" in heaven," Matth. vii. 16. John xv. 4, 5, 14. Matth. vii. 21.

Now, if I find these marks in myself, it is well, but if not, lest I share the fate of that barren fig-tree, mentioned in scripture, let me fly to Christ Jesus by faith, receiving and resting upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to me in the gospel; that so being united to him who is the true vine, I may bring forth fruit that shall be well pleasing to God, and comfortable to myself.

While I gaze around me, I observe several trees so skilfully pruned that not a sucker from the roots, nor a superfluous branch, nor withered bough on them, is to be seen, either to mar their beauty, or retard their growth, while many others I see stand neglected, having not only various suckers springing from their roots, but also covered over with branches which prove pernicious to both their comeliness and growth, and draw off the sap which otherwise would nourish, lengthen, and strengthen their trunks. Just so it is with respect to men; the Great Husbandman purgeth some from the love of the world, by chastening them

with many losses, crosses, and straits in it; so that their affections may be set on things: above, not on things on the earth, Col. iii. 2., and pruneth them often of near and dear relatives, which like so many suckers from the roots and superfluous branches from the trunks, tend to draw the sap of love and affection off from God, and place it upon the creature; and likewise with the sharp knife of afflictive trials, cutteth off their spiritual pride and high-mindedness, and so maketh them humble and lowly, and to grow up to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, Eph. iv. 13. "For "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and "scourgeth every son whom he receiveth:

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom "the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be "without chastisement, whereof all are par"takers, then are ye bastards, and not sons," Heb. xii. 6.-8.

Let me then examine myself, whether I have been thus purged and pruned? and if so, what effect such have had upon me? God's end in purging and pruning the

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branches is, that they may bring forth more fruit, John xv. 2.

How careful then ought I and every one else to be, after having been under the rod, to see that we answer the intention of the chastening, and shew ourselves to be men of wisdom, and pliable children, by hearing the rod, and him that hath appointed it? Mic. vi. 9., if so, instead of being envious, like the Psalmist, in an unthinking hour, at the prosperity of the wicked, Psal. lxxiii. 3. like him, on a proper reflection, we will see such to be on slippery places, ver. 18., and have reason to bless God for his chastisements, acknowledging that his rod, as well as his staff, comforteth us, Psal. xxiii. 4.

Instead then of being too much cast down, and grieved, on account of the afflictions and troubles which we meet with in a present life, let us bless God for these distinguishing marks of sons, and improve them for his glory, knowing well, that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. iv. 17.

Deep in this sequestered wood, far from the hurry and bustle of life, meditation may be amply indulged, and prayer and praises with freedom ascend on the wings of faith, to the God of heaven, the bountiful Creator of all. For these ends, woods appear to have been at first planted by the hands of man; and hence the father of the faithful planted a grove, Gen. xxi. 33.

These arborous temples, when in full verdure, cannot fail to call forth the serious mind to contemplate that power, wisdom, glory, and goodness, which not only clothe the grass of the field, but also every tree of the wood; and lead to adore our bounteous Lord. Then it is, in the figurative language of the Psalmist, that all the trees of the wood sing out, 2 Cor. xvi. 33.

That groves were highly honoured of old is evident from both sacred and profane history; for what else was paradise, but à delectable arbour and fruitful grove, interspersed with spacious openings, pleasant walks, and beautiful flowers; with every thing else that could attract the fancy, improve the

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mind, promote the happiness, or gain the esteem of the perfect pair.

That there grew a multitude of trees is evident from these scriptures: "Of every "tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat ; "but of the tree of the knowledge of good " and evil, thou shalt not eat of it. And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat "of the fruit of the trees of the garden. "And Adam and his wife hid themselves "from the presence of the Lord God among "the trees of the garden," Gen. ii. 16, 17. iii. 2, 8.

And did not Abraham entertain his heavenly guests under the shade of a tree? Gen. xviii. 4.-9. And the angel of the Lord appeared to his servant Moses in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush, Exod. iii. 2. Nay, Jehovah himself condescended to call unto Moses out of the midst of the bush, Exod. iii. 4.; and he is said to have dwelt in the bush, Deut. xxxiii. 16. And in the feast of tabernacles, were not the Israelites commanded to take the boughs of goodly trees, and branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the