CHAP. I. Gods First Sally out of himself in the Birth of the Universe .

THough God was what he is , and in the perfect fruition of his Grandeurs , before his omnipotent hand had drawn the Creatures out of their Nothing ; The motives which invited God to create the world . yet his Nature required Hommages , his Majesty Servitudes , his Glory Admirations , his Goodness Acknowledgments , and his Beauty hearts and affections . It was needfull , though he were independent of all Beings , Immense in his extent , Eternall in his duration , and Infinite in all his perfections , that he should cause himself to be seen and felt by Emanations out of himself . It was not sufficient , ( me thinks ) that God should contemplate himself in the Myrror of his Essence , and that without issuing out of himself he should beget his Word in the splendors which flow from his Claritie . It was not enough to love himself , and in loving himself to produce without change , loss , or alteration the sacred fire of his Love . All these immanent and infinite productions could not exhaust the Treasures of so fruitfull a Nature : For in giving it self , it suffers no detriment , since amidst these sallies and Emanations the Father and the Son in such sort communicate their Nature and perfections , the Father , to the Son , and both to the Holy Ghost , that all three by a Common power can act ad extra or exteriorly , and they needed to employ but one single word to create not only a World , but even Worlds without end .

I represent unto my self that Nature sigh'd even without tongue or voice , The sighs of Nature . before she had a being : Me thinks I hear her silence , and that she saith to God before her Creation ;

Speak then , O speak ( Great God ) stretch forth thy arm and cast thy looks out of thy self ; issue forth of the Luminous Darkness , which formes thee a day without Night , and a Night more resplendent then the day . Give some little passage to those Ejaculations and flames which from all eternity are inclosed within thy bosome , and which frame therein a Circle of Light and Love . Thou needst but open thy mouth and immediatly all Creatures will be obedient to thy commands : The least of thy Irradiations will dissipate the shadows , and open that abyss , in which they are buried . It is true that nothing ought to disturbe the peace and repose of thy solitude ; It is true thou hast and possessest in thy self all that can ever be . But thou canst bring it to light , and art able without noyse and disorder to break that eternall silence which hitherto hath made thee heard but of thy self . In fine thou art a God of Love , and this love would be Captive , if it had not Sallies , and Ejaculations . It was not satisfied to remain in thee by eminence , and as it were in the source of beauty and goodness ; but having made its folds within its self by numberless revolutions , Dyonys c. 11. divin . Nom. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellat munifestationem Dei per se ipsum . it must descend upon externall objects , to attain that effect and property , which is naturall to Love ( viz. ) that amorous extasy , that prodigious effusion , and that pompous and magnificent shew , which , to speak properly , is the Torch of Love , or rather the Chariot of its tryumph .

Well then , Creatures , come forth of the Mass in which you lye confused , Heaven , Earth , Sea , Stars , Trees , Fishes , Furnaces of fire , and flames , The first allarum of Nature . vast extents of Air , Clouds , Abysses Precipices , listen to the voice and Command of God , of the Word , and of their Love . O God! O Power ! O Love ! what word ? what speech ? and what voice ? we must proceed in order and pursue the same which God himself hath followed .

The word was in God the Father and this word was God , from that beginning which could never begin , the Common Spirit of God animated the Father and the Son : But in fine , this glorious and happy moment , which saw the birth of times and seasons being arrived . The eternall God seeing no Object out of himself , which could deserve his love ; and besides this Love being incited by a holy desire of communicating it self , it was requisite to frame a Copy of the Intellectuall Originall , which was in his Idea , Love the architect of the World . and in his heavenly mind . From that instant the world , then but a lively vacuum , but an universall privation of forms and qualities , was chosen as the blanck Table , whereon he resolved to draw the first stroaks of his goodness . That Nothing which hath but the bare name men give it ; In principio creavit Deus Coelum & Terram . Gen. 1. v. 1. became immediatly a fruitfull Abyss of Essences , and Nature was ingendred out of it by the sole power of the Divinity .

First Heaven , Earth , Water , and Darkness appeared in an instant as the Field on which all the effects of a most Amorous and sage Prodigality were to be displayed . Terra autem erat inanis & vacua , & tënebrae crant super saciem abyssi . Gen. 1. v. 2. It was before any other thing that this tenebrous Compound , this confused Medley and this heap of Water and Earth , was the object of him who alone was able to chase away its shadows , and convert its dust into Gold and Cristall . This is the Throne on which the title of Soveraign Monarch and Lawgiver shall be seen ingraved ; But what ! this Theater is too obscure to behold therein the birth of the World ; we must expect the Aurora and the rayes of the day .

CHAP. II. The work of the six dayes .

NAture awake , The first day of the Creation . it is time for the World to rise , the Night hath preceded , and twelve hours are as it were already past since Heaven and Earth have been in obscurity . Dixitque Deus fiat tax , & facta est lux . Gen. c. 1. v. 3. Behold the break of day ; and those delightfull colours , which play upon the waters , are the Companions of that light , which in Palestine hath already opened the doors and windows of the East , and is going to spread it self upon another Hemisphear . Nevertheless to finish this Carriere , to perfect this course , and to round the whole Globe twelve hours more are required ; And then counting from Evening till Morning , and from Morning till Evening , you shall find all the Moments , which form the first day , a glorious day , a day illustrious for having first received the light , which gives glory and splendor to all dayes . Et vidit Deus lucem , quod esset bona . Gen. 1. v. 1. God himself made even a stand to be hold these lights , and could not contein himself from praysing the attractive charms of this glistring and pompous quality , which is as the life of the eye , and a most lively representation of the spirit .

The second day was not less glorious : The second Day . for it was that in which God chose to raise up the Firmament , like a Circle of Brass , Dixit quoque Deus , fial Firmamentum in medio aquarum & dividat aquas ab aquis . Gen. 1. v. 5. or rather like a Globe of Gold and azure which might serve to divide the seaven Orbes of the Planets from the empyreall Heaven . Now it was in the midst of the waters , that this admirable work was formed , whether they were necessary to temper the rays and orders of the Stars , or that the course and revolutions of a mooving body would be more even and free in an Element so pure and so plyable to all sort of Motions ; Or finally whether it were for some other reason known only to the incomparable Architect , who caus'd his power and wisdome equally to shine in the Fabrick of the Universe .

The next day God descended from Heaven upon Earth , and it was on this day , he marked out bounds , The third Day . and limits to Rivers , Streams , Seas and Torrents ; so that the waters retyring some on one side , and some on the other , Congregentur aquae quae sub Coelo sunt , in Deu● unum , & apra●cat arida . Gen. 1. v. 7. just as they were shut up within their banks , Clifts and Chanels , the Earth appeared , and immediatly her sides were found pierced with Caverns , and her back loaden with Mountains and Rocks which rais'd her in a stately manner . Instantly her entrals were filled with Stones and Metals ; and whilst those four great portions of the Earth which divide the World , and all the Islands of the Ocean and Seas were Levelled to serve for Empires and possessions of men , The hand of God as just as liberall , did in the bosome of the Earth uphold the Arches of her Prisons and Dungeons , to the end that if the Paradice of Eden was a Garden of delights and pleasures , Hell on the contrary might be an abode of dread , horror and Misery . It was likewise very convenient that as God had mixed Light with Darkness , he should create wild places and desarts to render the Gardens , Fields and Meadows more delightfull ; and finally having the very same day given Plants , Herbs and Flowers for an ornament to the Earth , his wise Providence mingled Thorns with Roses , and the most wholesome Herbs sprung out of the same soyl with the Mandrake and Aconite .

The fourth day , The fourth Day . having bin as it were the Chariot of the Sun , Fiant luminaria in Virmamento Coeli , & dividant diem ac noctem , & sint in signa , & ten pora , & dies & annos . Gen. 1. v. 14. Moon , Stars and Planets which shine in the Heavens , may in some manner be called the day of days , since it hath bin the Origin of the fires brightness and flames which are the soul of the Day .

Then were the frozen and condensed waters gathered together with more light and heat to form the Body of the Planets :

Et luceant in firmamento Coeli , & illuminent terram . Gen. 1. v. 15.

Fecitque Deus dun l●minaria magna , lumanare majus , ut praeesset diei , & lumina●e minus , ut traeesht nocti , & st●llas . v. 16.

Next the Sun , Moon and Stars began their courses , periods and revolutions , and took the tracks and ways which were traced out to them from East to West ; they began likewise to cast their favourable aspects , and from that time their influences fell upon the Earth , and they received the Orders and Laws , which they have since observed so inviolably and with so great respect . But whilst these Torches rowl over our heads , for fear lest our eyes should be dazeled at such luminous objects .

Let us turn them upon the Fift day , The ●ift Day . Producant eq●as re●tile animae vtventis & volatile super terram sub Firmamento Coel● Gen. 1. v. 25. wherein God created the Birds which fly in the Air , and the Fishes which swim in the Water : One must hear represent unto his thoughts some fair Summers day , and imagine that he sits in the cool upon the shore of some Island , From thence he must lift up his eyes towards Heaven , and behold over head thousands of little feathered bodies , cleaving the air with their wings , piercing the Clouds , and mingling with their flight the sweet Harmony of their warblings ; He must afterwards behold at his Feet a River full of Fishes armed with scales , some of which cut their way neer the surface of the water , and others through the midst of the waves ; some swim aloft against the stream and Current , others are carryed down at the pleasure of the winds , and by the favour of so sweet and rapid an Element .

This is that which God took pleasure to see and doe , five dayes after the Creation of Heaven and Earth : This was the day he chose to people the Air and Sea with their guests , which were in so great numbers , as since it hath not been necessary to create other species of Birds and Fishes . But what ? the Earth which serves for a Basis and foundation unto Sea and Air , would have some cause to murmur against both , and might with reason complain , as it were , of God her Creator , if she were abandoned and without Inhabitants . Soft , a little patience : It belongs not unto Creatures to prescribe laws to their Creator .

Scarce had the Morning brought news of the arrivall of the sixth day , The sixt Day . Producat terra animam viventem in genere suo : jumenta , & reptilia , & bestias terrae secundum species suas . Gen. 1. v. 24. but at the same instant the Earth opened her eyes unto her Sun , and her ears unto the voice of her God . This dull heavy and insensible Mass not satisfied to have brought forth Flowers Plants and Trees , yet farther displaid it self to produce all sorts of Beasts and Animals , Behold the World in her Cradle , and Nature in her Infancy , The unmoveable Earth round about her Center is sown with flowers , tapistred with Turf and Verdures , beautified with Woods and Forrests ; she is stately in her Mountains , pleasant in her Valleys , delightfull in her Meadows ; She is rich in her Metals , fertile in her Fruits , and plentifull by her Rivers and Seas which inviron her on all parts , and form her a thousand liquid transparences . The Air encompasses her on all fides , and serves her for a veil to temper the over-humid Influences of the Moon , and the too ardent Rays of the Sun . The Heavens like pendent Roofs and rowling Arches are strewed with Flowers , Emeraulds and Rubies . Hesiod in the genealogy of false divinity . What doth remain after all these Prodigies of Power , and all these works of Love ? O Power ? O Love ? I cannot condemn his fancy who said that Love produced Heaven out of a Chaos , and the World out of a confused and undisgested Lump . These are the draughts of a powerfull God which were victorious over the Nothing ; These are the conquering flames of his Love who hath carryed his rayes and Torch even into the Abysses of an eternall Negation .

The World then had not its Origination in the Water as Thales supposed , The Errors of some Philosophers . nor was the impression of the Universe framed in the Air as Anaximines affirmed , Heraclitus was extravagant when he taught that fire was the Source and Origin of Nature ; And Democritus was a meer scoffer , and fitter to be laughed at himself , than to laugh at others , when he said that the World was formed by an accidentall concourse and mixture of invisible Atoms . No , no , the beginning of beginnings must be without beginning . But the Heavens , Air , Fire , Earth and Water , the World and Atoms cannot be from themselves and without a Producer ; therefore grant that God alone is the Fountain Cause and Origin of the Universe .

Ah then let the Heavens and all the Elements , C●n●ort of Creatures . Let the Sun and Stars , let the Plants and Herbs , let the Birds and Fishes for evermore praise and bless the powerfull hand of the increated Love who formed them all out of Nothing . Let the World never have any propension , instinct , or inclination , but to become plyable to the impulses of its Author . Let the Morning and Evening Stars imitate him , conveying every where their Influences and Clarities . Let Rain be the Pledge of his favours , and Dew the Symbol of his Graces . Let Thunder and Lightning be the Heraulds of his Justice , and the Ministers of his Indignation . Let the gentle Western Winds awaken our hearts to listen to his most holy inspirations . Let his Threats be heard amongst Storms and Waves . Briefly let the World , and totall Nature , be an Altar whereon vows and Sacrifices may be continually offered to his Law , and let the Feast of the six dayes , during which God created the Universe , be for ever celebrated ? But what O Lord ? who is it that hath hitherto spoken ? From whence came this Voice ? And where is the Person that can present Sacrifices unto thee ? The World hath Altars , it hath Water , Fire , Wood and Victims , But where is the Priest ? Man necessary for the world . There wants a Man upon the Earth , and without a Man all thy works seem not sufficiently perfect . Yes , my God , this man who is to be the Image of thy Essence , the Accomplisher of thy Commands , and thy Lieutenant upon Earth , well deserves the last touches of thy hand , to the end that after his Creation thou mayst continue in the repose of thy most holy Entertainments .

CHAP. III. The Creation of Adam .

IT is almost incredible how bold and eloquent men are when it concerns their own praises ; Eloquence of self love . To hear them speak , would not a man swear , all the Members of their bodies are converted into Tongues to publish , without blushing , the advantages of their Nature above what ever the rest of the World can boast of rarest and most beautifull . The Earth , say they , is but an Aboad or rather a High-way which shal be their Pilgrimage ; Excellent conceptions of divers authors . The Air and Sea are but their Harbingers and Hostes ; Lightnings and Celestiall flames shape but a picture , even gross enough , in which the features of their minds appear as it were rough drawn : And Heaven it self is but the Haven and shoar , which after the course of some months and years is to receive them all . Man according to their opinion is the fairest piece of the Universe , the All of All , Anasta . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and as it were the Soul of this world . Anastasius in his Homily of Mans creation observes some lines of honour and veneration in his Fabrick . Clemens Alexandrinus compares him to the Thessalian Centaur by reason of the mixture of the Soul with the Body ; Clem. Alex. 116 4. Strom. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lactant. lib. 7. cap. 5. And Lactantius Firmianus speaking of the composition of man , saith That he is a work which may rather beget admiration than words . Trismegistus cals him the Interpreter of the Gods ; Pythagoras . Pythagoras looks upon him as the Measure of all things , in whom are found the Longitudes , Latitudes , Altitudes and Profundities of all Beings ; Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plato crys out that he is the Miracle of all visible Miracles . Theophrastus considers him as the Copy of the Universe ; Synesius . Synesius cals him the Horizon of creatures ; And Zoroaster , as one transported , scarce finding words to express him , concludes at last That man is the Portraict of an attempting and daring Spirit . Are not these very excellent terms and expressions ? which sufficiently evidence that albeit those Learned Authors did speak of Man in generall , yet all of them were interessed therein as to their own particular . But what ever they have said , it is certain that of all the Encomions can be given to Man , the most Noble , the most August , the most transcendent and high is , that Man is the Image of God , the Character of his Substance , & the most faithfull Copy of his Divinity . I know he hath a Being common with Stones and Marble , a Life common with Plants , a Sense with Beasts , and an Understanding which equals him with the Angels , but he excels them in this , that he was created from Gods Idea , as the most lively and sensible representation of his Maker .

God deliberates upon the enterprise of this work , Faciamus hominem ad imaginem & similitudinem nostram . Gen. 1. v. 16. and the Councell is held in the Conclave of the most holy Trinitie , the three Persons are assembled ; Power , Wisdom , and Love take their seats neer the Paradise of Eden . But let us not deceive our selves , is it not peradventure Gods intention to recall into favour those proud and Rebellious Spirits , whom a shamefull revolt hath most justly precipitated from Heaven to Earth , where they wander as Exiles and reprobates ? At least would it not satisfy him to banish them from Heaven , and to grant them the World for a Paradise , after so long and funestous a Captivity ? Nothing less , the Act is past , the Angels are lost without Redemption , and the punishment their Insolence hath merited , will persue them without relaxation , term , or pitty . Et creavit Deus hominem ad imaginem & similitudinem Dei creavit illum . Gen. 1. v. 27.

It is concerning Man & his Creation that the decree is past ; It is on him God reflecteth , and it is he who must be substituted in the place of Angels . It is this Act which makes the World behold Gods Master-piece , the object of his Favours and the most glorious term of his Power . O Sun stop here thy course & be witness of his birth who hath bin the cause and end of thine .

It was as I conceive about high Noon when the Earth was resplendent with Light , The time of mans Creation . that this Animated Sun was born . It was by the Light of Natures greatest Bonfire that God vouchsafed to stoop so low as Earth to take Clay , Formavit igitur Dominus Deus hominem de limo terrae . Gen. 2. v. 7. out of which he formed the Body of the first Man . This wise and all-knowing Workman to whom all things are possible , drew out of Durt , Morter , and Dust , the Bones which were to be not only the Pyles , Pillars , Basis and strength of the Body , but even the instruments of all its Motions . He added to it Ligaments , Joynts , Carthelages , Nerves , and an infinity of fibres or little strings which were to lock the Bones and Members within one an other , to be serviceable to all motions , to arm every part , to keep in or draw superfluous humors , or rather to be assisting to its Nourishment . The Body being thus rough-drawn , or as I may say , in its first draught , appeared at the same instant divided into three parts , of which the highest and most elevated was the Head , the Bulk appeared in the midst , and the Joynts linked together the Legs , and Arms , to become more usefull to all the extreme parts . The Oeconomy of humane bodies . Within these joynts were , as inchased , all the Instruments of life . Within the Trunk reigned the Vitall parts , as the Heart , Lungs , and Liver ; about which were found a thousand little Veins , and as many little skins , which are the Chanels of the Bloud and of all the Humours . O strange ! this little Labyrinth was no ways confus'd . The Heart , though Monarch and Soveraign in this Empire , disdains not to unite its self with the Liver , and to joyn by a mutuall and reciprocall agreement its vertue and heat to act with more force upon the Aliment . From thence issues a world of interlaced Veins , which are to suck in the purest of the Chilus , and to discharge the grosser part , which afterwards conveys it all at leasure into the Bowels ; At the same time the Liver will separate the Bloud , and divide the Humours ; and whilst the Heart is distributing all the Spirits through the Arteries , lest it chance to be over-heated , the more light , humid , and spungeous Lungs will give it air , and refresh it by so regular intervals , as even amids this palpitation , it may receive from the Arteries its purest Bloud , and its most delicious Nourishment . All the rest passeth into the Brain which is the Summet of this admirable Structure . It is covered outwardly with skin and hair , and wrapped up within two panicles which cover its out-lets , its substance , and the source of all the Nerves . It is in this Fort or Dungeon where the Animall spirits are to be formed , which the Sensitive soul distributes to the Five senses ; spirits which are but fire and ray , which very often get loose , and escape by the eyes like lightnings , and so many stars which appear to us at high Noon .

There is the seat of the Common sense , where all the Nerves of our exterior Senses meet , through which the Spirits slide , and is the way by which the Species pass when they are the Messengers of their Objects . Well may this part receive these Images , but cannot retain them . The Imagination then must be placed further within , which collecting & preserving the Species , will borrow part of their name . Behold the Body thus perfect , and accomplished ; but not to descry all the bones naked , and a flesh too lively and bloody , cover it with the whitest , smoothest and thinnest skin you can find . Afterwards fix your eys upon his Face , behold his lovely Hair sweetly floating on his shoulders ; contemplate his Forehead smoother than Marble , & his Eye-brows forming an Arch of Ebony over his eyes ; consider his Mouth surrounded with Corall ; observe his Cheeks mixed with Roses , and Lillyes , and smell his Breath a thousand times sweeter than Ambergreece . In truth are you not ravished with the aspect of his Eyes , which are the Windows of the Soul , the Doors of Life , and the most faithfull Interpreters of our Minds ? What say you to the disclosure of this living Theater of Choler , Theater of passions . of vengeance , of pitty , of hate , of fury , and Love ; Doe you see by their looks how they rise and fall , how they flatter , how they excite , how they weep , how they smile , and how they shew upon their liquid and transparent Christall , all that is discernable in the World ? But who will wonder at this , since in truth these are the two Suns of the Little World , and the Myrror of the Great one , which is to be comprised and inclosed within the Humane Body .

Should not the Eyes of totall Nature open themselves here to admire this Miraculous Body , The Master-piece of Nature . and this Prodigy of the Universe ? But the thing of greatest Admiration , is that God hath caused the Soul of Hearts , and the Life of Bodies , to flow into his mouth and heart ; and that Heaven hath powred the seed of Immortality into his Breast . Et inspiravit in faciem ●●us spiraculum vitae : & factus est humo●● animam viventem . Gen. 2. v. 7. God by a Divine breathing communicated this Fountain of Life , to wit , the Soul , which instantly made the Image and Pattern of the Divinity reflect on his face . This heavenly Form without noyse or delay disfused it self entire into the body , remayning nevertheless whole in every part . The Soul s●urce of beauty , and of operations . God alone knows with how many Lights the Understanding of man was illuminated , with how many Ardors his Will was infired , and with how many Species his Memory was filled in a moment .

My God , what doest thou , Gods goodness towards men . and who hath incited thee to heap together in one vessell , wrought out of Clay and dust , all the Treasures of Wisdom , greatness , and sanctity ? Why so many sciences , so many knowledges , and so many splendors in this Soul ? Why so many virtues and so many Graces in this Heart ? And why in one single Man the Primitive Justice , and the Empire of the Universe ? What necessity was there to make him partaker of thy Secrets , and to raise him to the View of such a light as doubtless might make him blind ? Great God thou art good and liberall , yet just and all fore-seeing . If then thou fore-seest some danger and evill , lest thou shouldst be obliged to take revenge of a fault , dissolve the occasion , and obstruct the wayes which lead unto a Precipice ; extinguish those Torches which may dazle the eyes ; stifle those Flames which may inkindle such sad fires ; or at least fasten not so many branches to a Tree , which may be unrooted by the Winds , and torn up by Storms : Unite not so many Members unto a Head , which is able to corrupt them all in an Instant , and finally leave unto all our hearts Independency on Created things , which are Naturall to them , and cause our affections to be Eternally fastned unto thee , that thou alone mayst be the Source of all the Motions and Effects which slide unto them .

No , No , Adam and Eve must be the causes of our Good or Evill , and on their good or bad Fortune ours must wholy depend .

CHAP. IIII. The Terrestriall Paradice .

THe Earth is a large habitation common to all men , Terrestriall Paradise the first habitation of Man . but it hath many copartments of which some are appointed for those whom God intends to raise unto Grandeurs and delights ; others are ordained for some wretched Persons , whose lives pass away in misfortunes and amidst afflictions . Some there are who are born upon Thorns and in Straw , others in Purple and upon Silk . Some enter into the World as into a Gally , others as into a Palace . Scarce was Adam created but he found himself in a Paradise ; and he even from the Morning of his birth , was placed under the most happy and delightfull Clymate that Nature did afford .

Goe then Adam , Plantaverat autem Domin●s Deus Paradisum voluptatis à Principio , in quo posuit hominem quem formaverat . Gen. 2. v. 8. it is God who both calls and conducts thee . Enter happily this Garden and Paradise into which he leads thee ; put thy self under the shelter of this Tree : For it is the Tree of Knowledge and Immortality , which he hath planted for thee : divert thy Eyes upon these Tulips , upon these Gilli-flowers , upon these Roses , upon these Purple Velvet flowers , and upon these Lillys ; walk thou over the Daffidill , over the Thyme , over Camomyle , and over this green Tapestry ,

Dominamini piscibus maris , & volatilibus Coeli , & universis animantibus quae moventur super Terram . Gen. 1. v. 8.

Adduxitque ea ad Adam , ut videret quid vocaret ea : omne enim quod vocavit Adam animae viventis ipsum est nomen ejus . Gen. 2. v. 19.

which is so odoriferous ; be not affrighted at the sight of these Tygers , these Leopards , and of all these more furious Beasts : For God hath given thee power to rule them , and there is not one in whom thy Innocence begets not respect . Take then the rod into thy hand , and govern all these flocks and heards , impose Laws on them , and give them what Names thou pleasest . This is no petty Office . Some have believed that God only can properly call a thing by the name convenient for it : Because Names , as Plato saith , are as it were so many Chariots which carry Essences and living Pictures , as Diaphanus stiles them , wherein are seen all the Draughts of Nature which they clearly express : From whence I conclude that Adam for this end received from God more than humane Knowledge , since he called every thing by the Name which was most proper and Naturall to them .

Immediatly after God resolved to give him a Companion , The production of Eve . Non est bonum hom●nem esse solum : faciamus 〈◊〉 adjuterium simile sib● . Gen. 2. v. 18. Immisit ergo Dominus sup●●em in Adam , cumque abd●●m●v●sset , tulit unam de costis ejus , & replevit carnem pro ea . Gen. 2. v. 20. for it was not convenient that Man should be all alone : For this end he closed Adam's Eye-lids , and charmed his senses by a Heavenly Sleep , which the Major part of the Greek Fathers , according to the Translation of the Septuagint , call an extatick and ravishing repose . This man then thus rapt in his Extasy felt not Gods hand , which gently and without pain plucked out a Rib , whereof he formed the first Woman , who was immediatly brought unto Adam to be his Companion and his dear Moity .

Scarce had Adam cast his Eyes on her but he cryed out , Ah , these are Bones of my Bones , Dixitque Adam : hoc nunc os de ossibus mus & caro de ca●ne mea , haeo vocabitur virago , quoniam de virosur●pta est . Gen. 2. v. 23. Erunt duo in carne una . Gen. 2. v. 24. and this Flesh was drawn out of my Flesh ; Just as if he had said , Come O my Love , the dearest portion of my self , you shall be from henceforth my Wife , and I will be your Husband . We will be but one Heart in two Bodies ; And though we have two Souls we will have at least but one Mind and Will.

Wives and Husbands , An excellent lesson for Husbands and Wives . learn then from hence a lesson which teacheth you the Laws of Conjugall Love , and what powerfull Motives you have to live in Unity , and in a most perfect and holy Union . Let Man remember that he is the Master , but not a Tyrant . Let Women also never forget their own extraction , and that they were not produced out of the Head as Queens , nor out of the Feet as Servants and Slaves ; but out of the Side , and near the Heart , to the intent they may spend all the time of their Mariage in a most sweet Intelligence , and in a most inviolable society : To which Love having given a beginning , nothing but Death alone is able , or at least ought , to Dissolve it .

For this purpose it is infinitly advantagious to receive with respect and Reverence the Benediction which the Church is accustomed to give upon the Mariage day unto the Maryed pair , Benedixitque illis Deus , & ait , ●rescite , & multiplicamint , & replete terram . Gen. 1. v. 45. and which replaceth in our thoughts the very same that God gave to Adam and Eve , when he commanded them to People and fill the World by a most pure and chast generation .

The Nuptials of Adam and Eve are past ,

Dixitque Deus , ecce dedi vovis omnem herbam asserentem semen super terram , & universa ligna quae habent in se●et●psis sementem generis sui , ut sint vobis in escam . Gen. 1. v. 29.

Praecepitque ei dicens : ex omni ligno Paradisi comede . Gen. 2. v. 16.

nothing now remains but the Banquet . The Tables are already furnished , and they need but choose amongst all the Dishes of the World , that which shall appear to them the most Delicious . They are Masters of all that Flys in the Air , of all that Swims in the Water , of all that Creeps or Walks on the Earth ; Briefly of all the Fruits in the Terrestriall Paradise they have the choice ; and amongst all the Trees which God hath Planted there , he only reserved the use of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evill , De ligno autem scientiae boni & mali ne c●medas : in quocunque enim die comederis ex eo , morte morieris . Gen. 2. v. 17. of which he Expresly and upon pain of Death forbids these two guests to gather any Fruit. And in truth it was convenient that as Master he should leave them some Commandement : It was likewise reasonable that Adam and Eve as his Servants and Creatures should be plyable to so just a Decree .

In this Conjuncture of time the Moon began to assemble her shadows , and God finding all his Works perfect entred into his repose with the Seaventh Day .

Adam and Eve enjoy then at present , The first Monarchy of the Universe . all that their Hearts can desire . They possess the Monarchy of the Universe for their Inheritance and Government : Their Empire extends over all out-bounds and limits , the Winds doe not blow but at their pleasure , the Rivers and Streams doe not Rowl along but at their Command ; Praesit piscibus mari● & volantibus Coeli universaeque terrae omnique rep●ili quod movetur in terra . Gen. 1. v. 16. the Birds doe not tune their Warbling Notes but to afford them delight ; the Lions themselves and the Leopards dare not roar in their presence ; All is in Peace , all in Joy , and all in a pleasing silence devoid of Fear and Apprehension . Their Bodies are neither subject to Weariness nor the Butchery of any tormenting Maladies . Their Paradise knows neither Anxiety , grief , nor pain . In that place no sound was ever heard of those frightfull terms whose thought alone is able to raise strange Commotions in our Hearts . The mind cannot there be diverted by those sad thoughts which are inventive to bring us Torment . In a word , they are as it were the Gods of the Terrestiall Paradise , and partake in a manner of all the delights which can be tasted in Heaven .