175. Therefore, as they enjoin looking to the will expressed by signs, they do well, but this is in no wise sufficient; when we consider the ten commandments, are we not frightened by the sight of our sins? When those terrible examples of wrath are added which are also divine will as expressed by signs, it is impossible for the soul to be lifted up except by looking back to the will of the good pleasure, as we call it, that is, the Son of God, who portrays for us the spirit and the will of his Father, who does not hate sinners but desires to have compassion upon them through his Son. Christ says to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father," Jn 14, 9. 176. The Son of God, therefore, who became incarnate, is that sign or veil of God in which the divine majesty with all its gifts so offers itself to us that no sinner is so wretched but he dare approach him in certain confidence of obtaining forgiveness. This is the only vision of Deity which in this life is expedient and possible. However, those who have died in this faith shall on the last day be so illumined by power from on high as to behold the majesty itself. In the meantime, it behooves us to approach the Father through the way, which is Christ himself. He will lead us safely and we shall not be deceived. 177. The additional statement of the text, "It repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth," I believe to be meant to bring out the antithesis, that God has in mind not the earthly man, who is subject to sin and death, but the heavenly man, who is lord over them. He expresses his love for the latter, while he hates the former and plans his destruction. B. THE GRIEF OF GOD. 1. This is not to be understood of the divine nature, but of the hearts of the patriarchs 178-179. 2. Abraham, Samuel and Christ grieved in like manner 180. 3. By whom such grief is awakened in the heart 181. 4. The cause of this grief 182. * The character of the children of God and of the world in the face of the approaching calamity 183-184. * How the patriarchs and the Church were walls of defense 185. 5. What made the grief of the holy patriarchs greater 185. 6. Moses describes this grief very carefully 186. * How we see the grief of God in his saints 187. * How all is ruined on account of sin 187. * Why Noah did not dare to reveal the great wrath of God to the world 188. * What prevents the world from believing God's threatenings 188-189. * To whom God's promises do and do not apply 190. * Why the old world did not believe the threat of the deluge 191. * The fate of true doctrine in our day is the same as it was in Noah's 192. B. THE GRIEF OF GOD. V. 6b. _And it grieved him at his heart._