, shut thy door after thee,
hide thyself a very little while, until the indignation pass over."

Here the prophet brings in God, lovingly, calling upon his people to come
to himself, and to rest with him, until such time as the fury and sharp
plagues should be executed upon the wicked and disobedient. It may appear
at the first sight, that all these words of the prophet, in the person of
God, calling the people unto rest, are spoken in vain; for we neither find
chambers, nor rest, more prepared for the dearest children of God, so far
as man's judgment can discern, than for the rebellious and disobedient;
for such as fell not by the edge of the sword, or died not of pestilence,
or by hunger, were either carried captives unto Babylon, or else departed
afterwards into Egypt, so that none of Abraham's seed had either chamber
or quiet place to remain in within the land of Canaan. For the resolution
hereof, we must understand, That albeit the chambers whereunto God called
his chosen be not visible, yet notwithstanding they are certain, and offer
unto God's children a quiet habitation in spirit, howsoever the flesh be
travailed and tormented.

The chambers then are God's sure promises, unto which God's people are
commanded to resort; yea, within which they are commanded to close
themselves in the time of greatest adversity. The manner of speaking is
borrowed from that judgment and foresight which God has printed in this
our nature; for when men espy great tempests appearing to come, they will
not willingly remain uncovered in the fields, but straightway they will
draw them to their houses or holds, that they may escape the vehemence of
the same; and if they fear any enemy pursues them, they will shut their
doors, to the end that the enemy should not suddenly have entry.

After this manner God speaks to his people; as if he should say, The
tempest that shall come upon this whole nation shall be so terrible, that
nothing but extermination shall appear to come upon the whole body. But
thou my people, that hearest my word, believest the same, and tremblest at
the threatenings of my prophets, now, when the world does insolently
resist--let such, I say, enter within the secret chamber of my promises,
let them contain themselves quietly there; yea, let them shut the door
upon them, and suffer not infidelity, the mortal enemy of my truth, and of
my people that depend thereupon, to have free entry to trouble them, yea,
further to murd