Genesis 8

The first is the want of that original righteousness, which was in man by creation: the second is, a proneness and inclination to that which is evil, and to nothing that is truly good. This appears (Genesis 8:21): The frame of man's heart (says the Lord) is evil even from his ch…

The frame of the heart of man is only evil (Genesis 6:5). [illegible] (Genesis 8:21) signifies a potter's vessel. Your turning of things upside-down shall be reputed as the clay [illegible] of the potter (Isaiah 29:16): from the root [illegible] to think, desire; to form a thing…

The latter meaning, I admit, arises out of the former, but we must attend to the design of Christ. Perceiving that this was exceedingly adapted to support their weakness, he intended to assure them that, if any one would receive them in a friendly manner, and do them kind office…

In general, [[original in non-Latin script]] and [[original in non-Latin script]] signifie a Wind or Spirit, that is, any thing which moves and is not seen. So the Air in a violent agitation, is called [[original in non-Latin script]], Gen. 8. 1. [[original in non-Latin script]]…

(2.) These were the things which rendred his Offering of himself, to be a Sacrifice of a sweet sm[•]lling Savour to God, Ephes. 5. 2. God was so absolutely delighted and pleased with these high and glorious Acts of Grace and Obedience in Jesus Christ, that he smelt as it were a…

As if he should say, Do you think that the offering up of your sheep in sacrifice has been pleasing to God? Certainly if the fire of those sacrifices had delighted God, if he had smelled a savor of rest in them (as he is said to have done, when Noah offered sacrifice after the f…

But that was broken; and so God after a while, destroyed the earth, when the wickedness of man was great. But after the flood, on Noah's offering a sacrifice that represented the sacrifice of Christ, God, in smelling a sweet savor, or accepting that sacrifice, as it was a repres…

Husbandmen know there is a change, and vicissitude of seasons and weather; though it be pleasant Summer weather now, yet Winter will tread upon the heel of Summer; frosts, snows, and great falls of rain must be expected. This alternate course of seasons in nature is settled by a…

Among such foolish creatures as we are, it must needs be, that offenses will come; and why should not I have my share of those offenses? The God of heaven gives this as a reason of his patience towards a provoking world, that it is in their nature to be provoking (Genesis 8:21):…

This comeliness and courage; the spouse describing Christ as a beautiful, desirable personage, to show that spiritually he is so, calls his cheeks; so to make up his parts, and proportion. And to them does she ascribe a sweet savor, order, and eminency a sweet savor; as God is s…

As God smelled a sweet savor from the blood of his atonement (Ephesians 5:2), so from the graces wherewith for them he is anointed, his saints receive a refreshing cherishing savor (Song of Songs 1:2). A sweet savor expresses that which is acceptable and delightful (Genesis 8:21…

Positive, in regard of the good that may be gained thereby. 1. Many are the evils which children by nature are prone to, even as rank ground is subject to bring forth many weeds: for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth: and foolishness is bound in the heart of…

It is the heart that has forgotten God, and is roving after vanity — this causes all the errors of men's words, and actions, a wandering heart, makes wandering eyes and feet, and tongue. It is the leading wanderer that misleads all the rest, and as we are here called straying sh…

Therefore we are more prone to complain, than to give thanks. Partly from self-love, when our turn is served, we neglect God: as the raven returned to Noah no more, when there was floating carrion for it to feed upon (Genesis 8:7). Wants try us more than blessings (Hosea 5, last…

It is not any one faculty only that sin has defiled, but like a strong poison, it soaks and eats through all; that whereas all was holy, and holiness to the Lord, it is now evil, and evil against the Lord (Genesis 6:5). Every imagination (figment or creature) of the heart is onl…

Grace perfumes our duties (Psalm 141:2): let my prayer be set forth before you as incense. Noah's sacrifice was a perfume (Genesis 8:21): the Lord smelled a sweet savor. The sighs of a wicked man are an unsavory breath; his solemn sacrifice is dung (Malachi 2:3); there is such a…

But it is sure the Lord had not intended to commit heaven and hell any more to a sanctified will, but mutable and slippery in Adam, but to commit all to Christ, to a better covenant, better promises, to a way of free grace not of nature. Yet these men commit the salvation and da…

It says also, that, “every imagination of the heart of man is only evil, and that continually.” (Genesis 6:5; Romans 3). And again, “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” (Genesis 8:21). Now, then, when we think thus of ourselves, having sense thereof, then are…

To the reasons of this point before produced we may add, that God suffers our sins to dwell in us, first to magnify the glory of his mercy, that notwithstanding he be provoked every day, yet he does still spare us. It is said in one place, that when God saw that every imaginatio…

But how should that be? Thus it is: man, corrupt with sin, has much evil love and desire to all sins, as the scripture says (Genesis 8): all the thought of man's heart is given to evil at all times — that is, to pride, disobedience, wrath, hate, covetousness, uncleanness. And to…