That the days are evil, is a truth preached to us by the convincing voice of sense ; and that they are like to be worse, few can doubt that look into the moral causes of evil times, the impudent height of sin, or into the prophecies relating to these latter days ; for whom the sharpest sufferings are appointed to make way for the sweetest mercies. A faithful -f* watchman of our own hath given us fresh and late warning in these words of truth : Hath God said 7iothing 9 doth faith see nothing of a flood coming upon us ? Is there such a deluge of sin among us, and doth not that prophesy to us a deluge of wrath ? Lift up your eyes. Christians, stand, and look through the land, eastward and westivard, northivard and south-- ward, and tell me what you see f Behold, ajlood cometh : ajlood of sin is already broken forth upon us, the fountains of the great deeps are broken up, and the zoindows of hell are ojjened, S;c. In such an evil day as this is, happy is the soul that hath made God its refuge, even the most high God its habitation. He shall sit Noah-like, Mediis tranquillus in undls, safe from the fear of evil. In con-
• Plerumque in qua simulac pedem jyosid, Jorihus pessulum obdo, et in i^Ho trlernitatis gremio inti-r tot illustres animas seiiem miki sumo ; cum ingenii quidem animo, vt snbinde magnafum me misereat qui Jelicita fern, hanc isnorant, Epistola primar.
t Mr. R. A. of Godly Fear, p. i9.
322 THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
slderation of the distress of many unprovided souls for the misery that is coming on them, and not knowing how short my time will be useful to any, (for I know it cannot be long) I have endeavoured once more the assistance of poor Christians in these two small trea- tises, one oi Jear, the other oi preparation for the worst of times ; which, it may be, is the last help I shall this way be able to afford them. It is therefore my earnest request to all that fear the Lord, and tremble at his word, to redeem their time with double diligence, because the days are evil; to clear up their interest in Christ and the promises, lest the darkness of their spiritual estate, meeeting with such a night of outward darkness, overwhelm them with terrors in- supportable. Some help is offered in this treatise to direct the gracious soul to its rest in God : May the blessings of his Spirit ac- company them, and bless them to the soul of him that readeth ; it will be a matter of joy beyond all earthly joys to the heart of.
Thy friend and servant in Christ,
THE RIGHTEOUS MAN's REFUGE. S23
Come my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee : hide thyself' as it were for a little moment, untUthe in- dig7iatio7i be over-past.
Wherein the literal and real importance of' the text is considered, tlie doctrine propounded, and the method of the following discourse stated.
Sect I.ivjLAN being a prudent and prospecting creature, can never be satisfied with present safety, except lie may also see himself well secured against future dangers. Upon all appearance of trouble, it is natural for him to seek a refuge, that he may be able to shun what he is loath to suffer, and survive those calamities which will ruin the defenceless and exposed multitude. Natural men seek refuge in natural things. " The rich man's " wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit,'' Prov. xviii. 11. Hypocrites make lies their refuge, ^nd under falsehood do they hide themselves, Isa. xxviii. 15. not doubting but they shall stand dry and safe, when the over-flowing flood lays all others under water. But,
Godly men make God himself their hiding place, to him they have still betaken themselves in all ages, as often as calamities have befallen the world, Psal. xlvi. 1. " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." As chickens run under the wings of the hen for safety when the kite hovers over them, so do they fly to their God for sanctuary, Psal. Ivi. 3. " At what time I am afraid I will trust in thee ;" q. d. Lord, if a storm of trouble at any time overtake me, I will make bold to come under thy roof for shelter; and indeed not so bold as welcome: it is no presump- tion in them after so gracious an invitation from their God, " Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers."
My friends, a sound of trouble is in our ears, the clouds gather and blacken upon us more and more : Distress of nations with per- plexity seems to be near, our day hastens to an end, and the shadows oF the night are stretching forth upon us. What greater service therefore can I do for your souls, than by the light of this scripture (as with a candle in my hand) to lead you to your chambers, and sj^iew you your lodgings in the attributes and promises of God, before I take my leave of you, and bid you good night.
324 THE RIGHTEOUS MAn's REFUGE.
O \\ith \vhat satisfaction should I part with you, were I but sure to leave you under Christ's wings ! It Avas Christ's lamentation over Je) usalem that they should not be gathered under his wings, when the Roman eagle was ready to hover over that city ; and you know how dear they paid for their obstinacy and infidelity. Be warned by that dreadful example, and among the rest of your mercies bless God heartily for this, that so sweet a voice sounds from heaven in your ears this day, this day of frights and troubles; " Come, my people, enter thou into tliy chambers," &c.
This chapter contains a lovely song fitted for the lips of God's Israel, notwithstanding their sad captivity ; for their God was with them in Babylon, and cheered their hearts there with many pro- mises of deliverance, and in the mystical sense it relates to the New Testament churches, of whose troubles, protections, and deliverances, the Jews in Babylon were a type.
This chapter, though full of excellent and seasonable truths, will be too long to analize ; it shall suffice to search back only to the 17th verse, where you find the poor captivated church under des- pondency of mind, comparing her condition to that of a woman in travail, who hatli many sharp pains and bitter throes, yet cannot be delivered, much like that in 2 Kings xix. 3. " The children are " come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth."