it not be madness to neglect it ? Should we not rather *' resort to it continually," yea, and abide in it, that we may enjoy the safety which is thus provided for us ? If, indeed, there were any other means of safety, an option would be left us : but not all the powers of heaven and earth can save us, if we turn our back on God, to rely upon an arm of flesh. God has said, " Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and niaketh flesh his arm : but blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is^." To every one, therefore, I would say, Flee to your mountain, that the flames overtake you not ; and " look not back in all the plain, lest ye be consumed ^."]
2. The piety of it —
[David renounced every other hope but that which he had in God. Nor, indeed, did he wish for any other ; because he saw that God was all-sufficient for him. He saw in God a sufficiency of grace to receive him, of power to protect him, of love to supply his every need ; and hence it was that he was emboldened to offer the petition which we are now contem- plating. In truth, without such views of God, no one would ever think of addressing him in such terms as these. There must be a just knowledge of God's character, with suitable affections towards him, else we could never entertain such a desire as is here expressed : it is this apprehension of his ex- cellency that could alone inspire a wish to make him, even his very bosom, our continual resort. But all who have these views of him will miite in that grateful acknowledgment, " Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations^."]
Address —
1. Those who have never yet had these views of God—
[Truly, you are greatly to be pitied. For who amongst you can hope to escape all trouble, when it is said that " we are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward?" And whither will you go, when enemies assail you ? where will you flee for refuge ? or in whom will you find the aid which you will stand in need of? Alas! your state, whatever it may now be, will be terrible beyond expression. You will resemble the host of Pharaoh, who found at last that the God with whom they had presumed to contend was mightier than they. On the other hand, " acquaint yourselves with God, and you shall be at peace," both now and in the eternal world.]
2. Those who have resorted to him under this character —
[Hear what the Psalmist says concerning you : " Because thou hast made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most
e Jer. xvii. 5 — 8. ^ Gen. xix. 17. s Ps. xc. 1.