Vol 01 - Chapter 03 - Of the separation of the waters from the dry land; the work of the thi...

Chapter 03 - Of the separation of the waters from the dry land; the work of the third day
1. The earth is the grossest substance of the world, separated from the waters, and fixed by the power of God to be the receptacle of all the heavenly influences. Therefore, as the heavens are spherical, so is the earth in union with the water, making up one globe. This terra-queous globe hangs in the air by the power of the Almighty, replenished with the vital and invisible seeds• of all the invisible trees, plants, and vegetables.
2. Tile stupendous structure and foundation of the earth, is a most certain and wonderful witness of the power of God. For by what pillars is the earth supported or where are its foundations "He has hung the earth upon nothing," says Job, ell. 26: 7. For it hangs icu the midst of heaven, borne up in the expanded air, begirt with the waters as with girdles or swaddling bands. So says the Psalmist, "You coverest it with the deep, like as with a garment," Psal. 104: 6. There is a great congruity between air and water, so that they support one another; as appears by the clouds, which though they be vast mountains of water, yet are supported by the air from falling; for the power of bearing and sustaining is a particular property of the air. " He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them," Job 26:1-14 : S.
3. This foundation of the earth in the waters, and by the waters, in the centre of the vast expanse of air, is a very clear argument of the Divine omnipotence. " Where vast You," says he to Job, "when I laid the foundations of the earth Who has laid the measures thereof Who laid the corner-stone thereof" ch. 38: 4. Signifying thereby, that this foundation of the earth could not be comprehended by human understanding; but must be counted amongst the infinite wonders of Omnipotence; of which this is not the least, that the globe of the earth should stand in the waters, and yet not be swallowed up by them. Therefore says holy David, "We will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof rage and swell, and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same," Psal. 46: 2.
4. And this is that earth which, as the Psalmist tells us, " God has given to the children of men," Psal. 115: 16. And though, as to its external form, it appears to be a shapeless, hard, thick, dead, dry, and cold mass; yet it is in truth a living and noble element, enriched by God with a variety of blessings and seminal virtues. These seminal powers never rest; but, like hidden, living stars, are always laboring till they have produced their fruits, adorned with a beautiful form, symmetry, smell, taste. and colour; with external signatures, representing their inward virtues and qualities.
5. So, then, out of the earth, as out of a bed-chamber, came forth all the varieties of plants and vegetables, having exchanged their old- clothes for a new, bright-, and shining dress. They come forth with exquisite beauty, smell, and colour; and do, as it were, call to mankind, "Look upon us, ye unbelieving sons of men! We were once dead, and now are alive again. We have laid aside our old garments and bodies, and are renewed into our root and original. Do ye also imitate us. Lay aside the old man, and put on the new; being renewed into your eternal Original, GOD, in whose image ye were created. If ye do this, then, in the day of the righteous judgment of GOD, when ye have lost your old bodies, ye shall, like us, come forth out of the earth with new bodies, clothed with immortal glory, of which our new-born beauty is but a faint resemblance. And whilst ye are in this world, take not too much thought for the body.' Consider us, whom the God of nature has yearly, for so many thousand years, since the foundation of the world to this time, provided with beautiful and comely clothing, as an argument of his bounty and goodness. Consider our virtues and powers, which are given and laid out, not for our own, but for your sake and benefit. We bloom and blossom, not for our own good, but your's; yea, the blessing of God blossoms through us."
6. Among the vegetables also a man may di: tern ten thousand times ten thousand witnesses of the goodness and omnipotence of God. For here we have a perfect collection of drugs and simples, an admirable and complete herbal; yea, a living one; not furnished with faint draughts, and dead pictures; but graved with living cha.. ratters' and impressions, to be read by every curious spectator, but not to be fully understood by any but him that made them. And till we come fully to understand their Divine signatures, we cannot so perfectly know the wonders of Providence contained under them.
7. Every Herb and plant has its proper mark and signature, which is nothing less than the inscription and Band-writing of GOD, whereby he has wonderfully and beautifully marked and distinguished them all, accordinx to their secret virtues and qualities. All which are plait, to be discerned by the curious observer. Every turf we tread upon is furnished both with food and physick. Yea, in the smallest grain or seed is manifested the unsearchable wisdom of God. He has created nothing in vain. And the Ininutest part of the creation is not to be overlooked or despised; since we know not the thousandth part of its virtues..
8. Consider, moreover, how the bountiful Creator has provided not only for man,, but also for the fowls of the air,. and the beasts of the field; how "lie has provided food for all flesh;" how "lie bringeth forth grass for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men;" how "he brings food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man." So that we may properly call the earth the store-house of GOD, in which are laid up such variety of blessings both for man and beast; upon which account the Psalmist says, " The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."
9. A very wonderful effect of this Divine goodness is,, that bread sustains the whole body; so that in one single morsel is contained the nourishment of all the member;; of the external body, and its virtue diffuses itself through the whoe. And because of this universal, nutritive quality thatt is in bread, the eternal Son of God calls himself the " bread of life,." John 6:35; denoting his spiritual and universal power of nourishing and sustaining the whole man, body, soul, and spirit.
10. It is no less wonderful that the greatest plant, yea the greatest tree,, with its root, trunk, boughs, leaves, seed, flowers, and fruit, (each of which has either a nutritive or sanative virtue) should be contained in a very small seed. And that every year the same catalogue of plants and trees, with their respective fruits and seeds, should appear in their proper order and season: That small seed contains in it all those powers which successively display. themselves in so great a variety, size, higness, thickness, and height! Which is indeed amazing to any one that shall duly consider it.
11. I cannot also but take notice, how the herbs and grass, upon which the beast and cattle feed, become food for man; being changed into the milk and flesh of the creatures that. eat them. How even our beds and clothes grow out of the earth; forasmuch as both sheep and birds live upon the fruits of it; lastly, how the sheep get their wool, and the birds their feathers, from the pasture of the field.
12. As to the fruitfulness of the earth, David speaks of it very nobly, "You visitest the earth, and blessest it you makest it very plenteous. The river of God is full of water. You preparcst their corn, for so you providest for the earth. You waterest her furrows; you sendest rain into the little valleys thereof; you makest it soft with the drops of rain, and blessest the increase of it. You crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy clouds drop fatness," Psal. Ixv. 9, 10. That is, every month produces its peculiar fruit out of its treasury, the bosom of the earth. This natural fertility of the earth has been very much contracted by the curse of the Almighty. " Cursed is the earth, (says GOD,) thorns and briars shall it bring forth to thee," Genesis 3:17. Fruitfulness, therefore, must be regarded as the blessing of GOD, without which a man can neither plough, nor sow, nor plant with success. "For it is God that giveth the increase." Thus we are to understand, "A fruitful land niaketh he barren, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein," Psal. 107: 34.
13. Now let our meditations on the fruitfulness of this earth, carry our thoughts to that new one, " wherein dwelletli righteousness." There the curse, to which I' he present earth is in bondage, shall have no place; it shall be the region of perfect blessedness. This is the new paradise, full of celestial sweetness, where we shall truly sing, "The flowers appear in the earth," Son_2:11.
14. 1 conic next to the mountains, which by their height and beauty are no small ornament to the earth. Of these the Psalmist speaks, " The hills ascend, and the valleys descend into the place which you have appointed for them," Psal. 104: 8. The mountains are in a more particular sense the treasury of GOD, in which all sorts of metals-are prepared and formed. These are as it were so many furnaces,, in which the matter of all metals and. minerals is separated and brought to maturity.
15. The mountains ought to put us in mind of the protection of God; and so the expression is used in Scripture, " I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, fron whence cometh my help," Psal. exxi. 1. As also of the church of GOD, "The mountain of the Lord's house," Isaiah 45:1-25 : S. " The mountains shall bring peace, and the little hills rightcousnees," Psal. 72: 3. Under this head we may likewise consider the little springs, and rivers of waters that run through the valleys, adorning, enriching, and beautifying the earth. For though in strict propriety the fountains belong to the work of the fifth day; yet the royal prophet, (Psal 104: 10,) puts the mountainss and springs together; because the rivers arise from the hills, and equally partake of the celestial influences with them.
16. Solomon tells us, "All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers copse, thither they return again, Ecclesiastes 1:7. Though the waters, passing out of the sea, through the earth, are sweetened by percolation; yet they do not every where break forth, nor make springs in all places,, but according to the secret order and appointment of Providence. So says the Psalmist, "- He sends the springs into the rivers," Psal. 104: 10. And their perpetual flowing, and continual streams, are not only a great blessing, and miracle of Divine power, but are also an apt representation of eternal life. I need not speak particularly of those streams in the desolate parts of the earth, serving for nourishment acid refreshment, " Of which all the beasts of the fields do drink, and at which the will asses -quench' their thirst," Psal. 104: 11.
17. Now if God take so much care of the beasts of the earth, shall he not much more take care of us' If " the beasts of the field cry unto him when the rivers are dried up," Joel 1:20, how much more ought we to call upon him in all our distresses And whereas those places are generally most pleasant, where there is the greatest plenty of springs and rivulets; so the birds generally resort thither, and " sing among the branches," Psal. 104: 12. As if God had taken care to fill even the desarts with their music, that so every place might resound with his praises, and that man might learn, even from the brute creatures, that not only himself, but all the creatures were made to praise and glorify God.
18. These natural fountains should put us in mind of the fountain of grace and salvation, the water of life, even Jesus CHRIST, And "with joy let us draw water out of the wells of salvation," Isaiah 12:3. We may truly say, "With thee is the well of life," " Ho! every one that thirsteth, cone y e to the waters," Isaiah 55:1-13 :' 1. " The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and lead- them forth to living streams of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes," Revelation 7:17.
19. The 104th Psalm, which gives us a beautiful account of the work of the third day, first speaks of the earth in general; how God laid its foundations; divided it from the waters; adorned it with mountains, and watered it with springs: And thence descending to particulars, takes notice of seven of its remarkable productions;
1, The dew, wherewith he waters the mountains.
2, The grass.
3, Bread.
4, Wine.
5, Oil or balsam.
6, The fruits of the trees.
7, Birds and beasts.
20. Thus David speaks, ver. 13, "He watereth the hills from above, the earth is filled with the fruit of thv works." - Thus we often see_ with admiration the clouds hovering upon the mountains, like multitudes of armed men, and dropping showers of plenty upon the hills, " ° as the bottles of heaven," Job 38:3 j. Sometimes also adding his dew, which has wonderful affinity to the mountains, watering and refreshing them with great plenty. Thus it continually watered the little hill of 1-Iermon in Judea; and the mountains of Gilboa, where Saul, and Jonathan his son were slain. Therefore David said, " Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you," 2 Samuel 1:21.
21. The effects of it are expressed in these words; " The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works." For it is the property of dew, " to make. the ground rich and fruitful," to refresh the flowers scorched with excessive heat, from whence at last the bees, by a wonderful and artful mixture, draw their honey. Sometimes we see a sort of honey-dew lying upon the leaves, as did the manna heretofore. Just so, the gospel, like a spiritual honey, is composed of the dew of the Holy Spirit; and Jesus CHRIST, who is the flower of all flowers.
22. And whereas it is said, " That the earth is filled with the fruit of God's works;" it signifies, that the word of GOD, the Creator, is still as powerful and efficacious as formerly it was; when he spoke the word, saying, " Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding fruit." So that all things, from the beginning of the world, to this clay, spring from, the word of GOD, as from an eternal root and fountain of Divine blessing.
23. Secondly, the prophet says, " He produceth grass for the cattle." Nor is that the least of God's blessings; for how could so many beasts, that minister to the necessities of man, subsist, should the grass fail, even only for one summer From whence we learn, how merciful God is to mankind, and how liberally he provides for our necessities. Hence, though the grass may seem to be. the least and meanest of all the blessings of GOD, yet we cannot be sufficiently thankful for it. So true is that saying, "The least. of God's blessings exceeds our highest gratitude."
24. This also may furnish us with new proofs andarguments of the Divine providence.
1, He that considers, God takes care of the grass of the ground, cannot question, but he takes care of him and his affairs.
2, It may put us in mind of our own vanity. " For all flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof, as the flower of the field."
3, It may also minister comfort under afflictions and persecutions, according to Psal. 37: 1, 2, " Fret not thyself because of the ungodly, neither be you envious against the evil doers; for they shall soon be cut down as the grass, and wither as the green herb."
25. Thirdly, "Bringing forth herbs for the service of mnan, that he may bring food out of the earth, and bread’to strenthen man's heart, Psal. 104: 14, 15. Now the very notion of bread implies in it a great variety of miraculous blessings. I, It insinuates to ns, God's paternal affection. For a father naturally cares and provides for his children. So Matthew 7:9, "What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone" Let us remember then that God is our Father. And for this purpose he made us indigent creatures, surrounding us with infirmities and necessities. So that our very hunger and thirst are as so many monitors to lead us unto God; and every bit of bread we eat should put us in mind of the paternal affection of God.
26. 2. Let us admire and reverence the wise dispensation of providence, which assigns to every man his convenient portion of bread, so that no man has reason to complain " that he is forgotten before GOD," Hebrews 13:5
3, Let us remember the nutritive virtue in bread, is the very word of God. And if God should withdraw it, then all flesh and blood would wither and decay as the grass,of the field. And this gives light to that place of St. Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man does not live by bread alone."
27. Lastly, the strengthening faculty of bread puts us:n mind of the bread of life, which is CHRIST. So John 6:25, " 1 am the bread of life; he that cometh unto me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." For in this bread of life, all the powers of heaven and earth, yea, and all the power of God is contained; because " it pleased God that in him allfulness should dwell," Colossians 1:19, "and that of it we should all receive grace for grace," John 1:16, and by him, "be filled with all the fullness of GOD," Ephesians 3:19. Blessed is he that eats this bread! The earthly bread cannot save us from death, but he that eats of CHRIST., the bread of life, shall never die.
28. The fourth thing mentioned is wine, " that maketh glad the heart of mail," Psal. 104: 15. How wonderful is the love of GOD, who has provided even natural means to refresh and comfort us! And as for the dejected and broken spirit, he refreshes that by the wine of the Holy Spirit, and celestial consolation, drawn from the living ville, the Lord Jesus CHRIST. This was the wine the holy prophets drank of, which made them break forth into songs of joy and exultation.
29. The fifth thing is, "Oil to make hint a cheerful countenance." By which we are to understand, the precious balsam or spikenard used among the Jews, and other eastern nations, which diffused a wonderful strength and vigour through their whole bodies. In this sense we are to understand Psal. 23: 5, " You anointest my head with oil." So our blessed Savior, when he was entertained by Simon, was anointed with oil, in token of a more than ordinary welcome. And so great was the virtue of these eastern unguents, that they used them in embalming the dead; and by that means preserved them many hundred years from corruption, as appeared in the body of Alexander the Great, which was found in the time of Augustus, as fresh as if he had been interred but yesterday, though he had lain above 30O years. And this balsam is a proper representation of that oil, with which the Son of GOD, according to his human nature, was anointed without measure. Hence the holy Psalmist., Wherefore GOD, even thy GOD, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows," Psal. 45: 7.
30. The sixth thing mentioned is, "The trees of the Lord (which) are full of sap; even the cedars of Libanus, which he has planted," Psal. 104: 16. There are many strange things to be considered. in trees; of which, two are more particularly taken notice of in the Holy Scriptures. The first is, that whereas they seem to be dead all the winter, yet upon the return of the spring, they produce, first leaves, and afterwards fruit, in a manner plainly miraculous, and such as no art can imitate. For where is the artist, that from the juice of any tree or vine, can form an apple or a grape Secondly, whereas it is said, " that the Lord has planted them;" we must understand it of his creating word, Genesis 1:12; by the power of which, new trees daily arise to supply the room of those that die or are cut down. This blessing will cleave to the earth as long as it lasts, because the word of the Lord is the universal root and seed of all things. Now the trees, with their fruits, may put us in mind of that Divine charity, which ought to be in us. For as these freely bestow their several fruits upon man; so ought we to be affected towards GOD, and towards one another; "That we may be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."
31. Seven.thly, the birds are the product, or at least a very great ornament to the earth. For though they had their original from the water, yet they build upon the trees, and help to furnish our tables, as do also the wild beasts. "There the birds build their nests, and the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork. The hills are a refuge for the wild goats, and so are the stony rocks for the conies," Psal. 104: 1j, 18.
32. From all this we may learn, that God made not the earth to be desolate; but has allotted even desarts to be inhabited by birds and wild beasts, that his bounty to man, and his magnificence might be made known by the multitude of his creatures; his omnipotence by his works; and his wisdom by that infinite variety of distinct virtues and properties, which he has bestowed upon the creatures. " All the beasts of the field are mine, and so arc the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field are in my sight. If I be hungry, I will not tell thee; for the earth is mine and the fullness thereof. Thinkest you that I will cat bulls flesh, or drink the blood of goats" Psal. 1. 10, &c. But what then is the sacrifice that God expects " Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay thy vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the time of trouble, so will I hear thee, and you shall praise me."