The situation of this tree is worthy of our attention. Endeavour to apprehend the scenery, as it appeared to the eye of John. The river softly rolled down the middle of the street, and thus formed a street on each side of it; and in the midst of each street, in a beautiful row, grew the tree of life so that the inhabitants could walk between the houses and the trees, and between the trees and the river, on each side. It was, therefore, not concealed, but obviously seen: it every where met the eye, and tempted the hand. Nor was it confined, but easy of access to all who passed along, and to persons on either side of the river" In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life."

And the righteousness of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above;) or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith which we preach that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Is Christ hidden ? Exposing himself to view, in every direction, he cries, "Behold me! behold me !-Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.-Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Is he secluded from approach, and from participation? Few, comparatively, will partake of him-but he has told us the reason: "Ye will not

come to me, that ye might have life." Otherwise, none are forbidden: for "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." Is he a fountain? he is a fountain opened. Was he represented by the manna? this fell all around the camp, and all were equally welcome to go and gather it up. Was he held forth by the brazen serpent? this was suspended upon a pole, fixed in the centre of the camp, and it was announced, that every one that was bitten, when he looked upon it, should live. Was he typified by the cities of refuge? there were six of these at certain distances from each other-that in what part soever of the country the man-slayer lived, he might soon reach a place of safety. They were situated on high hills, or on extensive plains-that the avenger of blood might not overtake them, while losing time in searching for it. The roads leading to them were fifty-eight feet four inches wide, and well repaired-that nothing might hinder their progress, or stop them for a moment. Where rivers would have checked their course, bridges were thrown over; and where cross-ways would have perplexed their minds, directing posts were fixed with their extended arms pointing and crying, REFUGE, REFUGE!-The application of all this is easy-0 think of it, ye who are disposed to flee for refuge to the hope set before you! Here is strong consolation, and your spiritual distresses require it.

Behold, farther, the fertility of this tree. Now, first, it is said that it bare twelve manner of fruits. Other fruits yield only after their kind. To a vine we go for grapes, to a fig-tree for figs; and

so of the rest. But suppose a tree that should bear both these, and ten more sorts of the most delicious fruit! would it not excite your curiosity? would you not even go far, only to see this wonder of Nature?

"Turn your eyes towards me," says the Saviour "I am all this. I am the Child born, and the everlasting Father. I am the Root and the Offspring of David. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. I am He that liveth, and was dead. I am the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Such a combination of perfections and blessings, O man, did thy salvation require ! Though all thy miseries flow from one causesin-thy wants are various, and demand various relief. You are enslaved, and need redemptionand I give my life a ransom for sinners. You are guilty, and need justification-and my blood cleanseth from all sin. You are unholy, and need sanctifying grace and a new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. You are weak-but my strength shall be made perfect in weakness. You have tribulation in the worldbut in me you shall have peace."-Thus God "supplies all our need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Thus we are blessed with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ."

Secondly. The produce is not only abundant, but continual it yielded her fruit every month. This is not the case with our trees. They bear only once a year and hence our spring is so important: we go out, and anxiously look for the buds and blossoms; and if we find none, our hope is cut off, and for twelve long months we impatient

ly wait for the return of the season. But this tree bears always-in winter, as well as in summer: perhaps he bears most in winter, or at least more is then gathered than at any other time. Our external troubles and our internal distresses endear him, and urge us to make a more earnest application to him.-But the apostle tells us, that he found him answerable for all his varying conditions: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and how to abound: every where, and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need: I can do all things, through Christ who strengtheneth me." If we prosper, he can keep us. If we fall into adversity, he can sustain us. He can bless you in social scenes, and also in solitary seasons. Joseph enjoyed him in the prison, and Daniel in the lion's den, and John in his banishment. And, when nothing else looks green and fair, he affords succour and supplies; and therefore says the Christian, whose faith and hope are fixed on him; "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hence, in a case more distressing to a good man than any other; I mean when his family yields him no comfort, bears nothing, yea discovers no marks of spiritual lifehe can pluck something from this tree which is always bending with fruit: "Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure:

for this is all my salvation and all my desire, although he make it not to grow." And when we are taking a farewell of life, and all the powers of nature fail-he is the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever. And hence the same tried and triumphant believer exclaims, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

When our Saviour, as he came from Bethany, hungered, he saw a fig-tree, and went up to it, hoping to find fruit thereon, and found none, for the time of figs was not yet. But he himself will never occasion such a disappointment in those who apply to him: come when they will, it is always the time of fruit. The tree bears every month. Ye young-ye cannot come too soon. Ye agedye cannot come too late. It is necessary, however, to observe that this is true only of the time of your continuance in this world. If you drop through life destitute of the blessings of his salvation, your opportunity is over, and will never return. You are therefore admonished to "seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near. Behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation."

Observe, finally, what is said of the leaves of this tree-they are for the healing of the nations. Other trees have leaves, and they are by no means useless. Not only do they add to the appearance and beauty of the tree-for how would a tree look without them ?-but they serve to screen the newborn naked bud from the cold by night, and the excessive heat by day; they catch the dew and the rain; retain and guide the moisture; and thus they aid the preservation and growth of the fruit. The