“[Greek:  Ei eteon g emos esti kai aimtos emeteroio]”.

In like manner those who are near relations, are called by Sophocles [Greek:  oi pros aimatos].  And hence the term consanguinity, employed to denote nearness of relation.  Virgil uses sanguis in the same sense.

“Trojano a sanguine duci.”

So that the apostle’s meaning is, that however men now are dispersed in their habitations, and however much they differ in language and customs from each other, yet they were all originally of the same stock, and derived their succession from the first man whom God created, that is, from Adam, from which name the Hebrew word for blood—­i.e.—­dam—­is a derivative.

Neither can it be conceived on what account Adam in the Scripture is called “the first man,” and said to be “made a living soul,” and “of the earth earthy,” unless it is to denote that he was absolutely the first of his kind, and was, therefore, designed to be the standard and measure of all the races of men.  And thus when our Saviour would trace up all things to the beginning, he illustrates his doctrine by quoting those words which were pronounced after Eve was formed.  “But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife” Now nothing can be more plain and incontrovertible than that those of whom these words were spoken, were the first male and female which were made in “the beginning of the creation.”  It is equally evident that these words were spoken of Adam and Eve for “Adam said, This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife” If the Scriptures then of the New Testament be true, it is most plain and evident that all mankind are descended from Adam.[636]

* * * * *

THE CURSE OF CANAAN.

It is not necessary—­nay, it is not admissible—­to take the words of Noah, as to Shem and Japheth, as prophetic We shall presently see that, as prophetic, they have failed.  Let us not, in expounding Scripture, introduce the supernatural when the natural is adequate.  Noah had now known the peculiarities of his sons long enough, and well enough, to be able to make some probable conjecture as to their future course, and then success or failure in life.  It is what parents do now a-days.  They say of one son, He will succeed,—­he is so dutiful, so economical, so industrious.  They say of another, This one will make a good lawyer—­he is so sharp in an argument.  Of another, they say, We will educate him for the ministry, for he has suitable qualifications While of another they may be constrained to predict that he will not succeed, because he is indolent, and selfish, and sensual.  Does it require special inspiration for a father, having ordinary common sense, to discover the peculiar talents and