444 THE VAIN REFUGE OF SINNER. CDISc. VI. in his glory. They have seen him vested with his com- mission of mercy, they have heard and.received his mes- sage of goodness and love, and they cannot but rejoice to see him coming to fulfil his last promises. Theyhave cheerfully subjected themselves to his government here on earth, they have followed him in paths of holiness through the wilderness of this world, and what remains but that they be publicly acknowledged by Jesus, . the judge of all, and follow him up to the place of blessed- ness, which he hath prepared for them. Perhaps, some of these holy ones, in the days of the flesh, were banished from the cities, and the societies of men, for the sake of Christ, they were driven out from their native towns, and forced to seek a shelter in solitary " dens and caves, among rocks and mountains, to wan- der through deserts in sheep -skins and goat-skins, desti- tute, afflicted, tormented," HIeb. xi. 37. they made the çlefts of the rock, and caverns Of the earth, their refuge from the face of their cruel persecutors : The mountains and rocks sheltered them from the wrath of princes, and the dark grottos of the earth, and the dens ofwild beasts concealed them from the rage of men, from the sword of the mighty ; but now the scene is gloriously changed, the martyrs and holy confessors, awaking from their graves, exult and triumph in the smiles of their Judge, and receive public honours before the whole creation of God. They behold the infinite consternation of haughty tyrants and persecuting princes, of proud generals and bloody captains in that day : They hear them " call to rocks and mountains, to hide them from the face of him that sits upon the throne, and the Lamb." The autho- rity, and regal honour of the emperors of the earth, bath long slept in the dust, but it is lost there forever; their glory shall not awake, nor arise with them : Behold the mighty sinners, who have been the enemies of Christ, or negligent of his salvation, how they creep affrighted out of their shattered marbles, and leave all that pomp and pride of death in ruins, to appear before God with shame and everlasting contempt. The men of arms, the captains and sons of valour, whose swords lay under their heads, with their trophies and titles spread around them; shall raise their heads up from the dust with ut- most affright and anguish of spirit: Their courage fair
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=