430 APPENDIX. 



symbol of God's gracious presence, over which the 

 cherubim of glory stretched forth their wings on 

 high, and shadowed the mercy-seat :* between 

 which wings was God's dwelling-place, his She- 

 kinah, or majestatic presence. And therefore 

 when Ruth the Moabitess became proselyte to the 

 Jewish religion and worship, she is said to come 

 to trust under the wings of the God of Israel, 

 Ruthii. 12. 



There are also Alee Ecclesiarum, which we meet 

 with in church-writers ; as we corruptly call them 

 the isles of churches; and in the Gospel itself 

 zfle^vyioc th *If^a, pinnacksy or (if we will render it 

 close and just) icings of the temple : from the saving 

 covert and protection whereof, as it is the devil's 

 business to tempt and withdraw us, and so to cast 

 us down from one of our noblest heights and de- 

 fences : so, on the contrary, holy David's great 

 example here, and the clear importance of the 

 words of my text, lead us directly thither, (that 

 is the last and most illustrious resort of the ex- 

 pression,) and bring us up with boldness to seek, 

 and make our refuge even under the wings of the 

 cherubim of glory. 



And, indeed, where can we find on earth so 

 safe, or so comfortable a retreat, when calamities 

 assail, or threaten us, as here in the house of our 

 God ? doth not his cross stand over it on purpose 

 to direct us hither, when we are ready to sink 



* Exod. XXV, 20. xxix. 5. 



