216 FIFTH SERMON sweet savour, whose lips drop sweet smelling myrrh, Cant. v. 13. and whose doctrine is compared to the powders of the merchant, Cant. iii. 6. and the time of the gospel is called an accepted time, a day of salva- tion, 2 Cor. vi. 2. that is, a time of singular joy and solemnity, a continued Easter, or festival, 1 Cor. v. 7, S. and here withal he promiseth likewise, that his people should offer up spiritual incense and services unto him in prayers, thanksgivings, alms, and good works, Ezek. xx. 41. And as he promiseth, so we should practise these things ; our care should be to let our lips and lives breathe forth nothing but grace and edification, Col. iv. 6. To be frequent in the spiritual sacrifices of prayer, thanksgiving, and good works, which may be as an odour of a sweet savour to God, Phil. iv. 18. Rev. viii. 4. To labour to leave behind us a good name; not out of vain - glory, or an empty, ambitious affectation of honour, but out of the conscience of a holy life, which makes the name smell better than sweet ointment, Ecc. vii. 1. [6.] He promiseth, that they who dwell under his shadow shall return: which words admit of a double sense, and so infer a double promise and a double duty. We may understand the words thus, When Israel have repented and are brought home to God again, they shall then have security, defence, protec- tion, refreshment under the comforts of his grace against all the violence of temptation, as a spreading tree doth afford a sweet shade unto the weary travel- ler, and shelters him from the injuries of the heat, Job vii. 2. Isa. iv. 6. Mic. iv. 4. Zech. iii. 10. Whereby is signified the secure, quiet, and comfortable condi- tion of God's people under the protection of his provi- dence and promises.
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