For the proof of this Point we might allege the first Chapter of Genesis, 1where there is not only a relation of the worlds Creation, but an exact description of the manner how, and also all the effects of this Creation, so that that Chapter hath more divinity and philosophy in it then all the books of the wisest Heathens put together, and indeed whatsoever the Heathens have of Antiquity they have it from Moses, though they have added thereunto many foolish Fables; I shall add one pregnant Text to confirm this, Heb. 11.3. where the Apostle intending to commend faith in all the several effects of it, begins with this as the foundation, By faith we understand the worlds were made; There is much spoken by the Apostle in few words, 1. He saith, By faith we understand the world was made, for howsoever some Philosophers held the world was not from Eternity, yet those that did hold it was made, did grossly and foolishly mistake about the manner of it, and though by true Philosophy we may prove the world could not be from Eternity, yet the Word of God affirming this is the best Argument; Therefore faith is better then all reason and philosophy in this matter: Again he saith, By faith we understand, [Greek or Hebrew], so that you see Faith hath knowledge in it, and is not as the Papists would have it to be defined ⟨p. 156⟩by Ignorance, He that believeth knoweth, Therefore ignorant people have no faith because no knowledge▪ Hence it is […] faith and knowledge are so often put for one another. 3. He saith, We understand the worlds, [Greek or Hebrew] in the plural number; Not that there are many worlds, but it's usual in Scripture to describe the world in the plural number, because of the many ages and revolutions that are in the world, one generation passing and another succeeding: 4. He saith were framed, This denoteth the excellent wisdom of God ordering all things therein, called therefore [Greek or Hebrew] mundus. 5. The manner how, not as Artificers make a house by handy labour but by the Word of his mouth only. And lastly, here is the matter of which, of things that did not appear, that is either of nothing, or else it's an allusion to Gen. 1.2. where the earth is said to be without form and void, darkness covered it; Thus, here is a noble description of the Original of the world.
For the proof of this Point we might alledge the first Chapter of Genesis, 1where there is not only a relation of the worlds Creation, but an exact description of the manner how, and also all the effects of this Creation, so that that Chapter hath more divinity and philosophy in it then all the books of the wisest Heathens put together, and indeed whatsoever the Heathens have of Antiquity they have it from Moses, though they have added thereunto many foolish Fables; I shall adde one pregnant Text to confirm this, Heb. 11.3. where the Apostle intending to commend faith in all the several effects of it, begins with this as the foundation, By faith we understand the worlds were made; There is much spoken by the Apostle in few words, 1. He saith, By faith we understand the world was made, for howsoever some Philosophers held the world was not from Eternity, yet those that did hold it was made, did grosly and foolishly mistake about the manner of it, and though by true Philosophy we may prove the world could not be from Eternity, yet the Word of God affirming this is the best Argument; Therefore faith is better then all reason and philosophy in this matter: Again he saith, By faith we understand, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, so that you see Faith hath knowledge in it, and is not as the Papists would have it to be defined ⟨p. 156⟩by Ignorance, He that beleeveth knoweth, Therefore ignorant people have no faith because no knowledge▪ Hence it is 〈…〉 faith and knowledge are so often put for one another. 3. He saith, We understand the worlds, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in the plural number; Not that there are many worlds, but it's usuall in Scripture to describe the world in the plural number, because of the many ages and revolutions that are in the world, one generation passing and another succeeding: 4. He saith were framed, This denoteth the excellent wisedom of God ordering all things therein, called therefore 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 mundus. 5. The manner how, not as Artificers make a house by handy labour but by the Word of his mouth only. And lastly, here is the matter of which, of things that did not appear, that is either of nothing, or else it's an allusion to Gen. 1.2. where the earth is said to be without form and void, darknesse covered it; Thus, here is a noble description of the Original of the world.
- 1Proved from Scripture.
