IN THE FIRST O wrought and adorned by the Spirit of God. For by the finger or fingers of God, the Spirit of God is in an especial manner intended. Hence those words of our Saviour, Luke xi. 20. But if Iwith the finger ofGod, do cast out devils; Matth. xii. 28. are, IfI cast out de- vils by the Spirit of God. By 'him were the heavens, as it were, curiously wrought, adorned, garnished, rendered beautiful and glorious, to shew forth the praise of his power and wisdom, Psal. xix. 1. And by the croaked serpent, which is added to the garnishing of the heavens, the Hebrews understand the galaxy or milky-way, which, to the eye, represents the moving or writhing of a serpent in the water. This then is peculiarly assigned to the Spirit, with respect to the heavens and their host; the complete finishing work is ascribed unto him, which we must understand by the rules before mentioned, and not exclusively to the o- ther persons. ' Sect. 8.-And thus was it also in the earth, God first out of nothingcreated the earth, which comprised the whole inferior globe, which afterwards divided it- self into seas and dry land; as the heavens contain in that expression of their creation all that is above and over it. The whole material mass of earth and water, wherewith, probably, the more solidand firm substance was covered, and, as it were, overwhelmed, is intended by that earth, which was first created. For immedi- ately there is mention made of the deeps and the wa- ters, without any intimation of their production but what is contained in that of the creation of the earth. Gen. i. 2. This mass being thus framed and mixed, the Spirit of God moved on the foes of the waters; not taken distinctly,- but as containing.-that radical humour which was the material principle of life and being -unto to all creatures &in noun o'n 'eami. The word merachepheth signifies an easygentle motion, such ás a dove, or other fowl, useth over its nest or young ones, either to communicate vital heat unto its eggs, or to cherish and defend its young. And this will no way consist with that exposition which some would give in this placeof o'n5x mi ruah they say here signifies the wind, as .n doth sometimes; and it is called the windof God, because it wasgreat and mighty. For,this phrase ofspeech is usual in the sacred language, to set out the greatness and singular eminency of any thing. So a great trembling, is called ;a trembling of God, I Sam. N R OLD CREATION, 51 15. the cedars of God, and the like. But, (I.) when was this wind created? The meteors were not made before the fourth day, with the firmament, the place of their residence. And whence or what this wind should be is not to be discovered. (2.) The word here used signifies such an easy and gentle motion as is in birds, when they move themselves upon their nests. And it is but three times used in the scripture. In this place, and Deut. xxxii. 11. Jer. xxiii. 9. In Deutero- nomy it is expressly applied unto the motion of an ea- gle over her young, far their safety, protection, and growth. 1'ass vis' 'ene' as an eagle,uttereth, spreading her wings over her young; and, in the other place, we render it shake. All my bones shake; that is,, are in a trembling motion, like the feathers of a fowl over her nest. No such great and violent wind therefore as from thence should be called a wind of God, can be intended in this place. But it is the Spirit of God himself and his work that is expressed. Sect. 9.This, therefore was the work of the Holy Spirit of God in reference unto the earth, and the host thereof. The whole matter being created, out of which all living creatures were to be educed, and of which they were to be made, he takes upon him the cherish- ing and preservation of it, that as it had its subsistence by the power of the word of God, it might be carried on towards that form, order, beauty, and perfection that it was designed unto. To this purpose he com- municated unto it a quickening and prolific virtue, in laying it with the seeds ofanimal life unto all kinds of things. Hence, upon the command.of God, it brought forth all sorts of creatures in abundance, according to the seeds and principles of life which were communica- ted unto the rude unformedchaos, by the cherishing mo- tion of the Holy Spirit. Without him, all was a dean sea, a confused deep, with darkness upon it, able to bring forth nothing, nor more prepared to bring forth any one thing than another. But by the moving of the Spirit of God upon it, the principles of all those kinds, sorts and forms of things, which, in an incon- ceivable variety, make up its host and ornament, were communicated unto it. And this is a better account of the original of all things in their several kinds, than any is given by ancient or modern philosophers. And hence was the old tradition of all things being formed of water; which the apostle alludes unto, 2 Pet. iii. lù 17
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