CONTEMPLATION II.

On the SINGING of a LARK.

WHAT pleafant found is this falutes

my ear so early! while I listen, I perceive it is a Lark, newly sprung from the turf, where he had repofed during the darknefs.

Anxious, as it were, to be the first of all the terreftrial creation in expressing its thankfulness to the great Creator, and upholder of all, for his kindness during the night, it pours forth its little, grateful foul, in rapturous strains of melody; fwelling the anthem of praife, with still 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 ravished with its fong, may I accord with the little charmer, in expreffing

SINGING OF A LARK.

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my gratitude to the bountiful Creator of all, which I am ten thousand times more bound to do than this cheerful fongster.

How may I be put to shame with the early gratitude of this little creature, which enjoys so little in comparison of what I do, who am ftill so 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 molest either my perfon or goods.

It is now defcended from its aerial excurfion, and is filent for a little, gathering a scanty meal on yonder spot, but knows not where to find its next repast; while I have provifion, 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 reason to direct me, not only how to provide for the present, but also for future wants. It enjoys but a short temporal life; while I not only enjoy the fame, but alfo hope to inherit life eternal.

No fongster of the grove foars so high as the lark, and none fits lower. This is truly picturesque of a faint, and teaches me this excellent leffon, that the higher I arife in holiness and in likeness to God, the more humble I ought to be, calling myself, with the apostle of the Gentiles, " less than the leaft

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of all faints," Fph. iii. 8. Knowing that it is only grace that inaketh me, or any, to differ from another, I 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 compass him about, Pf. xlix. 5. The fongsters of the grove will not fit on the ground, but perch on fome elevated station, like the men of the world, who scorn the humble difpofition of the faints, and fit high in their own estimation.

The lark will not affemble with any but those of its own tribe, except in case 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 company of 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 ten neceffitated, from the affairs of human life, to afsociate with the men of the world, yet these 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 neceffity, but with the other through real choice.

The lark, too, like a disconfolate mourner, for the lofs of the pleasant seasons, 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 instead of finging the sweet 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 saw that his mountain ftood strong, Pf. xxx. 7. For it is one thing to grow in fenfe and manifestations, and another thing to grow in faith and patience; and when his fun comes from un

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ON THE

der the cloud, shall have reason 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 fongster, but is often heard by the nocturnal traveller, at small intervals through the summer night, making low harmonious notes. Just so, a faint doth not only praise his Maker early; but often, with the fweet finger of Ifrael, prevents the dawning of the morning, Pf. cxix. 147. Yea, even at midnight rises 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 kindness of the Lord by day, but his fongs are also 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. Just so a finner, when the eyes of his understanding are enlightened by the Holy Spirit to fee his wretched and undone state by nature; the condemning fentence of the law, and the