Use 1. If this be so, it cuts ofl" a carnal exception of senseless persons, that think they can stop men's mouths with this, I cannot make so much show as you, but I hope I have as good a heart to God as you or as the best. But a Christian is a vine that brings forth gi-apes and much fruit, and casts a scent from him, as ' the scent of Lebanon,' upon all fit occa- sions ; for his words should be ' as the apples of gold set with pictures of silver,' Prov. xxv. 11. He is seasonable in his actions of consolation, and bringeth forth his fruit in due season, as the promise is, Ps. i. 3 ; for Solomon sheweth that everything is made beautiful in his season, Eccles. iii. 11. Those, therefore, that have not a good word to speak, but rather express the contrary, rotten, unsavoury discourse, vain in then- conversa- tion, savouring nothing that is good, how have they as good a heart to God as the best ? No ; this is not to be a Christian, who should savour like Aaron's garments, or like these graces coming from his Head to him ; who should spread abroad his sweetness unto others, ' shining out as a light,' Philip, ii. 15, amongst others. Therefore, away with this base plea. A rotten speech argueth a rotten heart. What can come out of a vessel but such as is within it ? If the issues be naught, what is the vessel but naught ? If all be unsavoury outward, what is there but a rotten heart within ?
Use 2. Again, if Christians should cast a scent and savour, this should move and stir them up, if they will answer their title to be Christians, sweet, anointed persons, priests to God, to labour more and more to be spiritual, and savour the things of the Spirit, and to labour for more and more com- munion with Christ in the use of all sanctified means, that they may have the Spirit of Christ in their conversation, shewing forth the humihty, patience, love, and obedience of Christ. As Peter speaks and exhorteth us, ' to shew forth the virtues of him who hath called us from darkness into his marvellous light,' 1 Pet. ii. 9. Then we answer our title, and ' cast forth a scent like Lebanon,' when inwardly and outwardly all things join to make us fruitful and savoury before God and man.
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Quest. What will come of it if we be fruitful and savoury ?
Ans. 1. God will be more pleased in all our actions, and will ' smell a sweet savour of rest,' as it is said of Noah, Gen. viii. 21, after his coming out of the ark ; for God delights in his own graces, which he admireth in us. As he said to the woman of Canaan, ' 0 woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee as thou v/ilt,' Mat. xv. 28. God, as it were, stands admiring his own graces, he is so delighted with the faith, love, prayers, and patience of his children, which is farther excellently expressed in the Canticles, ' Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, and all the spices of the merchant ? ' Cant. iii. 6. Christ there is brought in admiring* at his church and children, conflicting through all the miseries and incumbrances of this world, which hinder and oppose their journey to heavenwards, wherein they thrust forth all the practice of their holy graces, which smell like spices. Then let us not envy God, the saints, and holy people the sweetness of our graces, but let our scent smell abroad to the content and comfort of all, that they may delight in these graces that come from us, in our humility, patience, faith, love, sincerity, and all these graces wherein we resemble Christ and shew forth his holy virtues. Therefore, for our own comfort and delight of all, and to assure ourselves of heaven and of the love of God whilst we live here, let us labour to be fruitful in our conversation, and to cast forth a scent in regard of others, which hath an attractive, drawing force. For when they see a holy, fruitful, and gracious conversation, it casts forth a scent, and makes others like religion. So God is glorified, and religion is adorned. What greater ornament to religion than to see a fruitful, gracious Christian, who hath ability and a heart to do good upon all occasions, with an bumble, meek, peaceable spirit, taught of God to be so for the good and love of others ?
There must be pomegranates with bells, a sweet conversation with words, a little whereof will do more good to others than a gi'eat many words. A good conversation is sweet, and hath a kind of oratory joined with it. Therefore, if neither for God, or Christ, or others, yet for our own sakes, and the reflection of that good scent upon ourselves, let us be fruitful. A man cannot grow in fruitfulness but he must needs grow in comfort, peace, and joy. Nothing cheereth and solaceth the heart of a Christian more than this, the consciencef that God honoureth him to be fruitful, to do good, and cast a sweet savour, to draw others to good things. This will com- fort us upon our deathbeds more than all other things. Therefore, in all these respects, for love of God, others, and ourselves, which are delighted with the expressions of our graces, let us labour to be fruitful trees in God's garden, and to bring forth much fruit, that we may send forth ' a scent like Lebanon.'