30 INTRODUCTION. 



There is one other remarkable passage illustrative of the 

 general principle of which we have been speaking, that is of 

 so entirely different a character from either of the preceding, 

 that I cannot forbear to mention it. It relates wholly to the 

 Vegetable Kingdom. 



The 14th chapter of Hosea begins with an expostu- 

 lation with the backsliding Israelites, and with an ear- 

 nest invitation to return to God. The most affecting as- 

 surances are given of his forgiving mercy towards their 

 past transgressions, and of his blessing for the future. And 

 the consequences of his blessing upon them as returning 

 penitents, are represented in the following manner. 



' I will be as the dew, unto Israel.' In some parts of 

 Judea, there is no rain for many months, during the summer 

 season, and the influence of the dew is essential to vegetation. 

 Where this is not felt, there is an arid, sterile desert. / Where 

 it is enjoyed, it causes the richest and most luxuriant growth. 

 Though they had become withered and dying like grass, by 

 their wanderings and sins, His grace and spirit, like the dew 

 should revive and invigorate them. 



' He shall grow as the lily.' This flower is remarkable for 

 the rapidity of its growth. But it is also remarkable for its 

 frailty. So it is added, * and cast forth his roots as Lebanon,' 

 The cedar of Lebanon was a well-known emblem of sta- 

 bility. 



' His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the 

 olive tree t and his smell as Lebanon.' 



lie shall extend, be increased, he shall be beautiful as the 

 olive tree, remarkable for the symmetry of its form, and for 

 the richness and fragrance of its verdure. As it is elsewhere 

 said, * the fatness of the olive tree ;' * And his smell as Leb- 

 anon/ This mountain was distinguished not only for its 

 wonderful growth of firm and majestic cedars, but for the 

 abundance of its beautiful and fragrant flowers. Another 

 object of comparison, in some other place, is the ' scent of the 

 wine of Lebanon,' which was made odorous and sweet with 

 aromatic drugs. 



The whole of this delightful passage is filled with the 

 richest imagery, all of which is borrowed from the common 

 objects of vegetable life. And yet how few readers of the 

 Bible perceive or enjoy the precious meaning which these 

 comparisons convey. It seems to me that it would be utterly 

 impossible to express, by any direct language, the fulness of 

 blessing, which is couched under these figures of speech. 



