186 FIFTH SERMON dew from the womb of the morning, are born in great abundance unto him, as multitudes of men, and be- lievers use to be expressed in scripture by drops of dew, Psa. cx. 3. Mic. v. 7. In one word, what dew is to the fields, gardens, vineyards, flowers, fruits of the earth, after a hot and a scorching day, that the favour, word, grace, loving countenance, and Holy Spirit of Christ will be to the drooping and afflicted consciences of his people. From this metaphor then we learn, 1. That we are naturally dry, barren, fruitless, and utterly unable to do any good, to bring forth any fruit unto God, like a heathy and parched land subject to the scorching terrors of the wrath of God, and to his burning indignation. So Christ compares Jerusalem unto a dry, withered tree fitted unto judgment, Luke xxiii. 31. And he assureth us that out of him we can do nothing," John xv. 4, 5. In us of ourselves there dwelleth no good thing, Rom. vii. 18. we are not of ourselves as of ourselves, sufficient unto any- thing, 2 Cor. iii. 5. He is the sun that healeth us, Mal. iv. 2. he the rain that disposeth us, Psa. lxxii. 6. he the root that deriveth life and nourishment upon us, Rev. xxii. 16. As natural, so much more spiritual fruitfulness, hath its ultimate resolution into him, who alone is the Father of the rain, and begetteth the drops of dew, Hos. ii. 21, 22. Job xxxviii. 28. 2. That the grace of God is like dew to the barren and parched hearts of men to make them fruitful. And there are many things wherein the proportion and resemblance stands. (1.) None can give it but God, it comes from above, it is of a celestial original, the nativity thereof is from the womb of the morning. " Are there any amongst the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause
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