SERMONS. , 421 



and, as if they knew it too, stay not to combat the 

 kite, nor stand the dreadful shock when the hawk 

 hovers over, and is ready to stoop upon them, but 

 run nimbly under the dam's wing for shelter. 

 The very instincts of nature have taught all weak 

 things to seek their support out of themselves, in 

 some retreat, where they may be safe. Thus the 

 fir-trees* are a refuge for the stork ; the high hills 

 for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 

 The hare hath her covert too, and the foxes their 

 holes or dens. Even the weaker and groveling 

 plants (as vines, and the like) have their tendrils, 

 certain pliant strings, wherewith they naturally 

 clasp and twine themselves about the supporters 

 they are to climb by. In fine, all nature is wholly 

 adjective, and, as if it were conscious to itself of 

 its inability to stand alone, is ever in busy quest 

 of its proper substantive that may uphold it. 

 Man, as the only bad grammarian, makes still false 

 syntax, and false construction ; apt to seek his 

 refuge where it is not to be had : as if he were 

 under that curse upon David's enemies,^ not only 

 in case to beg his bread, which he finds not at 

 •home, but to seek it also out of desolate places. 



Thus Jonah sits under his gourd with over- 

 much delight, till the worms smite it at the roots, 

 and it withers. Rebellious Israel:j: trusts in the 

 shadow of Egypt, (the land shadowing with wings, 

 as the Prophet speaks,) and it proves their confu- 



* Psm. civ. 18. t Psm. cix. 10. | Isa. xxx. 3. 



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