THE General Argument OF THE First Book of MOSES, CALLED GENESIS. T HE Jews call the feveral Books of Mofes, which follow, by Names that are taken from the first Hebrew word, or words, with which thofe Books begin. Hence it is that this Book is by them commonly called Berefbith, which fignifies in the beginning, that being the firft word with which this Book begins. But the Names by which they are known among Chriftians, are taken from the Subject-matter contained in them. Hence it, is that this first Book is commonly called GENESIS, because it gives an account of the Original of this visible World, and lays before us not onely an account of the (fx) Creation Creation of the World in general, but particu larly an account of the making of Man, and of the Descents of feveral Families from the first Parents of Mankind. With relation whereun to, it is very fitly called GENESIS, that Greek word very properly expreffing the Original or firft Formation of these things. Mofes very wifely begins this Book with an account of God's Creation of the World, and the feveral parts thereof, chap. 1. And his Wif dom in that matter will more manifeftly appear, if we confider that, (1.) By fo doing he lays a foundation for Piety and Religion, and Obedience of the Laws which follow. The Creation of the World fpeaks the irresistible Power, the deep Wisdom, and the great Goodness of the Creator. A due fenfe whereof doth mightily difpofe us to the fear and love of God, and to a fedfaft faith and affiance in Him. (2.) By this courfe he alfo ftrikes at the very root of Idolatry: For that being nothing but the Worship of a Creature instead of the Creator, nothing can tend more effectually to prevent it than this belief, That all other things were made by God; That they had not their Being from themselves, but were made as well as Man: For then it follows, That how ufefull foever these things may be to us, yet Divine Worfhip is due onely to the Creator. The account which Mofes gives of the Creation of Man is alfo very usefull and inftructive to us. For as he lets us know that Man was made in God's God's Image, fo that confideration obligeth us to do nothing unbecoming the Dignity of our Nature, and to be kind to each other for God's fake: And we may, from the account of the Body's being made of the Earth, learn to be humble and modeft. In a word, we may from this relation learn Juftice and Charity, Humanity and Humility, not to wrong or proudly infult over our Neighbour. The Sanctification of the Sabbath, in memory of the Creation, puts us in mind of the obligation which lies upon us to celebrate the Divine Perfections, which may be learned from God's Works, and the neceffity of fome feparate and folemn time for this Religious Worship. So that a very great part of our duty to God, our Neighbour, and our Selves, is very powerfully urged upon us in the very begin ning of this Sacred Book. We have alfo an account (chap. 2.) of the Garden of Eden, and of the Forbidding the Eating of the Tree of Knowledge, of the Naming of the Creatures, and of the Inftitution of Marriage. Next follows an account of the Disobedience of our firft Parents, of their Fall, and of their Mifery thereupon; and alfo a gracious Promife of the Meffias, chap. 3. 7 4 We may very well grant that thefe first Chapters of Genefis do infinuate fome farther meaning than the bare Letter amounts to. We yield that there is couched a Myftery under (f3) the |