But, oh, sadder, sadder far, for any, young or old, to perish within sight of Christ! To suffer the love of sin, or the love of pleasure, or the love of the world, to make them “too late!” To be almost, but not altogether saved! To be cut down by the sword of wrath, or overtaken by the fiery stream, with heaven in view!
God grant that this may not be the case with any one of you!
I shall conclude with a happier picture:—The citizens in these Refuge-cities of old, were sometimes seen clustered on the top of the walls, watching the approach of the manslayer, and cheering him on when faint and exhausted. So, think of the happy citizens of the New Jerusalem: Patriarchs, prophets, saints, departed friends, who are now safe within its gates, watching you from these glorious heights, beckoning to you not to tarry, but to be “followers of them who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.” “Verily I say unto you, There is joy in heaven among the angels of God over every sinner that repenteth.”
We have been speaking of the “name of Jesus.”
Read the motto over the gateway of all these six cities. Read the motto over the door of the Gospel Refuge:—“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name given under heaven among men by which the sinner can be saved, but the NAME of Jesus.”
Jesus, my Refuge! look on me:
When weak and weary, worn, opprest:
I cast my every care on Thee—
Thou art my Rest.
Jesus my Refuge! guide my way,
Dispel the gloomy shades of night,
Oh, shine Thou forth with cheering ray!—
Thou art my Light.
Jesus, my Refuge! storms may rise,
Affliction sweep with tempest-shock,
My spirit to Thy shelter flies,
Thou art my Rock.
Jesus my Refuge! legion-foes
May seek to drive me from the field,
But in Thy strength I shell repose—
Thou art my Shield.
Jesus, my Refuge! Thou in store
Hast happiness without alloy,
Pleasures unmingled, evermore—
Thou art my Joy.