[Our Lord has told us what will be the end of a barren vinek. And shall not such also be the end of those who live to themselves rather than to God? Let our Lord determine this point also1: and let " the unprofitable servant" not think himself secure on account of his freedom from gross sins; but remember that the best actions are to no purpose, if not wrought from a principle of love to Godm.]
Address —
1. Those who resemble an empty vine —
[The culture bestowed on you is worse than in vain, since it greatly aggravates your guilt. Guard then against self-deceit; and devote yourselves in body, soul, and spirit, unto God. Above all, seek to be united unto Christ by faith: for it is only by virtue derived from Christ, that you can ever bring forth fruit unto God11.]
2. Those who may rather be compared to fruitful vines —
[Occasional mixtures of self are no just ground to ques- tion our state before God : for there is much remaining weak- ness in the best. Nevertheless you must watch and pray against that base principle, and judge of your attainments by the degree in which self is mortified, and God exalted in your hearts.]
k John xv. 6. ' Matt. xxv. 30.
m 1 Cor. xiii. 1. n Rom. vii. 4. John xv. 4.
Hos. x. 12. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy ; break up your falloiv ground : for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
THE figurative language of Scripture may in some cases obscure its import : but, when it is explained, it exhibits the plainest truths in a rich variety of forms, and tends to fix them on our minds by its attractive influence. We pray God that this observation may be verified, while we open the passage now before us, and consider,
I. The duty enjoined —
The three first expressions are explained by the vol. x. I