[It is to be lamented that infidelity and profaneness have overrun the world ; and that this tree which the Lord hath planted, has been so " wasted and devoured by the wild beasts of the field c." But still the stock remains, nor shall it ever be rooted up. It shall yet " shoot forth its roots downward and bring forth fruit upward d." At various seasons the Church has been contracted within very narrow limits ; yet has always been preserved. In the days of Noah and of Abraham, the branches were cut down, and nothing remained but the mere stem; yet it put forth fresh branches, and extended them far and wide. So shall it do yet again, till at last it cover the whole earth. Where there is nothing now but idolatry and every species of wickedness, there shall one day be " holiness to the Lord inscribed upon the very bells of the horses6." Let us then water this tree with our prayers and tears. Let us help forward its growth by every means in our power ; and look with confidence to that period, when all the nations of the world shall come and sit under its benign shadow.]
2. For our consolation under personal doubts and apprehensions —
[From the smallness of our attainments we are sometimes ready to doubt whether the little seed of grace in our hearts will ever grow up to any use or profit. But there is not a saint in heaven whose grace was not once comparatively weak. All were once " as new-born babes ;" nor was it till they had learned many humiliating lessons, that they attained to the age of young men and fathers f. Thus in the natural world, the largest oak was once an acorn, and the largest mustard- tree a little and contemptible seed. Why then should any despond because of present appearances ? Why should not we hope that in process of time our graces shall be strength- ened, and our wide-extended branches be filled with fruit? Our God assures us that he does " not despise the day of small things s ;" why then should toe ? Let us trust, and not be afraid. Let us look up to heaven for the genial influences of the sun and rain: nor doubt but that God will accomplish the work he has begun h ; and " fulfil in us all the good pleasure of his goodness."]
c Ps. lxxx. 8 — 13. d 2 Kings xix. 30. e Zech. xiv. 20. f 1 John ii. 12, 13. e Zech. iv. 10. h Phil. i. 6.