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§. 31. Of saving Noah's House in the Ark.
ONE end of Noah's making the Ark, is thus expressed, to the saving of his house. The word in Greek translated a 1.1 saving, is a noun, and pro∣perly signifieth salvation, or preservation. Hereof see Chap. 1. v. 14. §. 159.
God intending to bring such a flood upon the earth, as should sweep away the whole world, the Ark so floated and swam upon the waters, as all that were therein were saved alive thereby. Now Noah, who believed thus much himself, perswaded his Wife, his three Sons, and their Wives, of the truth thereof, and moved them to enter thereinto, whereby they were saved. All these were of his houshold; therefore b 1.2 house is metonymically put for his houshold. It is not to be thought that onely these were of his family: It is probable, that he had a very great family; but he wrought upon none but these; none but these were perswaded to enter into the Ark. So Lot could prevail with none, but his Wife and two Daughters, to go out of Sodom.
Because he was assured that all that entred into the Ark should be saved alive, and he observed that none would believe him, but they of his houshold; this is •…•…tly set down as an end of his making the Ark, to the saving of his •…•…use.
This word, saving, may in this place be applyed both to the preservation of* 1.3 their temporal lives, and also to the eternal salvation of their souls: For the Ark was a type, and a Sacrament of their deliverance from eternal damnation. In this respect Baptism is stiled in reference to the Ark, c 1.4 a like figure, 1 P•…•…. 3. 21. When two types resembling one thing, are compared together, they are set out by the Greek word, translated a like figure.
The Ark therefore born upon the waters, whereby Noah and his family were saved, and Baptism, being both seals of our redemption by Christ, and of our de∣liverance from the destruction of the ungodly world, they are like figures. Hereby it appears that they who entred into the Ark, and believed as Noah 〈◊〉〈◊〉, were eternally saved. All that are baptized are not saved, though Baptism be a means to help on their salvation: So neither all that entred into the Ark, can be concluded to be heirs of eternal salvation; for cursed Cham entred there∣into: Yet notwithstanding might Noah prepare it, both for the present preser∣vation, and also for the eternal salvation of all that should enter thereinto.
The saving of those that were in the Ark, typified that salvation which is brought to man by the mediation of Jesus Christ.
This giveth instance of the extent of Gods providence over his Church, in* 1.5 saving body and soul; The body from temporal danger, the soul from eternal pe•…•…dition. Thus far may Israels passing through the Red Sea be extended, Exod. 14. 22. and the Cloud, and the Passover, and Mannah, and the Water that came out of the rock.
This saving of Noah and his family, giveth proof, that the incredulity of the* 1.6 multitude is no prejudice to the faith of Saints. For though the whole world of the ungodly perished by the Flood, yet Noah and his family were saved in the Ark. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the u•…•…ust unto the day of judgement to be punished, 2 Pet. 2. 9. The Red Sea that was a wall of defence to the Israelites, overwhelmed the Egypti∣ans, Exod. 14. 22. The just shall live by his own Faith. As the Believer is not prejudiced by anothers unbelief, so neither shall the Unbeliever be saved by an∣others faith. Two shall be in one bed, the one taken, the other left, Luk. 17. 34.
It may further from hence be inferred, that there is no salvation out of the Church; For there was no preservation out of the Ark. See more hereof in Domest. Duties, on Eph. 5. v. 23. §. 23.