This was to show; that Noah was not saved from the flood, because he deserved to be saved, but because God had a favour unto him for he which was not drowned with water, was drowned after with wine. As the Pharisees when they had done well were proud of it, and lost their reward: so ⟨image 28⟩when Noah had done a good work, he spotted it with sin, and was dispraised where he was praised, as though God repented him that he commended him. He planted well, but he drunk not well: therefore that which was good did him hurt: then seeing he was trapped with a good work, whatsoever we do, we may remember how easy it is to sin, if we miss in the matter, or in the manner, or time, or the place, or the measure, as Noah did. He which planteth the vineyard, is worthy to taste of the grape, but if thou have found honey (saith Solomon) eat not too much least thou surfeit: So if thou hast found wine, drink not too much least thou surfeit. A little wine is better then a great deal, and if thou wilt follow the Apostles counsel, thou must drink it but for thy stomachs sake, least that happen to thee, which thou shalt hear of this noble Patriarch. Though he were never so righteous before God and men, though he escaped the destruction, which lighted upon all the world, though he had all the fowls of the air and beasts of the land at his command, though he passed the pilgrimage of man nine hundred years, yet Noah was but a man: so ancient, so righteous, so mighty, so happy: Noah showed himself but a man, for drinking the wine which himself had planted, he was drunken. This is Noah's fault, he was drunken with his own wine, as Lot was defiled with his own daughters. If Ham his son had taken too much, and stripped himself as his father did, the holy ghost would scarce have spoken of it, because he was a man of no note; but when the father forgot himself and gave this offence, mark the manner of the holy Ghost, as though he would show you a wonder: he displayeth Noah's drunkenness, as Ham displayed his nakedness: as if he would say, come and see the strength of man. He which was counted so righteous; he which believed the threatening like Lot when the rest mocked, he to whom all the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the earth flocked in couples as they came to Adam:
This was to shewe; that Noah was not saued from the floud, because hee deserued to bee saued, but because God had a fauour vnto him for he which was not drowned with water, was drowned after with wine. As the Pharisies when they had done wel were proud of it, and lost their reward: so ⟨image 28⟩when Noah had done a good worke, he spotted it with sin, and was dispraised where hee was praised, as though God repented him that he commended him. Hee planted well, but he drunke not well: therefore that which was good did him hurt: then seeing hee was trapped with a good worke, vvhatsoeuer we doe, wee may remember howe easie it is to sinne, if wee misse in the matter, or in the manner, or time, or the place, or the measure, as Noah did. Hee which planteth the vineyarde, is worthy to taste of the grape, but if thou haue found hony (saith Salomon) eate not too much least thou surfet: So if thou hast found wine, drink not too much least thou surfet. A little wine is better then a great deale, and if thou wilt followe the Apostles counsell, thou must drinke it but for thy stomackes sake, least that happen to thee, which thou shalt heare of this noble Patriarch. Though hee were neuer so righteous before God and men, though he escaped the destruction, which lighted vpon all the world, though he had al the foules of the ayre and beasts of the lande at his command, though hee passed the pilgrimage of man nine hundreth yeeres, yet Noah was but a man: so ancient, so righteous, so mightie, so happie: Noah shewed himselfe but a man, for drinking the wine which himselfe had planted, he was drunken. This is Noahs fault, he was drunken with his owne wine, as Lot was defiled with his owne daughters. If Cham his sonne had taken too much, and stript himselfe as his father did, the holie ghost would scarce haue spoken of it, because he was a man of no note; but when the father forgate himselfe and gaue this offence, marke the maner of the holie Ghost, as though he would shew you a wonder: hee displaieth Noahs drunkennesse, as Cham displaied his nakednesse: as if hee would say, come and see the strength of man. Hee which was counted so righteous; hee which beleeued the threatning like Lot when the rest mocked, hee to whome all the foules of the ayre, and the beastes of the earth flocked in couples as they came to Adam:
