those vicissitudes of trouble and of peace, which chequer every one’s life; the trouble being designed by the Eternal Mercy to lead to a purer peace, and at the same time to render it more full, by bringing it into conjunction with that divine peace, of which Jesus Christ speaks, where He says, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth. (John xiv. 27.)
110. Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself, (Hos. x. 1,) are awful words, to denote the state of those in the church who do good works from a principle of selfish and worldly love, and not of heavenly love. In this case the vine is called empty, because not filled with the love of God and neighbourly love; for vine denotes the spiritual principle of truth or faith in the church, and truth or faith is always empty, except when it admits the life of love and charity from Jesus Christ to fill it, by submitting itself to the government and guidance of that life.
111. Another character of perversion in the church is described by the same prophet in these words, They make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt, (Hosea xii. 1,) by which words is signified that the rational principle is exalted to pre-eminence above love and charity, and that thus love and charity are degraded amongst mere scientifics.
112. The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up, his sin is hid, (Hos. xiii. 12,) describes a most unhappy and defiled state of the church, in which evil is confirmed
