deep rushing over its boundaries, he trusted in the saving arm of that Almighty Being, at whose command he had obediently built and entered the ark. He believed in him, and was safe amidst the terror and the destruction of a world. And when that ruin was complete, and all that lived, were confined within the narrow dwelling of his own family; when he opened the window of the ark which he had made, and looked abroad upon that shoreless sea, which contained the myriads of living beings of the former year, he sent out the raven and the dove, in faith that God would again give rest to man, upon the face of the

earth.

And behold at last, the waters are abated from off the earth, and the dove returns, bearing the olive leaf as a signal of approaching deliverance, and again as a signal of deliverance completed, she found a resting place upon the earth.

Behold at last, Noah and his family are permitted to leave the ark, and take possession of the vacant earth, under the covenant of mercy, under the arch of the bow of promise, that God would no more smite every living

thing; that while the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night, should not cease.

That covenant is not altered, and the bow of promise still appears in the clouds; the storm gathers, the tempest roars, the clouds pour out water, the skies send out a sound, the voice of God's thunder is in the heavens, his lightnings lighten the world; he comes forth now in all the majesty and power, by which he overthrew the old world. But lo! -in a little moment, the storm passes by, the earth is refreshed, but not destroyed, and the bow of promise appears is God's message of mercy to the world.

Oh look on that lovely token, when it spreads its serene arch across the stormy sky, a lovely token of that divine mercy which encircles our world. How soft its colouring; how all its hues, distinct and separate, unite in that one arch of beauty; how cheering to your spirits after the gloom and terror of the storm! What a favourable season does your heavenly Father choose to remind you of his love, when through the very remnant of the vanishing storm, the bow of mercy shines! It is a to

ken of that mercy, which visits without ceasing, the world since the flood; which shines brightest amidst the tokens of deserved judgement; as a token that the storm of judgement is passing away. The Sun of righteousness dispels the storm, and, on the remnant clouds, forms the bow of promise to the world.

There are two cautions which ought to be present to your mind, when you see the rainbow.

1. That you avoid the sin and folly of the old world. Oh there was mercy there, the daily kindness of Providence, the striving Spirit, and warnings of coming judgement. But in their sin and folly, their hearts were not subdued by the love of their heavenly Father. They resisted that striving Spirit, and disbelieved the awful warnings, until kindness could be no longer extended, until the Spirit must be withdrawn, and awful judgement must descend.

2. That being warned of future judgement, and having received the offer of an ark of safety, you do not perish after the same example of unbelief.

Oh there is mercy now in daily providence. There is warning of awful judgement; there is a Saviour ready to receive and protect your soul. Trust in Him. So shall the rainbow, while its beauty delights your eye, give holy lessons to your soul, and be a sign to you that the storm of divine wrath is over, and that the Sun of righteousness will shine upon you unclouded, and for ever.

DEATH.

ECCLESIASTES xii. 5.

Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.

THESE words describe only a part of the scenery of death; a scenery spread out in every land, and before every eye, that the living may lay it to his heart. We see it almost as soon as we begin to live; and we must see it until we die; until our own death and burial, and tombstone, shall make a part of that gloomy scenery, which overspreads the living world. The most neglectful parents cannot hide it from their children, for death finds its way into every house and every neighbourhood; and shows, in sad reality, its conflict and its victory, its trophies and its signals.

Yes, the last struggles of the dying; and