Genesis — Chapter 8

Built an Altar.] Noe without expresse commandment, and without delay, offereth Sacrifice to God, for the benefit receiued in his and his families conseruation, with the other liuing creatures, in that general deluge of the world. Wel knowing (faith S. Ambrofe) that to be true thankes-giuing, which is performed, not commanded: therfore he made no delay. For the vertue of a gratefull mind excludeth doubtful deliberation, and he that expediteth til the debt of thankes be exacted, is an ungracefull person. For more solemnitie, he dedicated an apt and permanent place, for this peculiar diuine seruice, Building an Altar to our Lord. The Hebrew word Mizbeach (of the verbe Zabach, to kil, or make sacrifice) and the Greeke Thysiastirion, signifie an Altar to sacrifice on, not a common table for meate. He offered of the cleane and best things; because pure and deuout Sacrifice is due to God. Moreouer, it was large and bountiful, for he offered of al the kinds of cleane beasts and foules. Finally, he offered them in Holocaustes, where al was burned and consumed in the honour of God. How grateful al this was to God, Moyses signifieth saying: Our Lord smelled a sweet fauour: not that either anie sweet corporal fauour could of it-selfe delight God, who is the most spiritual substance, or that the burning of flesh, bones, and bowels of beasts could yeald sweet fauour; but the deuout mind declared by such external dutie greatly pleased God. For God requireth both, but specially a sincere hart. It were a grieuons thing (faith Plato writing of sacrifices) if God had respect rather to the guifts and sacrifices of men, then to their mind.