A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Eight persons.] Thus much for the Quality of the persons, now for the quantity of the number; Eight. Wherein we must consider, first why so many as •ight, then why so few as eight. Why so many; for the speedier increase of mankind. Why so few, because this was the whole number of the righteous and believers.

Eight persons.] Thus much for the Qualitie of the persons, now for the quan•itie of the number; Eight. Wherein wee must consider, first why so many as •ight, then why so few as eight. Why so many; for the speedyer encrease of mankind. Why so few, because this was the whole number of the righteous and •eleevers.

Eight.] This was one cause why God reserved so many, that they might fructify to the multiplication of mankind. But why were not Noah and his wife sufficient for that end? No, they were old, for Noah was six hundred years old when •he flood came: and though he lived three hundred years after, yet we read not of a•y more children he had. But the first world was begun and peopled by two •nd no more: why then were so many to begin the second world? I answer. […]. God did so at the first, to show that^a All mankind came of one blood, and that there •as no original difference betwixt man and man. Neither is this unobserved in the second beginning: for though the world was multiplied by three men, yet were •hey all brethren, and the sons of one man. In effect, as at first by Adam and Eve, so •y Noah and his Wife, came all men in the world. 2. To begin the second world •here were requisite more lines than one: because now the blessed seed was promised, and his line and kindred must be kept distinct from all other till his Incarnation. […]. There was more cause why the world should be more speedily replenished, than t first. For the earth had some beauty and glory left it after the former curse; so hat (though far short of Paradise, yet) it was still to Adam a delightful and pleasant habitation. But this second curse in the flood washed off all the remaining beauty, and made it a rude and unpolished desert. Nor was only the surface of it thus aimed, but the virtue almost quite perished, as land by long sugging under the waters, hath the heart of it eaten out. Therefore it is said,