Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/318

 after labour. Noah's denunciation of his sons ought to be considered as much in the light of a prophecy, as predicatory of malediction and blessing. The closest version we have seen, seems to be that of Dr Pye Smith, and is as follows:—

As the Most Ancient Church, Adam, was consummated by eating that which was forbidden, so the Ancient Church, Noah, was displayed in its first act of sin by drinking to excess. The former corrupted that which was good; the latter misapplied that which was true. The vineyard represents the church of the Lord; the wine or juice of the fruit of the vineyard, the truth of the church: and when this truth is drunk or incorporated into the understanding, and instead of producing an humble acknowledgment that all truth is from the Lord, and is designed to assist in the regeneration of man, as well as to cheer and recreate the soul by its divine wisdom, produces the direct reverse, and inflates the mind with pride and self-conceit, then man errs through strong drink, becomes swallowed up of wine, errs in vision, and stumbles in judgment. (Isa. xxviii 7.) Alt the various errors of doctrine now existing in the church, arise from this Spiritual intoxication, and there is no means of recovery but by going to the Lord Jesus Christ, and abiding in Him: He is the true vine, and if we abide in Him we shall bring forth fruit to perfection, and drink new wine in His heavenly kingdom.