covenant was confirmed with Noah, the representative of mankind in the new world after the flood; and the covenant, thus renewed with him, was to extend to all his posterity; to generations unborn, to all that would become, as he was, "heirs of the righteousness which is by faith." Through him, deliverance was preached to the people before the flood; through him, everlasting deliverance from sin and death was promised to believers in every future age. In the covenant, therefore, made with Noah, all mankind have an interest, an especial interest at this day; the promised deliverer, whom Noah represented, is come; we salvation of our God;"

have seen the

the gospel of peace is proclaimed; and nothing is wanting but our faithful acceptance of it.

Proceed we now with the history of Noah's preservation: "The waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth (a hundred and fifty days), and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered-and all flesh

FROM THE FLOOD.

died that moved upon the earth, Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the ark rested in the seventh month, upon the mountains of Ararat."* Thus was the divine promise literally fulfilled, and the fidelity of the patriarch signally acknowledged and rewarded.

What

must have been the emotions of this holy man, as he was floating, through the long eventful period, upon the surface of the raging waters! How deep and lively his conviction of the adorable goodness and the perfect truth of God! How fervent his gratitude, how sublime his joy, at escaping unhurt amid the desolation of the world! How indescribable his feelings of horror and of awe, at the sufferings of those countless multitudes, who were perishing around him; over #hose lifeless bodies he was riding in peaceful security, reserved to be the father of a new-born world! Similar to these are the impressions of every sincere be

* Gen. vii, viii.

liever, on beholding both the providential and spiritual dispensations of the Lord. Deeply is he convinced of the "goodness and severity of God;" of His goodness to the righteous, His severity to the disobedient and evil: Every divine promise and every denunciation of divine judgment have been fully accomplished in due season; not one jot or one tittle of the word of God has failed." The Christian, moreover, by his own experience, can testify the truth and loving kindness of God: he has sought and found a refuge in the ark of salvation, in the gospel of peace; he has been taken out of a corrupt and troubled world, and raised above it; so that, while the billows of adversity have been rolling all around, and the overbearings of iniquity have every where prevailed, he has felt himself in a state of security; inclosed by divine mercy" on the right hand and on the left;" protected by the power of Jehovah; all things, even the most unruly elements, "working together for his good:" when "the rain descends, and

the floods come, and the winds blow," he hears and sees it all without dismay; nay, with gratitude to his heavenly Preserver; hoping and believing, that the waves of trouble are bearing him to the celestial Ararat, upon which he shall alight, in God's appointed time, and "find rest unto his soul."

But, in the midst of his satisfaction and joy, there is a consideration, which strikes a damp upon his soul, and fills him with grief and terror; it is, the miserable condition of those his fellow-creatures, who have been regardless of their salvation and have perished: the Saviour "called, but they would not answer;" He assured them of the coming desolation, but they would not take heed; He offered them mercy, but they turned away: and. the flood came upon them unawares; and it is painful to think of them, where they now are, and how many they have been. And not only for those who are gone, but for numbers still living, does the charitable Christian also feel: it is not for him to

be forward in judging, not for him to condemn; "he hopeth all things, and believeth all things;" but when he sees multitudes around him manifestly walking in the "broad way of destruction," he cannot help feeling both pity and pain; especially if any of his neighbours or friends be found in this awful state of heedlessness and sin; especially if any who are near and dear unto him. He cannot help grieving for them; they will have, at least, his tears and his prayers. Would that such sinners might feel for themselves, what others feel for them; would that they might turn and live! Their case is not like the case of those who were perishing in the flood; they are not yet consigned to destruction; would to God that they might turn and live!

At length," the waters were dried up from off the earth, and the face of the ground was dry." "And Noah went forth" out of the ark, and "builded an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt