good, but that his goodness, no less than " his greatness, is unsearchable."]
We have a further insight given us into the cha- racter of God,
II. In the provisions of his covenant —
[Sin has brought misery along with it : and since the first introduction of sin into the world, " man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." But God has entered into covenant with his only dear Son as our head and representative ; and has made over to us himself as our God, at the same time that he takes us to himself as his people. In the day of trouble we feel, that none but God can afford us any effectual help : and he engages at that season to be a very present help unto us. Whatever our affliction be, we may go to him with it, and find him " a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the walld." What a strong-hold he is we see in the instance of Hezekiah, when surrounded by the Assyrian army, whom, ac- cording to all human appearance, it was impossible for him to withstand : one assurance of protection from Jehovah enabled that holy prince to despise all the menaces of his blaspheming adversary, and to rest as secure and as composed as if there had been no danger at hande.
But if in temporal troubles God is such a refuge, much more is he when the soul is oppressed with a sense of sin. Hear what he speaks to us by his beloved Son : " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Yes : our adorable Saviour was fitly represented to us by the cities of refuge, which were open day and night to the man- slayer, and which afforded him perfect security from the pursuer of blood, the very instant he entered within their gates. Such a city is the Lord Jesus, " whose name is a strong tower, to which the righteous runneth and is safe." Has he not himself said, " Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out? " Let the afflicted sinner go to him, and he shall find that this " man," this God-man, " will be to him as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place ; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary landf." Verily " He will save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him,"]
We shall have a yet deeper insight into his cha- racter, if we view him,
III. In the dispensations of his grace —
d Isai. xxv. 4. e Isai. xxxvii. 21 — 33. f Isai. xxxii. 2.