Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE

CREATION

AND FALL OF MAN.

THAT mankind have not been in this world, nor this world itself been from eternity, may be proved by many arguments from the nature, and from what is, and has in fact been, the known state of the world in the different ages thereof. But in what particular manner men at first began to exist; where, and how they lived; are points of which we can have no farther certainty, than we have some authentic testimony declaring them unto us.

The heathen writers have given us their conjectures upon these subjects, but they are only conjectures." Some part of what they offer, indeed, might be admitted as probable; if we were not better informed, that

a See archbishop Tillotson, serm. 1. Wilkins' Nat. Rel. b. i. c. 5.

Diodor. Sic. lib. 1. p. 5.

VOL. IV.

C

in the beginning things were not done as they supposed. But in having the writings of Moses, we have a real history of these matters; and, as I have elsewhere made some observations upon his account of the creation of the heavens and the earth; I would herein examine, what he relates concerning the creation of mankind; the manner and circumstances in which our first parents began their being, and the incidents which befel them; hoping to shew, that Moses' account may reasonably be believed to set before us what were real matters of fact; and that no part of what is related by him ought to be taken to be apologue and fable, as some writers are fond of representing.

d

That the subject I am attempting has many difficulties, I am ready to confess, and not willing to be too positive I can remove them all: but as I apprehend the substance of what I have to offer, will be seen to

c Connect. Sac. et Proph. Hist. pref. to vol. i.

d It is observable, that some years ago the most forward writers expressed doubt and reserve in treating this subject: Quædam esse parabolica in hac narratione neque penitus ad litteram exigenda omnes ferè agnoscunt: nonnulli etiam totum sermonem esse volunt ¿zorúzwow artificiosam ad explicandas res veras, said Dr. Burnet, Archæolog. p. 283. But we find writers, who have added no argument beyond what Dr. Burnet had before offered, now more absolutely asserting, that the matter of Moses' account is inconsistent with the character of an historical narration, and must, they say, convince all, who consider it without prejudice, that it is wholly fabulous or allegorical. See Middleton's Exam. p. 135.

carry an evident design to give a reason for, and thereby to establish, the principles of revealed religion; I persuade myself I shall find all that candour, which I have long ago experienced the world not unwilling to bestow upon a well-intended endeavour, conducted, as I trust this shall be, without ill-nature or ill-manners to other writers, however I may happen to differ from them.

CHAP. I.

The first and second chapters of Genesis reconciled and adjusted to each other.

THE first and second chapters of Genesis give us the whole of what Moses relates concerning the creation of mankind. Now, we shall see that they accord perfectly with each other; if we consider the first chapter as giving only a short and general account of this great transaction; and the second to be a resumption of the subject, in order to relate some particulars belong. ing to it, which in the conciseness of the first relation were passed over unmentioned.

e

In the first chapter, Moses, having recorded the several transactions of the five preceding days, begins the sixth day with God's creating the cattle, and living creatures of the earth, and then adds his determination to make man: God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. After this Moses tells us, that God effected his purpose: So God created

• Gen. i. 24, 25.

f Ver. 26.

« PreviousContinue »