214 FIFTH SERMON subministered unto life and nourishment : which is the work of faith, and of the Spirit of Christ, whereby the soul of a believer, being sensible ofwant, desirous of supply, and pressing forward unto perfection, Both sweetly close with whatsoever the measure of any other part hath communicated unto it, converting it into growth and nourishment to itself, which the apostle calls, the mixing of the word with faith, Heb. iv. 2. Now, [4.] He promiseth that the beauty of his church shall be as the olive -tree ; that as she should have the glory of the lily, the strength and extension of the cedar, so this spreading should not be a vain ostentation, but should have joined with it the flourishing and fruit- fulness of the olive. Now the honour of the olive -tree standeth in two things ; perpetual greenness and most profitable fruit, which serveth both for light to cause the lamp to burn, Exod. xxvii. 20. and for nourish- ment to be eaten, Lev. vi. 15, 16. in the one respect it is an emblem of peace, it maketh the face shine, Psa. civ. 15. and in the other, it is an emblem of grace and spiritual gifts, 1 John ii. 20. These are the two most excellent benefits which God promiseth unto his people. He will speak peace unto them, Psa. lxxxv. 8. Isa. xxxii. 17. and he will give them grace and glory, Psa. lxxxiv. 11. And as he promiseth, so should we practise these things, and learn to beautify the gospel of Christ, 1. With our good works, as the fruits of his grace, John xv. 8. 2. With our spiritual joy and comfort, as the fruits of his peace ; that others seeing the light and shining forth of a serene, calm, and peaceable conscience in our conversation, may thereby be brought in love with the ways of God. These two do mutually cherish and increase one another. The more con-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=