Certaine plaine, briefe, and comfortable notes vpon euerie chapter of Genesis Gathered and laid downe for the good of them that are not able to vse better helpes, and yet carefull to read the worde, and right heartilie desirous to taste the sweete of it. By the Reuerend Father Geruase Babington, Bishop of Landaph.

Chap. 8. (Book 8)

After mercy commeth iudgement, and after iudgement mercy againe, as we may see in this Chapter, wherein wee haue

• The ceasing of the flood to the 15. verse.
• The comming out of Noah, to the 20.
• His sacrifice, and Gods speech to the end.

COncerning the first, wee see the author, GOD. The meanes, hee made a winde to passe vpon the earth, the fountaines of the deepe, and the windowes of heauen were stopped &c. The time when, after the hundred and fiftieth day, by our computation about the 19. of October, and for other particulars.

* 1.11 It is sayd, the Lord remembred Noah: wherin is disco∣uered vnto vs,* 1.2 the most faithfull care, and carefull faithfulnes that is in almighty God for his true seruants euer: he loketh vpō their

perils, he seeth their dangers, and in his due time he remembreth to releeue and release them, as he did heere Noah and his family. Can the Bride forget her ornaments, nay can the Mother for∣get her childe: these things be hard, and easily are not done, yet suppose they might be done, the Lord for all that cannot forget his, who making him their God, he hath made his seruants,* 1.3 and written them in his hand, yea made them as signe••s vpon his right finger, that he may neuer forget them.* 1.4 O Lord sayth Da∣uid, what is man that thou art so mindfull of him, or the sonne of man, that thou so regardest him? Tary then but Gods ley∣sure as Noah did, and be sure of remembrance in due time as he had.

2 To strengthen vs in this,* 1.5 consider how it foloweth of the Cattell, that God also remembred them.* 1.6 Alas doth the Lord care for Sheepe and Gotes, yea for creatures many of meaner regard, and forget man in his tribulation and wo? Behould the fowles of the ayre, do they sow or spin to be fed and clothed thereby? yet God remembreth them. O how much more man, that is Lord of all these, if we had faith.

3 When it is sayd, the fountaynes were stopped,* 1.7 and the windowes closed to stay the flood:* 1.8 profit by it in a godly policie after this sort, that if any flood of sinne and streame of iniquitie go about to drowne vs, we stop the fountaine, and close vp the win∣dowes by which it issueth and getteth out, so shall we stay the course of it in Gods blessing and be free from danger. O that this lesson were learned in Court and countrey, fully, and well,* 1.9 then many a filthy flood would be religiously stayed, and many a sow∣sing waue of a sinfull temptation be beaten backe, I say if the fountaines were stopped, and the windowes shut: conceyue of it further, and meditate of it a whole houre by your selfe, I say no more.

4 The Arke stayed about the 26. of October,* 1.10 vppon the mountaines of Armenia, and why?* 1.11 because whē wind bloweth & water faileth, sayling is dangerous, & the rocks may be hit vpō: what a prouidēce then is here for poore Noe in his gratious God,

what a preuention o•• danger? shall nothing make vs know him ••nd his sweete goodnes? ••••yle we then on in the sea of this world while God will,* 1.12 surely when it shall be good he will make vs to rest, and preuent our perill, if we trust in him, and O Lord giue faith and patience for thy mercy sake.

* 1.135 In the tenth moneth, that is about the 28. of December as we recken,* 1.14 were the tops of the mountaines seene, a good token and comfort of an ende of that water-flood: we may apply it thus, the great men of this world, of a kingdome, of a citie, of a towne, are as mountains & hills in comparison of the lower sort, & if once they wax dry from such fluds of euil as many times they are ouer∣flowed withall, it is a good signe, and yeldeth great hope that the waters do decrease, and a better state euen shortly will insue: but whilst they are ouerflowed and couered, what hope of dry land in the valleys? such and so great to good or euill is the example of the great ones.

6 Then after fortie dayes Noah opened the window of the arke,* 1.15 and sent forth some of the fowles. Where was his war∣rant thus to do?* 1.16 surely expressed we see none, and yet is hee not disliked: why? because though it were not prescribed in the word that he should doo so, yet was there no prohibition not to doo so: and beeing not contrary to any word, though it haue no expresse word for it, it is not disalowed: we are taught hereby sayth a lear∣ned man, where there is no neede of expresse prescription, as in things not of such moment often there is not, holy men are left suis consiliis & conatibus to their owne discretions, counsell and libertie,* 1.17 & if the like fall out to vs, we may follow their examples.

* 1.187 He sent first a Rauen which returned not againe, &c. By which fowle some say might be resembled the teachers of the law,* 1.19 because they neuer bring any good tidings, but death, death, for want of performance of the lawe, whose promise is annexed onely to fulfilling of the same, and not else. Others say, by the Rauen might be noted such men, as hauing minde of the dead carions, consider not wherefore they were sente, but plying theyr whole care about themselues, and satisfying theyr de∣uouring nature with such carion as they see before them, take their pleasure therein, and make their abode, not returning any

more to the Arke with testimonie of their course applyed and im∣ployed to that ende whereabout they were sent. Such foule Ra∣uens no question there are but too many.

8 When Noah sawe no returne of the Rauen,* 1.20 he tooke a Doue and sent her forth the same day▪ to see if by her he might perceyue any fall of the waters. And the Doue returned to him againe, not finding any rest for her foote vpon the earth as yet, wherby he knew the waters were not abated. This doue they say may resemble fitly the good preachers of the word,* 1.21 which are sent forth by the true Noah Christ Iesus into the world, ouerflowed all with sinne & wickednes, as with a flood: but finding no rest for their foot, that is, finding no acceptance of their labours, nor good to be done by them, mocked & scorned, derided & abused, reiected & contemned, they returne againe, bringing nothing with them, and yet to Noah welcome, who putteth forth his hand, and recei∣ueth thē into the Ark,* 1.22 for we are a sweet sauour sayth the Apostle to the Lord euen in them that perish: That is, the Ministers of Gods word are deere vnto him, and most sweete in his nostrels, if they do their diligence faithfully, albeit the profit folow not aun∣swerable to the same, but euen all that notwithstanding, men pe∣rish, and are cast away, a great comfort.

9 When it is sayd,* 1.23 the doue found no rest for the sole of her foote vpon all the earth that she saw,* 1.24 let vs consider the mar∣uelous change now made frō the estate before and very late, when thousands of doues, men, women, children, & all the creatures of the earth had rest for their feet, yea pleasures and comforts aboue necessities many anone. Now no such matter, all is gone, and there is not so much as rest for one poore doue. What should it fitly admonish vs of, but to the vttermost of our power receyued of God to take heed, least with like sinne we procure like iudge∣ment against our selues, our countrey, our townes, and priuate houses, where now is many a comfort and many a pleasure, men women and children not a few haue rest for their feete, that is,* 1.25 all things necessary to their comfortable being, and liue vpon vs, and with vs, and by vs: we with them, and they with vs enioy Gods mercies, blessings & benefits, to his great prais•• & our great good if we can vse them & be thankfull. Shall the day come that in that

house where many a man hath found his rest, being the seate of an honorable or worshipful personage, no rest shalbe found for a doue, that is, for any creature any place, all being altered by the iudge∣ment of a greued God at abuse and vnthankfulnes, at sinne & ini∣quitie? God forbid, and as we feare God, let vs thinke of it, for he that so soone could alter in his anger the estate of the whole world, that of a place so full of rest for thousands thousands of creatures, now there should bend rest for the foote of one doue, surely he can change as quickly the seate of any Prince, or noble, or genleman, or other man, that all the honor and comforts beeing wiped away in wrath, there should not be rest for any, but a feare∣full sight of horror and confusion vpon euill deserts.

10 The Arke to the doue was like a prison, a place of restraint, & not according to her kind,* 1.26 which was to flye abrode, yet finding no rest,* 1.27 rather then she will perish, she returneth to the same a∣gaine. It may teach vs this, that better is an inconuenience then a mischiefe. If we cannot as we would, we must as we can. I speake it against all heathenish and vnchristianlike impatiencie. The heathens rather then they would serue, they would kill them selues. And many in these dayes, rather then they wil suffer what God imposeth, will do what God detesteth, let it not be so. If we cannot be abrode and at libertie, because Gods iudgement against sinne hath taken away our footing in such or such sort, whilst it shall please him, let vs be content, returne as the doue did to the place appointed, and thanke him for mercy euen in that, that yet there we liue, and are not destroyed as others haue been.

11 Noah stayed vpon this 7. dayes, and then sent out the doue againe sayth the text▪* 1.28 which returned to him in the euening, bringing in her mouth an oliue leafe which she had pluckt, wher∣by Noe knew the waters were abated. This doue may note the preachers also of the word again,* 1.29 who bring in their mouths some good tidings to the Arke, that is to the Church, and euery good news may be cōpared also to an oliue leafe, & the tellers to doues. That good news y^t the women brought to y^e disciples that Christ was risen,* 1.30 was like an oliue leafe in their mouth, & they like this doue in this place: so all others. Reade 2. King. 7. of y^e good news of the lepers, & 2. Sam. 18.27. he is a good man, sayth Dauid, & commeth with good tidings: so good men & women haue words

of comfort in their mouths, when others haue the poyson of aspes vnder their toongs, they haue oliue leaues to cheare vp Noah and his company withall, when others haue wormewood and gall to make their harts ake with the bitternes thereof. Such doues God make vs euermore, & if this be regarded of vs, we will indeuor it.

12 Then wayted he other seuen dayes and sent her againe.* 1.31 When she returned no more vnto him.* 1.32 First marke the often sending of the doue, when the rauen goeth but once. It sheweth the difference of a good seruant and a bad. The first is often vsed, because he is faithfull and true, the later but once, because then he is found to be a rauen, more heeding the carions that his nature regardeth, then performing his message which his sender desireth. The prayse of these two fowles, how they differ in this place for their seruice, we all see, and it should thus profit vs, as to pricke vs to the good, and afray vs from the euill. In some place or other we are all seruants as these fowles were, to God, to Prince, to Maysters, to some or other. Let vs be doues that they may often vse vs, let vs not be rauens▪ that they may iustly refuse vs. Se∣condly in the doues not returning any more let vs marke a type of the saints of God,* 1.33 that hauing sundry times discharged the trust of their places, as the doue did, at last haue their departure out of the arke, that is, out of this life and Church militant, and finding rest for their foote in Gods blessed kingdome, returne no more to the Arke againe, but then continue and abide for euer.

13 At last came this comfortable word frō God,* 1.34 Go forth of the ark, thou & thy wife, and thy sonne, and thy sonns wiues,* 1.35 and all creatures with thee. So we see there is no affliction or triall y^t God imposeth vpō his childrē, but if they indure it quietly, trust in his mercy firmely, & tary his good pleasure obediently, it hath his cōfortable end. If God think it good to say to any man or woman enter into the arke, that is, into this or that try••ll of thy faith & patience, into this prison, into that indurance, into this re∣straint of liberty, that affliction & trouble, sorow and care, and in∣ward nips, or outward pinches, surely he hath also an other word for them, which in due time he will likewise speake vnto them, and that is this: Go forth of the arke now againe thou & thy wife, & al thine, that is, let there be an end of whatsoeuer it was y^t tried thee, for I haue seen y^t faith, patience, & hope, that hath pleased me.

O our good God, how sure are we of this, and how sweete is it? what else but that which th•• Prophet Dauid found most certaine, and testified to the world, saying:

* 1.36Though gripes of greefe and pangs full sore shall lodge with vs all night, The Lord to ioy shall vs restore before the day be light.

Confessing herein, y^t after sowre commeth sweet, after sorrow ioy, after restraint liberty, after want plenty, & to speak with this place after go in to the Arke, foloweth certainly come forth againe.

14 Yea but when did God bid Noah come forth, surely not before the earth was dry,* 1.37 for so sayth the text. Then there we see againe how wonderfully he disposeth for his children tymes and seasons,* 1.38 all for their good: when the earth is not for them, he hath an Arke vpon the water, and when the earth is fitter then the Arke, he hath the earth againe, all in such times as may be best for vs, and how should we thanke him?

* 1.3915 When Noah was come forth, he buildeth an altar, ta∣keth his beasts,* 1.40 and off••eth his sacrifice: teaching vs this, how most carefull we should be whilst life is in vs, to be thankfull to God for his mercy toward vs, either in deliuering vs out of dan∣ger, or any way shewing the light of his countenance toward vs. A thankfull hart becommeth a Christian and pleaseth God, and the very deuills of hell, if they were asked, must needs say the con∣trary is a fault.

* 1.4116 Then saith the story, God smelled a sauour of rest, that is,* 1.42 shewed himself appeased, and his anger at rest: this pietie was in Noahs heart before, but now it smelleth, when it breaketh into worke: so was Abraham for his faith noted of God before, but when that faith flamed out into a willingnes to sacrifice his deere sonne, then God cried out, now, now, I see Abraham thy loue &c. Surely that which powning and beating is to spice, works be to faith in some resemblance: the spice is sweet before it be brayed, but when it is brayed, much more: so is faith in the heart accep∣ted of God, before oportunitie serue to worke, but when oportuni∣tie doth serue, and holy works come to a godly faith, then smelleth it maruelously, and the Lord sauoreth a rest to his owne good li∣king, and our true comfort for euer and euer: let it teach vs, let

it schoole vs, and prick vs forward to holy life.

17 And what sayd God, reade the texte, verse 21. he will no more cursse the earth for mans corruption, hee restoreth nature,* 1.43 Se••de time and haruest, cold and heate, winter and summer,* 1.44 day and night, and showeth vs thereby that they are all his gifts, and onely his, to take and giue as pleaseth him. This is some vse of this 8. Chapter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Verse 1.
• * 1.2

  The Lords care ouer his euer.
• * 1.3

  Esay 49.15
• * 1.4

  Psalm. 8.
• * 1.5

  Verse 1.
• * 1.6

  God ca∣reth for the cattell. Math. 6.
• * 1.7

  Verse 2.
• * 1.8

  How to stay sinne.
• * 1.9

  Note.
• * 1.10

  Verse 4.
• * 1.11

  The Arke stayeth.
• * 1.12

  A comfort.
• * 1.13

  Verse 5.
• * 1.14

  Example of chiefe men.
• * 1.15

  Verse 6.
• * 1.16

  Some things lawfull without expresse word.
• * 1.17

  Mus••. vpon the words.
• * 1.18

  Verse 7.
• * 1.19

  What the Rauen might sig∣nifye.
• * 1.20

  Verse. 8
• * 1.21

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.22

  1. Cor. 2.15
• * 1.23

  Verse. 9.
• * 1.24

  A fearefull change.
• * 1.25

  Note.
• * 1.26

  Verse. 9.
• * 1.27

  Better an inconue∣nience then a mischiefe.
• * 1.28

  Verse. 10.
• * 1.29

  The doue with an oliue leafe what.
• * 1.30

  Matt. 28.8.
• * 1.31

  Verse 12.
• * 1.32

  The diffe∣rence of a good ser∣uant and a bad.
• * 1.33

  A type of the godly.
• * 1.34

  Verse 16.
• * 1.35

  All afflic∣tion of the g••dly hath his end.
• * 1.36

  Psa••m. ••0.
• * 1.37

  Verse 13.
• * 1.38

  Euery th••ng in his season hath God for hys childe.
• * 1.39

  Verse. 20.
• * 1.40

  Thankful∣nes euer in the godly.
• * 1.41

  Verse 21.
• * 1.42

  Good works ioy∣ned to true faith smell sweetly.
• * 1.43

  Verse. 21.
• * 1.44

  The sea∣sons of the yere, Gods gift still.