The multiplying of men on the face of the earth is noticed as connected with all this corruption--just as in the history of the Church. Acts vi. 1. It was when the number of disciples was multiplied that murmurings and disputings began to arise; and these kindred cases in Genesis vi. and Acts vi. tell us that man is never to be trusted, and that the more we get of him the worse things are. "Jesus did not commit Himself to them, for He knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man, for He knew what was in man." Such was the condition of the scene from one end to the other; and against all this corruption and violence which now overspread the earth, the judgment of God is marked--"My spirit shall not _always_ strive with man." There may be, and there shall be, a term of long-suffering--as it is said, "his days shall be one hundred and twenty years"--but still judgment is marked, and the day of visitation will come--the Spirit will not _always_ strive. But there is resource in God, as well as judgment with Him. If man, the work of His _hand_, have "grieved" Him, still, drawing from Himself, He will (may I say?) go deeper, and find His joy in the counsels of His _heart_. "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Man, as a sinner, shall become the object of electing, pardoning, justifying love--he shall engage the _heart_ now, as of old, at creation, he engaged the _hand_ of the Lord. Thus from Himself the Lord draws, but from Himself in a deeper sense and way than before. This was to be no more repairing of the creature--such a thing would have been no fit work for God. As to man, God had to repent that He had made him on the earth; and as to the scene around him, the mind of God was changed--changed unalterably, and for ever. Man, as a thing formed of the dust, was never to be the divine delight again--mere man. But grace can make a new thing--not repairing the work marred on the wheel, but making it another vessel, as it seem good to the potter to make it. In its old estate it was ruined, but in its ruins grace will take it up to make it a goodly and a pleasant vessel of richest treasures and all-desirable beauty.