THE RETREAT FROM THE STORM. ISAIAH XXXii. 18—20. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habita. tion, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet restingplaces; when it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. It is one remarkable peculiarity of the Sacred Writings that they are precisely suited to man's state and wants, trials and dangers, sorrows and perplexities. Sin has indeed darkened his understanding, and alienated his affections from spiritual objects. Depravity has imbittered his enjoyments, by creating mistrust in God's of good Providence, and rebellion against the wise appointments of the Divine will. Still man resolves to be happy; and, for a season, he appears to be in a fair way to gratify his wishes. Sovereign mercy, however, does not leave him to become the prey unhallowed prosperity. His worldly hopes are blasted; his creature comforts fail. Earth refuses to give satisfaction, or security, or peace. He is driven to seek refuge in religion; and, through grace, lifts his eyes and his heart to heaven. He opens the volume of inspiration; and is astonished to find that the book which he had neglected, and perhaps despised or ridiculed, is now his best solace in the hour of his calamity. What he once merely considered as a book of penal statutes, he now finds to be a treasure of richest consolation. He prays and reads, believes and hopes, notwithstanding the trials and afflictions with which he is surrounded. It is, perhaps, a day of sorrow as to outward circumstances. The heavens gather blackness, and the storm appears ready to burst upon the political or commercial world. But the word of mercy reveals, and the eye of faith beholds, a peaceable habitation, a sure dwelling, and a quiet resting place, even when it hails, coming down on the forest, and when the city is low in a low place. Into that secure retreat he enters, and is safe, but not inactive or unfruitful in the work of the Lord. No: The peace of God, and the love of Christ, while they calm the mind with the patience of hope, at the same time fit it for the work of faith and the labour of love. Thus influenced the Christian will spend the residue of his days in sowing, according to his abilities and opportunities, that seed, which may spring up and bring forth fruit to the glory of God, when the hand that scattered it is stiff in death and mouldering in the dust; and so shall be experienced the benediction with which our text concludes, Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. Before we proceed to notice this subject in its more important bearings, it may be necessary briefly to explain the practice to which an allusion is made in this last verse. Bishop Lowth, in his valuable work on this prophecy, transcribes the following words of a celebrated traveller on this text. "This exactly answers to the manner of planting rice; for they sow it upon the water and, before sowing, while the earth. is covered with water, they cause the ground to be trodden by oxen, asses, and horses, who go mid-leg deep; and this is the way of preparing the ground for sowing." Having thus endeavoured to explain a part of the text which might, by some, be deemed obscure, but which refers to manners and customs well known to the people to whom these words were addressed, suffer me now to proceed to the general consideration of the subject, looking up to that God who alone can attend the word spoken with the mighty power of his heavenly We may here notice three parti grace. culars. I. THE TREMENDOUS STORM. |