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The Fifteenth Sermon.
Isa. 8.14.
He shall be for a Sanctuary.
THe words are an allusion to a City of refuge, and from hence this Observation, Jesus Christ will be for a sure refuge to all those that make him their fear and dread. And the truth is, there is the greatest reason in the world Christ should be so; Saints stand in greatest need of this Sanctuary; They are a poor weak helpless generation of Creatures, but they have a Rock of refuge; The Conies are but a feeble folk, yet make their Houses in the Rocks. Christ bears dearest love to them; they are most precious to him; they are his Jewels: what will a man preserve, if he will not preserve his Jewels? Will Christ be a Sanctuary? Then
- 1. See the true reason why the Saints of God are of such an heroick Spirit even when troubles look them in their faces, and ring in their ears, they have a God to fly to, a Christ to rest on.
- 2. See the reason of that con∣sternation of spirit that seizes on wicked men in times of troubles. Hide me from the wrath of the Lamb; why? they have no refuge to go to, and however it is with them now, you shall hear nothing but howling and lamenting, when God shall come to avenge the blood of his Saints.
- 3. Be exhorted to make Christ your Sanctuary, get into this City of Refuge, and for Motives consider,
- 1. Your absolute need of a Sanctuary. You are in the power of the world, in the paw of the De∣vil, in the mouth of Danger, in the mouth of Hell.
- 2. All other things in the world are not sufficient to become a Sanctuary. You may run to the Rocks, but they cannot hide you; you may make an arm of flesh your strength, but it will prove an Aegyptian Reed, and run into your hands; you may make Riches your refuge, The rich mans wealth is his strong Tower, but rather it is a Castle in the Air; you may make Honours your refuge, &c. All things unable to be your Sanctuary.
- 3. Consider what a large, free, present, well-furnished, unchangeable Refuge and Sanctuary Christ is: There are many, nay, all things in Christ, in which a poor soul may take Sanctuary; Dost thou want Righteousness? He is the Righteous one. Dost thou want Sanctification, Wisdom, Redemption? He is all, in him, Refuge and Sanctuary mayest thou take, in his Provi∣dence for thy Protection, in his Offices for thy Salvation, in his Pro∣mises for thy Consolation; and amongst the rest, that which is like the Diamond in the Ring; see that great Promise in