The truly blessed man

1. In what respect God is an hiding place?

A. The expression is Metaphorical, and intends, ⟨p. 384⟩that God is all that to his people that men expect from an hiding place; & that is, when he gives them safe protection from all that offereth to harm them; he is therefore called his peoples defence, Psal. 89.18. Hither belong those titles ascribed to him, Psal. 18.2. And here observe, that what God is in himself, he becometh that to his people in and through Christ, who is for that reason called an hiding place, and a refuge, Isa. 32.2. It supposeth some evil offering to assail them, for where no evil is expected, there is no occasion for an hiding place; they that are secure, may dwell without gates and bars; it is evil expected that stirs men up to seek a shelter, Prov. 27.12. The prudent foreseeth the evil, and hides himself. An hiding place therefore is whatsoever men expect safety from harm by that evil; and it implieth.

1. That they have such an esteem of it, else they would not fly to it. Why do worldly men trust in their wealth, because it is a strong City in their esteem? Prov. 18 11. Man rationally upon the foresight of danger, betakes himself there where he supposeth at least a probability of safety; hope is the spring of endeavour, and that is excited by its object.