must not bo like the fi<i^-tree in tlie p^ospel, which had nothing but knaves, but like the poinc-citron, tliat is continually either mel- lowing or blossoming ; it is never without fruit. It is not profession, but fruit glori- fies God ; God expects to have his glory from us this way, 1 Cor. ix. 7., " Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the iruit of it ?" Trees in the forest may be barren, but trees in the garden are fruitful ; we must bring forth the fruits of love and good works. Matth. v. 16., " Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Fa- ther which is in heaven." Faith doth sanc- tify our works, and works do testify our faith ; to be doing good to others, — to be eyes to the blind, feet to tlie lame, — doth much glorify God. And thus Christ did glorify his Father; " he went about doing good," Acts X. 38. By being fruitful we are fair in God's eyes, Jer. xi. 16., " The Lord called thy name a green olive-tree, fair and of goodly fruit." And we must bear much fruit; it is muchness of fruit glorifies God ; " if ye bear much fruit." The spouse's breasts are compared to clus- ters of grapes. Cant. vii. 7., to shew how fertile she was. Though the lowest degree of grace may bring salvation to you, yet not so much glory to God ; it was not a spark of love Christ commended in Mary, but much love ; " she loved much," Luke vii. 47.
A. 6. We glorify God, by being con- tented in that state where his providence hath set us. We give God the glory of his wisdom, in that we rest satisfied witli what he carves out to us. Thus did holy Paul glorify God; the Lord did cast him into as great variety of conditions as any man, *' in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft," 2 Cor. xi. 23., yet he had learned to be content. St. Paul could sail either in a storm or a calm; he could be any thing that God would have him ; he could either want or abound, Phil. iv. 13. A good Christian argues thus : It is God that hath put me in this condition : he could have raised me higher, if he pleased, but that might have been a snare to me ; God hath done it in wisdom and love; therefore 1 will sit down satisfied with my condition.
Surely this doth much glorify God • God counts himself much honoured with such > a Christian : saith God, here is one after my own heart ; let me do what I mil with him, I liear no murmuring, he is content : this shews abundance of grace. AVlien grace is crowning, it is not so much to be con- tent,— but when grace is conflicting mth inconveniences, then to be content, is a glo- rious thing, indeed; for one to be content when he is in heaven, is no wonder, — but to be content under the cross, is like a Chris- tian. This man must needs bring glory to God, for he shews to all the world, that though he hath little meal in his barrel, yet he hath enough in God to make him content ; he saith, as David, Ps. xvi. 5., " The Lord is the portion of mine inherit- ance ; the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places."
A. 7. We glorify God in working out our own salvation. God hath twisted these two together, his glory, and our good. We glorify him, by promoting our own salva- tion. It is a glory to God to have multi- tudes of converts ; now, his design of free grace takes, and God hath the glory of his mercy ; so that, while we are endeavouring our salvation, we are honouring God. What an encouragement is this to the service of God, to tliink, while I am hearing and praying, I am glorifying God ; while I am furthering my own glory in heaven, I am increasing God's glory ! Would it not be an encouragement to a subject, to hear his prince say to him, " You will honour and please me very much, if you will go to yon- der mine of gold, and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away?" So, for God to say, " Go to the ordinances, get as nnich grace as you can, dig out as much salvation as you can ; and the more happi • ness you have, the more I shall count my- self glorified."
A. 8. We glorify God, by living to God, 2 Cor. v. 15., " that they whidi live, should not live to themselves, but unto him wiio died for them." Rom. xiv. 8., " Whe- ther we live, we live unto the Lord." The Mammonist lives to his money, the Epicure lives to his belly, the design of a sinner's life is to gratify lust. But then we glorify Gotl, when we live to God.
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MANS CHIEF END IS TO GLORIFY GOD.
Q. JVhat is it to live to God ?