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2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3¶ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided 'the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening

and the morning were the first day.

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6¶ And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

9¶ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it

was so.

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seed is in itself, upon the earth and it

was so.

12 And the earth brought forth and grass, herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

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16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the 10 open firmament of heaven.

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21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

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24 ¶ And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind and God saw that it was good.

26 ¶ And 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.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that "moveth upon the earth.

29 ¶ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb 12 bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is 13 life, I hare given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

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WE are here presented with the only authentic record of the creation of the world. We may truly say the only authentic record, because this is given by the inspiration of God. Moses wrote as the Spirit of God dictated to his mind and guided his pen; so that the record, thus given, is as surely the Word of the living God as if Moses had never been employed to write, and God himself had personally uttered every word and fact, thus written, from first to last. This is the true character of divine inspiration. All Holy Scripture is given by the same means, and in the same way, and bears the same stamp of its divine

original; and thus it is, in deed and in truth, the Word of God, "able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (See 2 Sam. xxiii. 2; 1 Cor. ii. 13; 2 Pet. i. 21; 2 Tim. iii. 15, 16.)

It was needful to offer this observation at the commencement of the remarks which are intended to be made, in due time, and by the divine blessing, upon the whole body of the Sacred Volume. May the same blessed Spirit direct, guide, and bless us throughout the whole of our meditations, for the good of immortal souls, and to the glory and praise of the triune God of our salvation!

Everything we see and behold was made by God. There was a time when no created thing had any existence, beyond the purpose of God to bring it into being, which in due season came to pass. First, the mass of matter was created, out of which the whole universe was subsequently formed. Then there was the motion of the Spirit concurring, with the power of God, acting upon that created mass preparatory to its being reduced into form and order. After that, the Almighty fiat goes forth for the specific work of cach successive day's creation. day's creation. Then there was light; the expansive separation was made in the formation of the heavens and the gathering together of earth and water, each to its proper place; the productions of the earth were brought forth; the lights in the firmament of heaven were created, to rule over the day and over the night, and the stars also. Next came the production of the waters, the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, the cattle and the various insects, reptiles, and beasts of the earth.

And then the creation of man took place, as the crowning work of the whole, in the image of God; the blessing was given for fruitfulness, and power was delegated for dominion and authority. Everything was adjusted after its kind; adjusted after its kind; and, viewed as a complete performance to answer the end and purpose for which it was created, the whole was pronounced very good.

How does the wisdom, goodness, power, majesty, and glory of God shine throughout the whole! What a word was that which spake, and it was done; which commanded, and it stood fast! Oh! let us pause, and

look around, and admire the beneficence of the glorious Creator in all he has made! All this entire series was completed in six days, without cessation, from the first act of creation to the finishing of the whole. Comparing this chapter with other parts of Scripture, there can be no doubt, that all the three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, were actively and unitedly engaged in this magnificent and glorious work. Here we are expressly told, that "in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth;" that "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters ;" and elsewhere it is affirmed, that " God made all things by Jesus Christ." (Eph. iii. 9; Col. i. 16-18.)

How delightful is this thought! The God of creation is the God of our salvation; and that salvation was planned in the councils of heaven before the creation took place! (Titus i. 2; Eph. i. 4.) Hence the constant reference to this mighty work in the salvation of the soul. The prayer of David is, "Create in me, O God, a clean heart." (Ps. li. 10.) The affirmation of the Apostle is, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." (2 Cor. v. 17.) And of all believers it is said, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Eph. ii. 7.) The same Omnipotent Power that made the world is put forth to save the soul. The same glorious Being that created all things is engaged in the blessed work of mercy and love. By the Father we are chosen; by the Son we are redeemed; by the Spirit we are called. And as the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork, so, in a far higher sense, is the salvation of the soul to the glory and praise of his name. (Matt. xv. 34; Rev. v. 9; John vi. 63.)

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3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

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7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

13 And the name of the second river is Gihon the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden 7 thou mayest freely cat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

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19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto 10 Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever

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Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

20 And Adam "1 gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from 12 man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called 13 Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

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THERE are several important facts to be improved in this chapter, as they are introduced by one remark upon the completion of the whole creation. "Thus," it is said, "the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." Thus, as is here related, at that time, in this order, by such means, and to this end; and all was very good.

The first subject here to be improved is, the sacred institution of the Sabbath. In six days God created the heavens and the earth, and reduced the whole universe to its legitimate form and order. "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." That day God blessed and sanctified, because that in it he rested from all his work which God created and made. It is evident, from this infallible testimony, that the sacred observance of the Sabbath is of perpetual obligation. No formal law was given when that day was first set apart by God for the glory of his name. institution resulted, so to speak, naturally and necessarily from what had taken place; and therefore, after the example of the great and glorious Creator, as well as by his express

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command, all rational and accountable creatures are bound perpetually to keep holy that hallowed day. Nothing can release any man from that divine obligation, or set aside the authority of that paramount duty.

The same might be said of the Sabbath-day when viewed in its Christian aspect, and as binding upon men as redeemed sinners. It was upon the full completion of the glorious work of redemption, when he, "who was delivered for our offences, rose again for our justification" (Rom. iv. 25), the gospel Sabbath followed as a matter of course, as at the first upon finishing the works of creation. Hence the duty becomes more binding, and the obligation more sacred, stamped, as it now is, with all the ineffable majesty of redeeming love and pardoning mercy. Let all, then, "remember to keep holy the Sabbathday." (Ex. xx. 8.)

We next observe the condition of Adam in his state of innocence. Man must labour, even in Eden; but there his labour was sweet. Man must obey, even in Paradise ; but then his obedience was pleasant. Man was not to be alone, even there; but means were provided for his comfort and happiness. The same hand that brought him into being, bestowed upon him all his comforts. Observe, also, the holy and sweet simplicity of primeval purity. No unhallowed thought entered the mind. Adam stood there as the visible lord of the creation. The very beasts of the earth passed in review, as it were, before him; and each received its appropriate name as Adam was pleased to call them.

But Adam was a dependant being; he owed all to his Maker; he was, therefore, bound to love and serve him. Two emblematical trees in the garden of Eden were to prove the test and issue of this love. The tree of life stood in the midst of the garden, as the visible token and pledge of a blessed immortality. The tree of knowledge of good and evil, was the practical test whether he should attain that happy state or not. By abstaining from its fruit, as God commanded, he would come, in the end, to eternal life. By eating of that tree, in defiance of that command, the blessing would be lost, and misery incurred. Such was Adam's state in Eden. The plain and positive prohibition was, "Of every tree of

the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." Note this; for we shall soon come to a grievous fall.

In the last place, it is evident that marriage, the bond of social comfort and domestic peace, was also instituted of God in the time of man's innocency; and, therefore, everything contrary to the mutual endearments of that tender relation, is positive sin in the sight of God. The same God who "sanctified Adam and Eve, and joined them together in marriage," hath expressly commanded, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Ex. xx. 14); and solemnly affirmed that, "Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. xiii. 4.)

CHAPTER III.

1 The serpent deceiveth Eve. 6 Man's shameful full. 9 God arraigneth them. 14 The serpent is cursed. 15 The promised seed. 16 The punishment of mankind. 21 Their first clothing. 22 Their casting out of paradise.

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[OW the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, 'Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

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9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

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17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

20 And Adam called his wife's name 73 Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

22 ¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

24 So he drove out the man; and he placed

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