e represented as bringing forth fruit. "And the remnant
that is escaped out of the house of Judah shall again take root
downward, and bear fruit upward." Here is first a taking deep root
downward, or the sanctification of the faculties of the soul, by which
new principles of action are adopted; and a bearing fruit upward, or the
exercise of those principles, in holy affections and corresponding
outward conduct. Again, "Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face
of the world with fruit." The bud and blossom represent, in a very
striking manner, the first exercises of Christian experience. However,
this may be easily counterfeited. Every tree bears a multitude of false
blossoms, which, by the superficial observer, may not be distinguished
from the true. They may for a time appear even more gay and beautiful.
As it appears in full bloom, it would be impossible for the keenest eye
to discover them. But as soon as the season arrives for the fruit to
begin to grow, these fair blossoms are withered and gone, and nothing
remains but a dry and wilted stem. But the real children of God shall
not only bud and blossom, but they shall "_fill the face of the world
with fruit_." In the Song of Solomon, the church is compared to "an
orchard of pomegranates, with _pleasant fruits_." This is a beautiful
figure. The pomegranate is a kind of apple. The tree is low, but spreads
its branches, so that its breadth is greater than its height. So the
true Christian is humble and lowly; while his good works spread all
around him. The blossoms of this tree are large and beautiful, forming a
cup like a bell. But when the flowers are double, no fruit follows. So
the double-minded hypocrite brings forth no fruit. The pomegranate apple
is exceedingly beautiful and delicious; and so the real fruits of
Christianity are full of beauty and loveliness. Again, the church is
said to lay up for Christ all manner of pleasant fruit, new and old.
But, _backsliding_ Israel is called an empty vine, bringing forth fruit
_unto himself_. Here we may distinguish between the _apparent_ good
fruits of the hypocrite and those of the real Christian. The latter
does everything for Christ. He really desires the glory of God, and the
advancement of Christ's Kingdom; and this is his ruling motive in all
his conduct. But the former, though he may do many things good in
themselves, yet does them all with selfish motives. His ruling desire is
to gratify himself, and to promot