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This is that tree to which the royal Psalmist compareth the prosperous state of the wicked: "I have seen the wicked," saith he, " in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree," Psal. xxxvii. 35. How just is the comparison! To look with a superficial eye on the wicked in prosperity, we are apt, with Israel's king, to conclude they are happy, and envy their state, Psal. lxxiii.

Yonder is a tree with a large and beautiful shade, under which I may find an asylum from the beams of the sun, which are now become scorching: Thither will I go for a little.

How salutary is such a shade when the sun is so hot! O how infinitely more so is the covert which Christ's blood and righteousness afford from the scorching wrath of Almighty God! And glory to his name who hath made all men welcome, nay, even invited them to fly under this shelter for protection.

O! this is the plane; how exceedingly broad are its leaves, of a lovely green, and curious. delicate shape: the shade is truly

delightful! This is that tree which was an ciently so much esteemed, according to history, by the Romans, that they went to Africa to fetch it into Italy, from whence it was propagated in France, where those who walked under its shade had to pay tribute to the Romans. What infinitely more reason have all men to pay the tribute of thanks and praise to the Creator of all, for not only making the world, but also bountifully furnishing it with excellent, comfortable, and useful accommodations for man and beast, of which trees are none of the smallest.

There on these branches the birds sing, and may build their nests in safety, free from the ravages of quadrupeds, which, if their nests were not so elevated, would thereby often be destroyed: and under their shadows, not only the beasts, but also men, often find a shelter from rain, cold, or heat, as I do at present. But incomparably more ought I and all men to praise the Lord for his unspeakable gift, Christ Jesus, who is an hiding place from the wind of the Almighty's fury, and a covert from the tempest of his infinite wrath, and as refreshing as rivers of

water in a dry place, to all those who will fly under his shadow, which is as a great rock in a weary land, Isa. xxxii. 2. The spouse

proved this when she saith, "I sat under his "shadow with great delight, and his fruit "was sweet to my taste," Cant. ii. 3.

He is that tree of life whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, Rev. xxii. 2., but blessed be God, though he debarred man from approaching the tree of life in paradise, he hath discovered unto him one in the paradise above, of a spiritual kind, and infinitely better, to which he hath not only allowed free access, but also invited, nay, even entreated,--astonishing love !---and earnestly besought us, who were not his friends, but enemies, and full of enmity, to come under his shadow, eat of his fruit, and live for ever, Isa. lv. 1. Matt. xi. 28. 2 Cor. v. 20. John iii. 16. O that I may then say from experience," I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste," Cant. ii. 3.

While I am pressing through this thicket, I perceive a timorous hare, alarmed for her safety, has sprung from her den: how

swiftly she runs across yonder opening, and is lost to my view. Poor creature! thou mightest have enjoyed thy repose in safety for me.----What can be the reason that the animal creation are so much afraid of man, and man of them? Methinks something whispereth in my ear, The fall is the occasion of both; for ever since man broke his trust with the Creator, those inferior creatures durst trust him no more; and even no man could put confidence in a brother. And though he had the grant of dominion over all the creatures, yet they, as it were, sensible he had lost that wisdom, prudence, and mildness, that was necessary for such a governor, ever since he was afraid to meet with God, Gen. iii. 8, 9, 10. have been afraid to meet with him, and sought to shun his presence: And indeed well they may, for, since that time, they have often experienced his cruelty,

Among all the sins of which men are guilty, I am persuaded that that of cruelty to brutes is none of the least; and I cannot doubt, but in the judgment of the great day, by the Searcher of hearts, and Witness of all our actions, that sin will be exposed. What an

awful account then will many have to give, who have here unmercifully treated those beasts over which they had power? If God hear the young ravens that cry unto him, and supply them with food, Psal. cxlvii. 9. will not he, who is a God of pity, hear the cries and groans which the cruelty of man extorteth from the animals, and avenge their oppression?

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, Prov. xii. 10. the negative of this scripture, no doubt is, a man that regardeth not the life of his beast is not a righteous man : "The Lord is good to all, and his "tender mercies are over all his works,' Psal. cxlv. 9. We ought therefore to copy after this darling attribute of the Creator ; for our Lord and Saviour hath said, "Bles❝sed are the merciful, for they shall obtain "mercy," Matthew v. 7. the negative of which no doubt is, Cursed are the unmerciful, for they shall not obtain mercy: What a strong incitement to that duty is this benediction and its negative? Be ye therefore merciful, as your father also is merciful, Luke vi. 36.