"The tree of life." - Rev. xxii. 2.
Lead me, O Holy Ghost, by the hand of faith, this morning, into the
paradise of God, and cause me to sit down under the tree of life; and
for a while, before the world breaks in upon me, enable me to meditate
on its beauties, its loveliness, and its fruit. Is it not Jesus which I
behold in this charming similitude? Surely Jesus is to me the tree of
life, for I have no life but in him! And it is not only he which gave
me life at the first, but preserves it, maintains it, and will preserve
it forever. He saith himself, "Because I live, ye shall live also." And
as he is himself the life of my soul, so everything in him is the
promoter of my life. His fruit also is all my sustenance, all I want,
all I desire, all I can truly enjoy. .He bears twelve manner of fruits.
Yes, for there is in him both fulness and variety: pardon, mercy, and
peace, in the blood of his cross; favour with God, affection with men;
the Spirit's gifts, graces, influences; comfort in this life, happiness
and joy in that which is to come. And every month these fruits abound.
Yes, he saith himself, "fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold:
and my revenue than choice silver." "I will cause them that love me to
inherit substance; yea, I will fill all their treasures." Nay, the very
leaves of this tree of life are for the healing of the nations. And how
healing indeed is Jesus, in his word, his ordinances, his providences,
his promises, his dispensations! Neither is this all: the tree of life
grows in the midst of the street, and is open in every gospel
ordinance; both to Jews and Gentiles, both to bond and free. He is also
on either side the river. The church above, though sitting under the
full enjoyment of him, doth not keep him wholly to herself. Blessed be
his name, he is as much for the glory and happiness of his church here
below, on this side the river of death. And is this tree of life, this
Jesus, mine? Oh the vast privilege! I bless thee, Oh thou Holy Spirit,
for giving me the knowledge of him now by faith: and ere long, I hope
to sit down forever in the paradise of God, in the unceasing enjoyment
of him, from whence I shall arise no more, but dwell under his branches
forever.
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