and therefore not too late, God's interventions in his people's behalf nre nlways opportune : witness the exodus from E~ypt, the deliverance nt the Red Sen the rlestruction of Sennacherib's army; Christ s walking on the sea, sleeping in the boat, rising from the dead. 2. Specud. It was addressed in particular to Noah. "Come thou." "The Lord knoweth them that are his." "The Good Shepherd calleth his own sheep by name, !'-n~ l~adeth them out." So is the invitation of the gospel of the 1mme personal and md1vidual description (Matt. xiii. 9; Rev. iii, 6). Men are not 1mmmoned to believe in masses, but as individuals. 3. Comprehensive. "And all thy house." Whether Shem, Ham, and Japheth were at this time believers is not known. The noticeable. circumstancEl is th_at the invitation was not addressed immediately to them, but mediately through _their father. If Noah stood alo~e in his piety, their summo!"ls to enter the ark reminds us of the ad_vantage of belongmg to n pious family, and bemg even only externally connected with the Church (cf. Luke xix. 9 · Acts XYi. 32). 4. Gracious. Given to Noah certainly, in one sense, because of his'piety, ( eh. ,ii. 1). But since his godliness was the fruit of faith, and his faith nothing more than a resting on the Divine covenant or promise, it was thus purely of grace. So is God's invitation in the gospel all of grace (Gal. i. 6; Epbes. iii. 8). 5. Urgent. Only seven days, and the Flood would begin. There was clearly not much time to lose. Only a seyenth of the time given to the men of Nineveh (Jonah iii. 4). But not e,en se,en days are promised in the gospel call (Matt. x.x.iv. 36; Rom. xiii. 12; Phil. iY. 5; James,. 9). II. Tm: ODEDIENCE OF NoAH. "And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him." This obedience was-1. Immediate. It does not appear that }; oah trifled with the Dinne summons, or in any way interposed delay; and neither Hhould sinful men with the invitation of the gospel (2 Cor. vi. 2; Heh. iii. 7). 2. Believing. It bad it.s inspiration in a simple credence of the Divine word that safety could be secured only within tl1e ark ; and not until the soul is prepared to accord a l,earty trust to the statement that Christ is tbe heaYen-provided ark of salvation for a lost world does it yield to the gospel call, and enter into the safe shelter of bis Church by believing on his name (Epbes. i. 13). 3. Persor,,al. Noah himself entered in. Had be not done so, not only would his own salvation have been missed, but bis efforts to induce others to seek the shelter of the ark would have been fruitless. So the first duty of a herald of the gospel or minister of salvation is to make his own calling and election sure, after which his labours in behalf of others are more likely to be efficacious (1 Cor. iL 27; 1 Tim. iv. 16). 4. Influential. The entire house- hold of the patriarch followed his example. It is doubtful if at this time any of them were possessors of bis faith. Yet all of them cornplied with the heavenly invitation, probably impelled thereto by the example and exhortation of their parent. When tl:e head of a household becomes a Christian he in effect brings salvation to the house. He brings all its in.mates into at least a nominal connection with the Church, encircles them with an atmosphere of religion ernanating from his own character and conduct, and frequently through Divine grace is honoured to be the instrument of their salvation (Luke xix. 9; Acts xL 14; xvi. 31). 5. Minute. Noah's entry into the ark in all particulars corresponded with the Divine invitation. The animals went in two and two as God commanded. Men are not expected or allowed to deviate from the plain pr~scriptione of the word of God concerning the way of faith and salvation (Acts x. 33). Leam-1. The unwearied diligence of God in saving men. 2. The personalnature of God's dealings with men. 3. The extreme solicitude with which he watches over them, who are hie. 4. The indispensable necessity of obedience in order to salvation.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1--6.-God the Sa'IJWUr inviting faith. "Come thou and all thy house into the ark " &c. Covenant mercy. A type of the Christian Church, with its special privilege and defence surrounded with the saving strength of God. I. DIVINE PnEPARA;ION. Providence. The ark. 1. Human agency under inspired ihrection. 'fhe word of God. The institutions of religion. The fellowship of en. vJI. 11--24 .. TtlE BOOK OF GENESIS. 117
eaints. 2. A preparation mnde in the face of antl in spite of an opposing world. The history of the Church from the beginning. 3. The preparation is safety and peace to those who trust in it, notwithstanding the outpoured judgment. II. DIVINE ll'Al'l'IIll'ULNEBB. 11 Come tlwu; for thee have I seen righteous." Not the merit of man is the ground of confidence, but the Lord's grace. I have seen thee righteous because I have looked upon thee as an obedient servant, and have counted thy faith for righteousness. Faithfulness in God is an object of man's trust as con- nected with hie spoken word and the preparation of his mercy. III. DIVINE SUB'FIOIENOY. The weak creatures in the ark surrounded by the de- stroying waters. A refuge opened in God. Ilis blessing on the household. His redemption succouring the individual soul, the life and its treasures, family peace and prosperity, &c. The ark a type of the prepared salvation, carrying the believer through the flood of earthly cares and troubles, through the deep waters of death, to the new world of the purified heaven and earth, wherein dwelleth righteous- nese.-R. Vcrs. 7-16.-Realised salvatwn. "And Noah went in," &c. "And the Lord shut him in" (vers. 7, 10, 16). I. The OONTRAST between the position of the BELIEVER and that of the UNBE· LIEVER. The difference between a -true freedom and a false. 11 Shut in" by the Lord to obedience, but also to peace and safety. The world's judgment shut out. The restraints and privations of a religious life only temporary. The ark will be opened hereafter. II. TnE METHOD OF' GRACE ILLUSTRATED. He that opens the ark for salvation shuts in his people for the completion of his work. We cannot shut ourselves in. Our temptation to break forth into the world and be involved in its ruin. The misery of fear. Are we safe? Perseverance not dependent upon our self-made reso- lutions or provisions. By various means we are shut in to the spiritual life. Provi- dentially; by ordinances; by bonds of fellowship. We should look for the Divine eeal.-R.