re
rendered in sweet music, so learned men have too often spoiled the
good meaning of a Bible story, which contains a useful lesson of
faith, by their childish allegories.

131. I have often spoken of the kind of theology that prevailed when I
began to study. Its advocates said that the letter killeth (2 Cor 3,
6). Therefore I disliked Lyra most of all interpreters, because he
followed the literal meaning so carefully. But now I prefer him, for
this very reason, to all interpreters of Scripture.

132. I advise you as strongly as I can to fully appreciate the great
value of the Bible history. But whenever you wish to employ allegory,
take pains to follow the analogy of faith; that is, make the allegory
agree with Christ, with the Church, with faith, with the ministry of
the Gospel. If constructed in this manner, allegories will not go
astray from faith, even though they may not be genuine in every point.
This foundation shall remain firm, while the stubble perishes. But let
us return to our story.

IV. NOAH AND HIS FALL.

A. NOAH.

1. Noah's character before the flood 133.

2. Noah's character after the flood 134.

3. Way Noah executed his office as bishop 135.

4. Way he executed his office as a civil ruler 136.

IV. NOAH AND HIS FALL.

A. Noah.

Vs. 20-22. _And Noah began to be a husbandman, and planted a vineyard;
and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within
his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his
father, and told his two brethren without._

133. What manner of man Noah was during the flood, is shown
sufficiently by the story of the flood itself. What manner of man he
had been before the flood, is shown by Moses' declaration that he was
righteous and perfect. Great as this man was, we hear nothing else
about him, except that his wonderful and almost incredible continence
is faintly suggested and commended by the statement that he begat his
first born when five hundred years of age. This very fact shows that
human nature was by far stronger in its integrity at that time, and
that the Holy Spirit held more perfect sway in the holy men of the
early world than He does in us who are, as it were, the dregs and the
remnants of the world's production.

It surely was a commendatory record for Noah to be accorded righteous
and perfect before God; that is, full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,
adorned with chastity and all good w