No. 4

Isaiah 32:2
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind,
and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place,
as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
 
This sermon is also reflected in verse 6 of Hymn No. 197,
published in Olney Hymns as Book 1, Hymn 59
No 197 v6
view the full hymn here
view the hymn with background diary extracts here
   

No. 4
Isaiah 32 2 No 4 Xt
This text is a comment upon Christ is all in all.[1]
In him his people find a hiding place where they cannot be found – a foundation from which they cannot be shaken off – streams of life and refreshment which cannot be dried up – and a sweet repose when everything is unquiet about them.
     
Is 32 2 No 4 shorthand001
The shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
[Byrom shorthand]
The allusion seems to travelling or toiling in the heat of the sun – [how] welcome a shadow to such – who are faint and weary. The believer has many weary hours – weary of himself, of the world, of affliction, especially when afflictions are many, sharp, long-continued.
Indeed this heat would be insupportable without a shade. But Jesus is a great rock through which the sun’s beams cannot pierce. Hence called a shield. But how?
 
1. By the knowledge he gives of himself, in his characters and relations.
2. By putting power into the promises.
3. By sanctifying afflictions, so that though not joyous but grievous, they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
4. By enabling them to look forward to the end, as Revelation 2:10.[2]
 
Now this is compared to the shadow of a rock to show its closeness. In other respects he is compared to a tree, affording not only shade, but fruit (Canticles 2:2[3?][3]). Those who dwell under this shadow shall revive.
Unbelievers are exposed to the heat. Their troubles meet them without support, and leave them without a blessing. Therefore miserable here, and lost hereafter – when the heat of the Lord’s anger shall be as a burning oven.


References:
 
[1] Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
[2] Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
[3] Canticles[Song of Solomon] 2:2[verse 3 intended? As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.]

Transcribed from Newton's pocket sermon notebook, N43, Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney, Bucks

Acknowledgements:

N43, Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney, Bucks
MS Eng 1317, Houghton Library, Harvard University
Timothy Underhill, Cambridge

Marylynn Rouse, 12/10/2016