earth."[667] The promise
is comprehensive. That a race of living creatures under the dominion of
man, and for his advantage, should be continued throughout all
time,--that the family of man, unvisited by the waters of another flood,
should increase during succeeding ages, it implied: and included that a
people in covenant with God should be raised up and preserved; grace to
perform the duties of his covenant be granted; and the acceptance of
their most solemn services, while they should present offerings of
righteousness, be afforded to them.

Before the deluge, "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the
earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil continually."[668] The term in the original, which is here rendered
imagination, meaning not merely the conceptions of the mind, but also
the purposes and desires of the heart, points out the human race
swallowed up by the flood's destructive waters, as unpossessed of the
willing mind of God's covenant people. As sustaining the character of
enemies unto him, they are represented to have said unto God, "Depart
from us."[669] The billows of Divine wrath threaten all in their
condition. Contrasted with the state of all such was that of Noah, who
is described as a just, or justified man, and perfect in his
generations, or, in his generations attained to holiness in measure, and
to covenant peace. To all such as he was, the bow in the clouds is a
pleasing and encouraging sign. That that sign may prove so to all, all
are thus enjoined,--"Acquaint now thyself with him"--with God--"and be
at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."[670]

That the end of this sign might not be forgotten or overlooked, is the
occasion of its appointment thus celebrated by the Psalmist in a tribute
of praise:--"Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not
be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment:
the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the
voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they
go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
Thou has set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not
again to cover the earth."[671] By a reference to the promise given when
this sign was appointed, and which it was designed in every season to
bring again into view, is the sin of idolatry--a breach of covenant with
God--thus condemned:--"Fear y