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Some Arguments are objected against this Conclu∣sion;* 1.1 that in the last verse of the 4th. Chapter of Gene∣sis it is said, that Adams sonne Seth begot Enos and then men began to call upon the Lord; so that, because men are never without some Religion, and it seems the Religion
to the true God was forgot so quickly, it seemes neces∣sary that then they should have some Religion to a false God.
* 1.2For the understanding of this place, conceive with me, that it cannot be understood in that down right sense which the words seem at first to beare, and they who object it, would inferre: For Invocation or calling upon the name of the Lord,* 1.3 as it is many times (it being a principal piece of it) is taken for the whole worship of God, it cannot be that men should now begin to do that which, without doubt, Adam, Abel, Seth, and all such as were godly must needs have done long be∣fore;* 1.4 Nay, although this Story of the Fathers is deli∣vered by Moses in exceeding short notes, yet in the 3. and 4. vers. of this 4. Chap. it is recorded, that both Cain and Abel brought Oblations to the Lord, which was an Act of Religion; so that Religion did not now begin. There are many witty Expositions given,* 1.5 and some in their Expositions destroy the Text; but what seem's most probable to me is, that, as in every age men, desi∣rous of Gods honour, studied which way to act it most laudably, and give any addition to it; so now they might, at this time, adde something to their natural worship by prostration on the ground, and Oblaeions and sacrifices, as Hymmes and Invocations of God, which were not used before: Men began to call upon the name of the Lord in such a way, which afterwards improving it selfe to a generall Devotion amongst the sonnes of God (as I think pious men were called in those dayes) it gained that name in a peculiar manner to be attributed to it, so that men began that worship which was known by the name of calling upon God: As you may see in Confession,* 1.6 every acknowledgement of a mans sins, or
God's goodnesse, is Confession; yet if you aske, have you been at Confession? It is understood of Confessing to a Priest, and accounting your sinnes to him. Instances might be very many in this kind; take one more, per∣haps a little closer;* 1.7 We know that every pious act is a service to God, yet, for the eminence and excellence of it, The Common Prayer, used in the Church, hath so ap∣propriated that name, that if a man asked were you at Service to day? it will be understood of Common Prayer. If the Question be, at what time did service begin? The answer will be, Nine, Ten, Two, Three a clock, and be ap∣plyed only to the beginning of serving God with it: yea, I have heard many answer, I was at Sermon, not at Ser∣vice; so distinctly is the word applied to that of Com∣mon Prayer. I can adde one Instance more, almost in the very words before specified;* 1.8 that Doxologie which is used in the Church at the end of every Psalm, and some other times in the Common Prayers, used in divine Ser∣vice (Glory be to the Father, &c.) did so gaine the appro∣bation of that name Gloria Patri, that although all reli∣gious devotions payd to God, are honouring and glorify∣ing of him; yet when we heare men speake of Gloria Patri, we know they meane this Doxologie, and we can say of it, that Gloria Patri began with Flavianus, as The∣odoret (assisted by St. Chrysostom) and Nicephorus; so that although, in the end of this Doxologie, it is said, As it was in the beginning, is now, &c. that is, that in all ages men did give Glory to the Father, &c. Yet we can say, that at that time began Glory to the Father, &c. So was it in this occasion, then began the Name of God to be glorified with some particular service, although men did in all ages before glorifie him. So that we may well beleeve that in that time of the birth of Enos, or some years after,
began that piece of worship,* 1.9 which, for some eminency, had that name of calling upon God, by the use of speech, appropriated to it. Whether this addition was by the Institution of God immediately; or Divine men, as Seth or Enos, introduced it in the Publique Religion, I deter∣mine not, being not revealed, but conceive this the most reasonable way of expounding that place, which cannot be understood in that grosse way it is urged.
1. Argument.
Answ.
Invocation ta∣ken for the whole worship of God.
Practis'd by Adam Abel, Seth, &c.
Or for some peculiar addi∣tional Devo∣tion.
A like instance in Confession
The Church Service.
Gloria Patri.
That peculiar devotion in∣troduced in Enos's time.