Least that any should call this into Question,1 (as our unbelieving hearts are very apt, and skilful in putting in pleas against the truth of the Promises of God, and their accomplishment towards us) v. 9. the Lord farther confirmeth the Assurance formerly given, and removeth those objections, to which through the Sophistry of Satan, and the Sottishness of our own hearts, it may seem to be liable. This is (saith he) as the waters of Noah: Gods dealing with them in that mercy, which floweth from his everlasting kindness, is like his dealing with the World in the matter of the waters of Noah, or the flood wherewith it was drowned and destroyed, when he, with his, were saved in the Ark. He calleth upon his Children to consider his dealings with the World in respect of the flood, I have sworn, (saith he) (that is, I have entered into a covenant to that end, which was wont to be confirmed with an Oath, and God being absolutely faithful in his covenant, is said to swear thereunto, though there be no express mention of any such oath,) that the World should no more be so drowned as then it was: now (saith God) see my Faithfulness herein, it hath never been drowned since, nor ever shall be; with equal Faithfulness have I engaged (even in Covenant) that that kindness, which I mentioned to thee, shall always be continued, so that I will not be wroth to rebuke thee, (that is) so as utterly to cast thee off, as the World was when it was drowned. But some may say, before the flood the Earth was filled with violence, and sin: and should it be so again, would it not bring another flood upon it? Hath he said he will not drown it, notwithstanding any interposal of sin, wickedness, or rebellion whatever? Yea, saith he, such is my Covenant; I took notice in my first engagement therein, that the Imagination of mans heart would be evil from his youth. Gen: 8. 21. and yet I entered into that solemn Covenant; so that this exemption of the World from an universal deluge is not an Appendix to the obedience of the World, which hath been upon some accounts more wicked since, then before; (as in the crucifying of Christ the Lord of Glory, and in rejecting of him being preached unto them) but it solely leaneth upon my Faithfulness in keeping Covenant, and my Truth in the accomplishment of the Oath, that I have solemnly entered into: So is my kindness to you;
Least that any should call this into Question,1 (as our unbelieving hearts are very apt, and skilfull in putting in pleas against the truth of the Promises of God, and their accomplishment towards us) v. 9. the Lord farther confirmeth the Assurance formerly given, and removeth those objections, to which through the Sophistry of Satan, and the Sottishnesse of our own hearts, it may seem to be lyable. This is (saith he) as the waters of Noah: Gods dealing with thē in that mercy, which floweth from his everlasting kindnesse, is like his dealing with the World in the matter of the waters of Noah, or the floud wherewith it was drowned and destroyed, when he, with his, were saved in the Arke. He calleth upon his Children to consider his dealings with the World in respect of the floud, I have sworne, (saith he) (that is, I have entred into a covenant to that end, which was wont to be confirmed with an Oath, and God being absolutely faithfull in his covenant, is said to sweare thereunto, though there be no expresse mention of any such oath,) that the World should no more be so drowned as then it was: now (saith God) see my Faithfulnesse herein, it hath never been drowned since, nor ever shall be; with equall Faithfulnesse have I engaged (even in Covenant) that that kindnesse, which I mentioned to thee, shall alwaies be continued, so that I will not be wroth to rebuke thee, (that is) so as utterly to cast thee off, as the World was when it was drowned. But some may say, before the floud the Earth was filled with violence, and sinne: and should it be so againe, would it not bring another floud upon it? Hath he said he will not drowne it, notwithstanding any interposall of sinne, wickednesse, or rebellion whatever? Yea, saith he, such is my Covenant; I took notice in my first engagement therein, that the Imagination of mans heart would be evill from his youth. Gen: 8. 21. and yet I entred into that solemne Covenant; so that this exemption of the World from an universall deluge is not an Appendix to the obedience of the World, which hath been upon some accounts more wicked since, then before; (as in the crucifying of Christ the Lord of Glory, and in rejecting of him being preached unto them) but it solely leaneth upon my Faithfulnesse in keeping Covenant, and my Truth in the accomplishment of the Oath, that I have solemnely entred into: So is my kindnesse to you;
- 1§. 18.
