Genesis 6

Genesis 6:1

VVEre] After the world was peopled, and that through the multitude of women, mens concupisences were excited: the faithfull themselves took leave to use poligamy, and mariyed themselves into strange kindreds, out of the blessed generation.

Genesis 6:2

The sonnes] That is, many of the sacred stock, and members of the Church. Genesis 4:26 f men] of the accursed progeny of Cain, that had no part in the spirituall regeneration, nor in the Sacraments thereof Faire] More curious in the enticements of the slesh, and in the art of setting forth that gift of nature with painting, ornaments, and alliances, &c. which was always ordinary among prophane people: And by this circumstance it is noted, that the end of their marriages was onely pleasure; and not a desire of holy company, and issue.which] without using any distinction for spirituall matters or religion; which common piety and reason did intimate was to be done: and had questionlesse beene either commanded, or inspired by God: and was afterwards renewed. Genesis 26:35. Exodus 34:16. 1 Corinthians 7:39. 2 Corinthians 6:14. From this mixture came the holy races corruption in Religion and manners: wherefore God determined to destroy the world by the floud: seeing the world subsisted but onely for the elect, and they being almost all failed, the cause of the worlds preservation seemed also to faile.

Genesis 6:3

Spirit] Which through the Prophets teachings. 1 Peter 3:19. and by internall motions reproved the world, and pressed it to repentance For that] They are altogether incorrigible: the light of my regenerating spirit being quite extinguished in them, and all his power smothered up: whereby the externall action and benefit thereof, is in vaine imployed about them. By the word flesh opposed to the spirit, in Scripture is understood, the corrupt nature of man, and deprived of Gods life: the true subject of death and corruption: as the flesh without soule or spirit is. See John 3:6. Romans 8:5 His dayes] The time which I will give them to bethink themselves.

Genesis 6:4

Giants] Men of extraordinary stature and strength, of a fierce disposition, which violently usurped and tyrannically exercised domination over other men.And also] There did arise such tyrants in the Church of God after the mixture of the two generations.

Genesis 6:5

Imagination] Internall conceits and secret discourses, which are as it were the modell of all externall humane actions.

Genesis 6:6

It repented] There can bee no repentance in God, which is a sorrow for a fault committed, and an alteration of his mind, towards the selfe same subject. 1 Samuel 15:11. but bythis word taken from men, is meant an alienation of Gods will, and liking towards a thing, which of good was become evill.

Genesis 6:7

Beast] Because that being created for man, and given to him, God would punish him not onely in his person, but also in his goods and instruments.

Genesis 6:9

In his] That is, all the time that hee lived, before and after the deluge, which was a new age of the world. Or else amongst the men of his time Walked] See above Genesis 5:22.

Genesis 6:12

Flesh] That is man or person.

Genesis 6:13

Before me] I have already decreed it, and will shortly put it in execution, the thing is already present before me. God opposeth his certain knowledge, to che worlds conceit, concerning their happinesse and security; and the decree of his will, to naturall likely-hoods: With the earth] As much as concernes the beauty of it, the fruits and goods: but not the substance of it, nor yet the highest and strongest plants.

Genesis 6:14

An Arke] A great Vessell, on the inside like a great Chest, of a slangrell forme, with divers partitions and inclosures. The briefenesse of the narration leaves it doubtfull, whether this bodie was not contained within some other, more apt to swimme above the waters, and preserve this Gopher] It seems to be a generall name for all trees that have Rozen in them: some hold it to be the Cedar, anciently, used in building of Ships. Ezekiel 27:5.

Genesis 6:16

A window] The Italian hath it, Give light] It is likely that this light was taken from the top of the Arke: by an opening which is called a Lanthorn, through which the ayre and light came in, and so was distributed into divers stories and rooms of the Arke, by windowes and other overtures. Whereof see Genesis 8:6. Some translate it, make a window] Above] The roof raised in the middle a cubit, to cause the falling off, of the raine-water.

Genesis 6:18

Establish] I will take thee into my charge and protection, as by an expresse covenant, which I doe now make promise of, and will assuredly keep my word.

Genesis 6:19

Of all Flesh] Of every kind of creatures Two] That is generally of all sorts of beasts; for of those that are cleane hee commandeth, Genesis 7:2. That he should take seven couple of each.

Genesis 6:20

Shall come] By a secret instinct: and by Gods motion. As Genesis 2:19.