189 SUNDAY XXVII. ON THE DELUGE. THE study of the Holy Scriptures will not only supply you with instruction, and afford a rule of life that will direct you to everlasting happiness, but it contains an inexhaustible fund of knowledge, and the more frequently it is perused the greater beauties you will discern. Many of these beauties are lost for want of attention, and the advantage that might be derived is considerably lessened from a neglect of proper reflection. The important events related in the Bible, as well as the various characters which are there exhibited, were all designed to serve as warnings or encouragement to succeeding ages. But the inconsiderate reader can reap no benefit from them when perused without thought, and regardless of the use intended by the inspired writers. The history of the Deluge is a most awful and tremendous event; and ought to inspire us with a serious conviction of the great danger and guilt of sin, as it was the occa sion of such a signal display of God's dis pleasure, and brought down that exemplary punishment in the Yet it is frequently Antediluvian World. passed over without emotion; and as an excellent author ob. serves, "We are for the most part apt to regard it in no other view than as a strange event, which happened a long time ago, and in which we have no concern." But this, as he adds, "is certainly a wrong way of think ing. Why is this event so particularly recorded in the Holy Scriptures, and the account of it carefully transmitted to future generations, in books written by Divine inspiration if not that we should make serious reflections upon it, and endeavour to improve it to good, religious, and moral purposes?" The general depravity of mankind was the cause of their destruction, and that cause will produce the most grievous effects; for although the Almighty has graciously promised that he will no more destroy all flesh by the waters of a flood, yet he can never want the means of ven. geance to punish a sinful people. The inhabitants of Sodom were not spared, when their wickedness was arrived to such a nature. height as to merit the Divine displeasure; but his judgments were as effectually sig. nalized by fire and brimstone, which he rained down from Heaven upon them. God is the Supreme Lord of the Universe, and therefore all things and all persons are subject to his disposal. He can reward virtue, or chastise iniquity, by methods that are most unexpected, and out of the course of For the course of nature is nothing but the usual order of his providence, and he can alter and control her operations whenever it suits the purposes of his wis. dom so to do. Goodness and piety are the only recommendations to his favour and the means to insure his protection. These qualities were conspicuously eminent in the patriarch Noah, and distinguished him in the sight of God above all the rest of mankind, who were his contemporaries. What a noble evidence is given by the Divine Being himself to the character of this excellent person: "And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the Ark, for thee have I seen righteous before me in these generations." In the midst of a world which he declared to be corrupt, and filled with violence, his faithful servant maintained his integrity, and persevered in the worship of the true God, and in obedience to his laws. Consider this example, my young friend, when you are assaulted by temptation, or staggered in your good resolutions by the force of ridicule and con. tempt. Noah must have experienced every solicitation to vice from his associates, neighbours, and companions; yet he still preserved his firmness in the cause of religion, although he was singular in the profession. "Thee only have I seen righteous before me. Undaunted by the idea of difficulty, or the fear of censure, he continued to admonish others of the danger that must follow from the profligacy of their St. Paul styles him "a preacher of righteousness," which shows that he used his endeavours to reform the world, both by precept and example. And is not this a most convincing proof, that the number of sinners, or the fashion of the times, will not plead our excuse for conforming to wicked customs, or following a multitude to do evil? It was the happiness, the glory, and the safety of Noah that he dared to be manners. : righteous, when all others had corrupted their way upon the earth. There were, indeed, different degrees of wickedness among the people of that age, and many were no doubt possessed of excellent qualities. They were distinguished by the knowledge and acquirements of those times and we read that there were among them mighty men, and famous, and men of renown; yet these acquirements and worldly distinctions could not obtain the favour of Heaven, or shield them from the destruction their vices had incurred. This event is so ancient, and so little attended to, that perhaps you may imagine it has not much to do with your present pursuits and prospects; but, my dear reader, the laws of God are as immutable as himself. He is unchangeable, and so is his approbation of virtue and abhorrence of vice. The difference of time, or variation of manners, cannot alter the constitution of things. He declared the prophet Daniel to be a 66 man greatly beloved," at a period many years removed from the time of the deluge but it was for the same cause as he favoured the patriarch Noah, because he was 66 a just man, and perfect in his |