there to be safe. And, lest he should be at a loss about bringing the creatures together, God promises that they shall come. What he could do himself, he must do; but what he could not do, God would do for him. Now in all these things appeared the special favour of God to Noah. God did not only take care to preserve him, but made him the instrument of preservation to others.

God made a gracious promise to Noah, that he would establish his covenant with him; that is, that if Noah would make this ark, and act according to these directions, out of pure respect to the divine command, then he and his should be secured in the ark, and he should be the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in; Isa. lviii. 12; and that from him should proceed the world; the church,-which is the soul of the world; and the Messiah, the head of the church. Or by my covenant may be meant the covenant of grace. I will graciously accept thee,-will be well pleased with thee in the Beloved, according to the terms of the everlasting covenant. Eph. i. 6. Heb. xiii. 20.

22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. When God had bidden Noah make an ark, he set

about it. He did firmly believe that what God had threatened, would come to pass; his faith wrought fear; and his faith and fear influenced his obedience. True faith is a working faith. Gal. v. 6. Noah showed his faith by his works; and so must we. Faith without works is dead. Jam. ii. 26.

According to all that God commanded him. Upright obedience is universal obedience. The respect, if it be sincere, is to all God's commandments. Psa. cxix. 6. Noah did not obey the general command only to make an ark, but he had an eye to all the particular directions given;-like Moses, who did all according to the pattern showed him in the mount. Ex. xxxix. 42, 43. It is not enough that we do that which is commanded, but we must do it in the appointed manner. Let us not think ourselves wiser than God about gospel institutions. 'Tis generally supposed that it was a hundred and twenty years before the flood, when Noah began to make the ark, because the apostle Peter makes the time of Noah's preparing the ark to run parallel with the time of God's patience: The long-suffering of God waited while the ark was preparing. 1 Pet. iii. 20.

Now Noah's building the ark was a sign to the old world of the approaching judgment, and a confirmation of Noah's preaching, and, one would think, would have wrought upon them to repent; for that

which we see, uses to affect us more than that which we hear only. Every blow that was given in building the ark, was a warning,-a fair warning,-to that careless world. 'Twas an evidence that Noah was in good earnest, and did himself believe what he told them; else he would not have put himself to all this trouble. So that Noah was a preacher of righteousness, not in word only, but in deed. Ministers should be so. That preacher is likely to do most good, that doth by his practice confirm his doctrine,-whose life is a constant sermon. So Noah's was. 'Twas a wonder that some, at least, were not convinced; that so much warning should be given, and none taken. Did he seem to them all, like Lot to his sons-in-law, as one that mocked? Gen. xix. 14. Such is the success that faithful ministers too commonly meet with. But what was the reason? The reason is plain: They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; Matt. xxiv. 38; they were over-head and ears in sensual pleasures, drowned in carnal delights; and with such as are so I seldom see that the word finds entertainment.

So did he. His obedience is repeated. Thus did Noah; so did he. The blessed Spirit loved to speak of his obedience, for indeed it was signal and remarkable. A great many objections Noah might

have made against this, if he had consulted with flesh and blood; as 1. It might have discouraged him that he was alone in this business. We are all apt to do as the most do. Noah might say, why should I be so singular? Is all the world foolish, and am I only wise? 2. It might seem a very unlikely thing that the world should be drowned. How would this consist with the providence, with the goodness, with the wisdom, of God?

Will he that made the world,

unmake it again? How can this be? 3. The scoffs and jeers which he was likely to meet with might have damped him, and cooled his courage in the undertaking. His neighbours would be ready to christen the ark, Noah's folly, and count him no better than an old doting fool for his labour. 4. The building of the ark would be a work of time, and Noah might think, I am an old man, and ten to one I may never live to see it finished; the vision is for a great while to come. Ezek. xii. 27. 5. The difficulty of the work might have been a great discouragement. Must I, he might say, in my old age rear a building such as I never saw? When I have done, how shall I ever get the creatures together, and provide food for them? Must I be myself a prisoner in this cabin, nobody knows how long? It is as good for me to put it to the venture. If the worst come to the worst, I shail fare as well as my neighbours. But the com

mand of God carried him through all these discouragements, his faith overcame these difficulties; and 'tis upon record, to his immortal honour, that Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Heb. xi. 7.