God will be as a fir-tree in regard of shadow to the passenger, and keep- ing ofl' of storms. The great God, and the good God, who is goodness itself, hath provided in this world not only good for us, but hath also promised de- fences against all annoyances. In the comparison itself, we will observe somewhat concerning the goodness of God ; for as in this life we are subject to many inconveniences, w«,nts, and necessities ; so God hath supply for all, even outward necessities. We are subject to cold, for that we have the element of fire ; we are subject to storms, he hath provided garments, and skill to make them ; so in our travels, he hath provided some trees especially to shelter us. We cannot name any inconvenience of this life, but the rich God in his goodness hath provided a suitable supply. Doth God take care for this fading, perishing life, which is but as a vapour ? and hath he good things for it, and fences from the ill and annoyances of it, till we have fulfilled our pilgrimage upon earth ? And will not that God have a care of our best life of grace that shall end in glory, that we shall have all things necessary for life and godliness, which hath the promise, not of this life only, but of a better, 1 Tim. iv. 8. He that is so good to this
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natural life, will be much more in things concerning a better life, which ho would have us mind more. ' I ■svill be as a green fir-tree unto him.'
God will be as a fir-tree, especially in regard of shadow, to keep from alL annoyance both of storm and of the sun ; for the sun in those hot countries annoys them very much, as the spouse complains of her blackness, 'because the sun hadshined upon her. Cant. i. 5, 'to be black as the tents ofKedar,* &c. Whence we may observe by the way,
There is not the most comfortable refreshing creature in the world, but take it in excess, it harms and annoys.
What more comfortable than water ? yet if it prevail and abound, it is a desti'oying creature, as we see in the deluge and divers inundations. What more comfortable than fire ? and what more ten'ible if it exceed ? What more cherishing, refreshing, and quickening than the sun ? Yet in the excessive heat thereof, it scorcheth and parcheth things. So in the sun of prosperity and all other good things in the world, it is best to have and enjoy all things with moderation ; for if we have grace to qualify them, all things are good ; otherwise the excess hurts us. Therefore beg of God wisdom to temper and moderate the best good in this world, vvhich other- wise hurts us. For even the excessive heat of the sun in those countries makes them glad of the shadow of the fir-tree.
Thus God doth not only give a shadow, but a comfortable shadow and defence to his people, which is therefore called ' the shadow of his wings.' ' How oft,' saith Christ to Jerusalem, ' would I have gathered thee, as the hen gathereth her chickens imdcr her wings ? ' Mat. xxiii. 87. It is not only a shielding from hurts, and dangers, and storms, but a sweet defence, with rest and quiet. As those that ai'e weary compose themselves to rest under a shadow, so in God is our rest ; ' Come unto me,' saith Christ, ' all ye that are weary and hea\'y laden, and ye shall find rest to your souls,' Mat. xi. 28. All rest is in Christ, and in God's mercy in Christ. We see, then, after we have forsook idolatry, God is to us instead of all the good we had by idols. We lose nothing by it. ' God will be as a green fir-tree.'
Whence the point is, there is a protection, rest, and defence provided for God's people, u-hen once they have renounced their idolatry and sinful courses.
Those who refuse the shelter of idols, God will be a shelter unto them, * a green fir-tree unto them,' another manner of shelter than that which idols or any other creature can give them. Every man wiU have some shelter, shield, or other to cover him, this or that great man to shield or shelter himself under. A rich man, he hath riches ; another, this or that defence. Every man that hath any wit about him will have some shelter, and not lie open to all storms when they come. But the only true shelter is God himself to a Chiistian. All other refuges are but shadows, that is, they are nothing, but like Jonah's gourd, which may shelter for a time, but there is a worm of vanity that will eat them out. Riches and the favour of men may shelter for a time, but there is a worm at the bottom which will root them out. Death will consume them and those they depend upon. But God is a true shelter to his people, an everlasting habitation, as it is written, ' Thou art our habitation from geaeration to generation, Ps. xc. 1. We dwell in him as in our rock and castle. He is an everlasting habita- tion, not only a shadow, but a tower and a castle to dwell in. Therefore the only wise man is the Christian. For, as Noah, when the flood came upon the old world, and swept them away, had an ark to save himself in, so have all God's children a house to get over their heads in the worst times, which is God's blessed protection, in whom they are safe. Let us