3. When self is the end of our actions —
[God's command is, that " whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of Godc." But what if we be studying how- to advance our own reputation or interest in the world? What if, like Jehu, we be actuated by pride, when we profess to be doing the Lord's workd? What if, even in religious duties also, we be seeking to establish our own righteousness, or to gratify only some selfish principle6? In all these cases we
a Col. ii. 23. b Matt. xix. 21, 22. c 1 Cor. x. 31.
ll Compare 2 Kings x. 30. with Hos. i. 4. e Zeeh. vii. 5, 6.
are justly involved in that censure, " All men seek their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christ's f."]
To shew the evil of such conduct we shall proceed to point out,
II. In what respects, they who do so resemble an empty vine — The similes of Scripture, if strained and perverted, are made disgusting ; but, if soberly and judiciously illustrated, they are replete with useful instruction. Now, without fear of straining this simile, we may observe, that they, who bring forth fruit to them- selves, resemble an empty vine,
1. In its nature —
[A vine is a proper emblem of fruitfulness ; but an empty vine, in a country so famous for its vineyards as Palestine, gives one a very strong idea of barrenness. Hence, when God was complaining of his people's unfruitfulness, he compared them to a vineyard, which, after the greatest pains and cost bestowed on its culture, brought forth nothing but wild grapes g. In this view, an empty vine marks the depraved nature of those, who, notwithstanding all the labour with which they have been cultivated, remain " barren and unfruit- ful in the knowledge of the Lord : " who, instead of being " filled with the fruits of righteousness to God's praise and glory," can rise no higher than self, nor do one single act that is pleasing and acceptable to God.]
2. In its use —
[A barren vine is the most worthless of all things : other trees may be made useful in some way; but neither root nor branch, nor even the trunk, of a barren vine is good for any thingh. Such worthless creatures are they who bring forth no fruit to God. They may indeed be good members of the community; but, as to all the great ends of their creation, they are of no use whatever: they bring no glory to God; they advance not the spiritual welfare of those around them ; they attain not to any measure of the Divine image. There is not any thing in the whole creation that does not answer the ends of its formation better than they. Well does our Lord compare them to " salt, which, when it has lost its savour, is unfit even for the dunghill1."]
3. In its end —
f Phil. ii. 21. b Isai. v. 4.
h Ezek. xv. 2 — 5. ' Luke xiv. 35.