IV. PROVIDENCE.

MARVELLOUS is God’s goodness in preserving the young ostriches. For the the old one leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust, forgetting that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. [Job xxxix. 14, 15.] But Divine Providence so disposeth it, that the bare nest hatcheth the eggs, and the warmth of the sandy ground discloseth them.

Many parents, which otherwise would have been loving pelicans, are by these unnatural wars forced to be ostriches to their own children, leaving them to the narrow mercy of the wide world. I am confident that these orphans (so may I call them whilst their parents are alive) shall be comfortably provided for, when worthy master Samuel Hern, famous for his living, preaching, and writing, lay on his death-bed, (rich only in goodness and children,) his wife made much womanish lamentation, what should hereafter become of her little 127ones: Peace, sweet heart, said he, that God who feedeth the ravens will not starve the Herns. [Psalm cxlvii. 9] A speech censured as light by some, observed by others as prophetical, as, indeed, it came to pass that they were well disposed of. Despair not, therefore, O thou parent, of God’s blessing, for having many of his blessings, a numerous offspring. But depend on his providence for their maintenance: find thou but faith to believe it, he will find means to effect it.