k Jer. xxxi. 33. ' 2 Pet. i. 4.
>" Rom. vi. 14. » Heb. vi. 17, 18.
17.] god's covenant WITH NOAH. 89
or altered the thing that had gone out of his lips0." The com- parison between the two covenants in this particular is not forced or fanciful ; it is suggested by God himself ; who assures us that the covenant of his grace and peace shall be more im- movable than rocks or mountains, yea, as unalterable as the covenant which he made with Noahp.]
We will close the subject with two suitable reflec- tions:
1 . What reason have we to admire the forbearance of God!
[The continuance of the world, considering the state of its inhabitants, is a most astonishing proof of God's mercy and forbearance. Let us only look around, and see whether man- kind be not almost universally living as they did before the flood : " they were then eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage," and regardless of the warnings of God's righteous Monitor. And this is precisely our state : yet God has spared us, instead of inflicting on us the judgments we have deserved. He has even sent us " fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." What reason then have we to bless and magnify his name ! But let us rather turn our eyes inward, and see what reason God has had to make us monuments of his vengeance. Let us contemplate how many of our fellow-creatures are at this moment suffering the just desert of their deeds, while we continue upon mercy's ground, and have all the offers of salvation still sounding in our ears. Let us " account this long-suffering of God to be salvation : " let us " seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near."]
2. What encouragement have we to seek his grace!
[Without ever once adverting to it in our minds, we are at this moment enjoying the benefits of the covenant made with Noah : and, notwithstanding all our unworthiness, we are yet daily invited to embrace that better covenant, the covenant of grace. What shall we do then ? Shall we continue regard- less of God's mercies, till our day of grace is irrevocably past ? O let us " not despise the riches of his patience and long- suffering and forbearance ; but let his goodness lead us to repentance." Let us " not receive such stupendous grace in vain." Let us intreat him to "look upon the face of his anointed," as he looks continually upon the rainbow ; and for the sake of Jesus to pity and pardon us. Then shall we find favour in his sight, and be delivered from the desolations, which must at last come upon the unbelieving world.]
0 Ps. lxxxix. 34. p Isai. liv. 8 — 10.