this, he gives a list of the posterity of Cain, and mentions the birth of Seth, another son of Adam, from whom the patriarchs descended.

Reflections.

THIS chapter proposes to us two remarkable examples; the first is that of Abel; who, as St. Paul says, through faith offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and obtained witness that he was righteous; but, notwithstanding his righteousness, was exposed to the envy and cruelty of his brother, who killed him. Thus God was pleased to show, from the beginning of the world, that he accepts the service of none but good people, whom, nevertheless, he suffers sometimes to be oppressed by the wicked; a proof, from the very first, that piety is not to expect its reward in this life. The other example is that of Cain, in whom we have an image of wicked men, and particularly of such as hate their brethren, and an instance of the ill effects of envy and jealousy. We may also observe, in the remorse and terrors that haunted Cain after he had committed this horrid deed, that a guilty conscience is generally tormented with horror and remorse. The genealogy of Cain's descendants was preserved, to show the distinction there was, afterwards, between the impious posterity of Cain, and that of Seth, the son of Adam, from whom the patriarchs and the Messiah descended.

CHAPTER V.

THIS chapter contains the names of the patriarchs, and their genealogy from Adam to Noah.

Reflections.

THERE are two principal observations to be made upon this chapter. The first is, upon the long lives of the patriarchs. God was pleased to give them such long lives, that by this means the world might be sooner peopled, and the knowledge of the Deity, and the remembrance of the creation, more easily

and more surely preserved. The second reflection is that which St. Paul makes in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where he says, that Enoch was translated, and saw not death, because he was acceptable to God whilst he lived. God thought fit thus to recompense the righteousness of this patriarch, and to convince the men of that time, that there is another life after this, reserved for good men. This is a truth which is still more clearly proved in the Gospel, and particularly, by the ascension of Jesus Christ. Those, therefore, who shall imitate righteous Enoch, and walk with God as he did, and study to please him by a holy and religious life, shall be admitted, after death, into that place to which he was translated, and whither our Lord has gone to prepare a place for us.

CHAPTER VI.

GOD, seeing the extreme corruption of mankind, resolves to send a deluge upon the earth; and commands Noah to build an ark for himself and his family, and all other creatures that God was pleased to preserve.

Reflections.

WE are to observe in this chapter, in the first place, that the marriages of the posterity of Seth with the daughters of Cain occasioned that impurity and injustice, and all those other sins which were multiplied upon the earth, even among the descendants of Seth, which obliged God to bring the flood upon it. From whence we learn, that intercourse with the wicked and ungodly is a very dangerous thing; and, in particular, that uncleanness and sensuality have always been the occasion of great evils; and, that this sin, as well as violence and injustice, expose men to the wrath of God. II. The goodness and patience of God towards the inhabitants of the first world are very visible, in his giving them an hundred and twenty years to repent in, and warning them by the preaching of Noah, and by the building of the ark, that the flood was coming upon the

earth. Thus has God, in all ages, exercised great patience and long-suffering towards men, giving them necessary warning of their danger, and time to prevent his judgments. III. In the command God gave to Noah to build an ark, we should consider the care he takes of those that fear him, and the wonderful means he was pleased to use, in his great wisdom, for the preservation of man and beast, that the earth might be replenished after the flood. IV. and lastly, We observe in this chapter, the faith and obedience of Noah, who being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. This reflection, which St. Paul makes in the eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, engages us to imitate the faith of this patriarch, to walk in righteousness as he did, and to make a right use of the patience of God, who invites us to repentance; that we may avoid those judgments which will surely fall upon the wicked, and be saved by those whom he will receive into his heavenly kingdom.

CHAPTER VII.

THIS chapter contains the history of the flood, from which Noah was preserved in the ark with his family, and those creatures which were with him.

Reflections.

THE history of the flood is very remarkable; it being the most signal example God has given of his justice since the creation of the world. It is, too, a most certain fact, the remembrance of which has been preserved among all nations, and in the most ancient authors, as well as in the Holy Scriptures. St. Peter teaches us the use we ought to make of this history, when he says, If God spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; the Lord knows how to

deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. Let us seriously reflect upon this great example; let us learn from hence that God is just; that his threatenings are not in vain; and that the great number of sinners cannot secure them from his vengeance. Moreover, let us consider, that as they, who were not in the ark, perished, so those who shall neglect to enter into the way of salvation, and to lay hold of the long-suffering of God, shall also inevitably perish. This is what Jesus Christ warns us of in the Gospel, when he says, that it will be at the day of his coming as in the days of Noah; when the inhabitants of the first world lived in security, and thought nothing of the flood, till it came upon them, and destroyed them all. Thus will sinners be surprised at the coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world, and to render to all men according to their works.

CHAPTER VIII.

Moses relates in this chapter, Noah's going out of the ark, after the waters of the deluge were dried up, and his offering a sacrifice to the Lord: in consequence of which, God restored the order of na

ture.

Reflections.

WHAT we are principally to observe here is, that God, after he had given the most dreadful proofs of his severity in the deluge, gave marks of his goodness not only towards Noah and his family, but towards the whole race of mankind, by restoring the world to that state and order which we now see it in. And since we enjoy the effects of God's goodness, we ought to render him our thanks for it, and stir up ourselves to love and fear him from the consideration of his mercy, as well as of his justice, which both remarkably appear in the several circumstances of the universal deluge.

CHAPTER IX.

HERE we observe three things: I. The laws which God gave Noah, and all mankind after the flood, especially those relating to food, which was then altered, and to murder. II. God's promise never to drown the world again. III. What happened to Noah, when, being overtaken with wine, his son Ham derided him. IV. Moses, at the end of the chapter, mentions the death of Noah.

Reflections.

THIS chapter teaches us, I. That we ought inviolably to observe those laws which God gave Noah after the deluge; that we ought to use soberly those creatures which he allows us to partake of, and to avoid all cruelty and injustice. II. That the covenant God made with Noah and all mankind, promising never more to bring a general deluge upon the earth, but to preserve the world in the condition it was then in, has subsisted ever since; and, consequently, all of us are bound to acknowledge and celebrate the great goodness of the Lord towards us, of which we continually feel the effects. III. That if the world is no more to be destroyed by water, it will be destroyed by fire, at the last day, according to St. Peter. If the old world, being overflowed by water, perished, the heaven and the earth are reserved for fire at the day of judgment. IV. As to what is said, at the end of this chapter, of Noah's being overtaken with wine, it must be considered, that this happened to him innocently, because he was unacquainted with the effect of wine, the use of it having been till then unknown; and, therefore, this example, so far from excusing intemperance, is a proof that we ought carefully to avoid it. What

is related of the sons of Noah, teaches us, that God blesses those children who honour their parents, and curses those who are wanting in that respect which is due to them.