-08 Chapter 8. Of Creation.

1-08 Chapter 8. Of Creation.

1. The Efficiency of God is either Creation, or Providence [chap. 9].
2. CREATION is the Efficiency of God whereby in the beginning he made the World from nothing, very good.
3. Active Creation is conceived of as the manner of a transient action, in which there is always an Object presupposed, about which the agent is exercised; yet it is not formally transient,102 but only virtually so;103 because it does not presuppose an Object, but makes it.
4. Passive Creation is conceived of as the manner of mutation, which is improperly called mutation.
5. Creation respects the whole world — that is, whatever exists besides God.
6. Hence, all things which exist besides God are created, and they are altogether created; that is, they are created according to their matter, as well as to their form. Revelation 4:11, Because you have made all things. Colossians 1:16, For by him were made all things which are in Heaven and which are on Earth, visible and invisible.
7. Creation produces Originally, because it produces a being, not only as it is a being, but also absolutely in every part.
8. Therefore, before the Creation, the Creatures104 had no real being, either of existence or Essence; although from eternity they had a known being in the knowledge of God.
9. Creation then produces out of nothing; that is, out of matter that does not pre-exist, that does not have a being beforehand; but co-exists, that has a being together with the thing created. For there was nothing from eternity besides God, nor is God the matter or part of any Creature, but only the efficient cause.
10. Indeed, some things are said to be created, whose matter pre-existed. But then Creation respects not only that immediate action, whereby it comes to pass that such things exist; but also a mediate action, whereby it comes to pass that the matter itself should exist from which they are formed. So it was in the Creation of plants and living Creatures, Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:20.
11. That nothingness, or not-being of things, went before their being; not only in order of nature — for otherwise they might co-exist with God from eternity — but also in order of duration, or continuance, according to our manner of conceiving.
12. Hence that beginning in which God is said to create the world, was the end of that duration which nothingness had, and the beginning of that duration which the world had.
13. Therefore, by the Creation God would display both his perfection — that he did not need any Creature or outward thing; for then he would have created the world as soon as he could — and also his freedom, whereby he brought forth all things without natural necessity; for if he had created necessarily, he would have done it from eternity, Revelation 4:11; Psalms 115:3.105
14. The world was not made from eternity, nor could it be created from eternity, in that disposition and order of things which it now has.
15. That day would not have been, if infinite days ought to have gone before; for those days going before would never have ended, that a next day might succeed them.106
16. Hence it also follows that no Creature was or could be a cause, either instrumentally or principally, in the act of Creation.
17. Everything created was very good, because it was made neither rashly, nor in vain, but made for the end to which the Maker attained, Genesis 1:31. Whatever he made was very good, 1 Timothy 4:4.107 Whatever God made is good.
18. The goodness of a created thing is that perfection whereby it is fit for the use it serves.108 Now that use is particular, or it is universal.
19. The PARTICULAR use is that proper operation to which anything serves its proper nature.
20. UNIVERSAL use, is the ordaining of one thing [in concert] with others, for the perfection of the Universal whole, Psalms 104:1-35; Psalms 148:1-14; Isaiah 48:13.109
21. By this goodness, all created things in their natural manner tend unto God from whom they came. For the second being is from the first being, and for the first. Hence those phrases, From him, through him, and for him are all things, Romans 11:36.
22. Now natural things tend unto God, 1. In that they declare God’s glory, Psalms 19:1.110 2. In that they give occasion for us to know and seek God, Romans 1:20; Acts 17:26.-27 111 3. In that they sustain our life, so that we may live well to God, 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Timothy 4:3-4.112
23. TIME exists or has a being together with all natural things, as appears in that phrase, In the beginning; for then was the beginning of time.
24. PLACE also exists; that is, a certain space in which the extension of the Creature is bounded, Genesis 1:22.113
25. But these are not properly created, but con-created, or annexed — they are knit to the things created, because they do not have an absolute, but only a relative entity or being.
26. Because God created all things out of nothing, therefore our faith rests in him against hope, under hope, for those things which are not, as if they were, Romans 4:17-18.114
27. The Creation of the world is distributed according to the parts of the world; for although the world is one — by unity of aggregation, order, and end — yet it consists of parts, distinguished not only according to the situation, but also according to the Essence, and Existence.
28. The Creation of these parts of the world was not altogether and in one moment; but it was finished by parts succeeding one another, in the space of six days.
29. Creation then, is of the parts of the world that are either immediately perfect, or mediately perfect [thesis 43], Psalms 33:6; Hebrews 11:3; Genesis 2:7, Genesis 2:19, Genesis 2:22.115
30. Creation of things IMMEDIATELY perfect is that whereby things were made having their principles, both material and formal, ingenerated in them at the first, and in a complete existence.
31. Hence those [immediate] Creatures, of themselves, are subject to no essential change, such as generation [i.e. reproduction] or corruption [i.e. sickness and death].
32. The parts immediately perfect are the highest Heaven and its Inhabitants, the Angels.
33. The highest Heaven is the dwelling place of God’s holiness, full of all things which pertain to eternal blessedness, where the Majesty of God presents itself to be seen as it were, Face to Face. 1 Corinthians 2:8; Mark 12:23; 1 Corinthians 13:12.116
34. It is called the third Heaven, Empyreum fiery, The Heaven of Heavens, and Paradise, 1 Kings 8:27; Matthew 18:10; Mark 12:25; 2 Corinthians 12:2; 2 Corinthians 12:4.
35. This Heaven is meant in Genesis 1:1 and Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:16.117
36. Angels are Spirits of primary perfection, created to minister to God.
37. That Angels were created, is apparent from Colossians 1:16; Psalms 148:4-5.118 That they were created the first day with the highest Heaven appears: 1. From the likeness of nature that they have. 2. In that they are said to have as it were, applauded God in the Creation of other things, Job 38:7.119 3. In that Angels are Spirits, Hebrews 1:14; Luke 24:39;120 Ministers of God, Hebrews 1:7; Hebrews 1:14; of chief perfection, and of an immortal nature, Luke 20:36.121
38. Hence the Angels so excel in clear-seeing reason, that they are said to be as it were, full of eyes,122 readily discerning what God would have done by them, and how it is to be done. And they so excel in liberty of will, that they perform their offices with diligence, Psalms 103:20.123 And they so excel in perfect strength, that they are able to do great things, 2 Peter 2:11;124
And they so excel in greatest agility, as if they had wings, that they swiftly dispatch that which they have a commission to do, Ezekiel 1:6.125
39. Their Ministry is to celebrate the glory of God and to execute his commands, Psalms 103:20, especially about those who shall be heirs of eternal life, Hebrews 1:14; Psalms 91:11; Psalms 34:7.126
40. They were created sound in holiness and righteousness, Luke 9:26; John 8:44; Jude 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4.127
41. They are many in number, ten thousand times ten thousand, Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:22; Matthew 26:53.128 They are distinguished among themselves in respect to their Offices and Objects about which they are exercised, Ephesians 1:21.129 And they are under the command of God and Christ only.130
42. God is known by the Creation, but not God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — because that effecting power whereby the world was created, pertains to the essence of God, and not to his Personal subsistence.
43. Creation of the MEDIATELY perfect parts of the World, is whereby things were made of principles that existed before.
44. Hence those Creatures are subject to change and corruption.
45. Those things that were made mediately perfect have a double existence; first, a rude131 and incomplete existence, and then afterwards a complete, distinct, and beautiful existence.
46. The rude and incomplete existence of things was in that mass which in the beginning was created without form, void, and involved in darkness — which is called Earth, Waters, and the Deep.132
47. It is said to be without form, not because it had no form, but because it had neither beauty and ornament, nor a complete act of those forms which were afterwards to proceed out of it.
48. In the Constitution of the complete existence of things, two things are chiefly respected; namely, the manner, and the order.
49. The MANNER of constitution contains four things. 1. The command of God producing every thing: Let there be, or Let this or that be done, in which the power of God shines forth, that by only his word or will, he did all things, Psalms 33:9; 133 Psalms 115:3. 2. His approbation134 acknowledging that the thing brought forth was good, God saw that it was good.135 Hence the goodness of God shines forth in that he produced all things to a good end and use, Psalms 19:1.136 3. His ordination assigning to everything his use, Let it be to this or that end. Hence the wisdom of God shines forth whereby he has assigned several uses to everything, in a most fitting way, Jeremiah 10:12; Jeremiah 51:15.137 He made the Earth by his power; he established the habitable World by his wisdom; and he stretched out the Heavens by his prudence. 4. Establishing Law and order to be observed perpetually in that thing which is also joined with ordination. Hence the constancy of God shines forth in that he would have all Creatures observe their order, not for some days or years, but to the end of the world.
50. These former things are not severally expressed in some kinds of things, because their imperfection depends on the perfection of other things. Yet in common reason they apply equally to all.
51. The order of constitution was thus: On the FIRST day after the Heavens, the Angels and the unshapen Mass were brought forth; the subtlest part of that Mass being called forth upward, light was made; that is, shining fire.
52. On the SECOND day, of that part which in subtlety came nearest to the former, Air was made.
53. On the THIRD day, the parts of the Mass were so distributed that the Waters were gathered in their channels from that part which was the greatest; the Sea was by itself, and the Earth appeared, adorned with Herbs and Trees.
54. On the FOURTH day, the Luminaries of Heaven were made to give light on the Earth.
55. On the FIFTH day, Fishes and Birds that dwell in the water and air were brought forth.
56. On the SIXTH day, all Terrestrial living Creatures were brought forth; first the brutish Creatures, and then afterward man. And so the Heavens and Earth were perfected, and all the Hosts of them.
57. In this order, the wisdom, power, and goodness of God greatly shine forth.
58. The WISDOM of God shined forth: 1. In that simple elements were first created before elementary (or concrete) and compound things. 2. In that, among simple things, the more perfect were made first, those which come nearest to the nature of God. 3. In that those things were first created which only have being; then those that, besides having being and life, also have sense; and then last of all, those things that, besides having being, life, and sense, also have reason. 4. In that, in simple things, there was progress from things that are more perfect to things that are less perfect; but in compound things, there was progress from things that are less perfect to things that are more perfect: from plants to men.
59. The POWER of God shined forth in that he first created the Plants, Herbs, and Trees, before creating the Sun and Stars, which are usually the causes of their being.138
60. The GOODNESS of God shined forth in that he created dwellings before inhabitants, food before living creatures, those things which would be useful for man, before man himself.
61. Man as he was the last of the Creatures, so he was the Compendium of them, the abridgment of all Creatures, both immediately and mediately perfect — partaking the nature of the one in his soul, and the nature of the other in his body.
62. He was the end of the mediately perfect Creatures; and so in God’s intention, man was regarded in them, and above them.
63. Hence he is said to be created in another manner than the other Creatures; for they were brought forth by a word only: Let there be light; Let there be a firmament. But man was brought forth as it were, with greater counsel and deliberation: Let us make man, Genesis 1:26.
64. For the body was first prepared, and afterward the soul was inspired, Genesis 2:7. The body was prepared of Elementary matter, but the soul was produced of no matter existing before, but produced immediately by the power of God.
65. The Excellency of man was placed chiefly in this: that he bore the Image of God.
66. Three things are required to make an Image. 1. That it be like. 2. That it be express, and framed to imitate another thing as an exemplar, or copy. 3. That the likeness be either in its special nature, or in its most noble perfection.
67. Hence it is that the Image of God is not properly found in the inferior Creatures, but is only a shadow and footprint of it.
68. But in man, the proper reason for an Image is found; yet it is not a perfect image. Perfection is only in the Son of God, Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.139 But in man, it is imperfect, not with a privative, but with a negative imperfection. 140
69. This Image, then, is man’s conformity to the highest perfection of God, according to his measure.
70. All of this Image was natural to man, but in a different respect; for it was partly the very nature of man; partly it flowed from the principles and perfection of nature; and partly it was due to nature in a certain manner.
71. The Image of God in man was partly inward, and partly outward or external. The INWARD was the perfection of body and soul.
72. The perfection of the BODY is that by which it was absolutely fitted for attractiveness and use agreeable to God’s Will, Genesis 2:25; Romans 6:13.141
73. The perfection of the SOUL was that by which it was of an immortal nature, not only in those faculties by which it was a free principle of its own actions — in understanding and will — but also being adorned with gifts whereby man was made able and fit to live well: namely, with wisdom, holiness, and righteousness, Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10.142
74. The EXTERNAL perfection of man was his Dominion over other Creatures, whereby he might use them freely to God’s Glory, and his own necessity, Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:19-25; Genesis 3:1-24; Genesis 4:1-26; Genesis 5:1-32; Genesis 6:1-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-22; Genesis 9:1-29; Genesis 10:1-32; Genesis 11:1-32; Genesis 12:1-20; Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 14:1-24; Genesis 15:1-21; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 17:1-27; Genesis 18:1-33; Genesis 19:1-38; Genesis 20:1-18
75. Hence tilling the Earth, and getting food out of the Plants of the Earth, was committed to him, Genesis 2:5.144
76. Hence the Creatures came to man as to their Lord, and names were given to them, as by their Lord, Genesis 2:19.
77. Hence he was placed in the Garden of Eden as in his Palace, Genesis 2:15.145
78. In all those things joined together, the perfection of man was complete; and from that perfection, a certain Image arose of God or of Divine perfection.
79. This Creation of man was of the Male and Female, both of them out of nothing, as touching the soul. The body of the Male was created of the Earth, mingled with other Elements. The body of the Woman was created from the Male, and for the Male, so that nothing might be lacking as to his well-being, 1 Corinthians 11:8-9.146
80. From the consideration of the Creation, our Faith ascends above the whole order of nature, and apprehends the light of the Glory of God to be shown forth in the Face of Jesus Christ, because it is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, 2 Corinthians 4:6.147