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CHRIST A STRONG HOLD
IF the declarations of God be humiliating, and the denunciations of his vengeance awful, we must acknowledge that his invitations and promises afford us all the encouragement we can desire; inasmuch as they are addressed to persons in those very circumstances wherein we are. Nor should we be averse to confess the truth of our state, when we see what provision God has made for our happiness and salvation. The words before us lead us to consider,
I. The persons addressed—
All men, as sinners, are condemned by the law of God, and may therefore be considered as prisoners arrested by divine justice, and sentenced to eternal death. But they who hear the Gospel are “prisoners of hope:”
1. Though they be prisoners, yet they have a hope—
[Those, who have died in their sins, are utterly without hope, being reserved in chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day. But as long as we continue in the world, we need not to despair. The invitations of the Gospel are sent to us; nor can any thing but an obstinate rejection of divine mercy cut us off from the blessings of salvation. Though we are condemned, and are every hour in danger of having the sentence executed upon us, yet there is a way opened for us to escape, and we may obtain mercy even at the eleventh hour.]
2. There is however but one hope, unto which all are shut up [Note: Gal_3:23.]—
[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 [Note: 2Ki_10:18-25.]: but Christ says, “1 am the door [Note: Joh_10:9.];” 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, lie says, Go forth, and shew yourselves [Note: Isa_42:7; Isa_49:9; Isa_61:1.]. 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 kindness towards them by a covenant sealed with his own blood [Note: Zec_9:9-11.]. 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 [Note: Num_35:11-12.]. Such a refuge is Christ, an impregnable 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 Saviour, 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.”]
But because even the most needy are apt to turn a deaf ear to the calls of the Gospel, we would direct your attention to,
III. The promise with which the invitation is enforced—
The terms in which the promise is conveyed, are somewhat obscure—
[The expression of “rendering double”will be best understood by comparing it with other passages of the same kind [Note: Isa_40:2; Isa_61:7.]. From them its import appears to be, that God will give us blessings in rich abundance; not according to the sufferings we have endured [Note: Psa_90:15.], but double; not corresponding to the punishment we have deserved, but double; not equal to the blessings enjoyed by our fathers, but double. Or perhaps it may be best explained by the Apostle’s declaration, that God will give us “abundantly, exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.”Certainly the promise implies, that we shall not only be delivered from prison, but be restored to the favour of our God; not only have our debt discharged, but be enriched with a glorious inheritance.]
The manner in which it is given is peculiarly solemn and energetic—
[God is desirous that we should give implicit credit to his word: hence he speaks as one who would on no account recede from it: he speaks as in the presence of ten thousand witnesses, and pledges all his perfections for the performance of his promise. And as the day of our desponding fears is long remembered by us, and as we, in that day, find a want of all the support which God himself can administer, he dates his promise as made to us in that very day; not at a time when our difficulties were not foreseen, but when they were at the height, and when nothing but the immediate hand of God could deliver us. Yea, God would have us consider the promise as made to us this day, this very day, this very hour, when we most need the application of it to our souls; and, that every individual may take it to himself and rely on it as intended for himself alone, the promise is made particular, while the invitation is general.]
Observe—
1. How astonishing are the condescension and compassion of God!
[Behold the Judge offers mercy to the prisoners, and urges them in the most affectionate manner to accept it! Methinks prisoners in general would need no entreaty to leave their dungeons; if their prison doors were open, and their chains were beaten off, they would be glad enough to effect their escape, though at the risk of a severer punishment. Nor would a manslayer need much importunity to enter into the city of refuge, if an armed avenger were closely pursuing him. Yet we slight the invitations of our God, and the security he has provided for us. Well then might he leave us to perish! But behold, he enforces his invitations with the most gracious promises: he engages to exceed our utmost wishes or conceptions. And shall we not admire such transcendent grace? Shall we not adore him for such marvellous loving-kindness? O let every heart glow with love to him, and every tongue declare his praise!]
2. How reasonable is zeal in the concerns of religion!
Zeal is approved in every thing, but in that which most of all deserves it. But would any one ask a defeated army, why they fled with haste to an impregnable fortress? Surely, it is no less absurd to condemn the prisoners of hope for any earnestness they may manifest in turning to their strong hold. Coldness in such circumstances is the most deplorable infatuation. Let all then exert themselves to the utmost of their power. Let them never regard the scoffs of those who are in love with their chains, and regardless of the salvation offered them. But let them strive, as men wrestling for the mastery, and run as those that are determined to win the prize.]
3. How great is the danger of delay!
[Now we are prisoners of hope! but soon we may be in that prison from whence there is no escape, and into which not one ray of hope can ever enter. Shall we not then turn, while the strong hold is open to us? Shall we stay till the gate is shut; and thus, instead of obtaining double mercies, procure to ourselves an aggravated condemnation? Today God invites and promises; to-morrow may terminate our day of grace. Let us then no longer delay; but “today, while it is called to-day, let us hear his voice,” and “flee for refuge to the hope set before us.”]