CONTEMPLATION II. On the SINGING of a LARK. WHAT pleafant found is this falutes my car fo early! while I liften, I perceive it is a Lark, newly fprung from the turf, where he had repofed during the darkness. Anxious, as it were, to be the first of all the terrestrial creation in expreffing its thankfulness to the great Creator, and upholder of all, for his kindnefs during the night, it pours forth its little, grateful foul, in rapturous ftrains of melody; fwelling the anthem of praife, with ftill more, and more, harmonious notes, the nearer it approaches the sky. This delightful bird, above most of the feathered tribe, is truly worthy of my imitation, and that in various points of view. While I am ravifhed with its fong, may I accord with the little charmer, in expreffing my gratitude to the bountiful Creator of all, which I am ten thousand times more bound to do than this cheerful fongfter. How may I be put to fhame with the early gratitude of this little creature, which enjoys fo little in comparison of what I do, who am ftill fo unthankful! No house nor vault sheltered it from the hawk during the night; while I flept in my house with doors thut against any who might moleft either my perfon or goods. It is now defcended from its aerial excurfion, and is filent for a little, gathering a fcanty meal on yonder fpot, but knows not where to find its next repast; while I have provision, not only for fundry meals, but perhaps for fome months. Led only by instinct, it gathers a few corns for the prefent; while I have reafon to direct me, not only how to provide for the prefent, but alfo for future wants. It enjoys but a fhort temporal life; while I not only enjoy the fame, but also hope to inherit life eternal. No fongfler of the grove foars fo high as the lark, and none fits lower. This is truly picturefque of a faint, and teaches me this excellent leffon, that the higher I arife in holinefs and in likenefs to God, the more humble ought to be, calling myself, with the apoftle of the Gentiles, "lefs than the leaft of all faints," Eph. iii. 8.Knowing that it is only grace that maketh me, or any, to differ from another, 1 Cor. iv. 7. The lark has a long heel, which is one reason that it does not fit on the fpray. So a believer, while he is here, hath a long heel, which keeps him humble, even the iniquity of his heels, which compafs him about, Pf. xlix. 5. The fongfters of the grove will not fit on the ground, but perch on fome elevated station, like the men of the world, who fcorn the humble difpofition of the faints, and fit high in their own eftimation. The lark will not affemble with any but those of its own tribe, except in cafe of winter's extremity; and even not then, unless for the purpose of gathering a little food.So a faint only finds pleasure in the compaof faints: these are they whom he makes his companions, and in them he places all his delight, Pf. xvi. 2. And though he is of ny ten neceffitated, from the affairs of human life, to affociate with the men of the world, yet thefe may be faid to have his actions alone, but the faints his affections. To the former he will only impart the common occurrences of life; but to the latter, the things concerning his foul: with the one he affociates through ncceffity, but with the other through real choice. The lark, too, like a difconfolate mourner, for the lofs of the pleafant feafons, gives up with its fong in winter, and affumes a chirping note; yet even then, it is remarkable, for being as fat, if not fatter,than when it rejoiced in the cheerful morn of Spring. So a faint, when under fpiritual clouds in the winter of defertion, hangs by, as it were, his harp on the willows, Pf. cxxxvii. 2. and falls a mourning inftead of finging the fweet fongs of Zion: yet even then, he may be growing inwardly, though outwardly he cannot perceive it; and may be as fat, and full of fap, as when he faw that his mountain flood ftrong, Pf. xxx. 7. For it is one thing to grow in fenfe and manifeftations, and another thing to grow in faith and patience; and when his fun comes from un der the cloud, fhall have reafon to fing with the Pfalmift, "It was good for me that I was "afflicted;" and to fay, "Lord, thou haft "done all things well," Pf. cxix. 71. Mark vii. 37. The lark, too, as has been already obferved, is not only the earliest fongfter, but is often heard by the nocturnal traveller, at small intervals through the fummer night, making low harmonious notes. Juft fo, a faint doth not only praise his Maker early; but often, with the sweet finger of Ifrael, prevents the dawning of the morning, Pf. cxix. 147. Yea, even at midnight rifes to give thanks unto him, Pf. cxix, 62. and meditates on him in the watches of the night, Pf. lxiii. 6. Like David, he not only experiences the loving kindnefs of the Lord by day, but his songs are alfo with him by night, Pf. xlii. 8. The lark, too, has often been known, when flying from the rapacious hawk, to take shelter in the bofom of man. Juft fo a finner, when the eyes of his understanding are enlightened by the Holy Spirit to fee his wretched and undone ftate by nature; the condemning fentence of the law, and the |