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And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. We must not think that Adam and Eves eyes were shut in their Perfection, and opened by their transgression; for be∣fore they saw each other in their full Accomplishments of Nature, and had no cause to blush or be ashamed: But being now sensible of their Disobedi∣ence, and not knowing how to blame one another, her for tempting, and he
for yielding, they now not onely blush, and are ashamed of their Disobedi∣ence, but like the Beast, that by hiding his head thinks his body undiscerned; so they by making themselves Gar∣ments thought that their fault should not be discovered. And it still conti∣nues in the Nature of Man to find out shifts, clokes, and umbrages for his offences.
And they sowed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. It is probable Adam made choice of these fig-leaves rather then any other, both for the breadth, substance, and excellent qua∣lities of repelling all Tumours; but whether of them they made Aprons, Coats, or Girdles, or Breeches, Tran∣flators differ: But the Targum of Jeru∣salem saith, Nudati erant a veste Onychi∣na, in qua creati erant; that is, They were disrobed of their Garment, which in the time of their Perfection was made of the Onyx stone. For there are stones in Italy of which they make most curious threds, and those spun into Cloth resembling our finest flexen Linen: and the like might be made of this. Now this Onyx stone hath a peculi∣ar quality (as Authors write) to strength∣en
the Spirits, and heighten Venery: And whether their offence was Vene∣reous, adumbraged under the name of forbidden Fruit, may be Considered on. And great Reason had God to be An∣gry, if they injoyed that forbidden Fruit, till God (as it were) had fully considered whether it had been more advantageous to Man to arise from the ground like the Mandrake, or the Sensi∣tive Lamb, or like Barnacles from trees or shells) or that there should have been Incubents and Succubents to dispose of their Nocturnal ejacula∣tions or decostations, without pain to Male or Female: like that of Adam and Eve, he only in the loss of a rib, she in being one.
§ 13.
§ 14.