THE TEN ANTEDELUVIAN

PATRIARCHS:

As recorded in the Fifth Chapter of Genesis, where their Age, Death, &c. are mentioned; also in the First Chapter of the First Book of Chronicles; as prefatory to the succeeding Genealogies.

THE first is the name of ADAM, which according to Parkhurst's Hebrew Lexicon signifies Man, the appellative of human nature; though the most usual derivation of this name is from earth, of which, it is said, man is formed. By this name may be represented the unregenerate state of human nature. It is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord, from heaven. And as we bear

the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (b) The Lord hath formed the spirit of man within him, he hath made us this soul. (c) He hath created us for his glory; he hath formed us for himself, that we should shew forth his praise. (d)

The second name is SETH or SHETH, that is, Set or Settled, as a foundation, because he was a figure of Christ, who is the foundation of the true church, upon whom we must build, and who is our true regeneration, which produces light and life in us. For except a man be born again of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (e) It is not of the corruptible seed we can be born again, but of the incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (f)

(b) 1 Cor. 15. 47, 49.

(d) Isai. 43. 7, 21.

(c) Zech. 12. 1. Jer. 38. 16. (e) John 3. 5.

(f) 1 Pet. 1. 23.

The third, ENOS or ENOSH, Infirm, Wretched, thus called from the state into which man fell by sin. This the believing Seth acknowledged in the name of his firstborn: for "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” (g) In this state we feel ourselves poor and naked, and that the weight of sin presseth so upon us, that we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are not yet come to the rest, and to the inheritance which the Lord our God giveth us. (h) May we then, as Paul did, cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (i)

The fourth is CAINAN or KENAN; that is, Lamentation or Mourning; as that which proceeds from a deep sense of the depravity of our nature, and from reflecting

(g) Gen. 4. 26.

(h) Rom. 8. 23. Deut. 12. 9. (i) Rom. 7. 24.

upon the sufferings of Him who was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (j) Yet our Redeemer hath said, for our comfort and consolation; "Blessed are ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh. (k) He hath appointed unto them that mourn in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (1) For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. I have

(j) Isai. 53. 5.

(1) Isai. 61. 3.

(k) Luke 6. 21.

seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him. (m) And though the Almighty may give us of the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall we hear a word behind us, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when we are turning to the right hand or to the left. (n) And whom having not seen we love, and though we see him not, yet believing, we shall be able to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. (0)

The fifth is MAHALALEEL, (i. e.) Eradiations, shinings forth; from the glorious appearance and effects of light in the soul, those saving and powerful rays of Him who is the bright and morning star. This star, especially after lamentation and mourning for sin, irradiates the soul and

(m) Isai. 57. 15, 18. (n) Isai. 30. 20, 21.

(0) 1 Pet. 1. 8, 8.