Now do not presume to dispute against this. Do not, because there is no appearance at present of such calamities, imagine that they shall never come. Do not pretend to be- more merciful than God, and to say, God will never execute such tremendous judgments : for " he has said, and he will do it; he has spoken, and he will make it good." It may appear as improbable as the deluge ; but, however improbable it may appear, it shall come to pass; and all who will not believe it now, shall experience the truth of it to their cost.]
2. Use the means of safety which God has ap- pointed—
[You have not to build an ark : there is one constructed and provisioned by God himself; and the door is open for you to enter in, Do not absurdly ask, " How can that vessel save
s 1 Pet. iii. 20, 21. '> Phil. iii. 9. ' Jude, ver. 1.
^ Ps. ix, 17. and xi. G. and Rom. i. 18. ' John iii. 3.
"> Acts iv. 1 2.
c c 2
me?" neither attempt to form another for yourself: nor flee to this or that mountain for safety: but go to Christ: seek an interest in him by faith: commit yourself wholly and cheerfully to him : and then you may defy all the storms and billows that menace your destruction. Moreover, delay not to place your- self beyond the reach of danger ; because, while you are loiter- ing, " the door may be shut," and all entrance into it may be barred for ever". It is not at all improbable that many who had derided Noah, or perhaps assisted in constructing the ark, clung to it when the floods came ; and cried to Noah, " Open to us, and take us in :" and doubtless, if that were the case, Noah would pity their deplorable condition when he heard their cries or saw their unavailing endeavours. But God had shut the door ; and Noah was not at liberty to open it : so that, one after another, they all " sank like lead in the mighty waters." Thus many in the last day will say, " Lord, Lord, open to us;" or " they will cry to the rocks to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them from the wrath of the Lamb°:" but the judgments they once despised, will come upon them irresistibly, and for ever. Cultivate then a holy fear ; and enter into the ark while it continues open to you.]
3. Suffer nothing to divert you from your pur- pose—
[We have said that Noah incurred much odium as well as much expense in this exercise of faith. And it is certain, that you also will be called to make some sacrifices for your God. Not your reputation only, but yom- interests also, may be materially affected by your obedience to Christ. But what did Noah lose in the issue ? What concern did he feel either about the reflections cast on him, or the labour and money he had bestowed, when he found himself safe in the ark, and saw the whole world perishing in the waters ? Still less will ye feel, when we shall see the floods of divine vengeance deluging the ungodly, and yourselves, as " heirs of righteousness," placed beyond the reach of harm. Fear not then to be singular in a good cause. It is better to condemn the world by a holy singularity, and to be condemned by them on account of it, than to be condemned with them, and endure the wrath of an incensed God.]
n Matt. XXV. 10—12. " Rev. vi. 16.
2322.] Abraham's life a pattern for ours. 389