The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-04
Refugees of Lies.
BY GEO. C. NEEDHAM.

BY GEO. G. NEEDHAM.
A refuge is hiding-place, or place O
safety. The Lord commanded Joshua tc
appoint SIX cities of refuge, three or
either side of the Jordan, "that tn,
slayer that killeth any person unawares
or unwittingly may flee thither, and they
shall be your refuge from the Avenger O
blood" These cities were appointed tc
accommodate all the tribes, and only in
them could the manslayer be safe iron
the Avenger. Other cities would prove
but false hiding-places, and afford nc
shelter to him who unwittingly slew his
neighbor. The Lord Jesus Christ is God s
appointed Refuge for condemned sinners
Ali who flee to him are safe. There the
curse of the broken law can no more af-
fright, nor the sword of justice longer
alarm. There is now no condemnation
to them that are in Christ Jesus" In this
refuge there is safety, and none who come
are ever refused admittance. Why, then,
should we seek refuge elsewhere, when
all else are but "retuges of lies to be
destroyed in the day OF the Lords anger.
Judgment also will lay to the line,
and righteousness to the plummet, and
the hail shall sweep away the refuge of
lies, and the water shall overflow the
hiding place."
Notwithstanding this divine threat,
many are found building their own places
OF refuge, whilst ignoring the city OF
God s provision, outside of which there
can be no safety for the soul.
The following are few of the false
hiding-places, in which, sias, too many
are found:
l. The Inconsistencies of religious pro
tessors. 1t is deplorable, indeed, that
some who make a fair show outwardly,
and constantly intrude their seeming re.
ligiousness, are but base hypocrites, be-
coming snare to the wicked, and a
grievance to the rightec us. Likewise
many converted persons, through care
less walk, give the enemies of the cross
an excuse for exulting in their own shame.
Nevertheless it is false refuge in which
those who hide themselves must sooner or
later discover that it is so. A more fool
ish and absurd excuse, more wretched
plea than this cannot be entertained.
The crimes of another are poor apologies
to cover unbelief. Such meagre pre-
tence will in no way shelter those who
neglect the great salvation.
Let us look more closely at this fallacy.
Shall l refrain from the use of medicine
and cry out against the science, because
forsooth, it has been abused in the hands
of unprincipled and unskilful men? Or
is navigation useless theory, inasmuch
as unwatchful pilots have been dashed
upon the rocks? The inconsistencies of
false professors no more furnish an excuse
for sin.lovlng soul to reject the Gospel
than for sick man to refuse medicine,
or ship. captain to set aside the laws of
navigation and sail according to some
wild theory of his own. My friend, are
you honest in your plea? Think you, it
is sufficient for the Judge and judgment
throne? Could the man without the
wedding garment tell the king that mas
much as some guests soiled their robes,
he was justified in appearing without
any? No. When the king asked the
questit !, {" How camest thou in hither
not ht wing on the wedding garment ?"
he W 8 speechless. Oh, friend, hear a
word Of counsel. Flee away from this
false refuge, else it will prove the city of
destruction to you in that day when "the
hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,
and the water shall overflow the hiding.
place"
2. But there are those who know that
every man is responsible for his own ac-
tions, and acknowledge that the evil con.
duct of false professors cannot shield
them, hence they look from man to God,
and say they trust only in his mercy.
At first this seems to have the SEM
blance of true piety and humility, and
only by examination we discover the
deception. Understand Us, reader, we
believe in Gods mercy. 1t is from ever
lasting to everlasting great, high, deep,
eternal. He has mercy for thousands,
and has shown his mercy to tens Of thou.
sands. But / ask, where does his mercy
embrace the sinner2 In Christ, and only
there. Therefore to trust in the mercy
OF God, and yet reject the Saviour Jesus,
is but a vain endeavor and a fruitless
task. Suppose manslayer fees to yon-
der city Of refuge, and having reached its