408 APPENDIX. 



order whereunto, I will consider the text in a 

 two-fold reference. 



I. As it looks down from God to us-ward in 

 gracious and powerful protections : and so it 

 speaks our great honour and happiness, the high 

 and glorious privilege of pious kings and their 

 kingdoms, that they are under the shadow of 

 God's wings. 



II. As it looks up in another aspect from us to 

 God again ; and so it contains our necessary and 

 indispensable duty ; and calls aloud for our suit- 

 able deportment ; which is resolvedly to put our- 

 selves under the Divine protection, or to seek, and 

 make our refuge under the shadow of his wings. 



I. I begin with the high and glorious privilege 

 of all holy souls, but especially of pious kings, 

 and their kingdoms ; they are under the shadow 

 of God's wings. The expression frequently oc- 

 curs in Scripture, and may seem to speak these 

 three things, or some of them ; which together 

 will give you, I think, the full extent of the sha- 

 dow of God's wings, the adequate importance of 

 this illustrious metaphor. 



1. Safeguard and defence from calamities, that 

 they come not. Or, 



2. Speedy help and deliverance out of calami- 

 ties, when they are come. Or, however, 



3. Comfort in the mean time, and refreshment 

 in calamities, while they are upon us. 



1 . The privilege of safety and protection from 

 calamities stand first in our method; intimated 



