On the Univerfal Deluge.

DISCOURSE XIX.

2 PETER ii. 5.

And spared not the old World, but faved Noah the eighth Perfon, a Preacher of Righteoufnefs, bringing in the Flood upon the World of the ungodly.

T

HERE is fcarce any Event that ever happened to Mankind, which is of a more extraordinary Nature than the Univerfal Deluge, whereby the World that then was, being overflowed with Water, perifhed; as it is expreffed, 2 Pet. iii.*6. And yet it seems to be but little confidered. We are for the most part apt to regard it in no other View than as a strange Event, which happened a long Time ago, and in Dd 4 which

which we have no Concern. But this certainly is a wrong Way of thinking. Why is this Event so particularly recorded in the holy Scriptures, and the Account of it carefully tranfmitted to future Generations in Books written by divine Inspiration, if not that we fhould make ferious Reflections upon it, and endeavour to improve it to good religious and moral Purposes? I hope therefore it may be of Ufe to confider this Subject diftinctly.

In treating of which, I propose first to enquire into the Causes of the Deluge, as fet forth in the facred Writings, which will lead us to make fome Reflections on the State of the World and of Mankind, whom this dreadful Calamity came upon,

Secondly, I fhall confider the Account that is given us of the Deluge itself, the Greatnefs and Univerfality of it, and the general Destruction it brought upon the whole Race of Mankind that was then upon the Earth, Noab and his Family only excepted.

The next Thing to be confidered is the Truth and Certainty of this great Event, and that however extraordinary it may appear, we have fufficient Evidence to convince us that it really happened; as appears both from the exprefs Teftimony of holy Writ, and from the ancient Traditions con

cerning

cerning it, which spread very generally among the heathen Nations themselves.

I fhall conclude the whole with fome Obfervations, which may help us to make a right Ufe and Improvement of this amazing Difpenfation of Divine Providence; and which is what I have principally in View in the Choice of this Subject.

Firft, Let us begin with enquiring into the Causes of the Deluge, as they are set forth to us in the facred Writings. And this will lead us to confider the State of the World and of Mankind, when this dreadful Calamity came upon them. As certain as it is that there is a God that, made and governeth the World, so certain it is that an Event of fuch vaft Confequence to Mankind, could not have come to pass without the fpecial Direction and Interpofition of Divine Providence. And to this the Apostle Peter here plainly afcribes it, when he declares, that God Spared not the old World-bringing in the Flood upon the World of the ungodly. Whatever Ufe might be made of natural Causes, concerning which learned Men have offered various Conjectures, yet ftill it must be acknowledged that it was God's Providence which directed and over-ruled the whole. And we may be fure from the best Notions we can form of the divine Perfections,

that

that there must have been wife and just Reasons for that aftonishing Difpenfation. It cannot be fuppofed that the benevolent Father of Mankind, the fupreme Lord and Governor of the World, who is perfectly holy, and juft, and good, would have fent fuch a defolating Judgment upon a World of his Creatures, if it had not been for Ends worthy of his infinite Wisdom and Righteousness. Let us therefore enquire what Light the Scripture affords us into the Reasons and Ends of this wonder-ful Event. And in general we are affured, that it was the univerfal Depravation, the Wickedness and Corruption of Mankind, which brought that deftructive Deluge upon them. This manifeftly appears from the Account given us of it by Mofes. He obferves, Gen. vi. 5. that God faw that the Wickedness of Man was great upon the Earth, and that every Imagination of the Thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually. This is a very fignificant Representation of the great and univerfal Depravity into which Mankind were fallen. Not only were their Actions wicked and corrupt, but their Thoughts and Affections, the Intentions and Imaginations of their Hearts; their inward Part was very Wickednefs, their moral Senfe of Things, their very Notions of Good and Evil, were ftrangely depraved. Again it is