Gen. vi. 3. And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always
strive with man.
MAN, at first, was created in the image of his God: but when he fell, he begat children in his own
fallen image. His very first-born became a murderer. Some of his posterity, however, were pious : but they, not being careful to connect themselves with those who feared God, were drawn aside from religion by their ungodly wives, insomuch that, in eight or nine generations, " all flesh had corrupted their way," and it repented " God that he had made man8." In consequence of this, God determined to destroy the whole earth. But yet, being full of mercy, he would not proceed to this extremity without giving to man space for repentance. Accordingly, he commanded Noah to preach to them ; and to declare, that in the space of 120 years the threatened judgments should be inflicted, if the people did not avert those judg- ments by their penitence. During that period his Holy Spirit should continue to strive with them — but no longer : for " he should not always strive with man, who was now become altogether flesh," and carnal ; and who, if he did not repent in the time allotted him, should be left to reap the bitter fruit of his own ways.
That this warning may have a salutary effect on us, I will endeavour to shew,
I. That the Spirit of God, if long resisted, will cease to strive with us.
Certain it is, that the Spirit of God does strive with unregenerate men —
[He strove with the whole antediluvian world, by the ministry of Noah : for " by the Spirit did that holy man preach, during the whole period whilst the ark was preparing, even to the spirits which for their disobedience were con- demned, and shut up in the prison" reserved for all impenitent transgressors b. " To the whole nation of Israel, also, did the Holy Spirit for ages testify, in and by his Prophets, notwith- standing they dealt proudly, and withdrew their shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear c." With us also does he strive, both by the ministry of his word, and by his own immediate agency on the hearts of men. For, what is conscience, but God's vicegerent in the soul? By that, God speaks to vis ; warning, and inviting us from time to
a Gen. vi, G, 7, 12. ^ 1 Pet. iii. 19, 20. " Neh. ix. 29, 30.