Revelation concerning this event from GOD; but who could rationally believe that GOD would reveal his designs to him, rather than to ten thousand other persons, in every point of view as worthy and respectable, and in many much more so, than he was? Could it be supposed, that the Creator felt such a partiality towards him, above all the people on the earth; above men far greater, wiser, and more respected, than he? Could he be weak enough to imagine, that all the millions of the human race, beside himself and his family, were to be destroyed; and that they were to be snatched from the destruction? Surely none but the most pitiable bigot, the most hoodwinked enthusiast, the most contemptible fanatic, could give credit to such a tale.

When he began to build the ark, and thus proved himself in earnest, the news undoubtedly flew among his neighbours with rapidity. A work so extraordinary, begun for so singular a purpose, must unquestionably have excited their curiosity, their wonder, and their contempt, in the highest degree. As he began it fifty years before the predicted period of the deluge, it undoubtedly seemed a ridiculous anticipation even of his own prophecy. As it demanded the expense of a princely fortune; as it required labour, care, and trouble, never before heard of in the world; and as all things went on during the whole time just as quietly, as they had always done, it can scarcely be doubted that he was the song, the jest, the by word, and the hissing, of all, who beheld him busied in this employment.

But the faith of Noah met, endured, and triumphed over, all these evils. Such always in kind, and sometimes in degree, is the faith of a Christian.

7thly. The preacher, and the professor, of Religion must preach, and live, amidst wicked men as if he were in the midst of Chris

tians.

The preacher must declare the truth, whether his hearers believe or disbelieve. The professor must perform his duty, whether others follow or oppose him. Thus Noah preached and lived. Perhaps no herald of truth was ever so unsuccessful, so universally disbelieved, so much the object of scorn and derision. Probably VOL. II.

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no saint was ever so destitute of companions and supporters. What audiences must he have uniformly found? By what neighbours was he surrounded? What workmen must he have employed? What unbelief, what hostility, what contempt, what mockery, must he have encountered? How must he have been wearied of all this opposition and abuse, protracted through one hundred and twenty years? Yet he "set his face as a flint" against this host of difficulties, and this world of opposers. No enemy terrified him, no difficulty discouraged him. In the path of duty, the straight and narrow way that leads to life, he moved onward with immoveable firmness, and unclouded serenity. GOD beheld his course, and smiled upon his faith and fortitude; sustained him in every trial; and in every conflict enabled him to

overcome.

Noah preached the revealed will of GoD, and delivered his Master's message faithfully. The most painful truths he hesitated not to declare: the most terrible threatenings he denounced in all their awful import. The wicked, numerous and formidable as they were, he resolutely warned of the "error of their way;" and although they did not "turn, and live," yet "he delivered his own soul." Such will be the preaching of every faithful minister of Christ. Like Noah, he will boldly declare “the truth, as it is in Jesus ;" and declare it in its purity and simplicity, "whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." All Christians, also, will live in some good measure, as Noah lived. Their faith is the same with his: their fortitude will resemble his. All of them will not, indeed, be equally firm and faithful; equally secure at all times from the influence of temptation, and the danger of backsliding. Still they will "endure unto the end ;" and under the influence of the Spirit, by whom they are sanctified, and sustained, and with a consciousness, that "the afflictions of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed hereafter," will fix their eyes upon GoD, the promises of the Gospel, and the blessings of immortality; and while they "wait upon the Lord, will renew their strength; will mount up with wings, as eagles; will run, and not be weary: will walk, and not faint."

8thly. Every Christian, however long, or severely, tried in the present world, is here taught, that his interests are safe in the hands of GOD.

The trials of Noah were longer, and more discouraging, than those of any Christian. The support, the consolation, which was furnished to him by the objects of time and sense, by his friends, or by mankind, was comparatively nothing. All these things were against him. Even his own preservation was in many respects forlorn and comfortless. To anticipate the ravages of an universal deluge was a most melancholy employment. To behold the ruins of a world; to be an eye-witness of the destruction of all the race of Adam; to ponder the perdition, to which they were consigned in a future state of being; must have embittered deliverance itself, and spread gloom over his own merciful preservation. Still Noah himself was safe, and his family were safe; and all these distressing things were made to "work together for their good."

There are seasons, in which even good men will despond. All the waves of sorrow will seem to go over their heads, and the anchor of hope appear to lose its hold. Health will at times be impaired; the spirits will decay; friends will become cold, or die; the means of support will recede, or vanish; the world will become peculiarly hostile; Religion will decline; its professors will be comparatively few and lifeless; "the ways of Zion will mourn;" the house of God will "sit solitary ;" and its glorious inhabitant will appear to have withdrawn his presence and his mercy. In the mean time, the passions and appetites of the Christian himself will regain their control; the world will recover its ascendancy; his energy will sicken; and his piety will sleep. Yet even then "the bruised reed" will not be broken, nor "the smoking flax" extinguished. "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, saith Jehovah that created thee; fear not; for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by my name: thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the

flame kindle upon thee." "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me," saith the Saviour of men, "because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; to appoint unto them, who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called Trees of righteousness; The planting of the LORD; that he may be glorified." No child of God is so hidden from the eye, so imperfect in his character, or of so little value in his sight, as to prevent him from being known, protected, sustained, and conducted finally to heaven. It is not improbable, that amidst all his sufferings dangers and discouragements, amid the enemies, by whom he was surrounded, and the hostilities, which he was daily called to encounter, the eminent Saint, whose character we have been investigating, was often ready to despond, and to feel that his burden was greater than he could bear. Yet he was safe: and the ruin, which overwhelmed a world, was unable to reach him. His case is that of every good man. Not one of those, who wear this name evangelically, will ever be forgotten. To all such men "the foundation of GoD standeth sure, and has this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." As his, they will be conveyed safely through life as his, they will be supported in death: as his, they will be remembered in "the resurrection of the just." "In his wrath he may smite them for a small moment; but with everlasting kindness will he have mercy on them." Amen.

SERMON XXIX.

DUTY OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL.

GALATIANS i. 8, 9.

But though we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again: If any man preach any other Gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

In these words, we have St. Paul's estimate of the Nature, and Importance, of the Gospel, as preached by himself. Every reader of the Scriptures must have remarked the peculiar force of the phraseology, in which it is conveyed. "Even if we, or any man, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel, than that which we have preached unto you; let him be anathema." Let him be separated from the church on earth; let him finally be separated from the church in heaven. A crime, on which so dreadful a sentence is pronounced, must certainly be enormous. On what is this enormity founded? On the nature of the Gospel, preached by St. Paul; the authority, with which it was communicated to mankind; and its comparative excellence, when examined with relation to any other Gospel. But if these considerations lay the foundation for the enormity of this crime, the Gospel, preached by St. Paul, must undoubtedly be possessed of singular and superlative excellence. Our time cannot be unprofitably employed in the serious consideration of a subject, so interesting to us and our fellow men.