[Christ is set before us as the way, the truth, and the life ; nor is there any other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved. We are all enclosed as the prophets of Baal: and the order is given, Go in and slay b : but Christ says, " I am the doorc ;" and if we will flee out at that door, we shall live ; if not, we shall perish in our sins. Christ came on purpose to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound : to them that are sitting in the prison- house, he says, Go forth, and shew yourselves*1. But if we spend our time in devising other methods of escape besides that which he has provided, the hour appointed for execution will come, and we shall suffer the punishment which our sins have merited.]
Thus while we see that all, who need the provisions of the Gospel, are addressed by it, let us consider,
II. The invitation given them —
Christ is here represented as a strong hold —
[Christ is evidently the person referred to in the whole preceding context. He is that meek but powerful King, who comes to subdue all nations to himself, not by carnal weapons, but by speaking peace to them ; and who confirms his kind- ness towards them by a covenant sealed with his own blood e. He is represented as a strong hold to which, not the righteous only, but the most ungodly, may run for safety. Here may be some allusion to the cities of refuge to which the manslayer was appointed to flee, and in which he found protection from his blood-thirsty pursuer f. Such a refuge is Christ, an im- pregnable fortress, which defies the assaults of earth and hell.]
To this we are all invited to turn —
[The Gospel thus exhibits Christ, not as an abstract speculation, but as a remedy which we greatly need : and in exhorting us to " turn to this strong hold," it recommends us to renounce all false refuges, to regard Christ as our only Sa- viour, and to seek in him that protection which he alone can afford us. It stretches out the hand to us, as Christ did to Peter, when he was sinking in the waves. It urges us to go without hesitation, and without delay, to him, who alone can deliver us from the wrath to come, and bring us into the liberty of God's children. To the same effect it speaks in numberless other passages : it calls the thirsty to come for refreshment, the weary to come for rest, and to the dying says, " Look unto Christ and be ye saved."]
b 2 Kings x. 18—25. «= John x. 9.
d Isai. xlii. 7. xlix. 9. lxi. 1. e Zech. ix. 9 — 11.
f Numb. xxxv. 11, 12.