The xxx. Chapter.
The objection concerning the divels assuming of the serpents bodie answered.
THIS word Serpent in holie scripture is taken for the divell:Gen. 3, 1. The serpent was more subtill than all the beasts of the feeld. It likewise signifieth such as be evill speakers, such as have slandering toongs, also heretiks, &c: They have sharpned their toongs like serpents.Psal. 139, 4. It dooth likewise betoken the death and sacrifice of Christ: As Moses Num. 8. & 9.
John. 3, 14. lifted up the serpent in the wildernesse, so must the sonne of man be lifted up upon the crosse. Moreover, it is taken for wicked men: O yee serpents and generation of vipers.Matt. 23, 33. Thereby also is signified as well wise as a subtile man: and in that sense did Christ himselfe use it; saieng, Be ye wise as serpents, &c.Matt. 10, 16. So that by this breefe collection you see, that the word serpent, as it is equivocall, so likewise it is sometimes taken in the good and sometimes in the evill part. But where it is said, that the serpent was father of lies, author of death, and the worker of deceipt: me/538. thinks it is a ridiculous opinion to hold, that thereby a snake is meant; which must be, if the letter be preferred before the allegorie. Trulie CalvinesJ. Cal. in Genes. cap. 3. 1. opinion is to be liked and reverenced, and his example to be embraced and followed, in that he offereth to subscribe to them that hold, that the Holie-ghost in that place did of purpose use obscure figures, that the cleare light thereof might be deferred, till Christs comming.Idem ibid. He saith also with like commendation (speaking hereof, and writing upon this place) that Moses doth accommodate and fitten for the understanding of the common people, in a rude and grosse stile, those things which he there delivereth; forbearing once to rehearse the name of sathan. And further he saith, that this order may not be thought of MosesIdem ibid. his owne devise; but to be taught him by the spirit of God: for such was (saith he)Idem ibid. in those daies the childish age of the church, which was unable to receive higher or profounder doctrine. Finallie, he saith even hereupon, that the Lord hath supplied, with the secret light of his spirit, whatsoever wanted in plainenes and clearenes of externall words.
If it be said, according to experience, that certeine other beasts are farre more subtill than the serpent: they answer, that it is not absurd to confesse, that the same gift was taken awaie from him, by God, bicause he brought destruction to mankind. Which is more (me thinkes) than need be granted in that behalfe.Matt. 10, 16. For Christ saith not; Be yee wise as serpents/386. were before their transgression: but, Be wise as serpents are. I would learne what impietie, absurditie, or offense it is to hold, that Moses, under the person of the poisoning serpent or snake, describeth the divell that poisoned Eve with his deceiptfull words, and venomous assault.Isai. 30, 6.
Matth 3. 12. 13.
Luk. 3, &c.
Gen. 3. Whence commeth it else, that the divell is called so often, The viper, The serpent, &c: and that his children are called the generation of vipers; but upon this first description of the divell made by Moses? For I thinke none so grosse, as to suppose, that the wicked are the children of snakes, according to the letter: no more than we are to thinke and gather, that God keepeth a booke of life, written with penne and inke upon paper; as citizens record their free men./