Genesis 1

Genesis 1:1

IN the beginning] God giving the world its first being, began with the creation of the two generall parts of it, and then went to the particulars [The Heaven] that is the highest and aethereall part; under which it is very likely the Angels are comprehended, Genesis 2:1. [The Earth] The lower and elementall part of the Universe, here indifferently called, earth, waters, and abysse, because it was a consused masse of all the Elements.

Genesis 1:2

Without forme] Without any particular, or distinct creature; without order, forme, or ornament The Spirit] that is the 3d person of the most holy Trinity, immediatly and through its proper operation: which is to preserve, and maintaine all things in their being, which they have received by the supreame will of the Father, and the productive action of the Son: see Psal 104. 2. 29. 30. Moved] theHebrew terme signifieth, the moving or beating of the wings, which a bird useth over her young ones, to signifie the action of the holy Ghost, in maintaining and cherishing of that shapelesse masse, to prepare it for the subsequent productions.

Genesis 1:3

Let there be] It is likely that the light was at first imprinted in some part of the heaven, whose turning made the first three dayes, and the fourth it was restrained into the body of the Sun, or of all the other Stars: but in a different degree.

Genesis 1:4

God saw] he liked, and approved of his work, and took delight in it, to preserve it, Divided] that is, ordained the heaven to turne continually about: and that when the Hemispheare, wherein the light was imprinted, was above the earth, it should then be day: and when it was under the earth, it should be night, which was the beginning of the vicissitude or succession of day and night.

Genesis 1:5

God called] God gives names to these great creatures, which he reserved under his own governement; Genesis 1:1-31. v. 8. 10. and 5. 2. And lets Adam give names unto them, which he set under him; Gen, 2. 19. 23. Evening] that is night, at which the Jews begin their artificiall days. The meaning is, that in this first turning of the heaven, none but the afore-named things were created.

Genesis 1:6

A Firmament in the middest] that is the aire, a thin and clear body, which being at first confused in the masse of the Elements, is now severed, and set in its proper situation From the waters] The Scripture placeth waters in the heavens.Psal. 104. v. 3. and 148 v. 4. yet neither declareth the nature, nor the use of them: According to some, they are the very substance of the heavens; yet not fluent or running, impure, nor corruptible, as the elementall: Whatsoever they are, it is not said that they were taken out of this lower masse. The waters under, do here also signifie the water, and the earth mixed together in a kind of mirie stuff.

Genesis 1:8

Heaven] a name common in the Scripture to the aire; to the place of the Stars, and the abode of glory.

Genesis 1:9

Into one place] that is, in the great deep under the earth Genesis 7:11. which hath divets issues, or openings above, see Psalms 24:2.

Genesis 1:11

Grasse] it is that Kind of grasse, which groweth of it self, without seed, or manuring, and is food for beasts.

Genesis 1:14

Lights] great celestiall round bodies, into which God reduced the light: Now together with these bodies, were their motions also established, different amongst themselves, and also from the motion of heaven Signes] namely of naturall effects and chances, as of heate, cold, raine, faire weather &c. signes of the occasions and seasons of many humane actions: also fore-bodings of diverse extraordinary chances.

Genesis 1:16

Great] though indeed the Moon be no bigger than any other Star: but this is spoken in regard of our sight, to which the Moon is neerest, and also by reason of her more sensible operation: T rule] not only by the light, but also by the greater influence and operation Joh. 38. 33.

Genesis 1:20

Moving] a common name to all living creatures, as well of the water, as of the earth, which traile along, creep, or glide. In this place are meant the water ones, and v. 24. the Land ones.

Genesis 1:26

Let us make] This manner of consultation, of the Father with the Son, who is his eternall wisdom, and with his spirit (whereof you may see otherexamples Gen. 3. 22. & 11. 7 Isaiah 6:8.) here used only in the creation of man, seemeth to shew his excellency above other creatures Man] that is, the generation of men, in their first stock, and beginning: Image] set downe in the spirituall, immateriall, immortall qualities of his soule; in the naturall faculties of it, understanding, memory, reason and will; in the supernaturall gifts of wisdom, justice and holinesse: in the dominion over other creatures: all stamps set on man out of the everlasting modell of Gods perfections Dominion] as well for the governing of them, as for the makin, use and employing of them.

Genesis 1:27

Male] This is here spoken by way of anticipation, to gather together the creation of man-kinde, in its two sexes, because that woman was made afterward.Genesis 2:18.

Genesis 1:29

Herbe] That is agreeable with your nature; and so likewise of trees: In this place there is nothing said of the use of the flesh of beasts, as Genesis 9:3. though it is likely that God did then grant it.

Genesis 1:30

Herbe] Which is the same as 11.