Hebrews 6:18

Heb. 6:18. That by two immutable things, in which (it was) impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

A non-sign of true religious affection is "that comforts and joys seem to follow awakenings and convictions of conscience, in a certain order. " Nevertheless, Edwards notes that it is "unreasonable" to argue against true religious affections because they follow "awful apprehensions and distresses" and he cites Hebrews 6:18 as a text in point.

Christians are spoken of as those that have fled for refuge, to lay hold on the hope set before them (Hebrews 6:18), which representation implies great fear, and sense of danger preceding. To the like purpose, Christ is called a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, and as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land (Isaiah 32 at the beginning). And it seems to be the natural import of the word "gospel," glad tidings, that it is news of deliverance and salvation, after great fear and distress. There is all reason to suppose, that God deals with particular believers, as he dealt with his church, which he first made to hear his voice in the Law, with terrible thunders and lightnings, and kept her under that schoolmaster to prepare her for Christ; and then comforted her with the joyful sound of the gospel from Mount Zion. So likewise John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ, and prepare men's hearts for his reception, by shewing them their sins, and by bringing the self-righteous Jews off from their own righteousness, telling them that they were a generation of vipers, and shewing them their danger of the wrath to come, telling them that the ax was laid at the root of the trees, etc.

In Concerning Faith, faith is

submitting to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3, "For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." It is what may be well represented by flying for refuge, by the type of flying to the city of refuge. Hebrews 6:18, "That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before us."

And later

59. Flying, resorting or running to, as to a refuge, are terms used as being equivalent to trusting; Psalms 62:7; Psalms 62:8, "My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times. God is a refuge for us." Psalms 91:2; Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Psalms 71:1; Psalms 71:3, "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust." - "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort. Thou hast given commandments to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress." Hebrews 6:18, "Who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us."