raculously and supernaturally. A dove is not so
intelligent as to pluck a bough and bring it to the ark in order that
Noah might form a judgment with reference to the decrease of waters.
God ordained these events. Other trees had leaves at that time,
particularly the taller ones which rose sooner from the waters. The
olive tree is comparatively short, hence it was calculated to furnish
information concerning the decrease of the waters and to serve as an
object lesson of the cessation of the wrath of God and the return of
the earth to its former state. Of this he had more certain proof
however, when the dove, having been sent out the third time, did not
return: for not only did it find food on earth, but was able to build
nests and to flit to and fro.

Vs. 13-14. _And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in
the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up
from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and
looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dried. And in the
second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the
earth dry._

29. Here we see that Noah was in the ark an entire year and ten days;
for he entered the ark on the seventeenth day of the second month, and
came out again, after a year had passed, in the same month, but on the
twenty-seventh day. Poor Noah, with his sons and the women, lived in
the ark more than half a year in sore grief, without a sign of being
remembered by God. Afterward God gave him gradual proof, through
various signs, that he had not forgotten him, until at last, after the
lapse of a year and ten days, he was again given dominion over the
earth and sea. On this day of the second month, the flood had not only
disappeared, but the earth was dry. This is the story of the flood and
its abatement. After this fearful wrath, there ensues an immeasurable
light of grace, as is shown in the following sermon addressed to Noah
by God himself.

II. NOAH COMMANDED TO LEAVE THE ARK; HIS OFFERING TO GOD; GOD'S
RESOLVE NOT TO CURSE THE EARTH AGAIN.

A. NOAH COMMANDED TO LEAVE THE ARK, AND HE OBEYED 30-32.

* Man should do nothing but what God commands 30-32.

* Is it right to start a new worship without God's command to do
so 33-34.

* The examples of saints and special works.

1. Should we imitate the works of the holy patriarchs 34-35.

2. The result among the Jews of a reckless imitat