; for, here it is said, she was past age: and another place (namely, Genesis 16:1-2) says, she was…

If you find that God has helped, melted, and graciously manifested himself to your souls, take special notice of it, record that for time to come, slight not the least appearances of God, own him in, praise him for these sweet manifestations of his love. Learn this lesson even o…

Notwithstanding she suffers not her husband to marry another wife out of his house, but she gives to him in marriage her servant, to the end that she might be built by her. For so says the history (Genesis 16): Now Sarah Abraham's wife bore him no children, and she had a maid an…

Thus Mordecai and Hester took all care to perpetuate the memory of that signal deliverance from the plot of Haman, by ordaining the feast of Purim, as an Anniversary throughout every generation, every family, every Province, and every Ciy, that those days of Purim should not fai…

Sometime the word is translated directly to despise: I will give you two texts for that. Genesis 16:4: When Hagar saw she had conceived, her Mistress was despised in her eyes — it is the same word with that used here for cursing — the meaning is, she did lightly esteem her Mistr…

But the angry man is unfit to be so, that takes fire at every provocation; fitter to be abandoned to the lions' dens, and the mountains of the leopards, than to go forth by the footsteps of the flock. He that has his hand against every man, cannot but have (with Ishmael's charac…

And when the expedient, pitched upon for the prevention of strife, was their parting from each other, though Lot was the junior, yet Abraham, for peace's sake quitted his right, and gave Lot the choice (verse 9), and the gracious visit which God gave him thereupon (verse 14) was…

From which I gather, that her husband observing her to be a godly, wise, faithful, and industrious woman, gave her power and liberty to do in the household affairs, what she thought good, (he being a public magistrate, for he was known in the gates, sitting among the Elders of t…

§. 16. Of husbands' ready yielding to their wives' humble suits. Again, it being a token of reverence in a wife humbly to make known her desire to her husband, he ought to show so much courtesy as readily to grant her desire: this courtesy the forenamed Ahasuerus afforded to Est…

As if he had said; Hereby you show that you fear me not as a master, because you despise me. This sin of despising masters is expressly forbidden (1 Timothy 6:2): and for it was Hagar dealt harshly withal (Genesis 16:6). When masters are poor, mean, weak, aged, or otherwise impo…

The godly have evil natures as well as others, which cannot be beaten down, but by afflictions. We are froward in our relations; Hagar was proud in Abraham's house (Genesis 16:4): her mistress was despised in her eyes; but very humble in the desert (Genesis 21:16). David's heart…

The Angels are so holy, that they cannot endure the least reflection should be cast on God, or least duty neglected towards God, though they might be worshipped. 5 Their testimony against sin appears thus, that where they find it, though in God's own people, they rebuke it, and…

For all the works of God, especially those that are rare and strange, have a voice whereby he speaks to us. The first thing suggested to a spiritual Mind in such seasons, will be, God is in this place, he is present that livs and ses, as Hagar confessed on the like occasion, Gen…

He is strong; the superlative degree is intended here, namely, He is most strong. He is called Elshaddai, God Almighty (Genesis 17:1). His almightiness lies in this, he can do whatever is feasible.

I will establish my covenant with you. When the Lord told Abraham that he would enter into covenant with him, Abraham fell upon his face (Genesis 17:2), as being amazed that the God of glory should bestow such a favor upon him. 2. God makes a covenant with us to tie us fast to h…

The Covenant was made with them. Genesis 17:7. I will establish my Covenant between me and you, and your seed after you, for an everlasting Covenant, to be a God to you and your seed after you. And Acts 2:39. The Promise is to you and to your children.

Whether we are alone or in company God sees us; he is [illegible], the heart-searcher; the belief of this would make us live always as under God's eye (Psalm 16:8): "I have set the Lord always before me." The belief of a deity would be a bridle to sin, a spur to duty; it would a…

For the covenant of grace has these two main promises in it. First, that God himself — who is the God of comfort — will be an abundant reward (Genesis 17:1-2). By faith we take him to be so and are divorced from all other comforts in comparison with him. Second, that Jesus Chris…

Now it is said that he received (not one promise) but the Promises plurally; for these causes; first, because God having made one main promise unto him touching Christ, did repeat and renew the same diverse times. Secondly, because GOD had made diverse particular promises unto h…

And as eternity is here noted by ages, so on the contrary we read, that eternity is taken for a certain and distinct time. Genesis 17:8. God promised Abraham to give him the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession: that is, for a long season. For else Abraham's seed should…

2. God's power is excellent. He is El Shaddai, Almighty (Genesis 17:1). What cannot he do that can create?

Genesis 6:9: Noah was a just and perfect man in his time, and walked with God. Genesis 17:1: Walk before me and be perfect. And sundry kings of Judah are said to walk uprightly before God with a perfect heart, as David, Josiah, Hezekiah, and others.

Why, he tells you in Job 31:4: 'Does he not see my ways and count all my steps?' 'Walk before me,' said God to Abraham, 'and be perfect' (Genesis 17:1). Even as parents use to set their children in the congregation before them, knowing that otherwise they will be toying and play…

Nor can I think but he bestowed as many and as frequent prayers for his children; and particularly for his Ishmael, as any of you. We find one, and that a very pathetic one recorded (Genesis 17:18), O that Ishmael might live before you: and yet you know how he proved, a son that…

Indeed, the law was a severer teacher to awe the saints, in regard of the outward dispensation of ceremonies and legal strictness, keeping men as criminals in close prison until Christ should come. But imputation of Christ's righteousness, and blessedness in the pardon of sin, a…

And that it is the efficacy of Christ's death to kill all activity in his members, that he might act all in all; indeed, and that there is not any command in the Gospel, all is but promises, Christ is obliged to do all in us, and if he suffer us to sin, let him see to his own ho…

Any of us that have made a covenant with God by sacrifice; no man has him unless by way of covenant, for all these ways, though diverse in explication, yet all coincident to this having of Christ. And such as have made a covenant with God by sacrifice, they are his people; of th…

Fifthly, there is no way to defeat Satan's temptations, but by a sound belief of God's all-sufficiency, and the nothingness of the creature. 1. A sound belief of, and a dependence on God's all-sufficiency (Genesis 17:1): I am the Almighty God, walk before me and be you perfect.…

2. The sufficiency and stability of God's promises. 1. Sufficiency (Genesis 17:1): "I am the almighty God, walk before me and be you perfect." (1 Timothy 4:8): "Godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come": of…

Oh for a spirit suitable to such a majesty whom I come to worship! Lord, draw out my affections, unite my heart, excite my graces that my whole soul may be carried after God: Thus commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established: when you are setting your fa…

For he says, that not only the false apostles, but all the nation of the Jews which were circumcised keep not the law, but rather that they which were circumcised, in fulfilling the law fulfill it not. This is against Moses, who says that, to be circumcised is to keep the law: a…

For no mother knows whether she shall have a child or no, or if she perceive herself to be with child, yet she cannot tell whether it shall be a son or a daughter. But Isaac was expressly named (Genesis 17): Sarah your wife (says the angel to Abraham) shall bear you a son, and y…

Therefore when God saw that we could not fulfill the law, he provided for this long before the law, and promised the blessing to Abraham, saying: In you shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. And so has he testified that all the nations should be blessed, not by the law,…

For if he had sworn falsely, God would have taken revenge upon him, and his writings, before this: which he has not done. Whereas Paul says, Before God I speak it: he teaches us after his own example to bring ourselves into the presence of God, to walk before him as Enoch did (G…

In this regard Enoch is said to walk with God (Genesis 5:24). Abraham and Isaac before God (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 48:15). And David (Psalm 116:9; Psalm 139 throughout).

It may be said, how could Abraham be justified by such a faith? Answer: The promise of the multiplication of his seed, was a dependent of a more principal promise, I am your God all-sufficient (Genesis 17:1): and, I am your exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1). In this carnal s…

One is, that gouernours of families must vrge and compell all under them to admit, (at the least outwardly,) the practise of religion in the exercisesof faith, repentance, new obedience. Thus did Abraham, Gen. 17. and Iosua, c. 24. They that doe not first of all consent in Chris…

This repetition does again take away the means from these proud contemners of God wherein they flattered themselves. For it was a thing almost incredible that the Jews should perish as it were in a moment, who had so many promises made them, and with whom God had contracted a pe…

True it is they had deserved no such favor, but yet must the covenant of the Lord remain sure and inviolable, so as the testimony thereof appears in this remnant, although the people for their parts had abolished it wholly as much as lay in them. Which we ought diligently to obs…

Let this place come to our remembrance as often as we are exposed to the scoffs and taunts of the wicked: for although we are forlorn, and there be no eye to pity us, nor any to plead our cause, in regard of the enemies' rage which is more and more inflamed against us, yet our G…

The end also of our election is, that such as were the bondslaves of Satan before, should now submit and give themselves to God in absolute obedience. In the third place he adds, the seed of Abraham, to teach us, that election depends upon the free promise of God: not that the p…

He now prevents an objection which might be made against this doctrine, to wit, it seems strange that the Lord should call those nations to him which were far off before: as if they should say, Has God then chosen the posterity of Abraham in vain? Shall his promises so often rep…

For we have here a manifest and an excellent example thereof in this blessing, whereby we see how the Lord in Abraham's old age, weakness, yes and out of death itself multiplied his offspring. Which promise pertains not only to the Jews, but to other nations: and therefore his n…

It is a wonder that the Prophet says the people possessed the land but for a very little space, seeing 863 years were expired since they began to possess it, and 1400 years and more since Abraham entered into the land of Canaan. But the promise must be considered, in which it wa…

Abraham was the father of one nation, and yet all that descended from him after the flesh, were not reputed his children: for the Ishmaelites and the Idumeans were rejected. He was then a father of many nations (Genesis 17:5) when God adopted and joined to him by covenant the Ge…

This does not appear in the words; and therefore the knowledge of it must be left to God, whose eyes pierce the depths of the heart. Thus God distinguishes between Sarah’s laugh (Genesis 18:12) and Abraham’s, (Genesis 17:17,) though the one apparently does not differ from the ot…

33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob As salvation was promised, in a peculiar manner, to the Jews, (the covenant having been made with their father Abraham, Genesis 17:7,) and Christ, as Paul informs us, "was a minister of the circumcision," (Romans 15:8,) the angel pr…

The next clause, which celebrates the perpetuity of the Divine mercy, is taken from that solemn form of covenant, "I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant," (Genesis 17:7) and again,

7. And they had no child By an extraordinary purpose of God it was appointed that John should be born out of the common and ordinary course of nature. The same thing happened with Isaac, (Genesis 17:17; Genesis 21:1-3,) in whom God had determined to give an uncommon and remarkab…

By the coming of Christ God manifested himself as a Father equally to the Gentiles and to the Jews; and, therefore, that promise, which was formerly given to the Jews, must now be in force towards the Gentiles, I will be your God, and the God of your seed after you, (Genesis 17:…

Whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and calls those things which are not, as though they were. (Genesis 17:4) 16 Therefore it is of faith.

You cannot but know, that as Godliness entails a blessing, so wickedness and unrighteousness a curse upon posterity. An instance of the former you have in Genesis 17. 18, 20. On the contrary, you have the threatning, Zechariah 5:4 and both together, Proverbs 3:33 The Curse of th…

It is the same expression that is given of Noah, he was [Tamim] in his generation, or he was sound, upright-hearted or perfect with God (Genesis 6:9). And it is that which God speaks to Abraham (Genesis 17:2): Walk before me and be you [Tamim,] be you perfect, or sound, or uprig…

Whence then is it said, that God appeared unto them by the name of Elshaddai, but not by the name of Jehovah? The reason is because that was the name which God gave himself in the solemn confirmation of the covenant with Abraham, Genesis 17:1. I am Elshaddai, God Almighty, God A…

Fiftly, if God be every where, then we must labour to have hearts affected with this perswasion, that wheresoeuer we be, God is present with us. This lesson God taught Abraham, Gen. 17. 1. Walke before me and be vpright: and this Enoch had learned long before, Gen. 5. 24. and th…

Secondly, that this reason is not peculiar to the last petition, but generally belonging to them all: as, halowed be your name, because yours is the kingdome, power, and glorie, and so for the rest. The meaning Kingdome] This here imports three things in God: first, that he is a…

O what a ravishing and delightsome thing it is, to walk with God! And yet by this, the whole work of a Christian is expressed (Genesis 17:1). Can any life compare with this for pleasure?

In the covenant God becomes our God, and we are his people, and thereby all his attributes are ours also. Lest we should doubt when we see the inconceivable difficulty on all hands against us, God wraps it up in this expression: Genesis 17:1, I am God Almighty, all-sufficient. I…

1. God having ordained this a Sacrament to be used, it is necessary it should be used, if for no other end, yet for manifestation of our obedience. He that carelessly neglects, or wilfully scorns any Sacrament which God shall enjoin him to use, his soul shall be cut off (Genesis…

1. The commandment of God concerning circumcising children: in the room of which Baptism succeeds now under the Gospel (Colossians 2:11-12). God's commandment to this duty was first given to Abraham: and that for himself and all his posterity to observe (Genesis 17:10). After th…

I entred into Covenant with you, and you becamest mine. This is no small favor to be in Covenant with God: therefore when God told Abraham that he would enter into Covenant with him, Abraham fell on his face; Genesis 17:2. as being amazed that the great God should bestow such a…

1. Let us set God ever in our eye, study his Immensity. He is God Almighty, Genesis 17:1. He gives laws to the Angels, binds the Consciences of men, cuts off the Spirit of Princes, Psalm 76:12.

But how is this used as an argument, "Blessed are you, O Lord: therefore teach me your statutes?" Either thus: God who is blessed has enough for himself, surely there is enough in him for us too (Genesis 17:1): "I am God all-sufficient, walk before me, and be perfect." I say, if…

So this minister preaches against drunkenness, yet he will be drunk, he preaches against swearing, yet he will swear; this reproaches God, and makes the offering of the Lord to be abhorred. 3. Masters of families, do you glorify God, season your children and servants with the kn…

Men often judge the person, and not the cause, which is not justice, but malice. God judges the cause, (Genesis 18:21) I will go down and see if they have done according to the cry which is come up to me. When the Lord is upon a punitive act, he weighs things in the balance, he…

I, but do you believe the power of God; the strong God can conquer your strong corruption; though sin be too hard for you, yet not for him; he can soften hard hearts, quicken the dead. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14). Set God's power to work.

Answer: When we murmur at his providences, as if he had dealt hardly with us. Murmuring is the accusing of God's justice (Genesis 18:25). Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?

Object. But is it not said (Genesis 18:21), I will go down and see whether they have done according to the cry which is come up to me, and I will know? Response.

(1.) Oppression (Psalm 12:5). (2.) Sodomy (Genesis 18:21). (3.) Blood-shed.

The Stoic philosophers held, that all sins were equal. But this Scripture clearly holds forth, that there is a gradual difference in sin: Some are greater than others: Some are mighty sins (Amos 5:12), and crying sins (Genesis 18:21). Every sin has a voice to speak, but some sin…

Evil men enjoy all the good, and good men endure all the evil. But seeing there is a God, he will deal righteously with men (Genesis 18:25): "Shall not the Judge of all the world do right?" Offenders must come to punishment.

Lot chose Sodom because it was well watered, and was as the garden of the Lord (Genesis 13:10), but God rained fire upon it out of heaven (Genesis 19:24). (3.) God's will is a just will (Genesis 18:25). Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?

Here observe a notable practice of Abraham, as a good direction how we ought to judge of all those that live in the Church, submitting themselves outwardly to the ministry, and regiment thereof. Abraham here hath two sons, Isaac, and Ishmael; he circumcises them both, and instru…

While Lot was in Sodom, the Angel could not destroy it. Genesis 19:22. And if there had been ten believers in Sodom, the Lord would have spared all for ten's sake, Genesis 18:32. Now, bringing good things, and keeping back God's judgments by their presence, they are thereby bles…

He came to Bethel, and there pitched his tent, Gen. 12.8: and Gen. 13.18. he removed his tent: and 18.1. God appeared unto him, as he sat in his tent door: and 18.9. being asked where Sarah was, answered, she is within in the tent: and these tents are called his place, Gen. 18.3…

First, whereas God maketh choice of Noah, to reveal unto him his counsel, and his judgements to come; we learn that this is a prerogative which God bestoweth on such as fear him, he revealeth his counsels to them in a special manner, whether they be purposes of Judgements upon h…

She was the wife of Abraham, the grand Patriarch of the Age between the Flood, and the giving of the Law. And of her we read this story, amongst others, Genesis 18:13; God by his Angel appearing to her husband and her, made a promise, that within the year they should have a son;…

Objection 2. God appeared in the form of a man to Abraham (Genesis 18) and to Daniel, who saw the Ancient of Days sitting on a throne (Daniel 7). Now as God appeared, so may he be resembled — therefore it is lawful to resemble God in the form of a man or any like image in which…

Realize his infinite holiness — into what a serious, composed frame did the sight of God in his holiness put the spirit of the prophet (Isaiah 6:5)! Labor also to get up your heart due apprehensions of the greatness of God, such as Abraham had (Genesis 18:27): 'I, who am but dus…

The word in the original, comes from a root that signifies to embitter: this child embittered the minds of his parents by his rebellion against them, and despising their counsels. And I cannot doubt but Abraham disciplined his family as strictly as any of you, never man received…

First, consider that it's our duty; souls often do not mind that God has not simply bidden them pray, but commanded them to pray in the name of Christ; He has not bidden us simply approach to Him, but to approach to Him, in and by Christ; this would be remembered, else we forget…

Now this signification being applied to our use: Christ giving himself a ransom for all men, his dying for all, can be no larger than the saving of all, the believing of all flesh, and the blessing of all nations in Christ. But (Genesis 18:18) all in him — "all the nations of th…

"You are my friends if you do whatever I command you." "I know that Abraham will command his household to fear me" (Genesis 18:19), and therefore in verses 17 and 18 he says, "How shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I am about to do?" And it was concerning a secret counsel…

Good men had favor with all the people. Such respect living saints get, such angels may have, when they appear (Genesis 18:2). Abraham bowed himself towards the ground, and (Genesis 19:1) Lot rose up to meet them, and bowed himself with his face towards the ground.

This should keep his children in a holy awe. Oh how low should we lie before this great God (Genesis 18:27): Who am I that am but dust and ashes, that I should speak to God. 3. That we must not please ourselves with the performance of ordinary service to him, but we should raise…

We have several examples of patriarchs, prophets, apostles that used this duty of solitary or secret prayer. 1. Abraham, the friend of God, and father of the faithful, conversed much with his God alone; particularly in this duty of prayer (Genesis 18:22). When the men, (that is,…

Besides, Amesius says, If a man come not with an humble submission to God's will, it were not a religious prayer directed to the supreme Creator, but a kind of command by a superior to an inferior, or a familiar discourse as among equals: Therefore let us humbly plead God's will…

This divine Order Christ signifis when he says, make them disciples: and [〈…〉]as alwaies obserued of God. Before he made any couenant with Abraham, and before he sealed it by Circumcision, he says to him, Walke before me, and be vpright, Gen 17:1. and of his seede, he says, they…

Though he have some gifts and graces of God, yet is he nothing, because he is farre short of that which he ought to be. 1. Cor 8:2. upon these considerations Abraham acknowledgs himselfe to be but dust and ashes, Gen 18:27. Dauid comparing himselfe with the magnificence of Saul,…

Poor souls! God is against them (Genesis 18:20). But our Prophet names the Idumeans here, who were enemies to God's people, notwithstanding they were of affinity with them, and bore the stamp of the same religion, for they were children of Esau, and of the stock of Abraham, as w…

And this is manifest enough by diverse examples in the holy Scriptures. The Lord would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah, had there been found but ten righteous persons there (Genesis 18:32). All those which were in the ship with Saint Paul, to the number of 276 persons, were given…

This does not appear in the words; and therefore the knowledge of it must be left to God, whose eyes pierce the depths of the heart. Thus God distinguishes between Sarah’s laugh (Genesis 18:12) and Abraham’s, (Genesis 17:17,) though the one apparently does not differ from the ot…

As Christ really tasted the fish and the honeycomb, in order to show that he was a man, so we cannot doubt that by his divine power he consumed what was not needed to pass into nourishment. Thus the angels, at the table of Abraham, (Genesis 18:1,) having been clothed with real b…

As Sara obeyed Abraham and called him, Lord: As they attired themselves, so is it meet that you also deck yourselves (for so is his meaning) and to be loyal and obedient to your husbands, as Sara was to Abraham, who called him lord, as in the Scripture it appears (Genesis 18). W…

It is usually found in the experience of all the saints, that in what Ordinance or duty soever they ave any sensible communion with God, it naturally produces in their spirits a deep abasement and humiliation from the sense of divine condescensions to such vile poor Worms as we…

By this we are drawn into an unworthy suspicion and distruct of the faithfulness of God in the Promises. Sarah laught at the tydings of the Son of Promise, because reason contradicted, and told her, it was natually impossible, Genesis 18. 13, 14. Hence comes despondency of mind,…

How careful was Abraham of this duty? Genesis 18:19 and David? 1 Chron. 28:9 We have some of us had Parents, who might say to us, as the Apostle, Galatians 4:19 My little Children, of whom I travail again in birth till Christ be formed in you. As they longed for us before they h…

Every thing that is of him, is noted in his book, though not in ours. He took notice that when Sarah was acting unbelief towards him, yet that she shewed respect and regard to her Husband, calling him Lord, Genesis 18:12. 1 Peter 3:6.

I intend that at present which is called Justitia Regiminis, his righteousness in rule or Government. This is remembred by Abraham, Genesis 18:25. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?

Before the Lord brought upon the world the confusion of languages, he is saide to goe downe among them, to see their fact, Gen. 11. 6. & before he destroied Sodom and Gomorra with fire & brimstone, he is saide to come downe from heaven to see whether they had done according to t…

4. It's not a commendable shamefastness, but must needs be a very sinful modesty, that keeps one from duty: It was indeed more shameful to lie still, than to rise. Her second ground is of the same nature, I have washed my feet: washing the feet, fitted and prepared for rest; men…

So Noah is called righteous (Genesis 7:1). And Abraham pleads with God for the righteous in Sodom (Genesis 18:23-24). And Zachary and Elizabeth have this testimony, that they were both righteous, walking in all the commandments of God blameless (Luke 1:6).

And so (Deuteronomy 4:9): "Forget not the things which your eyes have seen, but teach them your sons, and your sons' sons." We find that God gives an honorable testimony concerning Abraham, and confides in him upon this account (Genesis 18:19): "I know Abraham, that he will comm…

Justice first poised the cause, and then anger poured out the vials. Thus (Genesis 11:5) the Lord came down to see the pride of the Babel-builders, before he scattered them, and (Genesis 18:21) he came down to see the wickedness of Sodom, before he overthrew it, though both were…

Even revilers, persecutors, and evil speakers have been overcome by the constant holy walking of believers, and when their day of visitation has come, have glorified God on that account, 1 Peter 3:1-2. It serves the benefit of all — partly by keeping judgments from the rest of m…

A third particular instance of a wife's readiness to yield to her husband's commandment is to perform whatever business he requires of her. When of a sudden there came three men to Abram, and he was desirous to entertain them, he bid his wife make ready quickly three measures of…

2. The execution of a master's commanding power consists in those things which God has enjoined as bounden duties. These a master by virtue of his authority must command his servants to do: as to worship God, to sanctify his Sabbath, to be diligent and conscientious in his calli…

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as one God, are the Judge of all the earth, to whom they must be accountable for the offense. (Genesis 18:25) Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? But in the mystery of redemption, the Father, as first in order of the persons, is represente…

Few with reverence, and managed with that gravity, awfulness, and seriousness, as would become an address to God. As Abraham, (Genesis 18:31), had been reasoning with God before, therefore he says, Let not God be angry, if I speak to him this once, when he renewed the suit. Thus…

This is urged by the Holy Ghost, (Ecclesiastes 5:2) You are upon earth, and God is in Heaven; therefore let your words be few. [reconstructed: Genesis 18:27] Who am I that I should take upon me to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes? We are poor crawling worms, and ther…

This is a duty God reckons upon, that you will not omit such a necessary piece of service. (Genesis 18:19) I know Abraham, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. God promises himself, that from Abraham and his fami…

At first hearing? No, Sarah laughed when God promised her a son: (for it was the Son of God that was in company with the angels (Genesis 18)) but afterward when she considered of it, she judged him faithful. Thus we must follow God from ordinance to ordinance.

That he may with honor perform and make good all that he has promised. Genesis 18:19. For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which…

But I shall pull off the paint from sin, that you may see the ugly face of it. We are apt to have slight thoughts of sin, and to say of it as Lot of Zoar (Genesis 19:20), Is it not a little one? But that you may see how great an evil sin is, consider these four things.

God's will is guided by wisdom; should God sometimes let us have our will, we would undo ourselves; did he let us carve for ourselves, we should choose the worst piece. Lot chose Sodom because it was well watered, and was as the garden of the Lord (Genesis 13:10), but God rained…

And Potiphar saw that Joseph was a blessing in his house: For, the Lord made all that he did to prosper, Genesis 39:2-3. While Lot was in Sodom, the Angel could not destroy it. Genesis 19:22. And if there had been ten believers in Sodom, the Lord would have spared all for ten's…

Nor can it be said, that those Cities, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the rest, were nothing but a multitude of Tents together. For, we read Genesis 19.3. that Lot dwelling in Sodom, received two Angels into his house; and in the fourth verse, that the Sodomites came and surrounded his ho…

His faith was not in vain: God rewarded it with a singular preservation. Thus dealt he always with his children; delivering Lot out of Sodom, Genesis 19. Rahab out of Jericho: Joshua 6:22.

Thus, Rahab does here to the spies of the Israelites, even with the danger of her own life. The like also we may read of Lot: for, when two Angels in the likeness of men came into his house, and the men of Sodom would have had them out; Lot besought them to let them alone, Genes…

When the Israelites abode not patiently, and constantly, with God in the wilderness, but desired to shake off the calling of God, and to return to Egypt, there to sit by the flesh-pots again; they had God's hand upon them grievously: as we may read at large, Psalm 78. Lot's wife…

This shows that the power of angels is great, in that they can move and stir the earth. Three angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1, 13). An angel destroyed the firstborn of Egypt in one night.

I bear up the pillars: Saint Ambrose was called the wall of Italy. Lot while in Sodom, kept off the fire (Genesis 19:22). Hasten, escape to Zoar, for I cannot do anything till you have come there.

The Saints stay Gods hand when he is going to strike. Gen. 19. 22. Haste thee (to Zoar) for I cannot do anything till thou become thither. The Saints are the excellent of the earth, Psal. 16. 3. Precious and honourable, Isa. 43. 4. and for their sakes God may yet be entreated to…

David walking on the terrace or house top was ensnared by Bathsheba's beauty (2 Samuel 11:2-4). Lot that was chaste in Sodom, yet committed incest in the mountain, where there were none but his own family (Genesis 19:30-31, etc.). When we are locked in our closets we cannot shut…

Such respect living saints get, such angels may have, when they appear (Genesis 18:2). Abraham bowed himself towards the ground, and (Genesis 19:1) Lot rose up to meet them, and bowed himself with his face towards the ground. Now whether the worship be civil or religious, may be…

Jeremiah's soul weeps in secret for the pride and profaneness of Israel; and he was strangely secured in the day of Israel's dreadful destruction: It is very remarkable, what's recorded in (Genesis 19:29). God remembered Abraham; and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow: W…

Thus God punished the filthie Sodomites in their kind, in that, for their burning lust he rained upon them fire and brimstone from heauen. Gen 19:24. Nadab and Abihu censing with strange fire, were consumed with fire from heauen.

In Sodom and Gomorrah.] This example is oft alleged by the Prophets, to the end we might know that however all chastisements be not equal, yet notwithstanding inasmuch as God is impartial in his judgments, the memorable example which he showed thereof in the destruction of Sodom…

He calls that the fire of the enemies with which God consumes his adversaries; taking this word fire, for God's vengeance: for it must not be taken here for that visible fire with which things are consumed in this world; neither yet for lightning only; but by a figure it is take…

The sum then is, that he speaks of such a horrible change, as shall utterly waste the land of Edom. Moreover, he alludes to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24), which is a form of teaching much used among the Prophets: for in this ruin we have (as Saint Jude te…

Luke states also a warning, that the disciples should remember Lot’s wife; that is, that they should forget those things which are behind, (Philippians 3:13) and advance towards the end of the heavenly calling. For Lot’s wife was changed into a pillar of salt, (Genesis 19:26,) b…

And turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them and overthrew them, and made them an example to those who after should live ungodly. This third example is of the five cities, which God destroyed, as we read in Genesis 19. Ezekiel also in his chapter 16, sp…

The Providence of God is the great Obex and hinderance to a world of sin, which else would break forth like an overflowing flood from our corrupt natures. It prevents abundance of sin, which else wicked men would commit, Genesis 19:11 The Sodomites were greedily pursuing their l…

Why is it here called the fire of God? Some conceive it is called the fire of God, because sent from God: that is ascribed to God, which comes from God, as that (Genesis 19:24) where it is said, that the Lord did rain fire and brimstone upon Sodom out of Heaven from the Lord, or…

This duty concerns us, for God has a controuersie with our Land, for the innumerable crying sinnes hereof, as blasphemie, oppression, cōtempt of Religion, adulteries, and such like: now when we see the great mortalitie of our brethren, or heare of treasons and conspiracies, and…

We have frequent example of this in the Scripture. Thus (Genesis 19:2), the angels tell Lot, that they would not come into his house; but would abide in the street all night; yet upon his importunity and earnest entreaties, they went in with him. And thus Saint Peter, with some…

God spoke terribly by fire to Sodom and Gomorrah, when he rained fire and brimstone on those cities, and consumed them. See (Genesis 19:24-29): The Lord rained fire and brimstone out of heaven, and overthrew those cities and the inhabitants together; and when Abraham looked towa…

Now the train-bands are up in arms watching at every quarter for foreign men, because of the general fears and jealousies, and rumors that fire-balls were thrown into houses by several of them, to help on and provoke the too furious flames. Now goods are hastily removed from the…

Every sin is a lion that would devour us, and if we are in the lion's den, shall we not use violence to get out? The angels used violence to Lot; they laid hold on him, and pulled him out of Sodom (Genesis 19:16). Such violence must be used to get out of the spiritual Sodom.

Meekness suffers the word of admonition, and takes it patiently and thankfully, not only from the hand of God that sends it, but from the hand of our friend that brings it. We must not be like the reprobate Sodomites (Genesis 19:9), or that pert Hebrew (Exodus 2:14), that flew i…

2. Another snare of Satan is, to tempt to sin under a plea of Necessity. Lot offered to expose his Daughters to the lusts of the Sodomites, that he might preserve his Angel-guests who were come into his house, Genesis 19:8. Did not Satan instigate him to this?

He that bends and inclines the heart by his grace, to look after better things, must also bridle the senses: it is lust that sets the eye awork, and causes a deep complacency and delight in carnal things, and that is cured only by God's grace (Mark 10:27), therefore go and beg t…

Sometimes it signifies an exposing of men to shame and dishonor: so the wise man tells us, wine is a mocker (Proverbs 20:1). Sometimes it signifies an imposing upon the credulity of others, things that seem incredible and impossible: so we read in Genesis, when Lot had declared…

When Herod was so wicked as to assume glory to himself, which of right is God's, the Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not glory to God (Acts 12:23). When God will judge, the Angels will execute the judgment written: The Angels executed destruction from the Lord again…

4. Consider that sins cry to God against us; and the devil to be sure is a constant solicitor against us. The cry of Cain's sin went up (Genesis 4:10), the cry of Sodom's sin was great (Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13), the detaining of laborers' wages cries (James 5:4), and ind…

It is sad when men's care is not to discharge conscience but to satisfy lust. Answer 4: To regard iniquity is to give it respect and entertainment, as Lot showed respect to the angels (Genesis 19:2): he bowed himself with his face toward the ground and said, 'Behold now, my lord…

Sixth, a notion of the smallness of sin. Genesis 19:20: Is it not a little one? The devil holds the small end of the perspective glass to sinners.

Therefore, believing parents have no word of faith or of the gospel by which to pray for the salvation of their children dying in infancy, for such prayers have neither warrant in the covenant of works nor in the covenant of grace, by their way. And yet that we are to pray is to…

And in the New Testament, Matthew 6:27-28, 33, 1 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 13:5-6, which were nothing if our Heavenly Father provides bread, protection, safety, dwelling in the land, and our houses, to the fathers, but the children had no charter but to beggary, to the sword, to be d…

The greatest sign of God's anger is to give men up to their sins (Psalm 81:12): So I gave them up to their own hearts' lusts; let them sin themselves to hell. But God has laid the bridle of restraining grace upon us: As God said to Abimelech (Genesis 20:6), I withheld you from s…

Secondly, they are blessings by their prayers. Abraham prayed for Abimelech, Genesis 20:17-18, and, God healed him and his family of barrenness. At Moses' prayer, God's judgments were taken from Egypt: Exodus 7:12, 13, 30, and his wrath appeased toward his people, Exodus 32:11,…

Seeing it is apparent in the Story, he dwelt in Egypt, Genesis 12.10. and in Gerar. Genesis 20.1. I answer: The meaning is not, that he stayed there every day of his life; but that he lived and died there, and made it the place of his residence and ordinary habitation, whereunto…

We miserable men for the most part have not grace to consider that we are always before God; and to quake and tremble at the consideration of his presence: and this makes us so often to offend God in our lives as we do. Abraham coming before Abimelech, shifting for himself, said…

Thirdly, we must be the glory of Christ, as the wife is to her husband (1 Corinthians 11:7), and that is by subjecting ourselves to Christ, and his laws. Again, if we betroth ourselves to Christ indeed, we may assure ourselves that Christ is our Christ, and that he has given him…

First, that all our actions (specially in the worship and service of God) be grounded upon the will and word of God; and not upon will-worship, or human inventions: otherwise it will be said, Who required these things at your hands? Secondly, that we perform all our actions sinc…

And thus with this buckler, he repulses all the difficulties which easily arise, as often as the promises of God do surmount our reach. I grant he sometimes threatens with condition, as he threatened Abimelec (Genesis 12:17), and Pharaoh (Genesis 20:3), and the Ninevites (Jonah…

Therefore in this denunciation there must be a condition supplied; for otherwise Hezekiah could never have moved the Lord, nor annulled his irrevocable decree neither by his prayers nor tears. But the Lord threatened him as he did Abimelech king of Gerar for taking Sarah, Abram'…

For when the woman comes into the family of the husband, she takes his name, and loses her own: inasmuch as the husband is her head: and therefore her veil is a sign of her subjection. As Abimelech said to Sara, Abraham your husband shall be the covering of your head: (Genesis 2…

The first is this, when God lays that affliction of barrenness upon the woman, he according to the phrase of Scripture, is said to shut up the womb; and when he sends the blessing of fruitfulness, he is said to open the womb. We have both (Genesis 20:18): when Abimelech had take…

Oh that this thought did run in our minds in the time of temptation, then by Gods grace we should feare to sinne, and endeavor to walke before God in all holy obedience, as his servants have done. Many are shamelesse in sinning, which comes from the want of this perswasion of Go…

Where no fear of God is, there will be no good submission to man. Abraham thought that the men of Gerar would have no respect for him or his wife, nor make conscience of common honesty, nor abstain from innocent blood, because he saw no fear of God in that place (Genesis 20:11):…

2. Though they were heathen, yet they showed what subjection is required of wives to their husbands by the very light of nature, whereby this sin is aggravated. 3. Abimelech was but a heathen man, yet his sentence concerning a woman's subjection in these words, he is to you a co…

When the trial comes, we quickly see, whence is our preservation by standing, or falling. So was it in the case of Abimelech (Genesis 20:6): I withheld you. 2. In a way of renewing grace.

Whence was this? verse 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes: Abraham surmized the men of Gerar would stick at no Sin; why so? Genesis 20:11. I thought surely the fear of God is not in this place.

Joseph is an instance (Genesis 39:9), "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Abraham could promise himself little security in a place where no fear of God was (Genesis 20:11), "I thought surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they will slay me for m…

Every answer of prayer is a new proof or fresh experience of God's love and special respect to us, it is a sign that God regards us and is mindful of us, in fact it is a sign of God's favor when he will not only hear us for ourselves, but for others also. If a man come to a king…

So I might have taken her to be my wife," etc. a severe expostulation and an upbraid (Genesis 12). And yet in (Genesis 20) Abraham is at it again, and meets with a more plain and home rebuke, and is charged with no less than sin by Abimelech (verse 9). "You (even you) have broug…

It is in the wills and power of wicked men and devils to do harm to the people of God, but the Lord will not suffer them to act that rage and malice that is in their hearts and so not to do that hurt which otherwise they could and would. So to Abimelech the Lord whispers his dis…

Secondly, an unrenewed soul may be kept from the commission of some sin; not because there is a principle of grace within him, but because of some providential constraint without him, or upon him: for it often falls out, that when men have conceived sin and are ready to execute…

The deriding the grace of the Spirit comes near to slighting the Spirit of grace. Scoffing Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's house (Genesis 21:9). Such as scoff at holiness shall be cast out of heaven.

2. Deride it; these are your holy ones. To deride sanctification argues a high degree of atheism, and is a black brand of reprobation: scoffing Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's family (Genesis 21:9). Such as scoff at holiness shall be cast out of heaven.

Quest. Here it may be asked how it can be truly said, that Isaac was Abraham's only begotten son, seeing Ishmael was also his son, and was borne before Isaac, as is evident, Genesis 16? I answer two ways: first, that Ishmael by God's appointment was put out of Abraham's house, (…

Nay verily: but such are our times, too many among us, both those that give, and those which follow good examples, are as signs and wonders, as the Prophet speaks; they are made a reproach, and a by-word among men, and are foully disgraced by odious terms, Isaiah 8:18. But this…

For, though you yourself cannot bear it; yet trust undoubtedly, that Christ who bears with you, will give you strength to undergo it, unto victory. Thirdly, if the afflictions of a Christian, be the afflictions of Christ; then it is a fearful sin for any man to mock or reproach…

He led the Israelites in the deserts of Arabia forty years; whereas a man may travel from Rameses in Egypt to any part of Canaan in forty days: and this God did to humble them, and try them, and to know what was in their heart (Deuteronomy 8.2.) God promised Abraham a son, in wh…

Does he feed and clothe his enemies, and will he forget his children? He heard the very cry of Ishmael in distress (Genesis 21:17). O my unbelieving heart! do you yet doubt?

No, these of whom Christ is head, these are his body, the Church, that have life from him, and are knit to him by the Spirit, and among themselves by spiritual ligatures (Ephesians 1:22-23) and Christ's fullness (Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 1:18). (Genesis 21:6) All that hear sha…

When Elijah was in distress, the Angel brought him meat (1 Kings 19:5-6). When Hagar and Ishmael were in the wilderness, and the bottle spent, then God comforted her from heaven (Genesis 21:17). When the three children were in the fiery furnace, then God sent an Angel to be thei…

This word of Sarah was very grievous to Abraham: and, no doubt, when he heard this sentence, his fatherly bowels were moved with compassion towards his son Ishmael: for he was born of his flesh. And this the Scripture plainly witnesses, Genesis 21, when it says: And this thing w…

And they which do no wrong, but are content to suffer wrong (and that for a good cause,) are in this respect blessed (Matthew 5:10). The third point, is touching the kind of persecution: and that was scorning or mocking (Genesis 21:9). It may be demanded, how mocking can be pers…

Also when he discomfited the kings (Genesis 14:16). Lastly, when God granted him issue even at the time when he was past power to beget any (Genesis 21:2). For albeit the Prophet had a special respect to God's adoption, when he commanded him to go out of his father's house: yet…

7. And they had no child By an extraordinary purpose of God it was appointed that John should be born out of the common and ordinary course of nature. The same thing happened with Isaac, (Genesis 17:17; Genesis 21:1-3,) in whom God had determined to give an uncommon and remarkab…

The Angel calls to Abraham, and shews him another Sacrifice, just when his hand was giving the atal stroke to Isaac, Genesis 22. 10, 11. A Well of water is discovered to Hagar, just when she had let the Child, as not able to see its death, Genesis 21. 16, 19. Rabshakh meets with…

The point here to be obserued is this, That to reuile and slaunder, yea (as Luke saith) to hate a man for a good cause, especially for religion, is persecution: which shewes how fearefull the common sinne of the age is, whereby men reuile their brethren, with base and odious tea…

They professe that they know God, but by their works they denie him. And such a one was Ismael, who for mocking Isaac the sonne of the promise, was cast out of Abrahams familie, that is, out of the Church of God, Gen. 21. 10, 11. for Abrahams familie at that time was Gods visibl…

He did not answer passion with passion, that would have put all into a flame presently; but he answered passion with meekness, and so all was quiet. Another instance of Abraham's meekness, we have in the transactions between him and Abimelech his neighbor (Genesis 21:24-25). He…

And if they called our master, Beelzebub, no nicknames fastened upon his followers can seem strange (Matthew 5:25). Mocking was an old way of persecuting the covenant-seed, for thus, he that was after the flesh, betimes persecuted them that were after the Spirit; compare Genesis…

This is the preeminence of the true sons of any family. The ground on which Sarah pleaded the ejection of Ishmael was that he was the son of the bondwoman, Genesis 21:10 — not a genuine child of the family and therefore could have no right of heirship with Isaac. The apostle's a…

§. 16. Of husbands' ready yielding to their wives' humble suits. Again, it being a token of reverence in a wife humbly to make known her desire to her husband, he ought to show so much courtesy as readily to grant her desire: this courtesy the forenamed Ahasuerus afforded to Est…

Though Shechem loved Dinah, and had deflowered her, yet would he not marry her without the consent of his and her father (Genesis 34:3, etc.). Ishmael had learned as much either by the instruction he had received out of Abraham's house, or else by the light of nature; for he sto…

It is noted of Elkanah, that he suffered his wife to tarry at home while she gave suck to her son, and would not force her to go up to the tabernacle as his other wife did, but gave her all the ease and content he could, saying to her, Do what seems good to you (1 Samuel 1:23).…

For in that sense, we are to count it all joy when we fall into temptation, in the other, that we enter not into it. Again actively considered, it either denotes in the tempter, a design for the bringing about of the special end of temptation, namely a leading into evil; so it i…

The Psalmist had truths enough to support him (Psalm 73:17), yet he says, Until I went into the sanctuary of God, I was foolish and ignorant, I was as a beast before you. There is so much dullness upon the children of God that they cannot remember seasonable thoughts; as Hagar h…

Haec audiunt quasi somniantes: Luther says of the most, In seeing they see not; in hearing they hear not. There was a fountain by Hagar, but she could not see it (Genesis 21:19). God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the bottle with water, and…

How? Because he mocked him, compare it with (Genesis 21:9): Sarah saw the son of the bondwoman mocking Isaac; and in the reddition and interpretation, the Holy Ghost calls it a persecution: so they are called cruel mockings (Hebrews 11:36). There is as much cruelty, and as deep…

2. We have but a glimmering light when we are blinded with passions, and are in some sort ignorant of what we know, cannot deduce those conclusions which are evidently contained in known and avowed principles. Hagar could not see the well before her eyes by reason of her passion…

Secondly, it is a grievous affliction; for the man of God, that was after God's own heart, he says, the reproach which I so feared. It is called persecution (Galatians 4:29) compared with (Genesis 21:9) and you shall see it was mocking and reproach. The scourge of the tongue is…

And there is an enmity between these two, and this enmity vented by reproach (Galatians 4:27). But as he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now; that persecution was by bitter mockings, so Ishmael (Genesis 21:9). Sarah saw…

5. They are set to work by Satan; thereby to keep off young beginners, and to discourage and molest the godly themselves: for bitter words pierce deep and enter into the very soul. 2. It is a grievous temptation, it is reckoned in Scripture among the persecutions (Galatians 4:29…

The godly have evil natures as well as others, which cannot be beaten down, but by afflictions. We are froward in our relations; Hagar was proud in Abraham's house (Genesis 16:4): her mistress was despised in her eyes; but very humble in the desert (Genesis 21:16). David's heart…

First, by Scripture. Genesis 21:33. Abraham called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. The gods of the nations were upstart gods, but lately found out, and soon destroyed; but he is the eternal God, who ever was, and is, and ever will be.

The natural man who remains still in the old family, has nothing to do with these promises; he may read over the promises (as one may read over another man's will or inventory) but has no right to them; the promises are like a garden of flowers, fenced in and enclosed, which no…

An unbeliever has nothing to do with these privileges. Ishmael was the son of the bond-woman; he had no right to the family: cast out the bond-woman and her son, as Sarah once said to Abraham (Genesis 21:10). So the unbeliever is not adopted; he is none of the family; and God wi…

And so the stability and certainty of the decree and oath is not to make the children of David secure, but watchful in their duty: But this is not a condition without which the Messiah should not reign, but without this he should not reign to their comfort and everlasting good.…

6th Commandment: You shall not kill. He breaks this commandment: who bears malice to another (1 John 3:15); who is given to hastiness (Matthew 5:22); who uses inward fretting and grudging (James 3:14); who is froward of nature, hard to please (Romans 1:31); who is full of rancor…

To obey is angelical; to pretend honor to God's name, yet not to obey is but a devout compliment. Abraham honored God by obedience; he was ready to sacrifice his son, though the son of his old age, and a son of the promise (Genesis 22:16): By myself have I sworn, says the Lord,…

God has enclosed this day for himself, therefore we are not to lay it common by doing any civil work. As Abraham when he went to sacrifice, left his servant and the ass at the bottom of the hill (Genesis 22:5), so when we are to worship God this day, we must leave all worldly bu…

God does not tempt to that which he has an antipathy against — what king will tempt his subjects to break those laws which he himself has established? Question: But is it not said God tempted Abraham? (Genesis 22:1) Answer: Tempting there was no more than trying.

It may first of all be demanded, How Abraham could offer up his son by faith, considering it is against the law of nature, and the law of God, for a man to kill his own son; which Abraham must do, if he did offer him up in sacrifice unto God. For answer hereunto, we need go no f…

Now, the matter in them contained is, that here is the performance of one of the greatest promises made to Abraham. The promise is, Genesis 22:17, I will surely bless thee, and greatly multiply thy seed, as the stars in the heaven, and as the sands by the sea shore. There is the…

Hereupon the words alleged are a commandment of trial not common to all, but special to him. The like commandment gave the Lord to Abraham, saying: Abraham, take your only son Isaac and offer him upon the mountain which I shall show you (Genesis 22:2). Objection 4.

Indeed, the law was a severer teacher to awe the saints, in regard of the outward dispensation of ceremonies and legal strictness, keeping men as criminals in close prison until Christ should come. But imputation of Christ's righteousness, and blessedness in the pardon of sin, a…

So (Genesis 12:3) In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 22:18) If the meaning be that, without any figure or exception, all and every family be blessed in Christ, then shall I infer that, all the families of the earth, without exception, are justified b…

Thus many times the children of God after solemn assurances of his love are exposed to great temptations. Of this you may see an instance in Abraham (Genesis 22:1): And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, that is after he had assured Abraham, that he…

And though they were forbidden to gather it on the Sabbath day, having on the evening before enough for two days, and it was told them they should find none on the Sabbath day, yet they must try. Where need is, there a man may commit himself to the providence of God, and rely up…

Verse 5. That we might receive the adoption of the sons. Paul sets forth and amplifies very largely this place of Genesis 22: In your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. A little before he called this blessing of the seed of Abraham, righteousness, life, the prom…

The third point, is the speach, or testimonie it selfe: In you shall all the Gentiles be blessed. In you, that is, in your seede, Christ, Gen 22:18. who is in your loynes: into whome the Gentiles are ingrafted by faith, and consequently into you. For they are the seede of Christ…

Lazarus by reason of his extreame pouertie, and the theefe by reason of the shortnes of time which he had to liue in the world, could not be plentifull in good workes, thereby to give sufficient testimonie of their unfained faith: yet God accepts a man according to that which he…

But some may ask why Christ is named in the covenant, which was ratified long before: Objection. for there were two thousand years and more past from the time that God adopted Abraham: the original of this separation then was long before the coming of Jesus Christ. I answer, Ans…

The Psalmist, you know, compares such children to arrows shot from the hand of a mighty man, and pronounces him blessed that has his quiver full of them (Psalm 127:5): that is to say; who has many such children. In mentioning of sand, it seems he had respect to the promise made…

He therefore brings them to their original; to teach them that however they were but a small handful now, yet God was able to increase and multiply them. Then he commands them to look to their father Abraham, who being but one man, yet grew into a great number, and God gave him…

For the ancient Hebrews are of opinion that these customs proceeded from an inconsiderate zeal: as if they should have said, Seeing we are descended from Abraham, we ought no more to spare our children than he did. But this good Patriarch did it in obedience to God (Genesis 22:2…

Moreover, the Prophet teaches, that the grace which was communicated to the Jews, shall be spread far and wide. According as the words of the covenant often sound, In your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 22:18). For the light which was proper only to…

And the Romans, who thought themselves more devout than others — yes, and the Jews also — abstained not from so horrible and execrable a crime. In fact, which is more, these men in their inconsiderate zeal defiled themselves with the murdering of many children, thinking therein…

This name, ὁ πειράζων, the tempter, is given to Satan by the Spirit for the express purpose, that believers may be more carefully on their guard against him. Hence, too, we conclude, that temptations, which solicit us to what is evil, come from him alone: for, when God is someti…

The word temptation is often used generally for any kind of trial. In this sense God is said to have tempted Abraham, (Genesis 22:1,) when he tried his faith. We are tempted both by adversity and by prosperity: because each of them is an occasion of bringing to light feelings wh…

Which Christ confirms, Matthew 7, where he says: Whatever you would that men should do to you, even so do you to them: for this is the law and the Prophets. Moreover Moses and the Prophets are witnesses of Christ being to come: so that if I at any time preach of Christ, that he…

That the Apostle speaks of works justifying only as a sign, or evidence, and in God's declarative judgment, is further confirmed by verse 21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Here the Apostle seems plainly to ref…

How remarkable to this purpose, was the tidings brought to Saul, that the Philistines had invaded the Land? 1 Samuel 23:27 just as he was ready to grasp the prey. The Angel calls to Abraham, and shews him another Sacrifice, just when his hand was giving the atal stroke to Isaac,…

Again for the time, that which some collect to clear it, is from the genealogy of Job, there are three special opinions concerning the line of his pedigree. One that he descended from Nahor, who was brother to Abraham (Genesis 22:21). It was told Abraham, behold Milcah she has b…

Even as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and to his seed forever. Here says Mary that to Abraham and his seed was promised salvation through Christ Jesus, which thing is plainly declared in Genesis 22, where God said to Abraham: In your seed shall all nations be blessed: and…

The oath that he made with Abraham is this: I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you: and in you shall all generations of the earth be blessed. And again: Your seed shall possess the gates of his enemies, and in your seed shall all nations on earth be bl…

This God has none other but himself, Because he could swear by no greater, he swear by himself. Now this God does, (1.) By express affirmation that he has so sworn by himself, which was the form of the first solemn Oath of God, Genesis 22:16. By my self have I sworn, says the Lo…

Thus did Abraham, when he was about to sacrifice his sonne; for when Isaac asked, where is the sacrifice? Abraham answered; my sonne, God will prouide, Gen. 22. 8. and so hee did, vers. 13. whereupon Abraham in memorie of this singular worke of Gods prouidence, called the name o…

It is Gods will that whosoeuer taks vpō him the profession of his name, should be tried what he is. Thus he permitted Adam presently after his creation to be tempted and tried, the smart whereof we all feele unto this day: and God gaue Abraham a commandment of triall to kill hi…

We must on this day rest from all the works of our calling. As Abraham when he went to sacrifice left his servant and donkey at the bottom of the hill (Genesis 22:5), so when we are to worship God this day, we must leave all secular business behind. And as Joseph when he would s…

After this the true religion was kept up for a while among some of the rest of Abraham's posterity, besides the family of Jacob; and also in some of the posterity of Nahor, as we have instances in Job, and his three friends, and Elihu. The land of Uz, where Job lived was a land…

But that beautiful, glorious, costly structure of the temple, that succeeded the tabernacle, and was a fixed, and not a moveable thing, seems especially to represent the church in its glorified state in heaven. This temple was built according to the pattern shown by the Holy Gho…

A bondslave fears nothing but the punishment of his offense; so as it is joined with hatred: and such a one fears not to sin, but to burn in hell for sin. Faithful Abraham like a gracious child feared God (as God's Angel bears witness, Genesis 22:12) when he was ready rather to…

My Mother, says Solomon to Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:20). I find also the title of Sir or Lord, used: a title of honor (1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Kings 5:13; Judges 18:19; 2 Kings 6:21; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:1; Genesis 22:7; Genesis 27:18; Matthew 21:30; Genesis 31:35). 2. By using…

Were there no other motive, this were sufficient. God's charge was such a motive to Abraham, as at it he would have sacrificed his son (Genesis 22:2-3): and will you not at God's command correct your child? It is further commended by God's own example, which is not only set fort…

Thus he tempted Abraham, to show him his faith. Abraham did not know what faith he had; (I mean what power and vigor was in his faith) until God drew it out by that great trial and temptation; when God says he knew it, he made Abraham know it (Genesis 22:12). So he tried Hezekia…

It is the battle that tries the soldier, and the storm the pilot, how would it appear that Christians can be themselves not only patient but cheerful in poverty, in disgrace, and attempts and persecutions, if it were not often their lot to meet with those. He that framed the hea…

Thirdly, by his own heart. First, man is tempted by God (Genesis 22:1). And it came to pass, after these things, that God did tempt Abraham.

The Saints of old were men fearing God. Genesis 22:12. Act. 10:22. 1 Kin. 18:3.

Some man will say, that the seeing of the things that were figured, and the truth and substance of them remained as yet to be accomplished. But we have to note yet further, that although God had adopted the Jews in Abraham: yet they were received in Jesus Christ, and that that g…

And then that they express it in their conduct; God will not take it as planted in our hearts, if we do not obey him in those things that are contrary to our interests and natural affections. When God tried Abraham, that was to offer his Isaac (Genesis 22): "Now I know that you…

So (Psalm 63:4): Thus will I bless you while I live, I will lift up my hands in your name. 3. For swearing or vowing (Genesis 22:14): I have lift up my hand to the most high God, that is, sworn. So (Revelation 10:5): The Angel lift up his hand and swore.

(2 Samuel 7:19) Who am I O Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far? Consider the season, in our greatest extremity is God's opportunity (Genesis 22:14): In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen, when the knife was at the throat of his Son. (2 Corinthian…

God tempts to try grace (Deuteronomy 13:3); The Lord your God proves you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart. Thus it is said, God tempted Abraham (Genesis 22:1). It was to try his faith and obedience.

Fifth, a mourner for sin does not only good to himself, but to others; he helps to keep wrath off a land. As when Abraham was going to strike the blow, the angel stayed his hand (Genesis 22:12), so when God is going to destroy a nation, the mourner stays his hand. Tears in the c…

What seed? The visible seed: And the Levites that minister to me, will I multiply: He alludes to the promise made to Abraham, of multiplying his seed (Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:5; [reconstructed: Genesis 22:17]). And this promise made to Abraham (says Calvin) belongs to them all…

There is a word immediately spoken by the Prophets, and Apostles, that is to be tried, partly by the first preaching the Lord made in Paradise, partly by the effects, that it converts the soul (Psalm 19:7), and smells of that same majesty, and the divine power of another life, w…

And therefore it is most absurd to make the faith of Abraham all one in nature with the faith of Devils and Hypocrites, and to make the difference only in having works, and no works, as if there were the same heart leaning, soul rolling, and cleaving to the Lord by faith in Abra…

(2.) There is a piece of unseen willfulness in unbelief, and two refusals in it, as we see in Thomas (John 20:25), as there is a mass of sanctified will required in sincere faith (Romans 10:9-10) (Mark 9:24), and so resistance must be made to that blind impulse of will in unbeli…

2. Glorifying of God consists in adoration, or worship (Psalm 29:2): Give to the Lord the glory due to his name. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: there is a twofold worship, 1. A civil reverence we give to persons of honor (Genesis 23:7): Abraham stood up and bowed hi…

For answer hereunto, we are to know, that Abraham was no ordinary man, but a Prophet, and that an excellent and extraordinary Prophet: So God himself testifies of him to Abimelech; He is a Prophet, and he shall pray for you: yea, he was esteemed and reverenced as a Prophet, and…

Now, it is more than likely, Abraham would not have so far been beholden to them, but that they were true Christians, and of his own religion. Therefore this hinders not, but he might be a stranger notwithstanding, unto the body of the people, and that it is true that Abraham sa…

The Text says, They confessed; that is, they professed openly, what they were, and what their religion was, and that not only amongst themselves, but before the face of God's enemies, and heathen men. Genesis 23:4: Abraham told the people of the Land of Canaan, that he was a str…

Lastly, governors and magistrates have civil adoration as their due and it cannot be omitted without offense. Thus Abraham worshipped the Hittites (Genesis 23) and Joseph his brothers (Genesis 50). To come to the very point: upon the former distinction we deny, against the Papis…

Then, being come into the land of Canaan, he had to deal with barbarous and froward men, with whom he could no way make his peace, because he inclined himself nothing at all to their superstitions. That which Moses recites testifies plainly, that Abraham had never any settled pe…

And in verse 53, the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and gave them to Rebekah; he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. And in Genesis 23:16, we read of Abraham's paying four hundred shekels of silver to Ephron the Hittite, which…

Walk wisely,, towards them that are without. 1. The Fear of God makes us walk affably. Genesis 23:7. Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the Children of Heth.

2. Take heed of putting men off, and paying them with false and unlawful money; as you should not buy stolen and unlawful goods, so you should not pay unlawful money, that which you would not take, and know that others will not receive, if it be discerned. The children of Abraha…

Psalm 119:63: I am a companion of all those who fear you. Though a child of God is courteous to all — we read that Abraham bowed himself to the children of Heth (Genesis 23:7) — a child of God has a love of civility to all, but a love of delight only to those who are fellow-heir…

1 A civil love; A godly man has a love of civility to all, Genesis 23. 7. Abraham stood up and bowed to the children of Heth:

Such a good servant had Abraham. When his master sent him to transact business for him, he was as careful about it, as if it had been his own (Genesis 24:12): O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray you send me good speed this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Doubtle…

What a true and trusty servant had Abraham — he was his right-hand! How prudent and faithful was he in the matter he was entrusted with, in getting a wife for his master's son (Genesis 24:9). And surely, it would have gone near to Abraham to have had anyone enticed away his serv…

The like care must every one of us have to walk dutifully; and, as it were, to go with [reconstructed: thorough-stitch] in our particular callings, that God may be glorified by us. When Abraham's servant came to Bethuel to get a wife for Isaac, meat was set before him, but he sa…

as, suppose a king should send an embassy to a person to woo her to be his wife, it's one thing to know that there is such a king, another thing to believe that he is real in his offer, and that the woman by consenting to marry him, may be, and will be happy, and (which is yet m…

"You shall eat of every tree of the garden" (Genesis 2:16). [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] all his master's goods are in his hand [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] (Genesis 24:10). Now thus God will have all to be saved, and Christ is the Mediator of all men (1 Timothy 2), which is not t…

An Angel stirred the waters at the Pool of Siloam (John 5:4). An Angel was the guide of the way to Abraham's servant (Genesis 24:7), He will send his angel before you, and you shalt take a wife to my son from thence. Angels defend us against enemies (Psalm 34:7), The angel of th…

No doubt he had used this course frequently in other cases: Hence arose that intimacy between God and Abraham: So that God talked with him, came to him; and he again discoursed familiarly with God. 2. Isaac, the son of the promise, a very contemplative man, therefore it is said…

Besides, this form of expression was not only employed by believers to extol the grace of God towards men, but those who had degenerated from true godliness still held this principle. Enter, you blessed of God, said Laban to Abraham’s servant, (Genesis 24:31.) We see that nature…

When Ahitophel shall go and hang himself, just upon that prayer of distressed David, 2 Samuel 15:31 When Haman shall fall and his plot be broken, just upon the Fast kept by Mordecai and Hester, Esther 4:16 Our own Speed, in his History of Britain, tells us, that Richard the Firs…

(6.) The respect and relation Providence bears to our prayers, is of singular consideration, and a most taking and sweet meditation. prayer honors Providence, and Providence honors prayer. Great notice is taken of this in Scripture, Genesis 24:45 Daniel 9:20 Acts 12:12 You have…

And it has ever been the practice of holy men, to seek the Lord for direction and counsel, when they have been upon the change of their condition. No doubt but Abraham's encouragement in that case was the fruit of prayer, Genesis 24:7 His pious servant also, who was employed in…

It is expressed concerning Abraham (Genesis 13:2), that Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold. And Abraham's servant (Genesis 24:35) says of him, The Lord has blessed my Master greatly, and he has given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold. And in verse 5…

4. The last step is, "They took away my veil from me": the word that is rendered veil comes from a root that signifies to subdue, it is that same word which we have (Psalm 144:2): "who subdues the people," etc. It had a threefold use: 1. for decoration, as in Isaiah 3:23; 2. for…

Going forth into the field, holds forth these two, 1. The extent of her desire, she would have him at home and abroad also, she desires not to go out of doors without him. 2. A desire of retiredness with him, that she might be alone in his company, as a wife going abroad to fiel…

Or lastly, because the angels themselves do reverence Christ, who is their head, and in token of their subjection to him, are said to veil and cover their faces: And therefore women also in token of their subjection to their husbands, who are their heads, as Christ is of the Chu…

Thirdly, a lawful oath must be taken in righteousness and justice: and therefore it is very wicked to bind ourselves by an oath, or vow, to do things that are either impossible or sinful. First, the matter of a just oath ought to be possible; and therefore we see how cautious Ab…

A Christian may live upon this treasure in a wilderness, in prison, [etiam in Inferne] even in hell itself (says Luther). God's statutes were David's songs in the house of his pilgrimage; Isaac went out into the fields for recreation, and took his treasure along with him, gettin…

David did meditate in God's precepts (Psalm 119:15). Isaac walked in the evening to meditate (Genesis 24:63). He did take a turn with God.

This was a confirmation of Abraham's faith in the promise that God had made of Christ, that he should be of Isaac's posterity; and was a representation of the resurrection of Christ; as you may see, Hebrews 11:17-19. And because this was given as a confirmation of the covenant o…

A wife's outward reverence consists in her reverent | Gesture. | Speech. | | For the first, that a reverent gesture and carriage of herself to her husband, and in her husband's presence, becomes a wife, was of old implied by the veil which the woman used to put on, when she was…

To omit other places, where this duty is urged in this place, love is four times by name expressed, beside that it is intimated under many other terms and phrases (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33). Whoever therefore takes a wife, must, in this respect that she is his wife, love her: as i…

3. Answerable to the law has been the practice of God's saints recorded and approved in Scripture. Isaac married the wife which his father provided (Genesis 24:67). Jacob both obeyed his father in going to Laban's house for a wife (Genesis 28:2), and also when he came to Laban a…

This direction was given in times of persecution, when by reason of the present necessity it was better not to marry: if then a parent ought to be careful (need requiring) to provide a marriage for his daughter, much more ought he in times of peace. Holy parents commended by the…

That is, you plainly show that you account me not your master, because in your heart there is no fear of me (Malachi 1:6). This fear will draw servants on, cheerfully to perform all duty: the more it abounds, the more desire and endeavor there will be to please, and to give good…

1. God's fear is the ground of all good obedience and faithfulness: note the examples of such good and faithful servants as are commended in Scripture, and you shall find them all to fear God. 2. Such will not only be diligent in their work, but they will also faithfully call up…

This were to be wanton with Scripture. The literal sense is not to be left without necessity, nor yet pressed too literally, as if prayer should be confined to a chamber and closet: Christ prayed in the mountain (Matthew 14:23) and, (Genesis 24:63) Isaac went into the field to m…

Here was sin committed in the Thoughts: the Jews sinned by envying Christ, though they had never Crucified him. 2. Discontent, Genesis 24:5. Cain was wroth and his Countenance fell.

Surely unless that servant of Abraham had fixed this deeply in his mind, he would not have said, when he set out to seek a wife for Isaac the son of his master, 'God will send to me her whom he has destined for the son of my lord' (Genesis 24); but he was persuaded that God woul…

It is commended to us by the practice and example of the saints in Scripture. Isaac (Genesis 24:63) went out to meditate in the field in the evening: to pray, as in the margin; the word in the original is indifferent to both senses; it properly signifies muttering, or an imperfe…

Therefore, consider whether you be able to doe this or no: and know, that if there be faith, if you have faith for the maine, you will have faith in particular cases. As for exmple, to give you some instance, Gen. 24:7. when Abraham had a particular occasion to send his servant…

The Covenant of grace is the joynture which God settles only upon Christs Spouse. Rebeccah had not the Jewels and costly raiment till she was promised to become Isaaks wife, Genesis 24:53. All the Promises are Yea and Amen in Christ.

Now the people and Levites, and house of David were never so multiplied in the Jews, after the deliverance from Babylon, and therefore must be extended to the New Testament. And if God establish David's seed forever (Psalm 89:4) and the seed of his people shall possess the gates…

No doubt he prayed before being a Pharisee, but it was either superficially, or superstitiously; but when the work of Grace had passed upon his soul, behold, now, he prays: A godly man is every day upon the Mount of Prayer; he begins the day with prayer, before he opens his shop…

The Love of the Great King is an abundant satisfactory Recompence for parting with all things in this world. So when Abrahams Servant was sent to take Rebecka for a Wife to Isaac, he required that she should immediately leave Father and Mother, Brothers and all enjoyments, and g…

So, go apart when you are to meditate. Isaac went out to meditate in the field, Genesis 24:63. He sequestered and retired himself that he might take a walk with God by meditation.

3. God is [reconstructed: bonum selectum], choice good; all things sub sole, are but [reconstructed: bassi scabelli], as Augustine, the blessings of the footstool; but to have God himself to be ours, is the blessing of the throne. Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the [reconstru…

2. The infiniteness of God's knowledge is a comfort, in case the saints have not so clear a knowledge of themselves. They find so much corruption, that they judge they have no grace (Genesis 25:22). If it be so, why am I thus?

This is indeed a spirit of liberty, it enlarges me to dominion over men; no creature in heaven or in earth, but a Christian is able to rule him to his own advantage; a Christian servant will turn his master's government to his advantage, and so all his enemies' tyranny; he will…

The event upon the fact of Abraham was, that his two wives, bore him two sons. He had indeed more sons by Ketura (Genesis 25:2), but these two, Ishmael and Isaac are only here mentioned: because by the special appointment of God, they were ordained as types of true believers, an…

Watchman, what was in the night? It appears by Genesis 25:14, that this people came of Ishmael's son, to whom this name is given: for which cause his successors were called Dumeans. The certain cause of the destruction which is here denounced against them, is not known: and this…

But why the name Jobab should be contracted into Job, I see little reason offered. A third opinion for his descent is, that he came from the children of Abraham by his second wife Keturah (Genesis 25), where it is said, that Abraham by her had various sons, and that he gave them…

For this cause does this verse or part of this song duly follow the first verse. After this manner do we read Genesis 25, that Abraham gave gifts to the children of the concubines, but to Isaac his true and lawful son by Sara his lawful wife, he gave the whole heritage. After th…

This prouident eie of God ouer all our wants, teaches us what to doe when we are assaulted by any enemie, either of bodie or soule; we must first of all make God our refuge and tower of defence, by getting assurance of our adoption; for if we be Gods children, he is our father,…

Thus also (Matthew 23:37) is Christ's expression, I would have gathered you, etc., whereby their bringing-in to him is signified. 2. It points at his glorifying of them, which is in part, when particular believers are gathered to their fathers, as the phrase is (Genesis 25:8 and…

The land of Uz, where Job lived was a land possessed by the posterity of Uz, or Huz, the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, of whom we read, Genesis 22:21. Bildad the Shuhite was of the offspring of Shuah, Abraham's son by Keturah, Genesis 25:1-2: and Elihu the Buzite, was of Buz…

Such as these are the questions which meekness would put to the soul, and in answer to them would abstract all that which passion is apt to suggest, and hear reason only, as it becomes rational creatures to do. Three great dictates of meekness we find put together in one Scriptu…

Moab was irked because of Israel, or did fret and vex, so the words; the same with that, Exod. 1:12 There was no cause for the Moabites thus to fret, they were allyed to Israel, for Moab was of Lot, to whom Abraham was Uncle: Israel passed by them in peace, and by the slaughter…

This liberty which the Prophet of God, and Apostle of Christ grant to a wife, can by no show of reason be denied to a husband: for the bond of marriage gives them a like power over one another's body (1 Corinthians 7:4), and knits one as inviolably as the other (Matthew 19:6). H…

A general duty tending to the good of all these is prayer. Saint Peter requires such a conduct of man and wife one towards another, as their prayers be not hindered (1 Peter 3:7): whereby he takes it for granted, that prayer is a mutual duty which one owes to the other: which du…

An especially outward means whereby parents may be the better enabled to provide fit callings and marriages for their children, is, before hand to lay up some stock, or competent portion for their children. This is comprised under that general provision, of which he that is care…

God is bountiful to all, gives to all men, all that they have, health, riches, honor, strength, beauty, and wit, but those things he scatters (as it were) with an indifferent hand. Upon others he looks, as well as on his beloved children: but the inheritance is peculiarly theirs…

I answer in two things. First, if it [reconstructed: will] snarl at God's dealings, and quarrel with his [reconstructed: providence], and privately [reconstructed: murmur] and repine when they see others have more and better than they: I see others have been humbled and pardoned…

First, hunger is a painful thing. Esau, when he returned from hunting, was almost dead with hunger (Genesis 25:32). And Psalm 107:5: Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

God may give the men of the world the blessings of the footstool, but in giving Christ to a person he gives the blessings of the throne. Abraham sent away the sons of the concubines with gifts, but he gave all he had to Isaac (Genesis 25:5). God may send away others with a littl…

Gifts may be bestowed upon one for the good of others, (as the nurse's breasts are given her for the child) but grace is bestowed for a man's own eternal advantage. God may send away reprobates with gifts, as Abraham did the sons of the concubines, Genesis 25.6. But he entails t…

In heaven righteousness and peace kiss each other. 6. The kingdom of heaven excels in magnitude; it is of vast dimensions; though the gate of the kingdom be strait, we must pass into it through the strait gate of mortification; yet when once we are in it is very large; though th…

Indeed, doubtless Esau, when he was little and in his tender age, promised as much comfort to his parents as Jacob did; and I question not but Isaac and Rebecca, a gracious pair, spent as many prayers, and bestowed as many holy counsels upon him as they did upon his brother. But…

What a grief was Esau to Isaac and Rabecka? Genesis 26. 34, 35. What a scourge were Absalom and Amnon to David?

The words in the original do signify servants, or tillage and husbandry. Concerning Isaac (Genesis 26), it is said that he had possessions of flocks and of herds, and great store of servants, so some read it; others that he had great store of husbandry. It comes all to one purpo…

It was Abraham's meek management of his quarrel with Lot, that secured both his own and his kinsman's possessions, which otherwise would have been an easy prey to the Canaanite and the Perizzite that dwelt then in the land (Genesis 13:7-8). And Isaac, whom I have sometimes thoug…

Objection. Thus shall all delightful familiarity between husband and wife be taken away. Answer. Though the forenamed sobriety be opposed to lightness and wantonness, yet not to matrimonial familiarity: which is so far permitted to man and wife, as if any other man and woman sho…

"You (even you) have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin, you have done deeds to me, that ought not to be done"; he lays the sin at Abraham's door, and Sarah also (for her suppleness) had a reproof from him (verse 16). Yet after all this, Abraham's son Isaac is found tardy…

You that laugh at sin now — the time is coming when God will laugh at your calamity (Proverbs 1:26). Fourth, it reproves those who cry down mourning for sin; they are like the Philistines who stopped the wells (Genesis 26:15). These would stop the wells of godly sorrow.

But as a man that has dug so many fathoms deep for water and can find none at last digs until he finds a spring, so though we have been digging for the water of tears and can find none, yet let us weigh all that has been said and set our hearts again to work. Perhaps at last we…

3. True faith is long in working, non sit in instanti — it costs many searchings of heart; many prayers, and tears; there is a spiritual combat; the soul suffers many sore pangs of humiliation before the child of faith be born. They whose faith is per saltum — they leap out of s…

Christ's blood has quenched the fire of God's wrath for you. Upon me, upon me be the curse, said Rebecca to Jacob (Genesis 27:13). So said Christ to God's justice, Upon me be the curse, that my elect may inherit the blessing.

Secondly, howsoever at the first Isaac erred in his purpose for the blessing of his children, yet afterward he corrects himself for it. For, as we may read in the History, after he had indeed blessed Jacob, supposing it had been Esau, when Esau came for his blessing with his ven…

Answer. We must know that the work was good which she did; and a work of mercy, to preserve God's people, although she failed in the manner of doing it: she received them by faith, though she showed distrust, in lying for their safety. It was a notable work of Rebecca, Genesis 2…

Consideration 12. The Lord is able to restore all your lost comforts in relations double to you, if you meekly submit to him and patiently wait upon him under the rod. When Esau had lost his blessing, he said: Has my father but one blessing? (Genesis 27:38). But your Father has…

And when the soul thus finds God in a corner, it carries away something of God that casts a sweet perfume upon his person and acting, that is taken notice of by others. It may be said of such a soul as Isaac spoke of his son Jacob (Genesis 27:27), See, the smell of my son is as…

Thus did Esau hate Jacob. Gen 27:41. and Absolom his brother Amnon. 2. Sam. 13.

For having a long time abused the patience of God, in showing themselves obstinate and rebellious, they shall be constrained in the end to take knowledge of his judgments. Thus although Cain, Esau, and the like (who repented their sins too late) fled from God's presence, yet in…

His love to us made him cruel to himself. As Rebecca said to Jacob (Genesis 27:13), Upon me, upon me be the curse. So said Christ, Upon me be the curse, that poor sinners may inherit the blessing.

They please their spiritual sense, they refresh their drooping spirits, and give delight to their souls. If he be nigh them they smell his raiment, as Isaac the raiment of Jacob; they say it is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed (Genesis 27:27) and their souls are…

This fruitful place doubtless brought forth the most precious roses. Christ in the savor of his love, and in his righteousness (which is as the garment wherein Jacob received his blessing, giving forth a smell as the smell of a pleasant field, Genesis 27:27) is as this excellent…

The law of the regality (as I may so speak) and preeminence of the firstborn was under those words ordained: and therefore a younger brother was made a subject to his elder, while he remained in the family, as a son to the father. The elder brother was as a lord over his other b…

My Mother, says Solomon to Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:20). I find also the title of Sir or Lord, used: a title of honor (1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Kings 5:13; Judges 18:19; 2 Kings 6:21; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:1; Genesis 22:7; Genesis 27:18; Matthew 21:30; Genesis 31:35). 2. By using…

God blesseth such in their Name, Estate, Souls. And this blessing can never be reversed: As Isaac said, I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed, Genesis 27:33. Such as Fear God are priviledged Persons, none can take away from them either their birth-right, or their blessing.

2. The officious lie, for the help and relief of others. Many instances of this we have in Scripture: Thus Rebekah teaches Jacob to lie that he might gain the blessing (Genesis 27), and the Egyptian Midwives saved the male children of the Israelites, by feigning they were delive…

1. He begs application to me also, God is every day scattering his mercies abroad in the world, and David would not be left out of God's care and blessed provision, but have his share also. Esau's words are applicable upon this occasion (Genesis 27:38): have you but one blessing…

No, it is demanded now: he does not give it up, but it is taken away from him. Reason with yourself as Isaac (Genesis 27:2) — (I allude to it) — Behold now I am old, I know not the day of my death, make me savory meats that my soul may bless you before I die. So reason, I have s…

Jonadab is called his friend, and friends use to take sweet counsel together; but, Oh, what bitter counsel is wicked counsel! Never counsel any to sin under the pretense of friendship, it is killing kindness, and as Rebekah told Jacob when she counseled him to lie and counterfei…

I beseech you therefore to consider these things. 1. That good, and some of the best of men have been guilty hereof, and have suffered hereby; to instance but in two: the first is Jacob, who was exceeding tender of telling a lie, though it were to get a blessing (Genesis 27:11-1…

O, application is a wonderful work! Thus Esau, who despised the birthright and blessing indeed, yet out of self-love for self-ends he seeks the blessing with tears, but not with a faith of application — a faith of God's operation (Genesis 27:34; [reconstructed: Hebrews 12:16-17]…

Once adopted, and ever adopted. As Isaac said when he had given the blessing to Jacob, 'I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed' (Genesis 27:33). So may we say of all God's children: they are adopted, and they shall be adopted.

Will you repine and be sad when you are blessed? Esau wept because he wanted the blessing (Genesis 27:38): Bless me, even me also, O my Father, and Esau lifted up his voice and wept. But shall a child of God be immoderately cast down, when he has the blessing?

But suppose he might — yet it is better to repent a year too soon than an hour too late. Esau's tears as well as his venison came too late (Genesis 27:33-34). David would seek after God early (Psalm 36:1); Augustine in his confessions complains of himself that he knew God no soo…

Christs sufferings from man, and temptation from the devil came together. Esau, who hated his brother for the blessing, said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand, then will I kill my brother, Genesis 27:41. Times of affliction are the days of mourning, th…

How is a believer tired out with his corruptions? I am weary of my life (says Rebecca) because of the daughters of Heth, Genesis 27. 46. That which makes a child of God weary of his life, is his proud, unbelieving heart: Saint Paul could better carry his iron Chain, than his sin…

We say murder will out, and we may as confidently affirm hypocrisy will out. When Rebekah had laid the plot to disguise her son Jacob, and by personating his brother to get the blessing, Jacob thus objected against it: 'My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to hi…

Their sin and iniquity will I remember no more (Jeremiah 31:34). And though it be true, that once justified, for ever justified, once blessed, for ever blessed (Genesis 27:33), and though after that time we should immediately fall frantic, not able to put forth an act of reason,…

A man in such a case sees that the fear of God is not in him, that the Lord Jesus he has forsaken; estrangement from God is bitter to such a soul (Ruth 1:20). That which you read of Esau is very memorable in this case (Genesis 27:34): when he saw he had lost the blessing, that C…

Christ having married our flesh, has exalted it above the angelic nature. 2. Look upon Christ's divine nature: Christ may fitly be compared to Jacob's ladder (Genesis 28:12), which reached from earth to heaven; Christ's human nature was the foot of the ladder which stood upon ea…

Lactantius said, All the learning of the philosophers was without a head, because it wanted the knowledge of God. 2. Wherein our choosing of God consists: It is an act of mature deliberation; a Christian having viewed the superlative excellencies in God, and being stricken into…

And children must hearken to the counsel of their parents, as in spiritual matters, so in other affairs which relate to this life, as in the choice of a calling, and in case of entering into marriage. Jacob would not dispose of himself in marriage (though he were forty years old…

For it is God's will, that we should not cast the care of heavenly things only, but all our care upon him (1 Peter 5:7). And he has elsewhere commanded that earthly things should be asked at his hand (1 Kings 8:35), and the same has been asked in prayer of Jacob (Genesis 28:10),…

7. This should keep his children in a holy awe (Hebrews 12:28-29): Let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire. When we come in the holy assemblies (Genesis 28:17): How dreadful is this place. In our gener…

Presuppose two things; one, that the commandment is without compulsion; the second, that the father knows what is for the good of the child: then I answer, that he may command his child to marry, and to marry a person thus or thus qualified. Thus Isaac commanded Jacob to marry i…

Now although this reason has some color, yet I had rather refer it to the certainty of the vocation of the Prophet, to wit, that the Lord called him not forth at random, but with choice. This is then a grave deliberation which the Lord takes as touching him whom he should send:…

Thus Mordecai and Hester took all care to perpetuate the memory of that signal deliverance from the plot of Haman, by ordaining the feast of Purim, as an Anniversary throughout every generation, every family, every Province, and every Ciy, that those days of Purim should not fai…

So. Jacob, Genesis 28:20 and Agur, Proverbs 30. 8, 9. Wise Providence considers our condition as Pilgrims and Strangers, and so allots the Viaticum provision, that is needful for our passage home. It knows the mischievous influence of fulness and redundancy upon most men, though…

Genesis 28:12ff. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham your father, and the God of Is…

I am Elshaddai, God Almighty, God Alsufficient. And when Isaac would pray for the blessing of the covenant on Jacob, he makes use of that name, Genesis 28:3. God Almighty bless you.

If God command us to aske him bread, and to depende upon him for it, wee must not judge basely of it: nowe in this chapter God commands us to depend upon him for foode to eate: yea, 1. Pet. 5. 7. we must cast all our care on him: and Iacobs practise in praying for bread to eate,…

Certainly the very place where God manifests himself, at least while he does so, are venerable and awful: and therefore when God revealed himself to Jacob in a dream, and gave him the representation of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, angels upon every round of it, and Go…

He accounted the true excellency of his life to consist in its reference and tendency to the glory of his God; and he could not see how a redundancy or too great a penury of earthly comforts, could fit him for that, but a middle estate equally removed from both extremes, best fi…

§. 16. Of husbands' ready yielding to their wives' humble suits. Again, it being a token of reverence in a wife humbly to make known her desire to her husband, he ought to show so much courtesy as readily to grant her desire: this courtesy the forenamed Ahasuerus afforded to Est…

Isaac married the wife which his father provided (Genesis 24:67). Jacob both obeyed his father in going to Laban's house for a wife (Genesis 28:2), and also when he came to Laban asked his daughter of him (Genesis 29:18, etc.). Though Samson saw a daughter of the Philistines whi…

This direction was given in times of persecution, when by reason of the present necessity it was better not to marry: if then a parent ought to be careful (need requiring) to provide a marriage for his daughter, much more ought he in times of peace. Holy parents commended by the…

Let Christians think of the dreadful majesty of God who is present. Genesis 28:17: How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

As a good soldier of Christ endure hardship. Jacob made the stone his pillow (Genesis 28:18). It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth (Lamentations 3:27).

But if our hearts can melt sincerely in tears of love, this is a real sign that God has been with us. As Jacob said (Genesis 28:16): Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. So Christian, when your heart breaks for sin and dissolves into holy tears, God is in this du…

There are sometimes sudden Impressions made on Spiritual Affections, which are always of great Advantage to the Soul, renewing its Engagements to God and Duty. So was it with Jacob, Gen. 28:16, 17, 18, 19, 20. So is it often with Believers in hearing the Word, and other Occasion…

2. Christs person is lovely as he is God-man. He may not unfitly be compared to Jacobs ladder, Genesis 28.12. which reached from earth to heaven; Christs human nature which was the foot of the ladder, stood upon the earth; his divine nature, which was the top of the ladder, reac…

Thus the kinsmen of Christ, are called his brethren: which the Helvidians not observing, thought they had been his natural brethren, by the virgin Mary: thus Abraham and Lot are called brethren (Genesis 13:8, 14), though Lot was but his brother's son (Genesis 14:12). Thus Jacob…

To keep up the exercise of brotherly love, God assures us, that all men are our brethren, because they are related to us by a common nature. Whenever I see a man, I must, of necessity, behold myself as in a mirror: for he is my bone and my flesh, (Genesis 29:14.) Now, though the…

Leviathan is derived from Lavah, which signifies joined or coupled together; from where (to note it by the way) the word Levi, the name of the third son which Jacob had by Leah. She called his name Levi, For now, says she, will my husband be joined to me, because I have borne hi…

More particularly, by this may be set out the graces of the Spirit, compared to waters (John 7:38-39) and said to become a well of water in these that believe on Christ (John 4:14), for these graces of the Spirit, and his influence on them, does keep all things in the believer's…

Verse 3. Your two breasts are like two young Roes that are twins. The two breasts (which is the fifth part here commended) are spoken to in this third verse: They were spoken of (Song of Solomon 4:5) with the same commendation, and we conceive the same thing hinted there, is aim…

Among us, if the younger sister be married before the elder, the preeminence and precedency is given to the younger. The privileges and honors which are given to married persons, were questionless the ground of that custom which Laban mentions of his country; that the younger wa…

Isaac married the wife which his father provided (Genesis 24:67). Jacob both obeyed his father in going to Laban's house for a wife (Genesis 28:2), and also when he came to Laban asked his daughter of him (Genesis 29:18, etc.). Though Samson saw a daughter of the Philistines whi…

How willingly do apprentices pass over their apprenticeship in hope of a temporary freedom of an earthly city? Many years' service were but as a few days to Jacob because he liked his reward (Genesis 29:20). But behold here a greater reward, which we must needs like much better.

From such there may be hope of profit and benefit by their service. Laban made trial of Jacob a month before he covenanted for any long continuance (Genesis 29:14). 3. Take such especially as are of mean and poor estate, and know not how to maintain themselves but by service.

Sense and carnal confidence must have present satisfaction, but faith contents itself with promises. Love will not count it long: for seven years to Jacob seemed as a few days (Genesis 29:20). Sufferings for Christ would not be so tedious, where love prevails.

The more fruit a Christian brings forth, the more will Christ love him. Now, says Leah, will my husband be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons (Genesis 29:34). When we bear much fruit, now will Christ's heart be joined to us.

(Hosea 10:13; Psalm 13:6; Psalm 31:7; Deuteronomy 12:10): you shall dwell safely, confidently; it places the soul under the Rock of Omnipotence. (7.) It is to roll yourself upon God, and is borrowed from heavy bodies (Joshua 10:18): Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave (Ge…

Titus 3:4, 5. Being justified , so the LXX. render the Hebrew particle ; without price, without merit, without cause; and sometimes it is used for without end, that is, what is done in vain; as is used by the apostle, Galatians 2:21. without price or reward, Genesis 29:15. Exodu…

This is a very bad temper of spirit, and God may justly punish us by letting us have our will. Rachel cried, Give me children, or I die (Genesis 30:1). God let her have a child, but it cost her her life (Genesis 35:18).

Answer. First, by their presence: for, as God said to Abraham the Father of the faithful, Thou shalt be a blessing, Genesis 12:3, so is it with all believers. Laban confesses that he perceived that the Lord had blessed him for Jacob's sake, Genesis 30:27. And Potiphar saw that J…

But it seems more probable to me, that this word is taken for a band or multitude; indeed, even for an army: and the etymology of the word suits well enough with the scope of the text. There is one notable place among the rest in (Genesis 30:20), which serves for the understandi…

(1.) How near the Relation is betwixt you and your Children, and therefore how much you are concerned in their happiness or misery. Consider but the Scripture account of the dearness of such Relations, expressed (1.) By longings for them, as Genesis 15:2 Genesis 30:1 and (2.) By…

This fruitfulness of hers is four ways set forth. 1. That these her fruits are ripe, and in their flower, the Mandrakes give a smell: Mandrakes were much longed for by Rachel (Genesis 30:14), and by their savoriness of taste there, and of smell here, it appears that they were so…

Meekness in this case is one of the most principal fruits of that meek and quiet spirit which Saint Peter commends to wives (1 Peter 3:4). However Rachel justly deserved blame for coming in a fuming chafe, and with an imperious command to her husband, yet in that she meekly took…

When that for which a wife is reproved is a truth, a known truth, and a weighty truth, the husband in performing this duty justifies his deed, shows that there was need thereof, and so gives evidence of his love, makes his reproof to pierce the more deeply, and so makes her the…

6. They may not go away from their master before their covenanted time is expired. When Jacob, after long service, had a mind to be gone, he asked leave, and because his uncle and master would not willingly let him go, he stayed still (Genesis 30:26). Objection. Afterwards Jacob…

When shall I provide for my own house? says Jacob to his master. Which expostulation shows that this is a master's duty (Genesis 30:30). Contrary is the mind of most masters: for in entertaining servants they think of nothing but serving their own turn.

1. Impatience. (Genesis 30:1) when the will of Rachel was crossed, she said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. When we impatiently fret against the Lord, (Psalm 37:1) Do not fret yourself because of evil doers; neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity.

To be sick of the fret, is a disease very incident to such as have not learned to deny their own wills, and entirely to give up themselves to the conduct of God's providence. Genesis 30:1. Give me children, or I die. Psalm 37:1. Do not fret yourself because of evil doers.

Second, affliction; God often gives us this sauce to sharpen our hunger after grace. Reuben found mandrakes in the field (Genesis 30:14); the mandrakes are a plant of a very strong savor, and among their virtues they are chiefly medicinal for those who have weak, bad stomachs. A…

And (Genesis 22:17), in blessing I will bless you. And when the Lord says (Isaiah 19:25), blessed be Egypt my people; he should mean, he would bless Abraham, not his seed, and that he minds to bless the aged of Egypt, and of Assyria, but not their seed and infants, because they…

Verse 30: Hoshea smote him, and reigned, [in non-Latin alphabet]. So also (Esther 2:4), (Ecclesiastes 4:15), (2 Samuel 17:25), (Genesis 30:2), (1 Kings 16:10): Zimri reigned, [in non-Latin alphabet] (Ezekiel 16:32). Joseph heard that Archelaus did reign in the room of Herod his…

So when upon a trial a man is acquitted because he is found righteous; first he is judged and esteemed righteous, and then dealt with as a righteous person; his righteousness is imputed unto him. See this exemplified, Genesis 30:33. 2.

There is a story in Peter Martyr of a deformed man, who set curious fair pictures before his wife, that seeing them, she might have fair children, and so she had. Jacob's cattle looking on the rods which were peeled, and had white streaks in them, conceived like the rods, Genesi…