the ark, having first assigned to every living creature its place : and then " God shut him in :" and on that very day the rain descended, and the flood commenced, which speedily reached above the highest mountains, and destroyed every living crea- ture from the face of the earth.]
Verily this obedience was of a most exalted cha- racter—
[It shewed how firmly he believed the divine testimony, whilst yet there was not only no symptom of any such cala- mity, but no conceivable mode by which the threatened judg- ment could be inflicted. It shewed how much he stood in awe of God; and how determined he was, whilst yet the means of safety were within his reach, to avail himself of the opportunity that was afforded him, lest he also should be involved in the general ruin. It shewed, too, how boldly he faced reproach, when cast upon him for executing the divine commands. Had such a conduct been called for during the space of a few days only, we should have been the less asto- nished at it : but when it continued without intermission or abatement for the space of 120 years, we cannot but reckon it amongst the sublimest acts of obedience ever rendered unto God by fallen man.]
But in perfect accordance with this, is,
II. The obedience required of us —
Is The danger to which we are exposed is similar —
[God has declared that he will call the whole world into judgment ; and that in that day " the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget Goda." We see not, indeed, any preparation for such a judgment ; and are ready to think that it never can be executed. But God has de- nounced it against the whole world ; and executed it shall be, whether men will believe it or not. Multitudes who assisted in building the ark, would not believe the declarations of God, till the threatened judgments were inflicted : and so it is with us. Multitudes laugh at the threatenings of God ; and will continue to do so, till their day of grace shall have passed, and the wrath of God shall fall upon them to the uttermost.]
2. The means provided for our escape are similar —
[God has provided an ark for us — even his only dear Son ; an ark, into which all who believe shall be admitted, but which will speedily be closed against the unbelieving world. Many think it altogether absurd to imagine that such an ark is provided for us : they would prefer one of their own
a Ps. ix. 17.
15.] NOAIl's OBEDIENCE. 77
constructing, and for which their own good works shall afford the materials. To enter into Christ by faith, and to look for salvation through faith in him, is in their eyes an unsuitable device : and it is derided accordingly, as an indication of weakness and folly. But this, after all, will be found ie the wisdom of God," yea, and " the power of God unto salvation" also to all them that embrace it.]
3. The distinction that will be made between the believing and unbelieving world will also be similar —
[Of those who believed the testimony of Noah, not one perished: of those that disbelieved it, not one was saved. And so it will be at the last day. Those who are " found in Christ," will be monuments of God's sparing mercy; whilst those who have neglected and despised him, will be monu- ments of his righteous indignation for ever and ever.]
To dilate more, either on the original fact, or on its typical adaptation to our circumstances, will not be necessary : the whole taken together in one combined view will be found, I apprehend, more instructive. Learn then, from the whole,
1. The office of faith —
[It was to his faith that Noah's conduct on this occasion must be ascribed13. He did not reason on the subject that was revealed to him. He did not say, How can such a deluge be produced ? or, How can it be supposed that a merciful God should exercise such severity? or, How can it be hoped, that, if all the rest of the world be destroyed, any vessel that I can build will preserve me? It is probable that others argued thus : but he believed, and acted upon, the divine testimony. Now it is precisely in that way that we must exercise faith in the divine records. We are not to argue, How can it be, that any should be punished with endless torments in hell ? or, that so great a part of mankind should be doomed to that fate ? or, that a simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should be suffi- cient to deliver those, who without such faith must inevitably perish? We are to give credit to the divine testimony; and to assure ourselves, that whatever God has spoken shall surely come to pass; — that " he who believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; and that he who believeth not, shall be damned."]