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FOURTEENTH WEEK-SUNDAY.

THE DELUGE A DIVINE JUDGMENT.

THE account which the Bible gives us of the history of the antediluvian world, and of the causes which led to that awful interference of the great Creator, which brought it to a sudden and violent end, may be stated in few words. After man had proved himself unworthy of the world of happiness in which he was placed, it pleased the Eternal to continue his existence, under a new condition, both of his own mental and physical powers, and of the constitution of external nature. What that condition was, we have already partly seen. It was a state of things, in which sin, misery, and death, were to prevail, as a preparation for another and more glorious form of existence, to be obtained, by believers, through the mediation of a Redeemer; and it was also part of this new condition, that men should still be so far morally free, as to have it in their power to reject the offered salvation, and remain under the dominion of the prince of darkness. Thus mankind came to be divided into two great parties, as seen by the Omniscient eye,—those who, accepting of the promised Saviour, were maturing for the mansions of heaven; and those who, preferring the things of time to the hopes of eternity, were doomed to everlasting destruction. The external condition of inen was, in the antediluvian world, early marked with a broad line of distinction, corresponding, in some degree, with their future destiny. There were two distinct races of the human family, the one descended from the first murderer, acute, ingenious, and worldly, gave themselves entirely to the cultivation of those pursuits and pleasures, which begin and end on this side the grave; the other, taking their origin from a more high-minded

parent, and, like him, full of views and expectations, which looked beyond the present earthly scene, were animated by that Hope, of which it has been beautifully said, that she "lights her torch at Nature's funeral pile ;" and made it the noblest aim of their lives, to walk worthy of their immortal destiny, and to prepare for the exalted employments and enlarged happiness of celestial natures.

In the slight glimpse afforded us of these two races, we find a striking example of a peculiarity in the human character, which our Saviour has noticed, and which has characterized man in every age, that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Among the descendants of Cain, who are designated by Moses as the "children of men," we see much worldly wisdom. We find their peculiar character indicated in these short incidental notices,-they built cities; they possessed flocks and herds; they invented musical instruments; they dug into the bowels of the earth, and became artificers in brass and iron :-in short, they founded the arts of civilized life, and made large advances in its comforts and luxuries. Among the pious race of Seth, who were distinguished from the irreligious family by the honourable title of "Sons of God," we hear little of worldly accomplishments, though they doubtless studied the works of creation, that in them they might discern and adore the Creator's perfections, and were not neglectful of whatever might contribute to the comfort of social and domestic life, or enlarge the understanding, or improve the heart; but, what is of much greater importance, and indicates a far nobler character, in the descendants of that family, we find Enoch, who walked with God, and was not, for God took him, and Noah, who was just and perfect in his generations. But the contagion of iniquity is fearful. In all ages, there is a predisposition towards it in the heart of every man, and probably its influence was greatly aggravated in the primeval epoch, by a life extending to many cen

turies, and by the peculiar vigour of the bodily powers. Whatever force there may be in this latter observation, it is certain, that as soon as the pious race, merging their horror of irreligion in their admiration of human talent, began to cultivate a familiar intercourse with the infidel race, their characters from that instant began to decline; and, frequent intermarriages having taken place among them which hastened the disease, corruption became universal and inveterate, and the earth was filled with violence. At length the measure of their iniquity became full. The world, as it then was, had fulfilled its purpose, and the family of Adam had proved themselves incapable, under the circumstances in which they were then placed, of honourably fulfilling the relations of life, or of preparing for the enjoyments of a better world. A new constitution of things was to succeed, in which human life was to be curtailed, the world was to be rendered less exuberant in its vegetable productions, some of the largest animals, probably, were to be exterminated, and other corresponding changes were to be made in further development of the Divine decrees. A new step, in short, was to be taken towards the accomplishment of the primeval promise, that "the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent."

The antediluvian world was therefore to be destroyed, and means having been taken for the preservation of all living species intended to people the new earth, from man to the minutest insect," the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened;"-by some amazing convulsion, in which the agency of natural causes was probably employed, an irresistible and overwhelming flood poured over the face of the whole earth, and, amidst the jarring of commingled elements, the work of destruction was accomplished. This awful event is thus graphically described by Mr Sharon Turner, in the concluding sentence of his able work on the History of the Creation, &c.-"We can but faintly conceive the appalling scene. Mankind were

surprised, in the midst of their usual festivities and employments, by the sudden alarm of portentous danger, rapidly rushing on them from the blackening and howling sky. The sun was seen no more,-midnight darkness usurped the day,-lightnings dreadfully illuminated,—thunder rolled with unceasing fury,—all that was natural ceased; and, in its stead, whirlwind and desolation,-earth rending,-cities falling,—the roar of tumultuous waters,—shrieks and groans of human despair,— overwhelming ruin,-universal silence, and the awful quiet of executed and subsiding retribution."

In the history of these first ages, a most instructive lesson is taught us with regard to the nature and conse-, quences of mere human talent, destitute of divine illumination. Wedded to earth, the infidel branch of the human family sought an earthly reward, and obtained it. They "found out many inventions;" they increased in wealth, and surrounded themselves with conveniences and luxuries. In the eager course of selfishness, the boundaries of knowledge were extended,-desire was enlarged, the faculties sharpened, and the taste refined. But in this worldly progress what became of morality, and where was the place of religion? Alas! they had fled. The pursuits of the world are essentially grovelling; they debase, harden, and contract the heart. Sensuality brutifies it; passion inflames it; evil communications corrupt it. Avarice is grasping, pride is arrogant,―ambition bloody. Even science itself, when pursued in a worldly spirit, is full of snares; in its selfsufficiency it usurps the sceptre of heaven, and banishes God from the throne of the universe.

The awful catastrophe of the Deluge presents the Almighty before our minds in the tremendous light of an avenging and unrelenting judge; and, in contemplating it, we seem to lose sight of the gracious attributes by .which the Universal Parent is endeared to the hearts of His children. But, when we divest the event of those adventitious qualities which the excited imagination

throws around it, and view it in the pure light of truth, we perceive that, after all, except as regards time and manner, there was nothing more dreadful than what happens in the ordinary course of Providence. Every thing that lives is destined by the condition of its nature to die,-some in infancy,-some in the opening blossom of youth,—some in the full vigour of matured faculties, --and some in hoary age. And what greater calamity than this invaded the animal creation when the flood swept them away? They died, indeed, together, and the mode of their dissolution was violent and unusual. But was there not, even in these very circumstances, much to alleviate the calamity? What varieties of protracted suffering were avoided! How many pangs of heart-rending sympathy were spared! There were no torturing diseases, no restless nights,-no tedious watchings,-no orphan children,-no sorrowing parents,—no widowed wives, no bereaved husbands. To perish by flood! It is one of the easiest of deaths. To die together! It is a consummation which affection desires.

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But beyond death! This is the awful thought.-Mysterious and appalling dispensation! Scene of horror and despair! Yet, in this respect, the Deluge was not different in its consequences from a common deathbed. The crisis was sudden, indeed, but if the world was taken by surprise, it was not for want of ample warning. During the eventful period in which the ark was building,period of a hundred and twenty years,-Noah was preacher of righteousness," and the "long suffering of God waited.”* This intimates to us the opportunity which even to the very last was afforded for penitence, and shows to what extent the conscience was seared, and how irretrievable was the moral and religious character of the world. And what a warning does it afford to us! The world will never indeed be again overwhelmed by a flood;—but every individual of the human family, generation after generation, will go down to the dust from

* 1 Peter, iii. 20, and 2 Peter, ii. 5.