Nor let any one think that gross iniquities only shall be noticed in that day ; for God will " manifest even the counsels of men's hearts," and " bring every secret thing into judg- ment!^:" then a forgetfulness of God, or a rejection of his Gospel, shall as surely be punished with everlasting destruc- tion, as any of those sins wliich are more reprobated and con- demned by the world i.]
The warning being of such universal and infinite importance, let us consider,
II. The advice accompanying it —
[The exhortation in the text may simply import, that we should retire to our chambers to commune with our own hearts, and with our God"". In this view it recommends the duty, the indispensably necessary duty of secret prayer.
But by "chambers" we may understand God himself, who is often spoken of in this light ^, and who is the sure refuge of all that flee unto him. Every perfection of his forms, as it were, a hiding-place whereto we may run for safety. His wisdom would be our guide, his power our defence, " his faith- fulness and truth our shield and buckler."
To us, who are taught to view God in the person of Christ, the word " chambers " may convey a more immediate intima- tion respecting Christ himself, who is our refuge*, and whom this very prophet describes as " an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the storm"." His person, work, and offices are a security to his people, that " they shall never perish, but shall have eternal life."
To him therefore we should flee by faith, and hide ourselves from the impending judgments. As Noah entered into the ark^, which was the appointed mean of delivering him from the deluge, and as the Israelites shut themselves up in their houses to escape the sword of the destroying angel y, so are we to take refuge, as it were, in Christ, that the sword of di\ane justice may not slay, or the deluge of God's wrath overwhelm us.]
While we listen to the voice of God, we must not overlook,
III. The particular manner in which the advice is
given —
[Almost every word of this exhortation contains an argu- ment for our compliance with it.
p 1 Cor. iv. 5. q Ps. ix. 17. 2 Thess. i. 7, 8.
r Ps. iv. 4. Matt. vi. 6. « Ps. xc. 1. and Ivii. 1.
t Heb. vi. 18. " Isai. xxxii. 2.
^ Gen. vii, 7. y Exod. xii. 22, 28.