GOD A METAPHOR. IV. A Shield can (however) preferve from temporal Enemies only. WALL OF F I R E. Book U. D 1 SPAR IT Y. IV. God is a Shield or Defence, that preferves from the Power, and cruel Affaults and Tempta– tions of the Devil. I N F E R E N C E ~ 1. JF God be the Saints Shield, let them tilke heed that they never engage their Ene– mies without God. 2. This may greatly encourage the Godly in their fpiritual Warfare, they have a fure Shield and Buckler, that will never fail them. 3· Moreover it may direct them to the right Ufe of their Shield ; it is a o-reat Part of Wifdom to know how to defend ourfelves by our ,Shield, from Satan's Afifults and the Temptations of this evil World. ' G 0 D A W A L L OF F I R E. 'thus faith the Lord, I will be unto her a Wall of Fire round about, Zech. ii. 5· I Will be unto her (that is, unto 7erufa!em, or the Church of God) a Wall of Fire. - This Metaphor is taken from thofe Fires that People make round themfelves, when they are caO: into a howling Wildernefs, to fecure themfelves from fierce and devour– ing Beafls ; and they being within the faid Circle or Wall of Fire, no wild Beafl dares approach them, &c. This Speech is a Metaphor ; and the Epithet of Fire is added, to denote that God is the Defender of his Church, and a terrible Avenger, that will confume its Enemies as Fire does any combuO:ible Materials, &c. ' METAPHOR. I. AWall of Fire is made for Defence andSecurity from Adversaries, that are cruel, brutilh, and mercilefs, as Lions, Bears, Dra– gons, &c. II. A Wall of Fire is a De– fence and Security to People that live in a Wildernefs, where they are in danger of wild BeaO:s, it abounding with fuch devouring and ravenous Creatures. Ill. A Wall o£ Fire is for De– fence and Security, when there is no other Security to be had. IV. A Wall of Fire is both for Offence and Defence ; it defends them that are within, and offends them that are without. V. A WallofFireis moO: amaz– ing, dreadful, and terrible to an Enemy. VI. A Wall of Fire is danger.– ous to attack, or approach unto; no devouring and cruel Bea!ls dare come near it, the Lions tremble at the Sight thereof. PARALLEL. I. GOD is the Defence and Security of his People from the Dev1l, that roaring Lion, and old red Dragon; and from wicked Men, who for their cruel, brutilh, devouring, and mer– cilefs Difpofitions, are compared to Lions, Bears, &c. II. God is a Wall of Fire, or fuch a Defence and Security to his People, whil(\ they remain in the howling Wildernefs, of this World, where their Danger is very great, there being Mul– titudes of brutilh and devouring Men, or rather Beafls, nay MonO:ers, Devils, in the lhape of Men, ready to deO:roy them. Ill. God is a Wall of Fire and Defence unto his People, there being no other Security for them: Plooked and there was nolte to help; therefore my own Arm brought Salvation, and my Fury it up– held me, Ifa. lxiii. 3· IV. God is a Defence to his Church, and it is He who offends and difcomfits their Enemies: l will undo them that aJ!Iifl thee, &c. V. God, in being a Defence, or Wall of Fire to his People, greatly amazeth and terrifieth the ungodly and brutilh Perfecutors; how terrible was God to Pharaoh, when he was a ·wall of Fire to Ifrael! · VI. It is a very dangerous Thing for any to make Attempts upon God. Who is able to O:and before fuch a Wall of flaming and devouring Fire? Wicked Men are compared to Briars and• ']'!barns, and who would Jet them, faith God, again.fo me in Battle? !fa. xxvii. 4· The Devils themfelves, tremble before his facred Majefiy. VII. Thofe
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