and decorum : but when compared with that love which grace inspires, it is a mere vanity ; it is like a sun painted upon canvass, in comparison with the sun shining in the firmament of heaven. Who that lives under the influence of gracious affections, and moves in a circle where Christian love abounds, does not feel this ? His spirits are not tumultuous indeed ; but they are sweetly elevated towards high and heavenly things : he carries with him a divine savour, wherever he moves : when he enters into the society of the saints, or into the tabernacle of his God, the fragrance is drawn forth and greatly increased, so that "the whole house, as it were, is filled with the odour of the oint- ment." O, Beloved, how pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity ! As none could form a just conception of the odours of Aaron's ointment, but those who came within the sphere of its influence, so none can form any adequate idea of the sweetness of love, but those on whom the Spirit of God has poured this divine unction. We may however see that this representation is just, even though we should not be able fully to comprehend it : for St. Paul, urging with all possible importunity the exercise of love, recommends it from the con- sideration of the comfort imparted by it : "If there be any comfort of love, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind c."]
But the Psalmist speaks of unity as being " good," as well as pleasant : and in his illustration of it in this view, he leads us to contemplate it, II. As administering to our everlasting welfare —
The effect of dew in hot countries is exceedingly beneficial —
[In this country, where rains are frequent, we have com- paratively little dew: but in hot countries, where the rains are periodical, the dew, as in Paradise, almost supplies the place of rain d. On Hermon, and on Zion, it came down in rich abun- dance. In its descent it was gentle ; but in its operation pow- erfully influential, reviving and invigorating every plant, and fertilizing the earth on every side.]
And such also is the influence of love on the souls of men —
[On Zion, "God commanded his blessing " in the days of old ; and on our Zion also he still commands it, " even life for evermore." But what is the principle whereby he operates this glorious change ? It is love, or "faith working by love :" "Love is of God ; and every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God: he that loveth not, knoweth not God : for God
0 Phil. ii. 1, 2. d Gen. ii. 4, 5.