Genesis 10

Genesis 10:1

THese are the generations of the sonnes of Noah] Of all the sonnes of Noah now the fifth time named, and in number no more then three; Berosus & Nauclerus Gener. 11. make an augmentation of this number, supposing that the blessing of multiplication, Chap. 9. vers. 1. was actually and litterally verified in Noah after the floud, as well as in his sonnes; but (as hath beene noted on that verse) the parents are blessed in the fruitfulnesse of their children, and since the sonnes of Noah are so often named, and never numbred above three, we must not presume to father any more upon him, as those Authours do, taking the boldnesse to name a fourth sonne of Noah whom they call Tuisco, and make him the founder of the German Nation.

Ʋnto them were sonnes borne] To wit, those which are after named, but not those onely, but some more renowned then the rest, who gave denominations to divers Nations; at least they were the first Inhabitants of severall Countries, to whom the Originall of the people is referred: but particularly to reduce the Nations that now are to cognation or kindred with the names and persons here set downe, is a matter of more difficultie, then use, depending upon meere conjecture, wherein many shew more presumption then prudence; since for many of them the relation is brought in upon no better grounds then scarce probable conjecture, and sometimes upon a meere presumption and groundlesse fancie; wherefore what is here affirmed from the Nations as descendents from these Patriarchs must be taken for the most part not as undoubtedly, but as probably true, though every particular be not mentioned with such a qualifying addition.

Shem, Ham, and Japhet] Of the order of their naming, see Annot on vers. 2. & vers. 21. of this Chapter; and of their order of birth and age, see Annot, on Chap. 11. vers. 10. Josephus Antiq. lib. 1. cap. 7. divides the world among the three sonnes of Noah thus; Japhet with his progenie (saith he) possessed all Europe to the Gades, and in Asia (wherein was Egypt and a part of Syria) all from the mountains Taurus & Amamis to Tanais, to the Arabick Sea, and even to Babylon, Euphrates, and Tygris, and of him were the Medes who lived beyond those rivers toward the North; Shem and his posteritie possessed Easterno Asia from the river Euphrates to the Indian Ocean; the sonnes of Cham possessed Syria and all the region that bordereth on the mountaines of Amanus and Libanus, extending their Territories toward the Sea. Some give in a shorter account, saying, Shem peopled the East, Cham the South, Japhet the North.

Genesis 10:2

The sonnes of Japhet] The Genealogie of Japhet is set downe before that of Ham, because he was in himselfe and in his posteritie better then Ham and his posteritie: and Moses bringeth in Shem and his off-spring last, because he meant most to insist on them, drawing downe the continuance of the Church, and the history of the Patriarchs by his Line; and therefore he proposed and dispatched the Pedegree of Japhet and Ham, that having begun the story of Shem he might not be occasioned unseasonably to breake it off to bring in theirs; and of Ham and Shem he saith the more, and bringeth their Genealogie neerer together, because of Ham came the Canaanites, of Shem the Hebrews, of which two Nations Moses hath most to say, not onely in Genesis but in the other foure bookes written by him.

Gomer] Of him are said to be descended the Gomerites (called by some Cimmerians, by others Cimbrians, a Northerne Nation of Europe; see Ezekiel 38:6. which some make the same with the Danes) and that people of the West whose Countrey the Gallograecians afterward inhabited.

Magog] Of the land of Magog mention is made, Ezekiel 38:2. against which God threateneth a fire, Chap. 39. 6. those who are now called Getae, Messagetae, Scythians and Sarmatians, and Tartarians, are conceived to come from this Magog.

Madai] After the dispersion of Babel Madai went into the Countrey, which from him and his posteritie was called Media, Isaiah 21:2. and the Inhabitants Medes, of whom mention is made, Isaiah 13:17. Jeremiah 51:11. Daniel 5:28.

Javan] From him came the Grecians; see Isaiah 66:19. who with some little allusions to his name are called Ionians, and Greece, Ionia.

Tubal] From him came the Thobeli, otherwise called Iberi: of which there are two sorts of Nations, the one inhabiting Asia neere the Euxine Sea, the other an European people most commonly known by the name Spaniards. See Ezekiel 27:13. & Ezekiel 32:26. & 38. 2, 3.

Meshech] To him by some is referred the Originall of the Cappadocians, or (which is more like by the neerneesse of the name, and their Northerne habitation) the Muscovites. See Ezekiel 38:2-3.

Tiras] The Tyrians may seeme to be derived from him; but more generally the Thracians are taken for his off-spring. Of these by second derivations came other people, and sometimes by Merchandize, Warres, and Colonies were people dispersed and distinguished by their kindred and Countrey, which needed not be particularly mentioned; and haply cannot be truly set downe: wherefore many of these that follow may be passed over in silence, onely giving a touch of such as are more considerable for their clearnesse and pertinencie to History or Doctrine.

Genesis 10:3

Ashkenaz] (Jeremiah 51:27.) The progenitour of the people of Pontus and Bithinia, Countries in Asia the lesse: the Jews confidently referre to him the Originall of the Germans.

Riphath] (1 Chronicles 1:6.) Of him the Paphlagonians a people of Asia the lesse are thought to be descended, their ancient names Riphatees, or Riphees import so much.

Togarmah] (Ezekiel 27:14.) The Chaldee Paraphrase of Togarmah makes Germania, and taking away To, garmah soundeth somewhat neerer it; some take the descendents of Togarmah to be the people of Armenia the lesse; the Jewes will have them to be the Turkes; all that is certaine is, that they are a Northerne Nation, Ezekiel 38:6. though yet it be not knowne distinctly who they be.

Genesis 10:4

Elisha] (Ezekiel 27. 7.) Of him came the Eolians a people of Asia the lesse, called now Natolia.

Tarshish] (Ezekiel 27:12. Jona. 1. 3.) The Cilicians are said to spring from his stock; Cilicia is situate upon the South part of Anatolia the chiefe Citie whereof was Tarsus, the birth-place of Paul, Acts 22:3.

Kittim] (Numbers 24:24. Daniel 11:30. Isaiah 23:1. Jeremiah 2:10.) The conceits and conjectures of the progenie of Kittim are so various and uncertaine, that it is better to say nothing then so many things without any proofe of Scripture or reason.

Dodanim] (1 Chronicles 1:7.) Some read Rodanim, varying the word from the similitude of two Hebrew letters, Daleth and Res: the descendents of these also are various and uncertaine.

Genesis 10:5

By these were the Iles] The Hebrewes call all those Countries Iles, to which out of their owne Countrey they cannot passe but by ships, whether they be properly Iles (that is surrounded with water) or not, Jeremiah 25:22. In this name are comprehended all the Provinces of Europe compassed or divided by the Mediterranean Sea.

divided] The posteritie of Noah for divers yeares continued together, as the people of one kindred or countrey, and were of one Language, till many of them transplanted themselves into the Plaine of Shinar, Chap. 11. vers. 2. but upon the confusion at Babel whereby their Language was divided, the sonnes of Japhet were divided as severall Colonies in the most Countries of Europe.

after his tongue] As it fell out afterwards, in the division of Tongues, the story whereof is particularly related in the next Chapter.

Genesis 10:6

Cush] His posteritie in their owne Language call themselves Cushians; their more usuall name is Ethiopians, and their Countrey Ethiopia; but in Scripture we find a two-fold Ethiopia, the one in the East neere the Arabian Sea, inhabited by the Cushites; the other is in the West of Africa, which is vulgarly called Ethiopia, without any addition, or terme of distinction. See the Note on vers. 7.

Mizraim] Of him came the Egyptians; in the Old Testament Egypt and the Egyptians are usually called Mizraim; in the New the name Egypt is still used; the Arabians and Turkes call Egypt Mesra or Masra, which hath neere cognation with this name of the second sonne of Ham.

Phut] By this name was his posteritie and Countrey called, Ezekiel 27:10. and in the 38. of Ezek. vers. 5. our Translation turneth Phut in the Originall into Lybia (noting Phut in the margine) And that name Lybia is usuall in humane Writers, see Jeremiah 46:9.

Canaan] The infamous father of the odious Canaanites; from him descended eleven sonnes, and people which possessed the Land of Canaan, which are reckoned, vers. 15, &c.

Genesis 10:7

Seba] In the same verse there is another of the sonnes of Cush, which in some versions of the Bible is called Seba also; but in the Hebrew there is this difference, the former is written with Samch, the latter with Schin; the former, Seba, and his issue inhabited a part of the African Ethiopia bending towards Egypt (whereof mention is made, Isaiah 43:3.) From this Seba the Abissines in Africa are thought to take their Originall, whose chiefe Citie and Court is Saba, whence it is supposed the Queene tooke a journey unto Solomon, 1 Kings 10:1. 4. Ezekiel 27:22. Matthew 12:42. Acts 8:27. The other Shba, is thought by some to be the father of those Arabick Sabeans whose Countrey abounds with Frankincense; but some thinking it too much honour for one of Hams wicked race to be intitled to so good a Countrey (and yet Sodome was a very good land, and the Sodomites extreme bad people) ascribe that land rather to a sonne of Abraham by Keturah of that name, Genesis 25:3.

Raamah] Ezekiel 27:22.

Dedan] Ezekiel 27:15. & Chap. 38. 13.

Genesis 10:8

Cush begat Nimrod] Moses reserved the mention of Nimrod for the last place, among the sonnes of Cush, because he meant to speak more of him then of any of the rest.

began to be a mighty one] The word Nimrod signifieth a Rebel, for such as are most stubborne toward their superiours, are most tyrannicall over their inferiours: this Nimrod is thought to be the same whom secular stories call Belus, and set him forth as the founder of the Babylonian Monarchie, from whose name many Idolatries (as that of Belial, Baal-Peor, Beelzebub) are derived.

Genesis 10:9

a mightie hunter] Both of beasts (though not for sacrifice, as divers Jewish Doctors make the Glosse upon his title) and of men; for the one hunting many times is a preludium or preparative to the other, as Aristotle observeth, 50: 1. Polit. 100: 8. But here his hunting of men is principally meant, he was the first that after the flood set up an absolute arbitrary and violent domination over men, pursuing them (who would not willingly come under his command) with no more respect or pitie, then hunters shew to beasts whom they hunt to death; and therefore is tyranny in Scripture set forth by hunting, Jeremiah 16:16. Lamentations 4:18.

before the Lord] That is, though he were sometimes crafty as well as cruell, God set his observant eye upon all his greedy and bloudy plots and practises; so that none of them (how cunningly soever they were contrived) could escape his view. Or, he was a mighty hunter before the Lord, that is, he was so desperately bold in his boisterous and violent tyranny, that he was not afraid to act it before the Lord.

wherefore it is said] His crueltie and tyranny was so notorious, that it became a Proverbe of reproach; as if one should say of another naughty man of his haughtie spirit, He is a very Nimrod; such an hunter as he was.

Genesis 10:10

And the beginning of his kingdome was Babel] The meaning is, either that Babylon was the Palace or Royall seat of his power; or that from thence he got strength to invade and conquer other Potentates, to raise himselfe a Monarchie out of their ruines.

Babel] Or, Babylon. Revelation 17:5. The City was called Babel from the confusion of tongues, whereof see Genesis 11. vers. 9. in which, and with which, the Assyrian Monarchy was first set up by Nimrod, though afterward the seat of that Monarchy was translated into Assyria; and Babel, or Babylon being the beginning of this kingdome, the report of profane Authours whether Historians or Poets is not true, which makes Semiramis the wife of Ninus, (sonne to this Nimrod, or Belus) foundresse of this City; she might repaire it, inlarge it, and adorne it, but Nimrod first built it; and though after Nimrods time the seat of that Monarchy (which began with him) was changed from Babylon to Assyria, which might occasion the distinction betwixt the land of Nimrod, and the land of Assyria, Micah 5:6. yet many yeares after Babylon being by warres, or some other mishaps demolished or defaced, was reedified by Nebuchadnezzar (whereof he proudly boasteth, Daniel 4:30.) so Josephus lib. 10. Antiq. cap. 11. out of Berosus, and Eusebius, lib. 9. cap. 4. de praeparatione Evangelica.

land of Shinar] So is that whole circuit of land called which encompasseth Babylon; so that it comprehends Mesopotamia, a part of Arabia, Persia, and Syria; but some more strictly take it for that land which is situate betwixt two rivers, Euphrates and Tygris, and therefore called in Greeke Mesopotamia. See Annot. on Genesis 11:2.

Genesis 10:11

Out of that land went forth Ashur] or, out of the land he, that is, Nimrod went forth into Ashur, or Assyria, a countrey lying neere to Shinar, having the name of Ashur, whose ambition would not suffer him to abide at home, though never so well or commodiously seated, but made him to passe from place to place to enlarge his dominions. Some take the name of Ashur for a sonne of Shem, so named, vers. 22. but here spoken of by occasion of Nimrod; for Nimrod having seised on Chaldea which belonged unto Ashur, he, as neither by patience able to beare, nor by power to over-beare that usurping tyrant, went out of that land, the land of Shinar, and planted himselfe beyond the river Tygris, where he founded the Monarchy of Assyria, and built the citie of Nineveh. Some will have this Ashur not to be he who was sonne of Shem, but another Ashur of the race of Ham; and there might be one of that name, and of Hams progeny; but which so ever it was, he seemes to have beene so eminent as to give denomination both to the Assyrian Monarchy and countrey. Some conceive this Ashur to be Ninus the sonne of Belus, called Ashur by anticipation, because afterward he was Monarch of Assyria. This construction of the words having the last place, and the least ground, either of the former may have approbation before it.

and the citie Rehoboth] or, Rehhoboth; or, the streets of the citie, so the word signifieth in an appellative sense; it commeth of Rahhab, which signifieth to inlarge, and so some take it as an explication of Nineveh, by the spatiousnesse or largenesse of the streets; Some take it for the name of another citie distinct from Nineveh, whereof mention is made, Gen. Chap. 36. ver. 37. 1 Chronicles 1:48. which yet might have its name from the length or breadth of the streets of it as well as Nineveh.

Genesis 10:12

the same is a great citie] That is (not Calah last spoken of, but) Nineveh, for there is an bysterosis in the words, which in sense must be made up thus and he built Rezen betweene Calah and Nineveh, the same, that is, Nineveh is a great citie, so called by God himselfe, Jonah 1:2. & Chap. 3. 2. & Chap. 4. vers. last. But how great it was at this time it is hard to know; In the Prophet Jonah his dayes it was a citie of three dayes journey, Jonah 3:3. which would take up three dayes to goe through the streets, or to compasse the walls of it about; and the number of inhabitants was evidence of the greatnesse of it, for it had in it an hundred and twenty thousand infants which knew not the right hand from the left, Jonah 4. 5: last. And it is probable that the dimensions of it varied with the ages through which it passed; for great cities, if warres or fire doe not lessen them, commonly grow greater and greater.

Genesis 10:13

Ludim] (Lud, Isaiah 66:19. &c.) the off-spring of such as are here named, are for the most part unknowne; yet some say the Lybians came of Ludim, but others referre them to Lehabim; some more sutably to the sound of the word say, Ludim was the father of the Lydians; if so, there must be other Lydians then those which inhabited Asia the lesse, for they are noted under another originall.

Genesis 10:14

Pathrusim] His posterity inhabited Egypt, especially that part where the citie Pathros, (Isaiah 11:11.) was built.

out of whom came Philisthim] Either as descended from the stocke of Casuhim, or comming from dwelling among that people, (whereof he was progenitor) as a part of a promiscuous multitude, (such as went with the Israelites out of Egypt, Exodus 12:38.) and changing their dwelling; for though the Philistines were not the off-spring of Canaan, they made themselves roome, and an habitation in the land of the Canaanites, by driving out the ancient inhabitants

Genesis 10:15

Canaan begat Sidon] Hebr. Tsidon, who built the citie Sidon, or Zidon in Phoenicia, Joshua 11:8. & Joshua 19:28. whence it may be, that by the name of Canaanites the Sidonians should be understood, at least that they be principally comprehended in the name of Canaanites, which are diversified under severall titles, sometimes more, and sometimes fewer; sometimes the generall name is taken for a particular, and sometimes contrarily; sometimes the same under divers particular names, that it is very difficult to make a perfect distinction of their titles and portions; but the best is, the matter is of no great use.

Heth] From whom came the Hittites, Gen. Chap. 23. vers. 3, 5, 7, 10.

Genesis 10:18

the Semarite] So 1 Chron. 1. 16. where the genalogie of this Chapter is repeated; some conceive that Samaria and the Samaritans had their name from hence, but the contrary is manifest, 1 Kings 16:24.

Genesis 10:19

the border of the Canaanites] Which Moses more exactly setteth downe, because the land of Canaan was promised to the posterity of Abraham, Gen. 15. 18, 19. which portion was afterward enlarged to the Israelites by the addition of two kingdomes beyond Jorda.

Gaza] Hebr. Ghnazza.

Genesis 10:20

These are the sonnes of Ham] There are more in the number of descendents from him, then the issue either of Shem or of Japhet; and above twice so many as are reckoned of Japhets linage, notwithstanding the blessing and promise of his inlargement, Chap. 9. 27. and that he had seven sonnes to begin his progeny withall, ver. 2. and Ham had but foure, ver. 6. Fleshly fruitfulnesse is none of the best blessings of the Father of spirits, nor any good evidence of prelation either in mankind, or other creatures: for Sarah was a wie many yeares, and yet barren, when Hagar her handmaid and her husbands concubine conceived quickly after her admission to her mistresses bed: and among the increase of creatures, the most contemptible, as Mice, are most numerous, one bringing forth one hundred and twenty upon one generation, Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 10. cap. 65. while the Elephant a more noble creature both in respect of his stature, and strength, as also in respect of his faculties, and docilitie, goeth two yeares at least, and as some conceive tenne yeares with young, and hath but one bitth during life, though he live (as some write of him) two or three hundred yeares. Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 8. cap. 10.

Genesis 10:21

unto Shem] Why Shem, though the best of the sonnes of Noah is with his issue brought in last, see Annot. on vers. 2.

the father of all the children of Eber] He was great grandfather to Eber, yet he is called a father of Ebers children, to note the reference of posteritie to progenitors, though at farre distance, which may be matter of hope and feare to their issue for many descents, thereafter as their ancestors have been either in favour with God, as Isaiah 45:4. or under the offence and indignation of God, Jeremiah 15:4.

of Eber] He was the father of all the sonnes of Aram and his issue, as well as of Arphaxad and his posteritie, whose grandchild was Eber. Why is he not called the father of some other of that line, as well as of Eber? Answ. Eber is mentioned for honour and favour to Shem and Eber both; as Canaan the sonne of Ham is named by way of displeasure to, and disgrace of his father and himselfe in the curse, Chap. 9. 25. For in the line of Eber continued the language spoken by Adam, the true Religion and worship of God, though Joktan one of his two sonnes named, Chap. 10. vers. 25. (Peleg was the other) made defection from it; and God in his good providence continued his life longer then any of those that were borne after the flood. See Chap. 11. vers. 16, 17.

From him therefore have the people of God been called Ebrewes. The word Eber signifieth beyond, whence some have thought Shem to be called the father of them who dwelled beyond the River Tygris; but it is rather to be taken here for a proper name, which might yet be given unto Eber by his father, upon some occasion of removall of his family, or passage to another place: some conceive they are called Ebrewes or rather Ebrai, as it were Abrahaei, because they were the posteritie of Abraham; but the former notation of the name is more naturall, and by the more judicious Writers more generally received.

the brother of Japheth the elder] Hebr. the great. For the Hebrew language hath no comparative degree, but useth the preposition Min, or the article Ha for emphaticall expression, as in the word Haggadhol, Gadhol signifying great not greater; and the Hebrews wanting such difference of termination in cases as the Greeks and Latines have, the word here used and properly Englished great, and commonly greater, may be rendred either in the Genitive case, and so it maketh Japheth the elder, or in the Ablative case, and so it maketh Shem the elder: and from this ambiguitie in the Originall ariseth diversitie of opinions concerning the senioritie of these three sonnes; for some from hence rendring the adjective in the Ablative case, and so in construction agreeing with Shem, and from the ordinary rehearsall of them in the Scripture, (wherein Shem is placed the first in order) take him to be the eldest; others, because the Originall Text will also admit of the adjective to be taken in the Genitive case, and so joyned with Japhet, make him the elder: and this exposition may have the prerogative of an elder brother to be preferred before the other, which may be proved thus. 1. Cham was not the eldest, for he is called, Noahs younger sonne, Chap. 9. 24. according to the Hebr. His little sonne. 2. Shem was not the eldest, for 1. Noah begat (that is, began to beget) his three sonnes, when he was five hundred yeares of age, Chap. 5. 32. 2.

In the sixe hundreth yeare of Noah, the second moneth of that yeare, and the seventeenth day of that moneth came the flood, Chap. 7. 11. 3. Two yeares after the flood Shem (when he begat Arphaxad) was a hundred yeares old, Chap. 11. 10. therefore Shem was begotten in the five hundred and second yeare of Noah. 4. And if Noah began his fruitfulnesse in the yeare five hundred, and begat one of his three sonnes that yeare (as hath been noted out of Gen. Chap. 5. 32.) it must needs be Japhet, and so he must be elder then either Shem, or Cham; yet Shem might be usually named before them both, because he had the honour to be Patriarch of the nationall Church of the Hebrews, so much honoured and favoured by God himselfe, according to the precedent Annot. so that his precedencie before Japhet, is by order of dignity, Chap. 9. 26, 27. not of nature; and so is Abraham set efore Nahor and Haran, Gen. Chap. 11. 26. and Jacob before Esau, Genesis 28:5. and Ephraim before Manasseh, Genesis 48:20. though neither Abraham, nor Jacob, nor Ephraim were elder then their brethren before whom they are named. See Annot. on Chap. 11. vers. 27.

Genesis 10:22

Elam] From him came the Elamites or Persians mentioned, Acts 2:9.

Arphaxad] The Chaldeans are thought to be his off-spring; upon what ground it doth not appeare.

Lud] From him some will have it that the Lydians are descended; others derive them from Ludim of the race of Ham: see vers. 13.

Aram] To him the Originall of the Aramaeans, or Aramites is referred, which peopled divers Regions, especially Armenia; the Hebrewes commonly call Syria by the name of Aram, but with addition, and distinction of the severall parts of that Countrey, as Padan-Aram is the Syrian Mesopotamia, Chap. 25. 20. and elsewhere, Aram Naharaim, that is, Aram of two Rivers, or situate betwixt two Rivers, as Chap. 24. 10. 1 Chronicles 19:6. Psal. 60. tit. Aram Dammeser, that is, Syria of Damascus, 2 Samuel 8:5.

Genesis 10:23

Vz] (Job 1:1.) In the land of Ʋz dwelt the people of Edom, or the Idumeans, Lamentations 4:21. who in probability might be the progenie of this Ʋz.

Mash] Or, Meshech. 1 Chronicles 1:17. Of him it may be the people of Mysia were descended.

Genesis 10:25

unto Eber] 1 Chron. 1. 19.

the name of one was Peleg] Which imports division; for Palag in Hebrew signifieth to divide, and in his dayes was the earth divided; and the division (as Josephus Antiq. lib. 1. cap. 4. sheweth, and many Authours hold with him) was two-fold, the one by Noah, as it were by will and testament assigning to his three sonnes the three parts of the world, Africa, Asia, and Europe; and this is thought to be about the birth of Peleg: afterwards upon the confusion of Babel there was a reall division, or an actuall occupation or possession of the severall parts of the earth, whereto they were presently compelled by a kind of imperious necessitie, since with such diversitie of tongues (which some take upon them to reduce to a certaine number, as they doe the Nations of that dispersion) it was not convenient for them to live together: and this division also fell out in Pelegs time, and to him was that name given as a memento of that division, wherein concurred the high provoking pride of man, and the admirable justice and prudence of God; which may mind us of nominall, as here, and sometimes reall memorials of Gods memorable acts, as Numbers 16:38. 40. whether of favour or of anger; for we are naturally prone to oblivion of such workes as should make a very deepe and durable impression in our minds; whereof see Psalms 106:13. But for the name Peleg in particular, and for the reason of that name forementioned; how fitly may it be a patterne for our unhappy times! how great cause have we to call the children that are borne in these dismall dayes by the name of Peleg! for how are we divided, not in tongues alone, as at Babel, but in heads, and hearts, and hands! what divisions are there, not onely of Reuben, as Judges 5:15. but of all the Tribes of our Israel! and were we but divided, our case were lesse lamentable, but we are subdivided into many factions in the State, and snipt out into many schismes in the Church: and what hatefull and horrid hostilities are reciprocated betwixt those who are brethren by Nature, Nation, and profession of Religion! How might we fill our Registers with the name of Peleg, if we should take to heart the wofull breaches that are made among us, as the parents of this Peleg did the division in their dayes! O when will it be that the noise of our most unnaturall warre shall be husht, that the manifold ruptures of our sacred and civill peace shall be cemented up, that our condition be not still a cause of sighing to all good Christians, and true Patriots, and of insulting to the enemies both of our Church and State! O when will it be that the pathetique perswasion of the Apostle shall take place with us: Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speake the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement! 1 Corinthians 1. vers. 10. Give leave good Reader to the oppressed spirit of the Writer to give some vent unto his griefe of heart. It may be a memorandum of our miserie here, and of the sa condition of three Kingdomes at once all involved in most bloudy and wofull confusion; and may mind a godly and prudent Christian of the danger of abuse of a long continued peace, and of the severe chastisement of God upon the Churches and States which rather professe the forme then practise the power of Evangelicall piety; and it may preach and presse the dutie of repentance and reall reformation with more precise caution against spirituall relapses; and may stirre up the hearts of such as are pious and compassionate to betake themselves more frequently to private supplication, and to performe both that and the publique with more sinceritie and fervencie of affection; that the God of peace may be pleased to put an end to our warres, such warres as may steepe our victories as well in the teares of the victors, as in the bloud of the vanquished, since whosoever gaines, the Kingdome loseth many loyall subjects, the Church many Christian Protestants, and divers of them no worse (as we may well hope) then such as have beene redeemed by the precious bloud of our Lord and Saviour: and lastly, it may be he may (by the mercy of God to his people, and his justice on their enemies) see the result of all this rage redound to the ruine of the Antichristian combination, who first kindled, & have ever since fomented these fearefull combustions; and that Pererius his application of the Prophecie concerning the adjourning of the judgement of God against the Amorites to the Protestant State in England (Tom. 3. in Gen.

Disp. 8. pag. 576) may be made good upon the wicked of the Popish party: The words of the Jesuite rendred in English are these: If any begin to wonder why God suffers the English Principality to execute such a cruell persecution on the Catholiques, and yet to flourish and prevaile; he will leave off to wonder if he bethinke himselfe of Gods toleration of the Amorites for this reason, because their iniquities were not yet made up to the full, Genesis 15:16. but they will come at the length to their full growth and accomplishment; there will come a time of Divine vengeance, too late for us perhaps, but for the dispensation of the Divine prudence and providence seasonable and soone enough; which time (saith he) if any man thinke to be neere at hand (since that Nation (he meaneth the English) hath now so farre proceeded in raging persecution) he shall not much misse of the truth, as I suppose. So farre this Authour; which prediction (upon the like grounds) may justly be retorted upon the Romish Church, and on the pretended (but mis called) Catholiques, whose rage hath beene of late more rampant then ever, and therefore there is a great hope the time is drawing on that they may be made couchant under Christs Iron Mace who would not be brought to bow under the sway of his Golden Spter.

Joktan] The division of the earth into different Languages and people is noted by the name of Peleg; but here some observe another division of the family of Heber, for Joktan (say they) divided himselfe from the true Religion of his fathers house; which cannot be proved by Scripture; for he is mentioned but in this Chapter, and in 1 Chronicles 1. and in neither of these places is any such thing recorded of him. From him is supposed to descend the people of the East Indies, and of America also, where some say are remaining markes of that name, but in such particulars we cannot be certaine, nor must we be either over-curious or peremptory.

Genesis 10:29

Havilah] From whom it is thought the land of the Ismaelites and Amalekites was named Havilah, Genesis 25:18. 1 Samuel 15:7. There was another Havilah descended of Cham, vers. 7. See Annot. on Chap. 2. vers. 11.

Genesis 10:30

Their dwelling was from Mesha] These names are not cleared by any other place of Scripture, and they are unknowne to the ancient Geographers, much more to those of later times, and therefore we must leave this Text without any other Note but our ignorance of the termes contained in it.