to their assiduous task, without injuring the

brood.

Doth not the wisdom of God appear conspicuous in thus implanting such an instinct in them, by which they are insensibly led, without the help of reason, to make such a discreet choice?

In the middle of that bramble bush I perceive a bird's nest : let me approach the little edifice, and examine the structure.

How curiously is it built, and how exact and regular are its lines! Without the help of square or plum, this little architect has constructed all in the nicest and most convenient form: the materials of which it is reared are all distributed through the work in the justest proportion; on the outside are the coarsest, while the inside, like a fine room, is lined with soft hair or down. No human wisdom could have contrived, or hands have executed, a more answerable accommodation, in which this little songstress might hatch.

Let me then admire the wisdom and goodness of God, who hath endued every

creature with suitable abilities to answer the purpose for which it was made, and perform every function to which it is called.

Amidst these delicately spotted eggs, I discover one different from the rest; and, while I consider it more minutely, I find it is that of the cuckoo, which has cunningly dropped it among those of this little bird. Ah! if it be hatched, as most likely it will, soon will it ruin its neighbour nestlings by throwing them out, and remain possessor of the nest alone.

This may teach me an useful lesson, and put me upon my guard not to harbour any one of Satan's temptations in my breast, lest that, being cherished, prove the ruin of all my graces; which, if entertained and not cast out, certainly will, and at length Satan and sin remain sole possessors of the heart; for grace and sin cannot live together; either grace will be destroying sin, or sin will be destroying grace.

And as the cuckoo cares not how many eggs be in in the little bird's nest, provided she can only get one of her own dropped in

among them; so Satan careth not how much grace be in the heart, provided he can only get one sin to be entertained there, knowing well, that one sin will in time dispossess the soul of every grace, make room for more, and sin at last remain sole possessor thereof, as we see in Judas: Satan got him to entertain a covetous disposition in his heart, that in time cleared it of all seeming grace and holiness, and at length made him betray his Lord and Master, and finally opened the door of the heart to despair, which like a terrible giant destroyed the traitor at last by causing him hang himself.

What need have we then to pray with the Psalmist, "Search me, O God, and know "my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; "and see if there be any wicked way in "me, and lead me in the way everlasting," Psalm cxxxix. 23, 24. One Achan in the camp was like to have proved the destruction of all the Israelites, Joshua vii. " If "I regard sin in my heart, the Lord will "not hear me," saith the Psalmist, Psalm lxvi. 18.

May I therefore from henceforth harbour no sin in my soul, seeing, as long as I regard sin in my heart, it will be in vain to Let me therefore, through divine grace, sin out of it, sparing no Agags there, lest the Lord reject me, 1 Sam. xv. 9.-23.

pray :

cast every

Is it not the will and commandment of the Lord that I should have war with these Amalekites, my sins, for ever and ever? and have I not sworn to do so in baptism, if not several times since? Should I then spare any of these my deadly enemies?

What a strange tree is the aspen, the leaves whereof continually shake. Just now, though there is not a breath of wind to be felt, how the leaves of this one tremble! What is the meaning of this? Methinks I hear it reply, Because the axe is laid to the root of the trees, Matth. iii. 10. and I cannot tell how soon I shall be cut down.

This putteth me in mind of those whom the apostle speaketh of, who for fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, Heb. ii. 15. a proper fear of death is very

commendable, but a slavish fear of it is highly detestible, as it rendereth the man who is -possessed therewith, neither comfortable to himself, nor useful to his neighbours.

To deliver us from this dreadful bondage Christ Jesus died: Let us then imitate Israel in the wilderness, who, when they were bitten by fiery serpents, looked up to the brazen serpent for healing, which was erected on a pole for that purpose, Numbers xxi. 9. even by looking up to Christ Jesus, as lift up on the pole of the cross, taking out the sting of death for us, who did it there effectually, and so be healed of this slavish fear; for death through Christ's dying is converted from being an enemy to be the good man's friend, as it breaketh the fetters of flesh and blood with which he is bound to this troublesome world, and openeth for him the door to eternal life and happiness.

How much then doth it concern me and every one, to know that death will thus be our friend, and to have our acquaintance made up with that enemy of nature, ere we meet with it in the moments of dissolution, so that it may not then prove to us a stran