In dependence on him [Without this, all the endeavours of his people will be vain They can do nothing but by strength derived from him Nor can they obtain salvation except through faith in him— They must continually trust in his righteousness for acceptances And on the communications of his grace for support'-] But the christian's duty is also III. His privilege Whilst he is studying to approve himself to his Lord, it is his privilege to walk Firmly [The office of a root is to keep the tree firm, while it transmits nutriment to the branches By means of that the tree successfully resists the stormThe Christian experiences many storms of temptation and persecution His faith also and hope are often assaulted— But it is his privilege to be "rooted in Christ" And to be "established" immovably "in the faith" of the gospel The storms shall cause him to strike his roots more deeply- [A building is carried on in order to its completion- Care indeed should be taken respecting the quality of the materialsa_ But, if they be good, we cannot " build” too high—] Triumphantly [Doubtless the Christian has frequent cause for sorrowBut his grounds for joy and gratitude are also "abundant”— He should ever reflect on what has been, and shall be, done In the view of this he should give "thanks" [for himHis daily walk should be triumphant, though in the midst of troubles"—— As he grows in grace, he will experience this] q John xv. 5. ▾ Eph. ii. 21. r Acts iv. 22. ? Eph. iv. 15. .Phil. iii. 9. I Cor. iii. 11. 1 Cor. iii. 10, 12—15. Isai. li. 3. APPLICATION [Let us enquire whether we have received Christ aright? If we have not, let us not deceive our own soulsd If we have, let us not continue in a low and drooping state Let us endeavour to walk suitably to our professiono — d 1 John v. 12. e Col. i. 10. XCVII. THE FRUITS OF GOD'S FAVOUR. Hos. xiv. 5—7. I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. THERE are instances of beautiful imagery in the Scriptures equal to any that can be found in the works of the most renowned authors They are enhanced too by the importance of the subjects they contain— In both respects the passage before us deserves peculiar attention Imagination cannot conceive a richer display of divine blessings than God here vouchsafes to his church and people I. The favour which God will shew his people The metaphor of "dew" is at once simple and sublime [The benefits of the dew are but little known in this climate But in Judea the metaphor would appear very signifi canta For some time after the creation, dew supplied the place of rainb And, after rain was given, it still remained of great use a Where the rains are periodical, and the climate hot, the dews are more abundant. b Gen. ii. 6. The Scriptures speak of it as an important blessing They represent the withholding of it as a calamity and cursed] The communications of God to his people are fitly compared to it It distils silently and almost imperceptibly on the ground Yet it insinuates itself into the plants on which it falls- In the same manner God's visits to his people are secrete- He cheers and revives their fainting spirits And thus he fulfils to them his own most gracious promise-] Were his communications refreshing only, and not influential on the conduct, we might be afraid of enthusiasm But his favour invariably discovers itself by II. Its fruits and effects The effects of the dew are seen by the progress of vegetation The descent of God's Spirit on the soul produces Growth [The "lily" springs up speedily, but is of short duration The cedars of "Lebanon cast forth their roots" to a great extent Thus the soul that is refreshed with divine communications The quickness of its growth often excites admiration- 66 While it spreads its branches," and displays its vigour in every good word and work-1 Beauty [There is peculiar grace and "beauty in the olive-tree"And such is there in the soul that communes much with God e See Gen. xxvii. 28, 39. and Deut. xxxiii. 13. d2 Sam. i. 21. He comes not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in the small still voice, 1 Kings xix. 11, 12. What a lustre was there on the face of Moses, when he came from the mount!" And how is the lively Christian "beautified with salvation?" His outward conduct is rendered amiable in every partHis inward dispositions of humility and love are ornaments which even God himself admires He is transformed into the very image of his God— [Lebanon was no less famous for its odoriferous vines than for its lofty cedars And does not the Christian diffuse a savour all around him?" How animated his discourse when God is with him!— How refreshing and delightful to those who enjoy his conversation! How pleasing is it also to his God and Saviour!P In proportion as he lives near to God, he fulfils that duty] Fruitfulness [The "corn and the vine" are just emblems of a Christian's fruitfulness They often wear the most unpromising appearance Yet are they "revived" by the genial influences of the sun and rain Thus the Christian may be reduced to a drooping or desponding state But the renewed influences of God's Spirit will revive him— They make him "fruitful in all the fruits of righteousness" They too, who "dwell under his shadow," and are most nearly connected with him, will participate his blessings'-] INFER. 1. How honourable and blessed is the Christian's state! Exod. xxxiv. 30. i 1 Pet. iii. 4. * Eph. iv. 23, 24. 1 Ps. i. 3. The olive, as an evergreen, retains its beauty; and in this respect also is a fit emblem of the true Christian. m This is twice mentioned in the text, and therefore deserves peculiar notice. n 2 Cor. ii. 14. See him before the sun has exhaled the dew, or the world abated the fervour of his affections; and how does he verify that saying! Prov. xvi. 24. P Mal. iii. 16. Cant. iv. 16. q Col. iv. 6. If he be a master, a parent, and especially a minister, the benefit of his revivals will extend to many. [Often is he favoured with visits from above And glorious are the effects produced by God upon himThe whole creation scarcely affords images whereby his blessedness may be adequately represented Who then is so honourable? who so happy?— Let all endeavour to maintain a sense of their high privileges And to "walk worthy of the calling wherewith they are called"] 2. How hopeful is the state of those who wait on God! [The promises in the text were given as an answer to prayer And they are made to all, who, "like Israel," plead with God If the dew be withheld from others, it shall descend on them Its descent shall accomplish the utmost wishes of their souls They shall soon experience the fulfilment of that word"—} • John xiv. 23. Judges vi. 37, 38. Isai. xl. 31. XCVIII. GOD'S APPEAL TO MAN'S DECISION. Isai. v. 3-5. O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. MERCIES are obligations to obedience, and aggravations of the guilt of disobedience This is declared under the similitude of an unfruitful vineyard— The parable in the text foretold the captivity of the Jews in Babylon— Our Lord applied it in reference to the approaching dissolution of their ecclesiastical and civil polity by the Romans' a Matt. xxi. 33, 41, 45. |