God a Habitation

    GOD A HABITATION.

    XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX[1] Ps 90:1, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place," (or habitation) in generation and generation---(or, in all generations.) See Ps 91:9. Kai o menwn en th agaph, en tw Qew menei, &c. 1Jo 4:16. Et manens (vel qui manet} in charitate, in deo manet---"He that abideth (or dwelleth) in love, dwelleth in God."

    [1] Domine habitaculum, fuisti nobis in generatione et generations Atias Montan.

    UNDER the metaphor or similitude of an Habitation, or dwelling-place, the Lord God is expressed by the Psalmist in this text: the words Habitation, dwelling-place and house, are promiscuously used in scripture, and signify the same thing, viz., the chief place of residence, or abode; the nature, usefulness, and conveniency of which the ensuing parallel demonstrates.

    METAPHOR

    I. A habitation, or house, is a security against extreme and intemperate heat.

    PARALLEL

    I. God secures and defends his people from the rage of Satan, (which is called his fiery darts) and the malice and persecutions of wicked men; for his protection like a refreshing shade is round about them: "Thou hast been a shadow from the heat," Isa 25:4.

    METAPHOR

    II. It is a place of shelter in a tempestuous or stormy season; for when wind, rain, hail, snow, thunder, &c., are like to annoy us, that is a safe retiring place.

    PARALLEL

    II. God is the soul's chief and only sanctuary, "When I am afraid," said David, "I will trust in thee," Ps 56:3, XXXX Ebtach, that is, as the emphasis of the word bears, I will retire into thee my blessed Habitation, "for thou art a strength to the poor and needy, and a refuge from the storm---when the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the wall," &c., Isa 25:4. In the strangest convulsions of state, revolutions of kingdoms, and epidemical calamities that afflict the world, the inhabitants of this blessed mansion are sure to enjoy certain safety and tranquillity.

    METAPHOR

    III. It preserves the body from the injuries of excessive cold: it is a lamentable thing to be houseless and harbourless in a sharp winter; many have been benumbed, yea frozen to death that way: our house is the proper place where fire is made to warm us.

    PARALLEL

    III. Such as dwell in his heavenly Habitation are preserved from a dead, frozen, and benumbed frame of spirit, they are made zealous and warm for God, a fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, inflamed with a divine fervour, (by the influence of the Holy Spirit, which is called fire,) animating them with courage and resolution to stand for God and his ways against all opposition.

    METAPHOR

    IV. Our Habitation is the place where our choicest comforts remain; as our dearest relations, company, chief riches, or treasure.

    PARALLEL

    IV. God is a good man's chief comfort, he is the joy and delight of his soul: for as he is the summum bonum in himself, so all good things are radically and originally derived from him: therefore such as would partake thereof must have recourse to him---in him is the saint's treasure laid up, with him is the most desirable communion: "Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none on earth that I desire besides thee," Ps 73:25.

    METAPHOR

    V. A Habitation is a place of rest; for there our bodies when tired by watching, journeying, or labour,; are sweetly reposed.

    PARALLEL

    V. Such is God to the soul, thither is the weary and heavy-laden sinner invited, in order to receive rest, Mt 11:27-28. There is eternal repose (after the troublesome pilgrimage of the flesh) in reversion for all that die in the Lord: "Return unto thy rest, O my soul," saith David, &c.

    METAPHOR

    VI. Our habitation is our home; for in other places we are but strangers and sojourners, and exposed to endure many hazards and disorders, which we are safe from at home.

    PARALLEL

    VI. God is a Christian's home: one may be said to be absent from God, when he strays abroad, giving the full reins to a loose, carnal, and dissolute mind, pursuing the vanities and follies of the world, neglecting the solid comforts and delights of his proper home, exposing himself to the hazards and disorders of a strange and dangerous entertainment among his soul-enemies; whereas to live with God, in a way of spiritual love and communion, is to dwell in God, 1Jo 4:16, and makes way for a more immediate and personal participation of his glory after death, which made the apostle desire to depart, Php 1:21-23, because death was gain to him, inasmuch as it was to state him in his blessed and eternal home.

    METAPHOR

    VII. There must be some certain known way, or passage, leading to a Habitation or house, by which enquirers may come to it.

    PARALLEL

    VII. The Lord Jesus is the Way that leads to this heavenly Habitation: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father but by me," Joh 14:6; he is a Priest to atone, a King to govern, and a Prophet to teach and direct his people.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. A Habitation or house is a sanctuary and safeguard against thieves, robbers, and murderers; it is a man's castle, to secure him and his.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. God is a sanctuary to his saints, and a safe retreating-place from the assaults of Satan, sin, and in-bred corruption---from these enemies there is no safety, but by flying to the mercy of God in Christ.

    METAPHOR

    IX. A Habitation hath a door to let into it, which is opened only to such as are approved friends.

    PARALLEL

    IX. Christ is the Door that lets into this heavenly habitation: this Door is always open to such only as are his known and his approved friends: "I am the Door, by me if any man enter he shall be saved," Joh 10:9, "No man knoweth the Father but by the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal him," Mt 11:27.

    METAPHOR

    X. A Habitation or house is adorned with galleries, and other beautiful ornaments, environed with gardens, meadows, pastures, walks, fountains, &c., for pleasure as well as profit, which makes it an excellent and lovely seat.

    PARALLEL

    X. This heavenly Habitation is furnished with all those glorious ornaments that are needful for spiritual profit and delight: Gospel institutions and ordinances are by expositors understood to be the galleries of this habitation, where the King is held "In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee," Ex 20:24. The blood of Christ is a Fountain of life," Re 21:6; "A fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness," Ecclesiastes 13. his church is his garden, "A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse," Song 4:12. His word is "a green and pleasant pasture," Ps 23:2, and his Spirit the spring that waters every plant and flower: "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground---I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed," &c., Isa 44:3.

    METAPHOR

    XI. It is right and propriety makes a stately Habitation valuable: passengers may cast a transient look upon it, but little mind it, because it is none of theirs.

    PARALLEL

    XI. It is an interest in God that makes a soul to value him at so high a rate: "Thou art my God, I will praise thee," Isa 25:1; "Thou art my God, I will exalt thee," Ps 118:28; "The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him," La 3:24.

    METAPHOR

    XII. A house or Habitation is a place of hospitality, there friends are invited, strangers entertained, and beggars relieved.

    PARALLEL

    METAPHOR

    XIII. He that is totally without a Habitation, is accounted to be in a very desolate and miserable condition, and exposed to all the inconveniences above-named.

    PARALLEL

    XIII. He that dwells not in God through Christ, is in a very sad and dismal condition, being exposed to the curse of the law, and divine wrath; "upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest," Ps 11:6.

    METAPHOR

    XIV. In a Habitation, or great house, are many lodging-rooms for repose, and some secret chambers for security in times of danger.

    PARALLEL

    XIV. The glorious attributes of God are as so many retiring rooms, and places of security and repose, to which the saints must have recourse in times of danger; "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee, hide thyself as if it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast," Isa 26:20. More particularly, inasmuch as he is omniscient, he knows what is best for us, and we ought to acquiese in his will. He is allwise, and therefore orders all things to work for our spiritual good. He is Almighty, and can accomplish, or effectually bring to pass, whatsoever his knowledge dictates for our good. He is faithful, and therefore whatsoever he hath promised shall be certainly fulfilled. He is good and merciful, which is a great encouragement to sinners to make application to him, and commit themselves to his protection "When I am afraid (said David) I will put niy trust in thee." He is eternal, and therefore an everlasting salvation, &c.

    METAPHOR

    I. A Habitation (or House,) though never so stately and magnificent; is yet the work and contrivance of a human architect, and is composed of perishing materials.

    DISPARITY

    I. God is an everlasting God, has his being of himself, a most spiritual and immaterial substance, incomprehensible in his essence, and so beyond human and angelical conception, Ge 21:33. If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," 2Co 5:1.

    METAPHOR

    II. Habitations here below serve only to accommodate the body; the rich man in the Gospel that fared sumptuously every day, Lu 16:9, had no habitation for his soul but hell, Lu 16:23.

    DISPARITY

    II. But God is a spiritual Habitation, and accommodates the soul, or inward man, with whatsoever conduces to his eternal happiness: he provided a seat in Abraham's bosom for poor Lazarus, &c. Lu 16:22; and will receive his saints into himself, where they shall dwell for ever.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Habitation may be overthrown by an earthquake, blown down by a storm, demolished by an enemy, consumed by fire, or the decays of time, &c.

    DISPARITY

    III. But God the heavenly Habitation is subject to none of those accidents, can receive no hurt, and is everlasting---yesterday, to-day, and for ever the same, never to be antiquated, and needs no reparation, &c.

    METAPHOR

    IV. A House may secure from some, but not all dangers; for thieves may rob us of our treasure, or an enemy (if stronger) may dispossess us, and strip us of that, and all our estate.

    DISPARITY

    IV. But God is a Shelter from all kind of spiritual danger; he dwells safely that dwells in him: "thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction, &c., because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy Habitation, there shall no evil befal thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling," &c. Ps 91:5-6,9-10. Here no thief can break through, nor moth corrupt, nor can the possessor be turned out by all the enemies in the world, Mt 6:19,29.

    METAPHOR

    V. A habitation, in its circumference and dimensions, is limited, and may be easily filled, neither is any so complete, but may admit of further improvement or perfection.

    DISPARITY

    V. God cannot be circumscribed by any limits, but is infinitely capacious and receptive of all, that through Christ come to him; and so absolutely perfect, as that he needs no addition, alteration, or diminution.

    COROLLARIES.

    I. From the foregoing particulars we may infer the necessity of self-examination, viz. whether we have any interest in this heavenly habitation; in order to which, the particulars following are presented as the proper notes and marks of a dweller in God.

    (1.) "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit," 1Jo 4:13, which makes men and women heavenly, and spiritual, and so fit inhabitants to dwell there.

    (2.) "If we dwell in love to God, 1Jo 4:16; De 11:1, then we dwell in God;" for to love him is to keep his commandments: this love must be with all our hearts, and to him above all others, for he will have no competitor.

    (3.) "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, 1Jo 4:12. and his love is perfected in us;" if brotherly love continues among us each to other, it is a very certain mark that we dwell in this Habitation.

    (4.) Sincere confession, and sound belief that fesus is the Christ, or the Anointed of God, argues a child of God, 1Jo 5:1, to such this Habitation is open---we must believe that he is our Saviour, and our Sovereign, a Priest to atone, a Prince to rule, and a Prophet to teach us. 1Jo 4:15, "whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, dwelleth in God," &c.

    (5.) A life of divine communion and contemplation is an evident sign of dwelling in God; such are with him in the Mount, and partake of his blessings, &c.

    (6.) A serious return from wandering, and a hearty renunciation of all resting places short of this, denotes an interest in this Habitation.

    II. From hence we may infer the absolute necessity of a diligent inquisition, how we may obtain this eternal habitation for our inheritance, considering how many beasts of prey are watching to devour us, and the impending storms that threaten us, in such a day as this is.

    III. "We may infer the folly and madness of such as take up their rest in the base and contemptible dwellings of this world, that bid their souls take their ease, wallowing in brutish sensuality, and neglecting this holy Habitation.

    IV. It concerns us to be very circumspect in our walks, that we be not turned out of possession, nor lose our hopes and assurance of it.

    1. Men are very careful that the deeds and evidences relating to their earthly possessions be authentic, and safely kept, much more should Christians be so of this eternal mansion.

    2. This should keep us from murmuring, if we have not such stately fabrics as others to dwell in here, because this heavenly habitation (that infinitely excels all earthly structures, though never so glorious) is ours.

    3. Let not God lose the glory of so gracious a condescension, in becoming a Habitation for us---Let us not slight his infinite love, that provided this shelter for us, from the danger of the open and unguarded fields.

    4. Let it be an encouragement against slavish fear; to be afraid of man (who is a worm) is to forget where you are.

    V. Let sinners be advised to hasten to this resting place, and get an interest in this Habitation, else their security is a certain fore-runner of destruction. For,

    1. They lie open, and exposed to all sorts of spiritual enemies, and soul-calamities, from the devil, wicked men, and innate corruption.

    2. Now there is an opportunity, let it be taken hold of, or else the day of grace may be past, and the market over, without a possibility of recalling it.

    3. Christ stands with his arms spread to receive them, he is an open door to let them in, and partake of the joys and glory of this house, &c.

    4. It is a most unnatural cruelty to their own souls; for if they slight it, they become self-murderers, and instruments of their own damnation.

    VI. Lastly. From what hath been said, we may infer the superlative happiness of good men, whose Habitation the great God is; for they shall be safe there from all kinds and degrees of danger and disturbances, made partakers of whatsoever is good and desirable, and that for EVER AND EVER.