tender mercy-of covenant mercy-and of mercy after a strong expression of displeasure." From that time a strong wind passed over the earth, and the waters began to assuage, and return to their accustomed channels. The ark at length rested on one of the mountains of Ararat, either in Armenia, or, as modern geographers have with greater probability supposed, one of the chain of mountains of Taurus and Caucasus, beginning in Lesser Asia, and extending along the confines of Tartary, Persia, and India. This was at the expiration of five months; three months more elapsed before the tops of the mountains were visible; and oh what joy must have thrilled through the hearts of the little company at this sight! Those who have been long and dangerous voyages at sea can form some idea;-so can the Christian, who, tost upon the perilous ocean of life, and often assailed by storms that threaten to dash his little bark to destruction, has had his soul sustained and animated by clear anticipations of the haven of rest and safety, to which these troubles are but wafting him the more speedily. Forty days more elapsed, and a window of the ark was opened, and a raven sent forth, as an experiment, that, according as it could subsist of itself, or not, they might judge of the state of the earth. The raven returned not. Judging this a favourable indication, a week afterwards Noah tried a more delicate bird, the dove; but as yet the waters were on the face of the whole earth: it is affectingly said, "She found no rest for the sole of her foot ;" and she returned for shelter and succour to the ark.An instructive emblem may be here discovered of different characters among mankind. Unrenewed men are sometimes, by circumstances, connexions, or interest, placed within the confines of the visible church, as the raven became a resident in the ark; but under religious appearances they retain a relish for worldly things, and are ready, when opportunity invites, or trials assail, to return to the world for a portion and a home: but the true Christian, who is renewed in the spirit of his mind, though he may for a season be drawn away by the temptations of the world, like the dove, will find no rest or real enjoyment till he returns to the Lord. Tarrying another seven days, Noah again sent forth his faithful messenger; which again returned in the evening, bearing in her mouth a token that cheered every heart; it was an olive leaf plucked off-a proof that some of the fruitful plains were dried, and the vegetables preserved. From this circumstance, obscure traditions of which have been retained in almost every nation, it has probably arisen, that the olive branch has been universally regarded as the emblem of peace. At the close of another week, Noah once more sent forth the dove; which returned not again: by which token it was evident that the earth must be in some places dry. About a month after this, the waters were dried up from the earth; the covering of the ark was removed; and its inhabitants enjoyed the inexpressible pleasure of looking around them, and beholding the dry land in every direction. Still however it was not habitable; neither would Noah, who had entered into the ark by the express command of God, presume to quit it but under the same authority; for that, he had yet to wait nearly two months, which somewhat more than completed a year's residence in the ark; during which period, it appears that, by a particular providential interposition, no animal of any sort had died, nor does it appear that there had been any increase. § 5. Noah and his Family quitting the Ark. A. D. 2347. At length the Divine voice, in cheering accents, addressed the little company of favoured prisoners, "Go forth of the ark." No doubt the summons was gladly obeyed, and, with feelings of ardent gratitude to their heavenly Preserver, they took leave of the friendly vessel, which, at his command, had been their shelter through many a storm, and had at length landed them in safety. The first object of attention to a worldly man, might have been a day of rejoicing; or the beginning to built a house; or a tour of investigation, to observe the effects produced by the late awful visitation: but Noah was a godly man, and one thing in his esteem, took place of all these. His first concern, and his first action, was to rear an altar to the God of his mercies, and to offer thereon a burntoffering. This is the first time we read of either expressly Abel's offering was most probably of the same kind, and offered on some kind of altar; but this we can only conjecture. It is not expressly said that God commanded the sacrifice, but the transaction furnishes additional ground for concluding that sacrifices in general were offered by divine command. Noah, we are informed, offered of every clean beast and every clean fowl. Now, we know of no natural difference between animals as clean and unclean, nor are we aware why one should be offered rather than another, except as the difference was specified in the divine appointment; and as Noah appears to have been perfectly acquainted with this difference, we may conclude that altars and sacrifices were of divine institution for religious worship. The divine acceptance of Noah's sacrifice still further confirms the truth. By these burnt-offerings Noah not only rendered to God a tribute of fervent gratitude and adoration, but by faith also ascribed his preservation to the mercy of God though the promised Saviour-anticipated the atonement-devoted the little ransomed band to the service of God-and sought further protection and blessing amidst the desolation which surrounded them. These offerings were pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God, and were immediately followed by his gracious pro |