A Body of Practical Divinity

5. We glorify God by Fruitfulness, Joh. 15.8. Hereby is my Father glorified, if ye bring forth much fruit. As 'tis a Dishonour to God to be barren, so Fruitfulness doth honour him: Phil. 1.11. Filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are to the praise of his glory. We must not be like the Fig-tree in the Gospel, which had nothing but Leaves, but like the Pomocitron, that is continually either mellowing or blossoming, ⟨p. 5⟩it is never without Fruit. 'Tis not Profession but Fruit glorifies God, God expects to have his Glory from us this way, 1 Cor. 9.7. Who plants a vineyard and eats not of the fruit of it? Trees in the Forrest may be barren, but Trees in the Garden are fruitful: We must bring forth the Fruits of Love and Good Works: Matth. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Faith doth sanctify our Works, and Works do testify our Faith: To be doing good to others, to be Eyes to the Blind, Feet to the Lame, doth much glorify God. And thus Christ did glorify his Father, He went about doing good, Acts 10.38. By being fruitful we are fair in God's Eyes, Jer. 11.16. The Lord called thy name a green olive-tree, fair and of goodly fruit. And we must bear much Fruit, it is Muchness of Fruit glorifies God; if ye bear much Fruit. The Spouse's Breasts are compared to Clusters of Grapes, Cant. 7.7. to show how fertile she was. Tho' the lowest degree of Grace may bring Salvation to you, yet not so much Glory to God: it was not a spark of Love Christ commended in Mary, but much love, [Greek or Hebrew], she loved much, Luke 7.47.