01.02.01.20. GOD A WALL OF FIRE
GOD A WALL OF FIRE "Thus saith the Lord, I will be unto you a Wall of Fire round about," Ecclesiastes 2:5.
I will be unto her (that is, unto Jerusalem, or the church of God) a wall of fire. This metaphor is taken from those fires that people make round themselves, when they are cast into a howling wilderness, to secure themselves from fierce and devouring beasts; and they being within the said circle or wall of Fire, no wild beast 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 consume its enemies, as Fire does any combustible materials, &c.
METAPHOR
I. A Wall of Fire is made for defence and security from adversaries, that are cruel, brutish, and merciless, as lions, bears, dragons, &c.
PARALLEL
I. God is the defence and security of his people from the devil, that roaring lion, and old red dragon; and from wicked men, who for their cruel, brutish, devouring and merciless dispositions, are compared to lions, bears, &c.
METAPHOR
II. A Wall of Fire is a defence and security to people that live in a wilderness, where they are in danger of wild beasts, it abounding with such devouring and ravenous creatures.
PARALLEL
II. God is a Wall of Fire, or such a defence and security to his people, whilst they remain in the howling wilderness of this world, vvhere their danger is very great, there being multitudes of brutish and devouring men, or rather beasts, nay monsters, devils in the shape of men, ready to destroy them.
METAPHOR III. A Wall of Fire is for defence and security, when there is no other security to be had.
PARALLEL
III. God is a Wall of Fire and defence unto his people, there being no other security for them: "I looked and there was none to help; therefore my own arm brought salvation, and my fury it upheld me," Isaiah 63:5.
METAPHOR IV. A Wall of Fire is both for offence and defence; it defends them that are within, and offends them that are without.
PARALLEL
IV. God is a defence to his church, and it is he who offends and discomfits their enemies; "I will undo them that afflict thee," &c.
METAPHOR V. A Wall of Fire is most amaz ing, dreadful, and terrible to an enemy.
PARALLEL
V. God, in being a defence, or Wall of Fire to his people, greatly amazeth and terrifieth the ungodly and brutish persecutors; how terrible was God to Pharaoh, when he was a Wall of Fire to Israel!
METAPHOR
VI. A Wall of Fire is dangerous to attack, or approach unto: no devouring and cruel beasts dare come near it, the lions tremble at the sight thereof.
PARALLEL
VI. It is a very dangerous thing for any to make attempts upon God. Who is able to stand before such a Wall of flaming and devouring Fire? wicked men are compared to "briars and thorns; and who would set them, saith God, against me in battle?" Isaiah 27:4. The devils themselves tremble before his Sacred Majesty.
METAPHOR
VII. Those that are environed round about with a Wall of Fire, are very safe in the midst of the greatest multitudes of evil beasts.
PARALLEL
VII. Those that are surrounded about on every side, by the power, wisdom, and merciful providences of the Almighty God, this great Wall of Fire, need not fear devils, nor brutish men, though never so cruel and bloody.
METAPHOR VIII. Nothing will keep off (as naturalists observe) cruel and devouring beasts, but a Wall of Fire.
PARALLEL
VIII. Nothing can keep off cruel and merciless, men, from making a spoil of God’s church, but God himself: conscience cannot, the cry of the widow and fatherless children, no, nor the fear of hell. Therefore God walls his people round about in a wonderful manner, that men cannot find, nor come at them.
METAPHOR
IX. Those that are environed round by a wall of Fire, are not only safe from enemies, but are also thereby kept warm from piercing cold.
PARALLEL
IX. Those that have God for a Wall of Fire, are secured from all the cold blasts of sin and temptation, are sweetly refreshed and comforted; for such is the property of this Wall of Fire also unto them.
METAPHOR X. Those that see they are compassed about with a Wall of Fire, are made very fearless and courageous thereby.
PARALLEL
X. Those that see they have God as a Wall of Fire round about them, are thereby made very valiant and courageous, saying, "I will not fear what man can do unto me," &c.
METAPHOR I. A Wall of Fire is made of outward materials, viz. wood, or such like fuel.
DISPARITY
I. God, who is said to be a Wall of Fire for defence of his people, is the Maker of all things: "By him all things were made," &c.
METAPHOR II. A Wall of Fire properly is to secure the body from ravenous, wild, and devouring beasts.
DISPARITY
II. God is a Wall or Defence, to keep safe and secure both body and soul, not only from wild beasts, but also from cursed men and devils.
METAPHOR
III. A Wall of Fire may be quenched, or for want of fuel go out and so those that were secured by it, may be exposed and laid open to the rage of cruel and merciless beasts.
DISPARITY
III. This Wall of Fire can never be quenched, nor go out, whilst there shall be any wild beasts, and devouring and bloody persecutors in the world. This Fire will burn, and be a Wall to the godly. Let the devil and Rome do what they can; the church of Christ shall never be left to the rage of Papal fury.
INFERENCES
1. From hence we may note an use of terror to wicked men: their cruel attempts upon the Church of God will prove their ruin; they will get nothing thereby, but a seared and wounded conscience; this Fire will devour them.
2. We may see how God is pleased to represent wicked men: doth he not intimate to us by this Metaphor, that they are no better than ravenous beasts?
3. What great folly doth this demonstrate to be in the hearts of the adversaries! Will they, who are but briars and thorns, set themselves against the great God, who is a consuming Fire?
4. It also shows the infinite love and care of God to his saints.
5. In what safety do the godly dwell! let the beasts roar, and tear, and gore one another, whilst God’s people are thus defended and preserved from their rage and cruelty.
Objection: But some may object and say, "How is God said to be a Wall of Fire to the church? &c.
Answer: It may have respect to his divine attributes, as wisdom, power, goodness, truth, faithfulness, justice; by which he preserves his church and people, through his glorious providences, in this world, as thereby he defeats their enemies.