Genesis 6:8-10 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.… Two doctrines are deducible from the words. Doctrine 1 — In the most declining generation, wherein sin and wickedness come to the greatest height, I. GOD HAS STILL SOME, THOUGH FEW, THAT RETAIN THEIR INTEGRITY, and cleave to Him and His ways. It has been found so in all ages of the Church. In the old world there was a Noah; in Sodom a Lot; among the children of Israel in Egypt a Moses, who all retained their integrity, and cleaved to the Lord and His ways. When Christ came into the world, there were some "waiting for the consolation of Israel"; and when the Jewish nation was ruined at the destruction of Jerusalem, there was "a remnant according to the election of grace." In the grand apostasy under the New Testament, there were still "two witnesses" left (Revelation 9). II. How is it that the declining of a generation comes to he so very general, THAT SO VERY FEW ARE LEFT RETAINING THEIR INTEGRITY, that they may be for signs and wonders in the day wherein they live? 1. The corruption of human nature is the springhead of it (Genesis 6:5). 2. No due care taken for the religious education of those who are springing up, doth notably advance it. 3. Corruption of manners thus prevailing, everyone serves to corrupt another, till the leaven has well nigh gone through the whole lump (Genesis 6:12). 4. When a generation is thus posting on in the road of apostasy from God unto ruin, the Lord usually takes home many of His own out from among them (Isaiah 57:1, 2). 5. The declining humour by these means at length so prevails, that it makes its way over all opposition, and gets the mastery; so as it carries all before it, like a flood. 6. What puts the copestone on the course of a generation's defection from God, and readily fills the cup to the brim, is persecution of the way of God, and of any that will dare to retain their integrity. III. WHY ARE SOME, THOUGH FEW, STILL LEFT RETAINING THEIR INTEGRITY IN SUCH A GENERATION? 1. Because of God's faithfulness in His promise (Matthew 16:18). 2. Because God will not leave Himself without a witness in an apostatizing generation. 3. Because therein the power of His grace appears most illustriously. 4. The Lord preserves them for a seed to better days. Use 1. Whatever encouragement such have, that turn their back on the way of religion and seriousness, and take a sinful latitude to themselves from the multitude going their way, there is a witness against them still left, that will rise up in judgment against them, and condemn them. 2. However bad the days are, let none pretend it cannot be better with them, because their lot is cast in such an evil day. 3. Be exhorted not to conform yourselves to the ways of the declining generation wherein our lot is cast: but be among the few who cleave to Him and keep His way. It is hard, yet it is possible. Doctrine 2 — God takes special notice of them for good, who in a declining generation retain their integrity, and keep right, cleaving to Him and His way in the face of a generation departing fast from Him. I. The first thing is to show what this rare attainment is, this perfection in such a generation; or, How men keep right, like Noah, in such a generation. It is then to be, 1. Sincere, and not a hypocrite. 2. Downright for God, without going aside to the ways of carnal wisdom. 3. Tender in one's private walk and conversation, as under the eye of the all-seeing God. 4. Watchful against snares and temptations, that one be not led away with them. 5. Proof against ill example, which is the great engine of Satan for carrying on apostasy in such a day and generation. 6. A mourner for the sins of others. 7. An opposer of the sinful courses of the day and generation wherein he lives, as he hath access. Hence is that exhortation (Ephesians 5:11). 8. In a word, it is to be rowing against the stream of iniquity, and endeavouring to draw the nearer God that others are going from Him. II. The second thing is, to show what are the advantages of this course, in which the Lord takes special notice for good, of those who follow it in a declining day. 1. Sweet peace of conscience in keeping the Lord's way, while others are disregarding it. Hence said the apostle (2 Corinthians 1:12). 2. Communion with God, and access to Him in duties. Hence saith our Lord (John 14:21). 3. A sweet allowance of furniture, strength, and support, for the duty called for (Proverbs 10:29). 4. Seasonable providential appearances for them. God has a watchful eye for good over them who keep His way; and He will protect them in it, while He has use for them in that way (Psalm 121:2, 3). 5. Special favour in a suffering time, when the Lord ariseth to plead His controversy with the sinful generation. Hence saith the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:16). USE. I exhort you to be perfect in this generation, to be persons of integrity, downright for God, rowing against the stream of this sinful generation. And in order to that, 1. Purge your conversation from the gross pollutions of the outward man. 2. Be Christians indeed, in the inner man. Such an one is described (Romans 2:28, 29). 3. Be of a public spirit (Psalm 137:5, 6). 4. Be of a Gospel spirit, having high thoughts of the free grace of God, and deep impressions of the nothingness of man and all that he can do (Galatians 6:14). 5. Be accurate observers of your duty to God, whom the generation we live in has much cast behind their back. 6. Be nice observers of justice and truth in your dealings with men; for both these are rare to a marvel in this generation, as they were of old (See Isaiah 59:13-15; Micah 7:1, etc.). 7. Oppose and set yourselves against sin and wickedness in others, as ye have access; and so endeavour to stem the tide of the apostasy of the generation (Ephesians 5:11). 8. Do your endeavour to get a right set in the young generation, who are in great hazard at this day. I shall give you the following motives to press you to be perfect in this generation, as you have been exhorted.Consider: 1. It will be a great discovery of your sincerity, and unfeigned love to the Lord and the way of holiness. 2. It is a noble, heaven-like disposition, to be perfect in such a generation; to cleave to Christ, when the generation is so generally turning their back on Him (John 6:66-68). 3. It will glorify God very much; and that is the great business we have to do in the world, agreeable to what is said (1 Corinthians 10:31). 4. It is the best service ye can do for the generation, like David, who "served his own generation by the will of God" (Acts 13:36). 5. Suppose it should not be effectual to stop the career of any in their sin, yet it would leave a conviction of sin in their consciences. 6. It is a debt we owe to posterity. Hence says the Psalmist (Psalm 45:17). 7. It is an honourable thing. It is to be a witness for God; and this is one of the characters of His people (Isaiah 43:10). 8. It is the best course ye can take to be safe in the evil day, when the Lord calls the generation to an account. 9. It will be most comfortable in a dying hour; as it was to the good king Hezekiah, when he said, "Remember now, O Lord, I beseech Thee, how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight" (Isaiah 38:3). (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. |
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