Vers. 1. ISrael is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit, he hath encreased the altars, according to the goodnesse of his land, they have made goodly images.
This Verse contains a part of the first accusation, wherein Is∣rael is challenged for fruitlessenesse, and bringing forth fruit to themselves and not to God, and that they multiplied instru∣ments of Idolatry, according as they encreased in wealth. Whence learn, 1. As the Church in many things doth resemble a Vine, and particularly, in that they are good for nothing when they are not fruitful, Ezek. 15. and that God takes great paines upon them, Psal. 80.8, &c. Isa. 5.1, 2. So emptinesse is her great and usual sin, having not only no fruit, or ill fruit, but empty∣ing, evanishing fruit: For, Israel is an empty vine, and thus also are they (as some read the words) an emptying vine, which poure out their strength and the fruits of Gods bounty in empty and vain fruits, as a vine that bringeth forth nothing but branch∣es and leaves. 2. When men improve all Gods paines upon them, and dispensations toward them, only in seeking of them∣selves or their own interests, it is their great sin, and a proof of their fruitlessenesse; Therefore it is subjoyned, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself, that is, they consume all the fruits of Gods dispensations and care toward them upon their own lusts: Men are then indeed empty before God, and (as some read the words) their fruit is equal, or, like to themselves, when the honour of God is not so much eyed in their way, as themselves or their name; when dispensations are not improven to make them more for God, and when they are not publick-minded, rather then seeking their own things, 3 It is the great ingratitude of men, and a peculiar proof of their emptinesse and selfishnesse, when they are not the more for God, that he is good to them, but do