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ever, therefore, be our lot in this world, however hard the curse, with its consequences, may for the present bear upon us, let us be of good courage, continually saying within ourselves of Jesus, what Lamech said of Noah,-This same shall comfort

us.

2. The times in which he lived.

In order to form a right judgment of the character of Noah, it is necessary to take a view of the times in which he lived, virtue never appearing to so great advantage, as when seen in company with the difficulties it has to combat. These, in the case before us, were as many and

as great as the wickedness of man could make them, which was now at its utmost degree of exaltation, and called for that dreadful manifestation of divine vengeance, the universal deluge. When men multiplied upon the earth, sins multiplied in proportion. A multitude soon grows ungovernable, licentious, and luxurious.

3. Sensuality of the Antedilu

vians.

Ir is remarkable that our Lord, speaking of this generation, chiefly insists upon their carnality, or worldly-mindedness, as the door at which all other abominations entered. In

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the days of Noah, says he, they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage*; thereby intimating to us, that when we see a people wholly immersed in the cares of the world and the pleasures of sense, regardless of that heavenly country to which they are travelling, it is a sure sign of approaching destruction. So was it in the days of Nouh; so was it in the days of Lot; and so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man. How certainly then may we know that it is the last time, and that the judge standeth before the door! Let every reader of this examine the state of his own heart in this par

Matt. xxiv. 38.

ticular, and take heed lest at any time it be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day, the day either of particular or general judgment, come upon him unawares *.

4. Inter-marriages of believers
with Infidels.

ANOTHER thing which contributed not a little to disseminate corruption through the Antediluvian world, and to hasten its destruction, was the practice of inter-marrying, which obtained between the believing race of Seth, called in Scripture,

Luke xxi. 34.

the sons of God, and the infidel progeny of Cain, styled the daughters of men. The sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair; so their mother saw the forbidden fruit, that it also was fair. Both saw, and both fell by seeing. The eyes are the windows, at which, when left carelessly open, concupiscence enters as a thief, disarms the guard, and rifles the heart of its purity. They saw, and took them wives of all which they thus chose by the judgment of the sight, and not that of the understanding, becoming, herein, like to horse and mule which have no understanding, and are therefore guided only by sense. Thus these daughters of Cain proved to

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