Hosea 14:4-7

Here we have the second division of the Chapter, in a Cluster of the richest promises. Reader! contemplate the Lord Jesus in all these precious things, (for He is the speaker), and oh! for grace, that both you and I may see and know our own personal interest in them, for they are most blessed. Jesus will heal the backslidings of his people. His blood cleansed from all sin. And he will do it freely. His love is not the result of our prayers, but his own free grace. It comes from himself, and of himself. He doth love, and he will love. This is the only cause. And he will be as the dew unto Israel, that is, as another Prophet explains, which waiteth not for man, neither tarrieth for the sons of men. So free, unmerited, unexpected; so great and copious as the innumerable drops of the morning; and so blessed as the fruitful showers on the earth. And the sweet effects wrought on Israel's mind thereby, shall be like that of the lily, whose roots lie deep, and even in winter still sends forth her shootings; so the lives of God's people, which lie hid with Christ in God, shall be ever green, and which no wintry seasons can destroy. And as the cedar of Lebanon spreads forth her branches in majesty; so in Christ, his people stretch forth, on the right hand and on the left, with a smell as fragrant as the spices; and the sweet scented odour of Jesus name is in them like ointment poured forth. For dwelling under Christ's shadow, everything shall partake of his fragrancy. And they shall grow as the branches of the vine, which though unpromising, and apparently like a dry stick, produceth the richest and most luxuriant branches, like the grapes of Eshcol or like the corn, which the more it is trodden down, the more it revives and brings forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty fold, some an hundred fold. Precious Lord Jesus! who that considers thy loveliness, and the blessedness of thy people in thee, but must cry out with the Church, my beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. Song of Solomon 1:14.