The Analysis.
The second and third example of Gods justice towards sinners are not barely propounded, as the first was, but are illustrated by different examples, or by examples of Gods mercy, which he shewed towards the godly, while he destroyed the wicked. The reason is, that both parts of the conclusion, which is set down, verse 9. might be fitly inferred; where the deliverance of the godly is joyned together with the destruction of the wicked. In the former of these examples is set downe, 1. The object of Gods justice, materially, the old world, which is more formally explained by the adjunct of impiety, whence it is called the world of the ungodly. 2. This justice is also illustrated by the instrument thereof, namely, the bringing in of the flood upon the world of the ungodly. The object of Gods mercy is made to be Noah with his family: who are described, 1. By their small number, wherein his family was contained, which is said to be eight. This Peter shewes, 1 Epistle chapter 3. verse 20. 2. By the effect, that he was a Preacher of righteousnesse. For the office or duty is not here commended, but the act or exercise of this duty. For the duty was common to him with many more, but the exercise of it was proper unto himselfe.
The Doctrines arising here-hence.
Doctrine 1. The multitude of those that sinne doth not hinder Gods justice from executing his judgements upon them for their sinnes.
This is gathered from this; He spared not the whole world. For as it was with dignity in the Angels, so it is also with the multitude now in the world.
Reason 1. Because the multitude doth not lessen, but rather increase the guilt of sinne, and more fill up the measure thereof, as it is in the Proverbe, Qui peccat exemplo, bis peccat, he that sins with example, sins twice: So he that sins with many examples, sins often times, if the thing be rightly considered. As if a man should see another fall in a slippery way, and not take the more heed unto himselfe therein, but fall into the same place and after the same manner, he is much more taxed by men, then if he had fallen alone, or first of all: so is it also in these.
2. Because the multitude which seemeth unto us a great thing, as if it could withstand Gods anger, is before God like unto water, that fals from a bucket.
Vse. This may serve to admonish us, not to follow a multitude to do evill. And so much the more necessary is this admonition, because we are all too prone to go in the way of the multitude; which fault also we seeme to commit with some reason.
1. Because that we presume that many eyes see more then one, whence it is that the voice of the people is often taken for the voice of God.
2. Because the labour of examination seemes too difficult, and almost impossible.