Of che whole Book of

FCANTICLESE

nallthe thereof, both Jewish and itn, ro chs dy;

LONDON

> Printed Towng for Charles Green, , Ofc Gun du 14

Lively describing the Estate of the Church $7

CANTICLES,

openey IN or

He Song of songs, which is Solomins. 2 Let bom kisse me with the kisses of bis mont: thy love is better NN SM mba ause of the sav ines NAS is as ointment powred Fry com fore doe the Virgins love thee. tbe 4 Draw me, we will rut after thee: 1h King bath brought me into. bis chambers: we will be gl; | and rejoyce in thee, we will remember thy love more then wine, the #pright love thee. © = | 5 IT amblacke, but comely, ((Owye daughters of

| Jerusalem.) as the Tents of Kedar, af the curtaines of Solomon. |

6 Looke not upon me because I am blacks because A2 +. the

The Song of songs. = |

[x Sunne bath looked upon me : my Mothers children | We oo with me, they made me the keeper ha | ,own Vineyard bave T not | | ar: me, (O thou Sho my soule loveth ) Chak | 'F thor feedest, where thou wiakeft thy flocke to rest at | noon Si why sbould I be as one that twrnetb af de by 1 $ 1

the fl thy companions? | 6 know not (O thou fairest among wo- | men ) goe thy way forth by the footsteps vi thy flocke, | and feed thy kjddes be sides the sbepbeards tents. 9 Thave compared thee, O my love, to a company of borses in Phardobs chariots. ' | 10 Thy cheeks oy with rowes of jewels, thy neck”with chainer of gold 11 Wewill as: whe borders of gold, with studs filver. 12 While the King fitteth af bis table ny spike- Rendgpender forth the smel! thereof. - - A bundle of myrrbe is my welbeloved unto Ny shall lie all night betwixt my breafts. 14 My beloved is unto me, as cluster of Cam- [iye ie he he ds of En-gedi. .15 Bebold, thou art pow my love: bebold, thou art faire, and bat doves e.-16 Bebold, thou art = my belaved, yea, pleafox: also our bed is green. 7 _ The be@nes of our bouse are Cedar, al cor

refirs of fn re.

a} the | Tur Exyianation” "$a ere _— Ver, I. The Song of [ngi, whit | at | e by | verarts him kifse me with the kise; of his WG ah, fo thy love is better then wine. cke,

T was the manner of ancient times, at any 8 *Espousalls and Nuprtialls ro indite and fing * (Epithalamia) love-longs: * The els, i title of the 45. Psalme may seeme tobe penned by one of the chief? fingers of rhe c—_ le, (who now were all of them Prophets, t Asaph, Heman, Fedwhun,) upon occasion of Solomons unto wich Pharaohs daughter z for though. " Whee was a firanger by birth from, an- MW common-wealth of 1sracl; yet his marriage was lawfull with her: And thexeore, notwithstanding this marriage, his love to God is still commended, TH Solomon wad: affinity with Pharaoh Ki of E-. , and c = (ey the Lord, &c. For _ oof Christ.” admitting the atypeo Gent loinethe fellowship of his marriage-bed. | | Secondly * this —_— daughter be-

Came

t 1 Chron.

The use of marriage-songs. - Chayix: |

{daughter , or hers to him , or the good |

| came a Prosclyreto the Jewish Religion, d Hearken (0h Daughter) aud consider, and incline thine care, forget also thine ownt people, and thy fathers house, cc. | ow, though that marriage song was |] ned upon thar occafion; yet it ascendeth farre above all earthly respes of worldly marriage, and by a divine and heavenly workmanship sets forth a heavenly marriage-song betweene Christ and his Church: of like Argument was this song penned by Solomon himselfe, | not to expresse his affeftions to Pharaohs |

parts of either of them: no, nor the like wa to any Shunamite amongst the

rest of his wives, as some have vainly | conceived , for then how absurd and }

| monstrous were some of his comparisons,

likening his Spouse to a company. of horses in rar Chariot, her Head to Carmel oe s to Fi s, her Nose to Tower, Tk to 4 oof Sher a Fo whole Selfe to terrible Army with Banners? Burt his scope is to describe the estate ofthe:Church rowards Christ, and his respe& towards her, from his own time to the last judgement, as afterward it shall appeare. | Fr | | Now

| and shadowed under some sweet and

hes calamiries of the h be aswell described throughout this song , as the comfortable condition of rhe samein all ages ; yet such dismall are vailed

amiable resemblances, lest the joy of a ——_ feast should be darkened by unf le mention of so sadoccurrencesy neither are all of the estate of the Church in age here. described, | (for how canthat be in so short a song?) | butthe chicfe heads of things in cvery age are sweetly, and shortly, and lively, not onely pointed at, but decyphered, These verses contain, First,the title of the whole book, ver.r. Secondly, the description of the estate of the Church inthe dayes, First, of $s-| lomon, Ver. 2.,—4, 3 Secondly, of Solomon and Rehoboar, verses. ; Thirdly, of Rehoboams, veric 6—9. : Inthetitle we have First,the forma of the book, It is a Seng. | Secondly, the excellency of it, A Song

DD Thirdly, |

<4 oh. Psabder, Hywms, Songs, { Chap:1, Thirdly, the Authior of it, Which is $0- |

' Thirdly, fpirituall Songs. | Amongst the' Hebrewes there were | Psalmes made to be sung with Instru- | ments, as well as with yoyce, and contai- | | ned arguments of all fonts, for Petition, | Thankesgiving, and Instruction. Songs were chicfly made for the voice. | | Hymnes are properly praises of God: | _ any of these arc {ometimes put | for all. | First, this doth let us see, that it were | to be wished, thatthis Booke were tur- | _ into verseor meeter in m—_ e, | that we might. the Canticles as 'the | Hera | "Secondly, this teaches us to strive for | fuch agracious frame of spirit, that we | _—_ alwaycs bee to ' sing 'to|

This Song conraines the estate. of the | Church. , as well in the worst as best | ns; yet Sams can a5 well fog A

Chap1+ Songs not unscesanable.

$o- [© the miscry of the Church, as inher © spcrity. And* David hath as well Psalmes i of his deep waters: and calamitics, as of if his greatest deliverances, And the holy Ghost saith, < Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes: | And though fingingbe chiefly fir and re- WM quisite in fmirth,yet we should be fit also = for a Plalm in our afflition. But we com- Wo monly-in our ill houres are too sullen to i- | sing, and in our merry moods, our spirits JJ vanish away incarnall mirth and jolity, but whatsoever the estate of the Church WF be, we should have our spirits as ready to: (Wing as topray. _ zut [FF Thirdly, is reproved that ancient - {Flaw and custome of the Synagogue, 9 which prohibired young men (under i *birty yeares of age ) the reading and | use of this Booke, but what age fitter for Songs then cheerfull youth 2 And further, the amorousnesse of the dittic will not stirre up wantonnessc in

MW but rather , by inflaming with heavenl J love, will draw out, and burne up a JJ carthly and carnall lust , and evcn as fire

any | age, if the words be wcll understood : |

st (Jl in the hand is drawne out by Logig in | to a stronger fire, or as the light 2

1c " hear

Use 3.

Why this song called Chap.r. Reason 1, Y heat ofthe Sunne extinguisherh a kitchin

fire; so doth heavenly love to Christ extinguish base kitchin lusts.

A Song of songs: Thar is, a most excellent Song, the chiefest of Songs: as when they would expresle the holy place, they say, The Holy of holiest, * The' Lord lords. tht King of kings, the Servant of servants, an Hebrew 7 lative, so rhisis the chiefest Song, first of all Solomons 0ther Songs,cven of his thousand and five.

Secondly, of all Songs without exception; for though David was in his time g the sweet finger of Israel, yet as Solomons Throne exceeded his in all other magnificence: bso did his Name exceed his also, yet this is no disparagement to the other Songs; so neither, that some of Davids Psalmes should be tiled F golden Psalmes: i All purified gold 4 yer some gold wrought more exquisitely then 0thers, and: finer engraven then others; even some portion of the pure and holy Word of God, more exquisitely penned and polished then orher.

The first Reason why this Song is more excellent then others, is , because this Song speaketh not onely of the S | | chiefest

ADC AIID HS —Io9T99 © A Brhy © i —=wnmn 40 An {At

| chiefest marter, ro wit; Christ and his ex- © Church, but also more largely then any of Devids Psalmes, and with more store of more sweet and precious,exquisite and amiable resemblances; taken from the richest Jewels, the sweetest Spices, Gardens, Orchards, Vineyards, Wine-cellars, and the chictest beauties of all che workes of God and man, P Secondly, this Song admitteth niore wrictic of 1nrerpretation then anyorher, and also of singular use: fome have applicd ir to expresse the mutuall affeftion and fellowship between Christ and Christian soule; some betweene Christ / and the Catholique Church; some to t to Mparticular Churches, from Solomons time e of Mto the last judgement. And there is an den holy and usefull truth in each one of these "me Minterprerations; but the last doth exceed- 1 0- ingly magnifie the wonderfull excellency rs; Mof this Song, making it a divine abridgeoly ment of the Acts and Monuments of the ned MF Church. And that this book was chiefly penned to: be such an histonicall Prophcsicor Prophericall history, may-ap

peare, : + - Fi the corresj , et: sus | CP a

Reasan 2.

ro This Song aw hiftrical Prophecy, Chap:n.

sutablenesle of the words of this Songto theevents of eachvage;' - * - | -: Secondly.z. by the repetition of the _ ks Sonnet uld in divers parts of this;which wo be a mnedielfotemologis if ir were spokenof _ AY 25 you may see if you compare Chap.4.2. with 6.6. and 2,7. with 3.5.and 8.2.46. wittrs. 5. | . | Thirdly; by the diversities of descriptions of some persons, which would intimate and imply a contradiRion, if they were not | my severall times and se-

, by the suddenadmiration of | - | fome new persons and occurrences.” ' | -" First, weeimayhere see, the eldest sonne of Wisdome giveth the double} p_ of -excellency ro-this Song a-| ove all: others, yea, fince' the holy} Ghost givethir, it is nottherefore onely | Canonicall Scripture';,: bur an cminenr| portion of it, It were'prophane blasphe-| my to prefetre this Song! above other'| Songs of holy Scripture, if ir were not{| also given by divine inspiration as well | aithey ro: preferre the invention of |

—

| hee must needs. be so MW (not 'of Peters freed Troy as the Papists S would have it) butof\ S. Peter himscife:

k ——_ | holy EAry | Cadet bj, Peters confession; and not | - onely, but Christ himsclfe szith, i Al ol the Pr & Now, all the Prophets: came not ncere {

man before: the wisdome of God were -madnesse. And

none of Gods' ten proper names in He- 47

brew be once mentionedinthis Song, yet that.1 not -the''a

this mote" thenit doth of Haster, in nee une God: is 'mentioned: at all. Besides; this Booke is full:of such riames of God as. sute more with- thearv1, 0:he oh 97 rears Brother 7 She

more studious reading and ot this Bookazof a mic amok excel pordo of holy Writ. . ' |

Thirdly, rhis shewes us , that as this

ripture is Canonicall; sorhe Pen-man | ror 1-0 perbat pas ro:

of God: spake as they were moved. that hee must needs

are in the kingdame of God,

this

| Solomon proved io beseved. Chap. r,

The text

Ver. Js

this Prophet ; and there was no Scri

bur it was penned by a Prophericall and Apostolicall spirit z and though So

did fall, yet mIf he commit iniquity, I wi chaften him with the rod of men, &rc. Verse” 15. But my mercy shall not depart from him, 4 | yook it from Saul.” If some say, By this it was meant that God would not take away his kingdom; to this itis an{wered, he did take it away, but he would not deale with him as he dealt with Sawl: so then this tcllerh'us Setoxwon is a Saint in Heaven.

[ Which is Solomons. Solomon the penner of it, but a wiserthen Solomen indited it. The holy Ghost maketh choice of his Instruments according to the usc he had If" ro put them ro; to set forth' the cftate © his Church by the choicest-treasures © nature : hee useth Solomons spirit , which was as large as the sand of the sea shore. And 2s God led Mesesto rhe top of mount Pisgah, to behold all the places and (ituations of Ifrac}: fo he lifted up So/omons spirit ro the mountain of Acvitie,(that I may sospeake) where onely all times to come are present, to behold the estate of tt the Church throughout thepresenc, and il © all after times. —_ This!

hap. I | Solomon 4 canonized Saint.

This is to teach us, as it was said beore, that Soloman is. a canonized Saint,

e he had not beenea- Pen-man of Canonicall Scripture, canonized not by Peers pretended successors, who have nefully erred in this kinde ; but by

his Peter himselfe, yea, by agreater then ake <tr or Solomon, even * Christ Jesus: ed, hat promise y reacheth further then to norTHictorre Solewoy before Saul, in reserving

| e kingdome to. his posterity, which = c ons from Saul, "agns 1 Solsns posterity, the kingdome was cut off en. 82 Fechoniah: the promise therefore of ted (Rcrcy to Solomon above Saul, reacheth his the bestowing of an heaycnly kingad dome upon him. Besides, in that place

70 bl are promised, First, Adoption, 7 will be his fatber,e+c. Secondly,cstablishment in Gods house and kingdome : so that if the latter promise should not evince his perseverance, yet the former doth. | Secondly , this isto stirre us up to the meditation of this Booke, the more for the Pet-mans sake. The 2,3,8 4.verses {ing and shew forth ind ctate of the. Church in" Solomons

time.

2 Sam-7,

vil) thme. Verle 5. the estare ofthe Church a

1 of all lx torh tothe "Kings cha

verse2.

regard thereof.

well in Solomons time as in Rehoboam The verses following to the ninth , estate of the Church in all the time 0 Rehoboam

In the Church of TL time, foure

PR. Solan - choyce of heavenly wisdome, by which chiefly wee'en sweet and familiar fe with C

q 1 King.3.5.to 10. This is expressec Secondly, the sweet favour and far

of Solomons gifts and tothe ning of the love ind +dmiraton re

sons of men. _ :

Thirdly:, the drawing and le: or his care ec

A to the publick Wor their respe of him in

urthly, the fall and deformity of the Church "by Idolatrous worship, and tc leration thereof in many z and "e beeping of "th of the nyo beauty of

[Let him ki kisse me page my”

courts of Selowmons bring on his th ship of God; an

{ his outh

| Chap. 1. . Kisses of ba wank, whe, 2

mouth, &c.] It is 4 prayer ofthe Church, or (which is all one) some chiefe member of it, fora pledge of Christs sweet and familiar acquaintance, and love, and fellowship with her: Kisses are pledges and incentives of love. ! Mer (ball kisse his lips that answereth pright words. This is the effect of upright Answers, men kifle his lips; but God kissing a mans lips, is the cause of mans answering upright words, his breathing into our mouths a rightanswer, maketh ps speake accordingly; as, on the contrary, when one answers perversly, unjustly, erroneously, Saran then hath kissed them with his kisses, hee hath fittten as a * lying spirit in their mouths.

[The kisses of his mouth, ] which is more thenthe kisses of his lips ,, the one is a filent gesture of love, the other implyeth also amiable speeches, when Christ,

First, bythe voyce of his Word, or

, Second! the breath of his spirit doth thee > 7 " I First, put wisdome or grace into our

Or Secondly, speake peace or comfost to

our soulcs, ih

B Tcre-

Plat. 119.

-

Spiritual wisdome brings peace. Chap.r.

CIsa.57- 19.

u Eccles, 12,13

| y Pro.z.17

—

| vour of God in giving wisdome, and|

s Tcreate the fruit of the lips, peace,peace, &c. Solomons ir Shan 4 - wn of God, as wickednefsle is folly; t The beginning of this wisdome is the feare of God, u the ad, of it is the keeping of Gods Commandements. This wisdome who so findes,findes Christ, * the wisdome of the Father, in whom God is well pleased with us, and in whom he(as it were) kisseth us: this wisdome doth not only enable us-to walk godlily to our salvation, but likewise fits us to.goc in and out before our families, before our people, and so enlarges us to all dutics of our callings: And to walk in the wayes of this wisdome, brings peace| to our soules, and to those that live under | us. ? AU her paths are peace.

For thy love is better then wine.) The fa-

Lon th =

thereby peace toa mans selfe and others: depending on him, is more worth then wine; (that is) then whatsoever makes the -heart of man * glad. This = er was powred out by Solomen, the c iclest member of the Church inthis time,when he prayed for wisdome, ft and preferred it before long life, riches, victory aver i his enemies, &c. pe

Chap. I, Spiritual! graces called ointmemts.

Orelse this whole verse may expresse

of the desire of the Church to Solomon, that 1n- | he would expresse his love to her by his the |} divine Sentences , * and Bookes , and de- Songs, which are better then their civill des | peace, t then the sitting 1under their own 1 | Vincand Fig-tree,

ind Because of the savour of thy good oynthis | ents. } Good ointments are the gifts and alk graces of Gods Spirit, ® But the anointing fits | which ye have received of him, &+c. so cal- 1s, i led, because they heale a broken heart as S tO I TH oyle: the oyle of Gods grace heals the k 111 i bruises of the soule.

acc Sccondly, as oyle doth make the face der Wo shine, so doe they.

Thirdly, 4 as by the holy oyles all the fa- vessels ofthe Tabernacle were consecraand ted; so by these graces all the vessels of 1ers {mercy arc consecrated to God, hen © Fourthly,by the oyntment were anoin. ikes Fred rotheir offices © Kings, f Priests,g and

e manifestation of thele graces,as oyntwer Wments are manifested by their savour, Thy name is as an oyntment powred forth.) Or B 2 Thar

ti Kin.4. |

Verse 3.

a Joh,z 27

b Luke 10, 34- Isa.61.3c Pla.104

Salomon honoured for his wisdome. Chap.1.

| bim: all the Kings sent ro him, and of all

That is, precious, sweet, and famously renowned, Therefore doe the Virgins love thee, The Virgins in this Song are such as Christ hath not yer espoused to himselfe, k nor spoken for in way of marriage z l such as carnall Jewes, or the Gentiles, Love thee.) That is, First, honourably esteem thee. Secondly, affe& thy sight and fellowship. Thirdly, Teeke after thee, = This was fulfilled in Solomon - his owne people reverenced him.even all of them, his name was famous in all nations round about

people, some came to hear his wisdome. n The Queen of Sheba cometh from rhe uttermost parts of the earth to heare it, & counteth his people happy under it: Hiram King of Tyre blessedGod for his wisdom,

Draw me.” It may well be the speech of Solomon to Christ, praying that Christ would draw him to the Father, neer untc him in holy duties, and promising rc bring all the People to run with him after God, Or it may be the speech of the Church to Solomon, defiring him to draw them together, by publick edits andy,

'Chap.r. What meant by Chambers.

proclamations, to the solemne duties of Gods worship, and promising to come freely , ro runne together willingly inthe times of such afsemblies ; which was doneP,

The King hath brought me into his chambers.) That is, into those bride-chambers, where Christ familiarly converseth with them; which were three.

First, the Tabernacle at Gibeon.

Secondly, the Ark at Jerusalem.

Thirdly, the Temple.

Into these, 4 Solomon brought the whole congregation of Israel ods sacrifices.

First, they rejoyced in him.

' Secondly,they remember his love better then wine.

Thirdly, the upright love him.

Thar rejoycing in him, ts recorded r: their remembrance of his love more then wine, is there also implied, fordeparting F from the meeting with such glad hearts,

they afterward remembred the comfort

thereof, as more-blessed then the peace- |

B 3 able

Solomon type of Christ. Chap...

able living under their owne Vine and.Fig-tree. The love of the upright to him continued all his time, even when his wives, and hollow-hearted subjedts flattered him, and enticed him totoleration of Idolatrie.

But consider further , that Solomon, when hee is here set forth as the desire, p_ and blessednesle of all his people,

e isthena type of Christ, greater then Solomon; whose heavenly fellowship and instruction, the Church desires above wine: whose graces are excellent, and procuring him love and renowne, of whom the Church prayeth to be drawn, and who leaderh us to fellowship with God in holy worship, whom therefore the peoplerejoyce in, and: remember his loveabove wine: the upright love him.

This, first dothshew us the happy estate of a Church or Crmmets wad when | men of place labour not for preferments or worldly. profits,” for honour or long life, but for wise and understanding hearrs, thatmay go in and out before the people in their callings, when they defire to be kissed with the kisses of Gods mouth, that he would breath into them

| Chap.r. How to get 4 g80d name.

such graces as be needfull for their places.

Secondly, this sheweth what procures a Magistrate love and reputation; when, being inriched with Gods gu] z 4s sweet oyntments, kee manitesterh the sweet savour thereof in all his administrations, If any man desire a good name,if any man defires love and relpeR, thitis the way to get it; fill your hearts with the good gifts and graces of God let Gods grace shew forth irselfe in your speeches, in your answers, in your praRices; this oyntment will be stronger to get a good name, then any other noysom thing to hinder it. The Virgins will love

ou,for they rejoyce at your faith; \ And by faith our elders were well reported of. By these, Solomon got a good name all the world over.

Thirdly, this is ro teach a Magistrate to draw on the _ to holy duties, by all meanes he can, by his Proclamations, Lawes, and Examples.

Fourthly , to few that the greatest comfort of {ubje&s, and the strongest loveto knit them in all hearty affeions to their Prince, is his forwardnefle in

| drawing them on, and leading them an B4 end

Lise 2.

Use 4+

a5, Text Ver.

Verse 5.

Verse 6,

' end tothe holy duties of Gods worship. Draw me, and I will ranze after thet.. If Solomon once be drawne, all the people will come after rejoycing, when they shall see the Magistrate come. Fifthly, to shew us a figne of atrue - ——_ of Christ; such a one preferceth cllowship with him above all things, delighting in his company, in his ordinances. Thus did Paul, 4 I count all things losse and drosse for Christ. So David, Whom

' | have T in heaven but thee ?

I am blacke, yet comely, ec. ©

In these verses is defcribed the estate of the Church.

First , of Isracl and Judah, in the last dayes of Solomon , and then of Rehoboam,

Secondly, of Judah alone.

Thirdly,- of 1fracl alone after the Apostasie of the ten tribes.

I Ys wo 1 The Church is set forth by a double adjunion,the one contrary to the other, 7 am black, yet comety , and both these by comparison :

First, black, as the tewts of Kedar.

Secondly,

How the Charch i black, Chaps.

ate

hs. anti

| Chap.1. How the Church is black.

Secondly, comely, as the curtaines or hangings of Solomon. First, black, by rhe fall of Solomon 8.

Secondly, by the folly of Rehoboaps h, Thirdly, 1. By Profanenesle.,

2. By Schisme,

3- By Apostafie.

4. By the Rebellion cf rhe ten tribes i,

Tet comely, |

First, by the present purity of Gods ordinances in the Temple,

Secondly, the constancy. of the upright in cleaving to God,rto the King, t the house of God, and David; the hich was done in profession by whole Judah and Benjamin, and the Iiraclites inhabiting in the Cities of Judah, but intruth, by the gee? I

Tee Daug BF take erusalem, &c. on; Children © - he Church are

hrers rather then Sons,as being — pr as a pure Virgin for Christ t usband =,

As thetemts of Kedar, &c.] Thar is, of the Arabians, who were called Scenith, or Nomede, for that they wandred up and downe, feeding their flockes in tents,

—

* Hortenfs Flavius Joseph. Ant.z. 8

rents, which they made of Goats haire , 2 course stuff of it selfe , and being weather-beaten,the more homely and black : Hereto the Prophet alludeth when he

The Church like Kedars tents. Chap. 1.t

calleth the Church of Israel Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah, my tent in her: for she vras then as the curtains of Solomon.

It was Davids griefe * that he was long conversant in the tents of Kedar : the Church was now like to these tents,

First, in their blacknefse, which resembled their adversity.

Secondly,in that she now lived among the enemies of her peace, the sons of her mother being angry with her.

Thirdly , in that blacke and sad defection which laid the foundation of the after Captivity , when the Church wan-|

{ dred to Babel z her tent being removed|

4s the curtaines of Solomon, or, ings z; having the name from the — ether. f Fosephws saith , that Solomons hals were hung with hanging of Babyloniantapestrie in their courses or suits, and the wall of Marble underneath most curiously wrought with rich Imagerie. It scemeth also , each hanging inwardly _ rich then other. Such was the estate

| Chapsr- Despise nos the Church though black.

estare of the Church in time of publicke defection, pure and richly graced inthe upright members, whom the better one inwardly knew , the more gracious they appeared,

Look not upon me,because 1 am black,erc.]

This verse hath two parts :

First, an admonition of the Church of Judahto the daughters of Jerusalem, not to despise her, nor alienate themselves from her inregard of her blacknesse: or, as it is inthe Hebrew, Because I am sbe that am blacke.

Secondly , a rendring a threefold Reason:

First, of her blacknesse.

Secondly, of their net despifing her for it.

A third Reason is,

First, from the highest causc of her af- Aiion, The sun hath looked upon me.

Secondly,from the instrumental! cause, Re anger of her mothers children against cr.

Thirdly , for the meritorious cause, which shee acknowledgeth was wholly in her selfe, her not m_— well her

own vineyard, aggravated by the divers degrees.

—

Verse 6.

Two parts

What meant by the Sunne. Chap.1.

degfees,though they made herthe keeper of the vineyards. Look not upon me; That is,

First, with a scorching eye, Sun-burning me, making me still more blacke by your disdaine and separation, as the Sun is said to looke upon, that is, with a

scorching eye. Sccondl, with a piercing eye, as the

Vultures doe, whereof peaketh o, using the same word here used ofthe Sun, which spicth out what he may fasten upon, any corruption or carrion,

The Sunne. That is, God hath lookcd upon me with a scorching zeye, in difpleasure; for he was angry with Solomon. 9 It camenot by chance,or cirill causes in polity, but by divine procurement; and | therefore the daughters of Jerusalem to make suchan use of it as not toalienate themsclves the more from God by it: that which cometh from God should| draw us neerer to God; He did it to ser us | more Kings in the Common-wealth, as | _ had more —— the wma | " The [onnes of my mother were anory with | mee." Foe IT tentribes in £47 | ded: 1 yea thisanger ofthe tribes was ex- |

ceshve,

Chap-1, What meant by Vines.

cefsive, when it brake forth ito such cx-

"Bs tremity, and therefore they rather to be F reproved, thenthe Church disdained, "= They made me the keeper of the Vines. ] b First, God, , | Secondly, allthe tribes. __ Of the Vines.) That is, of all the Churches, / | But mine owne Vineyard have I net kept. = That is, not the Churches of Judah and m_ |} Jervfalem, Idolatry and Superstition * \creeping in. _ No not the Vines of mine own house, ol. (i my wives * from falling ro Idolatry, and 4;f. 8 {educing my selfe to toleration of it, Tell me, Oh thou, &c.} This verse con- "7" "lf taineth, = First,a Prayer of the faithfull dispersed | to ( throughout the ten tribes, and commannate (i 9d by Jeroboamto goe no moreto wor- 5+ (ff ship at Jerusalem, bur togoe to Danand md | Bethel, :defiring to know whither to re- WY fort to find Christ feeding his sheep ® 1h TU5 BY beare his woyce. IT 8 Secondly, a Reasonto prevent her tur- "1 ning aside to supersticious worship, by 11" following fuch Teachers as will noe be

f{ubordinate to Christ , a **

Verse 9.

If you know not.) This verse containeth Christs answer: where observe,

First, a Compellation , 0h thou fairest

amone (t women.

Lawfull Priests are Shepherds. Chap.1-|

Secondly,a Supposition, If thou knowest not: as if he should say, it is muchthou shouldest not know.

First, the footsteps of the true sheep of Christ, who went up all to Jerusalem <.

Secondly,the tents of the Shepheards, the lawfull Priests, who were there also : d There they feed the kids and young ones , 'who clse might intime grow rammish and rank with superstitious and bad Ministers, |

1 have compared thee.” Here the civill estate ofthe Church of Judah'is descri- | bed , for after that-the recourse of the faithfullPriests and Levites had strengthned the hand of Rehoboam, * he fell away, and most of Israel with him : wherefore God sent Pharaoh Shishak (for all the Kings of Egypt were called Pharaohs) to |

has ty. took ww. wat ws

subdue'F_

the| )ro|

doe,

Chap.t. The Church comparedto horses.

subdue them to his service. So thenthe Church of Judah is here set forth,

First, by her service to Pharaoh, as if, like horses, they drew in Pharaohs triumphant chariotd. Fosephws saith, this $hishak was Sesoftris, of whom Herodotus —_ : yea, of him saith Diodorus Sicuw,that he caused Kings as horses to draw in his chariots. .

Secondly, by her acceptance to God in this service, I have compared thee to the company of my horses: and so. in the Hebrew, because they had submitted themselves under Gods just hand <, If Solomon had spoken of any of his wives or concubines,it had been a monstrous and absurd comparison to liken them to coach-horses. Also because this is a marriage-song, he setreth downe exprefly no dismall thing to interrupt bride-chamber joy,but

comparison darkly. | This shewes us what it is that makes the Church blacke, wherein the deformity of ir stands,in the fall and fins of the le, and of the Princes,in declining to dolatry in their folly,schismes,and rents from their mother, profancnesse, apostasie,

vaileth the service under this magnificent |

e 2 Chro.

use 3+

Idolatry makes the Church black. Chap.

stafie, and rebellion in the Church and Common-wealth. These doe darken fairest Churches.

If Solomon shall set up other Gods, God will ser up forain Princes in his kingdome. If he and his people will serve other gods, God will causc his Princes to draw in forain Princes chariots: if we be at unity with other gods, God will th at cnmity with us.

Secondly,this doth shew us there may beatrue comely Church in the middest of such deformities, yet the true Church of God in the greatest darkness is alwaie comely, It is not the fins of Princes and people that can take away the Churche comelinesle; they may bring blacknesse upon her, like to the tents of Keday: but draw these curtaines aside, and you shal finde that Gods Church is comely,like te the curtains of Selomon. Run we not therefore from the Church because of he blacknesle, but run to her, and embrace her in her most sad defeQions.

- Thirdly, to teach the children of the Church not to separate from the Church for corruption sake , not to looke onel

at her corruptions, but to see her w_

Chap.r. The Church true though black.

nesse also; and not adde afflition to the afflicted: much lesse are we to think they | in Bohemia, and inthe Palatinate, are no Churches, for that they arc now sunneburnt. The sun, even God, hath looked upon them and it is not their mothers children, butthe bastards of the Roman Harlot have been angry with her. Let us not then look atthem with a vultures eye, as though we would behold nothing-but corruption and carrion:nor with ascorching eye,make them more black: but with a child-like eye, to pity them for their Wl calamity and blacknesfse which is befallen on! them.

Fourthly, observe that the calamities of the Church spring nor our of the dust, but it is God that causeth darknefse upon the Church: yea, to speake reverently, it is he that lookes at her with a scorching eye; he searcheth her finnes, and, findin them out, doth blast her thar she is tann' and sun-burnt. If then it be Gods hand, let us pity the Church so much the more,

© and strive with God to rencw the light of

his countenance upon her. Fifthly, it was a fin in them to be angry with the Church, as some of the Se- Cc pararo IS

| F 32 This Sone penned after Solomons fall. Chap. t+|

aration are,and doe depart from us; and it is not a little finne and fault in us to de-| spise other Churches in distrefsse. What] and if some cast off England, shall we rc-| ject it because some of the sons of her mo-| ther do so 2 How much lefse then when} the sons, not of a mother but of a harlot, hate the Churches beyond the seas'? shall we then reje& the Church 2 God forbid, Sixthly, this teacheth us concerning Solomon, that, First, he repented of his fall, acknowledged his being wanting of keeping his

owne Vine : and

Secondly,he wrote this Song after his fall and repentance: clse, if he had foretold his fall, and repentance before it was done, it might seem like the Jesuites Popish repentance, who confesle to their Priests their sinne before they commit it, But he penned it after his fall,to assure us the more of his salvation, which some make doubt of.

Seventhly, this shewes us, such souls are the fairest and most -beautifull in Christs cyes as (not resting in the commandements of governments touching matter of Religion, but) doe sceke for the

frue

_

Chap. i. Whobeawifull in Chrifts eyes.

Y true Qhurch and pure worship of God,

and follow it, though with negle& of their * suburbs and possessions. Christ | + Chron. f calleth those the fairest among women | :3-14916. who here enquire after him, and sell F all —_ _ to follow him: sothese that want meanes | Luke 18, of salvation at home, are desirous to seek | 2228: after them, and where they finde them, eq ng there they goe; and part with any thing to enjoy the purity of Gods worship and ordinances: these in Gods account are the worthiest Christians.

Eightly, here is shewed two markes of the true Church of God, doe any doubt whether God be God or Baal,and do halt between two opinions,not knowing whether to joyn with Rome or England? Goe | Ver: 8. then out by the foot-steps of the flockes, where the faithfull hearing Christs voice resort, and will not heare any.voyce but Christs,follow those: now times are such (blessed be God) as every one may finde out where the Church is, bur in the case of blackness and darkness, enquire then,

First, for such as will hearc no voyce but Christs, and follow then the footsteps of the flocke: see where they feed, there joyne your sclyes.

34 The Church forsakes God,and he her. Chap.1,

| Secondly,where you find faithfull Ministers, P1iests,as Aarons sons,and Levires anointed with heavenly graces, thither carry your kids,there plant your familics to be fed under such shepheards.

Lastly , wee may see here when the Churth negles Gods service, God gives her up to the service of forain Princes, to draw as horses in Pharaohs chariots : and yet being humbled for this, God wil have mercy on her,and fo dispose of it,that her service shall not be base , for God will make them to draw his yoke,though they draw it in the yoke of torain Princes, as Rehoboam and his people did f, |

Thy cheeks are comely with rowes of jewels. The estate of the Church 1s here described, as it was in the dayes of Abijam, in these words, Thy cheekes are comely with jewels and as it was in the dayes of Asa, both in the same words, and inthe words following to the end of Verse 11,

Thy cheeks.) That is, the outward face of the Church are comely with rowes of jewels: that is, with keeping their right place and order, and manner of Gods owne ordinances,

This 4b;jam proclaimeth himsclfto _

the

Chap. I. - What meant by Cheeks.

the house of 1sracl: 5 But as for ws (saith he) the Lord is our God, we have not forsaken him, the Priests which minister unto the Lord are the sons of Aaron; and the Levites waite upon that businesse, and they burne unto the Lordevery morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and fweet incense: the shew-bread also they set in order upon the pure table.

It was not fo with the Honse of Israel, though Abijahs heart was not so upright

Church, her checkes (as it were) were comely with the orderly keeping and observing the ordinances of God: yea, and comely also was the face of the Church looking up to God in distresse, i which moved him to deliver you from Jeroboam.

Thy neck with chaines of gold.]

Chaines of gold are wholesome lawes, binding like chaines, to keep the worship of God and true Religion pure as gold , such lawes are called s ly k This was done inthe dayes of Asa, when heremoved the Altarsofthe strange gods, pulling down the high places, breaking the Images, and cutting down the Groves commanded Judah to seeke the Lord God of their fathers , and the people willingly C3 subas Davids h, yetthe outward face of the n

Three thines in Asa's Reformation. Chap.1

n 2 Chro.

Verse 11,

o Pro. 19.

3- Thiogs,

p 2 Chro,

q 2 Chro,

- | {ubmitted themselves 1 roenter into a cc

venant or law,that y_ pain of death all the people should seek the Lord onely. We will make thee.) This sheweth t forwardnesse of the people to joyne wit Asain reforming Religion, and adorning

Borders of gold.) That is,the borders of the kingdome, pure as gold by cleansing and putting away all the Idols our of all

uarters of Judah, yea, and of Benjami also,and mount Ephraim, the very skirts and frontiers , and borders of the king dome n,

Studs of silver.) In workes of gold, are such eminent knobs as adorne the worke with variety of colours, and metall, ani workmanship *.

Such like eminent works which did : dorn Asa's reformation of the Church, e ven to the very borders, were these thre

First, his renewing of the Altars of the Lord before the Porch P. | Secondly, thedepofing of his mothe from her Regency, for her Idolatrie sak and defacing her Idol! 4,

|Thirdly,the consecrating,and bringing into Gods house, his fathers and wo

Chap:1. ""Thewordlite 10 sthikenard.

dedicated Veslels of gold and filver*.

While the Kine fitteth at his table.)} That is,whiles Febosepha sits at rest and peace, refreshing himselfe at home, ! God establishing his kingdome in his hand,and giving him riches & honors in abundance.

My spikenard. An ointment of all others most precious, * of all other spices spikenard is of greatest estimation. This the Apostle 1o4n calleth very costly, wherewith our SaviourChrist was anointed by Mary.

oy __ is here meant the preaching of the Word, which is of all favours the most precious, even the savour of life unto life.

'When 7ehosaphat was established in rest and peace , he sent forth the Pricsts and Levites, to carry the sweet savour of the word _ = = the _—_— _

A bun -] Myrrh isan odoriferous tree , thee nm out a sweet

me called Stade, which is preferred ore all others.

This _ = called _ the tree Myrrh, his smell is & and fragrant, . fit to preserve Gempaetibicn zand it is of much use in embalming, and God himself recounteth it amongst the principall spices *, C 4 Be-

Verse 12.

Idemibid,

Who the Churches breafts. Chay.z.|

. | Judahr. Thus these Princes were as a

| ligion or civill Justice v. Yea, and Feho-

Betweene my breasts.) The breasts are rhosethat give milk, the sincere milke of the Word to the Churches children, to wir, the Priests and Levites. These when Fehosaphat sent forth to give milke to the cities of Judah,he sent with them a company of Noblemen, religious Princes, who added the more authority to the Priests and Levites, and are therefore themselves said to teach in the cities of

bundle of Myrrh amongst the Priests and the Levites, to decide all controversies amonest the people, both in matters concerning God and the King; to preserve the people, and one another free from corruption inall matters, whether of Re-

_ himselfe representing Christ the hurches welbeloved upon carth, he rested in the bosome of the Church as a bundle of Myrrh , sweet, and strongly reserving the people from corruprion : _ Beersheba ro mount Ephraim hee went about, throughout all the people,to _ them backe againe to the purity of

As acluster of camphire.] Camphure is a

| Chap.1. chrift 4s camphire to his Church.

2 shrub for smell like unto spikenard, wasting the obstruction of the spleene, and by the very smell of it making men wegegetiores , and firmiores , more lively and

more _—_ ; yea, and available also aeainst the biting of serpents: such was Christ to his Church, when the children of Moab and Ammon, and mount Seir, gathered themselves rogether against the children of Isracl in Engedi, for by the ministry of Pehaziel, he made Fehosaphat and his people,

First, more strong in faith, to rest on God and his Word.

Secondly, more lively and heartily to praise God: yea,and he saved them from their enemies, themselves nor striking a stroke, though their enemies the breed of = old serpent put them before in great care.

Behold, thon art faire my love, behold, thou art faire.) The doubling of the words expresseth the superlative degree, by an usuall Hebraisme, faire faire, that is, very faire: which sheweth the estate of the Church in Hezekiahstime,*who returned and set the Priests and Levites in their courses,restored their burnt sacrifices and

obla-

2 Chron

verse 21, JL3L3,24.

verse 3,12

Verse 15,

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—

The Cherch faire under Hezekiah. Chap. I.|

Verse rs. Plin. lib. 10.c4P-34+

Verse 16.

”

oblations, sanihed the Priests,called all the people to the Paslcover, prayed for their m_—_ "" away all the Images, Groves, and high Places.

Thos ha#t doves eyes, ] That is, chast and loathing uncleannesle,as Pliny reports the dovesto be. Hexzekiah loathed eventhe

| monuments of Idolatry, even the brazen

Serpent, (though sometimes Gods ordinance) when once the people went a whoring after it: so by this means,abuses crept into the Church, in the dayes of Foram, Uriah, Forham, Ahaz, are not re-| corded till _— come to — Fr the joy of the marriage-song should be rar by the mentionof >. sad occur- | ' rerices 3 whence allo it is, that the abuses| that crept in after the death of Hezekiah, |

| in the dayes of <Manessehand Ammon,are|

not mentioned till their cleansing came, | recorded in the dayes of 7ofiah. Behald,thou art faire my beloved, yea plea-| sant,also onr bed is green. This is the estate| of the Church in the dayes of good 7o-] fiah, who reformed it to the like estate of| purity and beauty as in the dayes of He-| zekiah, yea, in this he exceeded him,

in taking away the high places which Solomon

| Chap. 1, 'Theestate of the Charch under Josiah. qu

Solomon had built for his wives Idols, as also some other corruptions of Aharz, ver. 12, and besides, he made all the people ro worship the Lord onely, andto serve him *, |

Yea pleasant.) It beirf more then faire, so young a man to work so greata worke of reformation.

Onur bed is ereene.] The house of God was the Temple, the bed in the house were the ordinances of God, wherein God was wont familiatly to embrace his spouse, and she him.

These in Fosrahs time flourished in

catest purity, t so that there was no

asscoyer like unto his.

Onr bed is green. It is an allufion to the spring time, when the worship of God began to flourish againe, after a winter time of miry and dirty pollutions.

The beames of our house are cedar, and our rafters (or walls er galleries) of firre. ] These words set ont the beauty of the Church, mr made b ah,

The Age to observe the severall beanties and ornaments of the Church, which are,

First,

tro

cgard of the repaires of the Temple |

King, 23-I 3

f 2Chron)

User.

F | 3> Good Lawes hinder not Christian liberty, Ch.1.

First, to enjoy each ordinance of God | in his ranke and place: it is as if the cheekes, or open face of the Church were decked with rowes of jewels. Feroboam made Priests of the basest of the people z and suchdefe or corruption of Gods ordinances, is a blemish conspicuous inthe face of the Church.

Secondly, good Kings ought to put upon their people wholesome Lawes, and strait binding tothe purity of Religion and the worship of God: it is no impeachment to their Christian liberty as Anabaprtists dote, but an ornament to their beauty, making their necks comely as with chaines of gold. It was the commandement of Ass, * Whesoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel, should be put to death. F And Josiah tok away all the abominations out of all the Countries that pertained tothe children of Israel, "and all that were present to + even to serve the Lord

their God.

Thirdly , people to be ready tobinde themselves by solemn covenant and oath to keep such Lawes , and to aflist their Princes 1n cleansing their uttermost borders and corners of the kingdome from

Super-

Chap.1. Ministers sent out and countenanced.

Superstition and Idolatry; and it is no | impeachment of Christian liberty to bow | to Christian Lawes: yea, it is the om_ of a Christian Church to weare those chaines, those Lawes, which were made for the good of the Church, and it was their profanenesse and rebellion ther say, * Let us break their ban1s asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Fourthly,Princes to send forth savoury and gracious Minifers into all quarters of their dominions, that all their people may taste and feele how sweet the preaching of the Word is. This is the ornament of a Church, when Christian Princes so provide.thar all places may be furnished with preaching Ministers; this is to opena box of spikenard that the {mell thereof may flow forth;but to leave them relished with the dregs of Superstition, this isa blemish.

Fifthly,to see that the Nobles and Ma- - S. gistrates countenance Priests and Levires, | *** 7 ] and by their authority to give the free passage to the Word, and roprevent disturbances which else might be offered to Ministers intheir Churches, yea, all Magistzates to prevent corruptions 1n matters,

Inveterate abuses to be removed. Chap.r. |

matters, whether of Religion or civill Justice, is as if a bundle of Myrrh should lodge inthe breasts ofthe Church. Sixthly, the Lord Jesus to refresh and ——_— the hearts and spirits of his people in publicke calamities; and to save them from the malignity and venome thereof,he is thenas acluster of camphire to the Church in the vineyards of Engedi, as he was to Tehosaphat and his people * when they knew not what to do. Christ is an ornament, and encourageth both Priest, Prophet, and Prince, to sing a Psalme of Thankesgiving, And suppose enemies should be as a cluster in che border of the Church, how ease a thing is it for God to —_— and beas acluster | of camphire,to strengthen and encourage | them againstrhese biting serpents. Seventhly, not ro foster and tolerate

inveterate corruptions , though received from worthy Ancestors , but to hate all abuses in Gods worship , even the very monuments of Idolatry , and to take them away , as Hezekiah did the brazen

dto set each ordinance of God in his place : the Church then is very fair,

she hath doves eyes. | Eightly,"

| to come intoa harlots bed, decked with | the laces of ta

Chap.1. God can purge a corrupt Church.

Eightly, young Princes to begin beses. ro oh 5 their hearts ro har Aabuses inthe Church, to imitate the best of their predecessors; yea, and to go beyond them,as Fosiah did, and to restore Gods worship to her native beauty and inccgrity. It is a faire, yea, a pleasant thing to behold this forwardnesse in any, much more in young Princes.

Ninthly,to enjoy the worship of God, p from all Superstition, Idolatry, and from all devices of men; it isasifa bed were greene, fresh, flourishing and fruitfull: in such worship Christ delights to reveale and communicate himselte familiarly with his people, and loveth not

ic of. Tenchly, suppose the Church apa? and againe be laid wast,so that in stead of camphire is Masle and Idolarry it is an eafie thing with God to send a Fosucb, to root out such Superstitions, that though: abuses crept into the Church for three or four Princes lives, yet God can cleanst and reform her, as he did in Postahs time. God lookes not at the ions of his

Church, thereby to loath her,but to heal

Use 8.

Use 9.

:

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+

+

[

l = Christ delights in pare ordinances. Chap.1i

Plin. lib, I3+-CAP. 5.

| her, and thereby to glorific hisgrace in

her recovery, rather then his holinesse in the discovery of her pollutions. , The bed is here mentioned in the spring of her flourishing, when it began to wax green, not inthe winter season of her dirty pollutions z and before, the chast eyes of the dove recorded,abhorring uncleannesle, not the eyes full of adultery, bringwhen there is any Superstitious worship,

when it is purged, then is the bed green;

there Christ delighteth to be.

dar, and her walls or galleries with firre : cedar is famous for durablenesse, enduring even toeternity , saith Pliny : firre is acceptable for his sweetnesse , and while he groweth , for his heighth, streightnefle and perpetuall greennefle : Solomon houseorTemple was of old alively type, ly, | Fin , of the humane body of Christ,

* [the Temple of the Deity.

Secondly ,- of the mysticall body of Christ,

ing spiricuall pollutions into the Church :| there it is over = with winter, but] when Gods ordinances are kept pure,|

Eleventhly, it is an ornament of the} .Church to restore her with beames of ce-

Chap.1. 4 decayed Church how zobe repaired.

Christ, his Church or congregation, x Cor, 3.16. Christs humane body never decaycth,and therefore needeth no repairing: his mysticall body the Church, if it fall into; through corruption of Doctrine or Worship, it may be most fitly repaired,

First, by laying in the walls of the Church such solid and crernall truths of God, as may hold up the walls of the building.

Thus Luther restored rhe Church by layingthis beame of cedar, the Doctrine of free Justification by Christ.

Secondly, by setting up such worship and workes for the people to walke in, as are truly sweet and amiable in Gods fight, springing from fresh and green sincerity, growing up to the heavens ; thele are like

lleries of firre, whereas vowes of pereQion,and works of supercrogation,and all other reliques and rags of Popery , are no better then r2tten and moth-caren

-wood, fit fucll forthe fire,

Luther,

CANTICLES,

OR SONG OF SONGS

opened and explained.

Trnuz Texr.

Sw ens <-

CHAP. 2,

Am the rose of Sharon, and the lilly of the vallies 2 As the lilly among thornes, so is my love among the daughters.

3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sorines 3 T sate downe der bis shadow with great delight, and bis fruit we sweet to my taste. -

4 He brought me ban g bouse, bis banner over me w

6 His left band is under my bead, and bis rig! band-doth embrace me. | 7 I charge you, O yee daughters of Ferusalem, |

toe

Chap-2. The: Song of songs.

the Roes, and by the Hinds of the field, that ye stirre not up, nor awake my love till be please.

$ The poyce of my beloved bebold, be cometh legs ping upon the mountaines, skipping wpen the hills.

9 My beloved is like'a Roe, or young Hart : bebold, be standeth bebind our wall , be looketb forth at the window, shewing himselfe through the lattice.

10 My beloved (pak, and said uo me , Rise up my love, my faire one, and come away.

11 For lee , the winter is past, the raine is over and gone, '

12. The flowers appeare on the earth, the time f the singing of birds js come, and rhe voyce of the turtle is heard in our land.

13 The figtree putteth forth ber greene figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good {mell, Arise my love, my faore one, and come away. +

I 4 0 my dove | thou art in the clefts of the rocke, in the secret place of the staires, let me see thy countenance, let me beare thy voyce, for sweet is thy woyce, ant! thy countenance i comely. |

15. Take s the foxes, the little foxes, that spoile the vines, for our vines bave tender grapes.

16 My beloved is mine, aud Iam bys : be feedeth among. the lillies. 57 |

17 Untill the day breake , and the sbhadowes flee away : turn my beloved, and be thoulike a Roe , or a young Hart upon the mountgines of ether,

Christ how Rose. —Chap.2.|

Tur EXPLANATION.

Cant.2.verse 1. 1 am therose of Sharon,and the lilly of the vallies.

"JH cstare of the Church from Foseahs reyaire of the Temple, (in the

_ verse of the last chapter) 1s described ere,

First, before the coptrity , verse 1, 2, under the last dayes of Fosiah , Fehoahax,| Fehojakim,Fehojachin, and Zedechiah, |

Secondly, in the captivity, , "18

1. At home, the remnant, ver. 3. |

2. Abroad, in Babylon, ver.4.—7. |

Thirdly,inthe after the captivity,|

where is described,

I. Her calling out of captivity, to returne and worship in Jerusalem, verse] $.—13, |

Secondly.,. her cstate at Jerusalem ril{] the dayes of the Maccabees, verse 14. —I7

IT amtherose.] The role is, |

First, lovely for beauty,

Secondly,{weet for smell z comforting | both heart and braine. | | : Thirdly, wholesome for usc and medi-| cinable. /

Chap.2. Christ how 4 Lilh.

lying under Bashan, where the heards were wont to feed, excellent for. fatnesse and fruitfulnesse, -

Azndthe lily. The lilly is,first, fragrant.

Secondly, faire, yet of the vallies, where the heards use to feed, as in Sharon.

These words then set forth the Churches complaint of that rime, as some Interpreters of chicfe worth have conceived itz though the words may as fitly be uttered by Christ himselfe, to set forth both his owne disposition and the Churches cstare. |

The first, hee was then the rose of the field, the lilly of the yallies, to shevz, that when the Church despised him, to converse with her in the Temple, and the Worship there celebrated: * Hee was now ready to leaye his Temple, and to be a Catiary to his Church abroad.

Secondly, Christ is here described according to the estate of the Church of thar time, which wanted culture, ordering and drefling , thornes and bryars

[-| growing up in the Church, and not wee-

D 3 ded

af Shovk ]- Sharon was a fruitful | field

54 The Charch low a rose add lilly. Chap-2. |

*25 - od ded out : * The wickedare as thornesand . | bryars, Fand store of ——_ growing up inthe Church.

When the Church 'is as a gardetin- . | closed 2, then bryars and thorns are weeded out; but neither Magistrate nor Minister did his duty in removing offences in those dayes: TH so lillies of the field are taken for lillies negleed, which neither | | take care for hs ren nor others take |il care for them. ; Thirdly,as the rose ofthe field, or lillies of the vallies, or lilly amongst the thornes, is continually,

_ gm to be pricktand rent with |

1. To bevexed with the wicked growing up with her. | - 4. To be trodden under-foot by the| beasts of the field , the Babylonians, the

tians,

c 2 Chro. | f rugs how sweet a Roe! how faire| 35-22,23 | a Lilly | yethow untimely troddendown + |]by Nehb? Theother Kings wereplaced, | 3Chro. 36, displaced, imprisoned 4 and the whole = | __ kingdome

Chap:2 Christ in Gedaliah ap apple tree. kingdome withthem, at the pleasure of the Babylonians and Egyptians: and in the end, the whole Church laid waste by

the Babylonians. Againe, Christ isthe roscand lilly, as

First , sweet with the savour of bis graces.

Sceondly, beaurifull.

Thirdly, medicinable.

When the Church js corrupt in it selfe, ix is yet faire and sweet in Christ; dIn him our life is hid in qur- worst taking: he being white as a lilly by the purity of his rightequfnesse we likewiseare white 2s lilies in him cloathed with his righteousnesse.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sonnes, 1 sate mee downe wnder his (hadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my tate.) A tree first, not tall as the Cedar of Lebanon, not frong 65 the Okes of Bashan, but a tree of middle stature, implying an | inferiour Magistrate, not so high and mighty as the Monarchs of the world, | yea such whose shadow yeelds, | First, refreshing to a man-wandcring

D 4 and

56 Babylon the Churches Wine-cellar {and fainting ina wilde forrest. |

Secondly, whose fruit is fweet and| comfortable, such was Christ to his Church, dispensing himselfe in Gedaliah, whom *Nebuchadnezzar made governour over the remnant of the people that were left in the land.

First, under him, as under a shadow, e 2Kin.z5. | they were fearclefse and safe ©: but after 23-25. | he was cut down, they were driven from under his shadow, and durst stay no lon-| ger intheir own countrey,which was left fVelse 26 | aSa wilde forrest F, Secondly, they gathered, * Jer. 4c. | First, much sweet summer fruit*. 10,-12,| Secondly, much good instruttionand g Jer.qo.s | direQtion from Ieremiah and Barach g,who & 43-6--- | both lived with him. Verse 4. Wine-cellar.7] Heb. House of wine z not so fitly termed banquerting house,qwhich t Ecclesf. | Solomon expresseth by another nameT. hg A wine-cellar is a low vault”, under the ground, darke, cold, raw and gloomy z yet replenished with vessels of liquor, which refresheth and inlargeth the heart, and openeth the mouth.

This house, tothe Church, was Babylon, whither God brought his people

| Chap.2. The comforts of the Spirit as wine. 57 | into captivity,which at first view seemed and| dolefull and heavy, bur afterward yeelhis] | ded tothem many sweet tastes, yea deep ah, 8 | draughts of Gods favour: Gods Spirit our | coming upon men, makes them sceme as vere | | full of new wine bh, It refresheth and | bA& .- enlargeth rhe heart, and openeth the | "3

fter First, to the praise of God.

rom Secondly, to the edification. of his on-\f | Church. Such a =_ God powred upon left | | Daniel, Ezekiel, Shadrach my > his fellowes

iin the captivity. i Dan. 1, And his banner over me was love.) __ Banner z

and First, for an ensigne of defence to the vho || Church.

Secondly, for a flagge of defiance to not || their enemies: How lovingly and gloriich || ously(as with a banner of love displayed) e f.|}| did God defend the three childrenand | v,, ,.,s.

the |] Daniel himself * 2 k Dan,6. ny How did God offer defiance to Idola- | ***

1or, [| try inthe three children! 2 1 Dan. 5art, Stay mee with flaggons and comfort mee | 16. '®

with apples, for 1 am sicke of love. ] I, the | vases. by- || Church is here faint and ficke, and ready toswoone, for defire of further —_ | Ip

A

Magistrates what tothe Church, Chap.2

ship with Christ , and for her owne help defireth, :

First, Flaggons of wine to stay her,

Secondly, Apples to comforrt her; as indced apples doe comfort the heart and stomach, prevents swooning, and restraines poyson * : Thus Dawel, through abundance of Reyclations was faint and sicke, and defirous of more cleere knowledge of his visions, and of the Churches tDan.s. | deliverance,and found the f Angel ready 27. £10 | to refresh and strengthen him: And the '9. | other members of the Church feeling

First, by the ministery of the Prophets, as by flaggons of wine.

Secondly, by the magistracy of Ds nicl and his fellowes, whom the King se up for inferiour Magistrates,as by apples, the fruitof the apple trees.

His left hand is under my head , his right hand doth embrace me,

The words may be either a narration how itis, or a prayer that it may be; {0 in the originall , the blessings of Gy

Moy

.

apu2. _ Gods right and left hand what.

left hand are riches and glory, * and of his right hand,lengrth of dayes,or immorrality. Riches and honours God conveyeth tous by the hand of the Magistrate, immortality by the hand of Ministers. The Church therefore defireth God in her captivity, (which thing also God granted)that, First, Princes should be the lifters up of her head,her __—_— and mothers. Secondly, and Priests might deliver to her the sweet testimonies of Christs embracing love; this was done | by Evil-merodach to Jehojachin,and by the ministery of Daniel atid Ezekiel, | The Princesallowed them greart liber- | ty, * the Prophets dispensed heavenly and EY 1py rar PO Icharge yow, O yee daughters 0 Wsalem,by tht f valghe by the Hinder of E651 that yee stirre not up, nor awake my love till beplu e.] Heb, T adjure you, thatis, I cause you to sweare by the Roes, and by the Hindes of the field, not by them as —_—_ thou art to sweare by, bur b e for whose sake, and by whose meanes are to; take themselyes bound as by a solemne oath (not to stirre

up or awake my love) that is, nor to pro-ll voke Christ to exercise his Church by any change of their estate, till it please himselfe,

These Roes and Hindes are wilde, and fearfull creatures , easily and swiftly runng away , yet otherwise willing feed with the sheep : such were then the Gentiles , willing to converse with the Jewes, and to come towards cn

et if the estate of the Church should Love proved more troublesome by mdiscreet or offensive cartiage of the —_ , they would soone have started

acke from fellowship with them for their sakes therefore the Church chargeth her daughters, as by an oath, not to disturb the peace of Babel , not to seeke

sterously deliverance from rhence,

be ore the time that Christ had appoinred, lest it _ to the disturbance © her peace; and to the * carrying awa fach Gentiles as were cominy = ro br Proselytes.

This may first let us sce, that notwithstanding the reformation of Religion, i! Christ may be pleased rather to live! abroad inthe fields, thenat home, where

am” cs @ a ia. oo ac a= £ wa Vas @@ ka as nw =*KD<4s © _ <<. _.424.0, im 4.6

Clap-2) Chrif nor bound to amp place,

the -people would: willingly - alsemble. The house of God was now repaired, and the bed greene * : and the Church invites Christ to come in unto her, in ir, yet hee disposeth himselfe so, as more willing to call her abroad. So wee may see, that notwithstanding the purity and simplicity of Christs worship, yer Christ is not bound to any place; it things were never so reformed, yet he might leave us, and goe into the wilde ficld. Rome hath long doted on Peters Chaire, and Jerusalem might as well have bragged of her Privilodner as any other place,but Christ leaves them: never rest wee then in any outward estate, for Christ may leave us. The Palatinate hath been as reformed as any Church for Doctrine, and though oy might say; their bed was greene, their beames were of cedar, and theirrafters of firre, yet God hath ileft them: for doe we thinke that if God had beene there, these things had befallen "Secondly, this lets s see, that though y, this lets us sce, that e& their dutics in ordering and dressing the Church,so that the wicked = | tolera-

God hath roses amone thernes. Chap

She Girks of bis chile the of his childre mn va pure, = and —_ | the midst of bryars and thornes: be ne deceived then, for there may be rose and lillies growing. , where 15 nothir but bryars and thornes to scratch them: Tt is norftraight no- Church, when & i _— for Christ can sce his Church ym dly, wemay here observe against the Separatilt, that it 1s not straightr Church, that is commingled { as the speake) with notorious wicked ones.: th Church may be Chnists love, yea, at | a fragrant and pure flower in his frgh and nostrils, and yetlive amongst bryan and thornes.

Fourthly, obferve, rhe stare. of the Church is sometimes cxposcd t0-Oppe tuniry of treading under-foot, no! | nor hedge to fence them: It nay!

Open, First , to scratching and rending

Chap.2. Magistrates are to be apple trees, Magistrates, how to carry themselves towards the Church,to be as Apple-trees in a wood, wherein the Church trayvailing may finde, First, shadow of proreQion. | WW Sccondly, iweete fruit of loving hem: mercy. Sixthly, we may here see the wonderaurchl full power of God, and goodnesse to his Church, in _ their house of boninst tm of wine, in spreading 0 his banner of love overthem in their est distresses and dangers: Whar WM moxe dolctull times of his Church then captivity £ when men wouldrhinke God carries his Church into a dungeon, rhen W he carries her into a Wine-cellar, This may be a ground of solid comfort to us in our worst takings, for though wee be inthe greatest extremity, yea, in the dee- | —_ _ of darknefse, God can fuine and uphold us here, and refreshus | with many comforts, Seventhty, this ought to stirreus up [to more ardent and longing affeQions | after Christ, so that as wee be: | 1K] to faint and swoone thr earnest afou] feQions, after more full and famihar followship'

All.

| 64 Inoffensive walking necessary. Chap.z lowship with him: It was Daniels case hee was ficke of love, so let it be with w for want of Gods presence; and p that God would refresh us with his p sence, and send good Ministers and good Magistrates to be as nursing farhers to his Church.

Eighthly , this serves to teach, and straightly ro charge the children of God whenthey enjoy Gods presence and favour in the Ministery and Magistracy, sustaining and comforting them , to take heed of disturbing their peace,

I. By any indiscreet : or

2. Offensive carriage : for it is,

First, a disturbance ro Christ himselfe, he is stirred up and awaked, (as it were before he please.

Secondly, the Roes and Hindes of the field, young comers on in Religion, : soone scared away by dangers and tro bles arising against the Church, therefore we should be carcfull and take heed wee provoke not any dog te barke, for then they will be gone. -Ler us therefore walke wisely, and inoffensively, that none bee discouraged, that Christ, who doth sustaine us, and refresh us,

—

—

ap.3 Chap... The Churches deliverance how.

caigh | niay- dwell with us for ever, | thw The woyce of my beloved behold, he cometh

In the mounaines , and skippin mar Fr ho G

good In these words are described, tO hl | First, the Churches deliverance out of captivity: where is laid downe, R, and |- '-First,the preparation tothe deliverance God | inthe causes of itz which were, d fa | - First, the voyce of the beloved. | Secondly,the coming of the beloved, ) rake | and _ _— : | - First, leaping and skippine:; Ip 2 uns Heer or-Roc *, Thirdly,his befteging Babel and overseltc, | coming ir, ser forth in three ations: were): First, standing behinde che wall, Secondly,looking our at the windows, f ches[- + Thirdly, shewing himself through the | are] latrtice o y oe {© Secondly, the calling out of captivity: '- First, ro goe out of Babylon into their | owne countrey; whercunto- there arc: , (orl midtives, 002 offs | cforeM- 'First, from remoyall of impediments, nat verse 1, | uist W- Sccondly,from store of opportunities, h us,ff verse 12,13. may Wy- E OLE Thirdly,

PEE

"Christ frequent in his visits. Chap.2.\l

k Ver.16.1.

Thirdly, to worship Godin pohlicke | in their owne countrey b, Secondly , the stare of the Church returned into their owne countrey , in | regard, First,of opposition of enemies 3, sabrill | and ravenous: where is set forth, _ their nature ; they are foxes, little

Secondly, the harme they doe, they spoile the vines.

Thirdly, there take us the foxes.

First, on beloved is wine , and 7 4

his.

Secondly ,'t Feedeth amoneit ir Lilkes.

Secondly;, interrupted , and yet by turncs Ohnist aften and speedily visiting and succouring them ,- and that totime of the coming of Christ, and - _ of the shadowes of the cero

moniall Law]. ' The woyce of my. beloved. ] "Ties 4

the mepore of Cyrus coming. $0:

a

| | Chap. The Churches deliverance by Cyrus.

Babel, and his mustering together of many Nations to that service; which rumour was discerned by the faithfull, to bethe accomplishment of the Prophecies given them before, of deliverance by Cres *. Andtherefore the Church-heaing this rumour, suddenly acknowledgeth in it the promise and voyce 'of Christ: and so it was no lesse gratcfull tothem., then dolefull and dreadfull to the Babylonians. He cometh leaping upon the mountaines. My beloved is like a Roe, or a young Hart, behold, he standeth behinde our wall, he tooketh

forth at the window shewing himscife through |

the lattice.)]

These words cxpressc the great expedition and specd which Cyrw made in his journey against Babel, all the Nations ying in the way,

First,cither of themselves setting open their gates to him,as weary of the Baby: | lonian yoke. |

Secondly , or speedily surprised and

subdued. Hee standeth behind: the wall.) Laying siege tothe walls of Babylon. -

| Heelooketh forth at the windawes.} That

L.&if

6 Cyrus ordained to deliver the Church, Chap.2.|

is, hegiveth some glimps of hope, of further calargement Lermoroalers

” He sheweth himselfe throngh the lattice.) As in the originall, any place burned through in the siege of Babel, Cyras divertingthe course of Euphrates another way,' which before came through the midft of the city, burning up the reeds,

Pn up the water paslages, hee shewed himselfe through FE, and enered the city *. * -

My beloved spake and said unto me,Rise vy| wy love wy faire one,and come away. | That| is, Cyr s made open proclamation for my

re out of Babel, and returne into mine owne countrey f. Though Cyrw was att heathen, and knew not Christ the beloved, ayet the Church in Cyrus saw che hand and voyce of Christ, using Cy rw as an instrument for deliverance whence Ezra saith, b The Lord stirred w the spirit of Cyrus.

For lee, the winter is past, the raine is ova and gone. ;

Thar is, first, partly it was now spring time of the yeare, the winter and raine were now over, which else might h: hindered travell.

Secondly,

a 4 S ” a 2" " WT 2 ISSN — -+- _ —_ = = J_ _ _ ——_—_ my Io —_ - a” © 57 _-T $7 ec Foo = has: = 7 —4 for i. by - MY 3434, . J Si.045 24 diff bot ban Si. och. tc ce

21! | Chap.2. Return from captivity is the Spring. 69 f m—— — Secondly , the metaphoricall winter

of Babels captivity, and all the stormes | of it were blowne over , whence it is,the

Chaldean word is here used to signifie this winter, not the common rew

word. The flowers appeare on the ewrth, the time of the singing / beds is come, and the voce

| of the turtle is heard in our land.

Which, with the words following, is, First, partly a description of the ff | spring time, which invited them to this

journey. :

Secondly, partly a sctting before them of such conveniences , which, like to rhe spring time, might invite them to this

The flowers appeare on the earth, That | is,cven they of the people of the coun- = _— whom they sojourned ,

First , praised God for their deliverahce *,

Secondly, furnished them with gold and filver, and other usefull things for their journey f.

The time of the singing of birds is come. bay wit, that the -Pricsts and Levires

Retder Oo. ecd...\)

their 'owne countries 5 which they thoughtunscasonable to doe in a strange tPfa137-] land F. 3zte Thi woyce of the turtle is heard in om land.) That is, of Christ the fairhfull spouse of his Church, who is mourning in Judea, because he finderh not his Marte (the Church) there. 645] The figtree putteth forth her greene figs, and the vines with the tender grape give 4 200d smell. That is, the chiefte of the | Fathers and Elders of the people, they shew themselves forward to countenance the journey, and to prepare for It

> OOO ID Seo.

CArise my love, my faire one, and comt away.) Being twice repeated *, it argueth the people were flacke to leave their states, which they had planred themselves in at Babel/; and therefore stoodin need of calling on againe and againe, wo O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rocke, in the secret place of the staires, let ml see thy countenance, let mee heare thy wvoyce;[ far fweet is thy woyce, and thy conntenance| | comety. | | ol

| Glap.a, Who foxes rorhe Ghurch, VL 0 mydeve.} Thatis, my-chaste, inno- |

cent and faire spouse, -:. | That art inthe clefts of the rocke, in the secret place of the staires.] That now dost | worship mein holes and corners. Let mee see thy countenante, let me heare thy veyce.] Let mee fee thee assembled,let meet thee calling upon mer singing praise to mee, freaking my wo

For sweet is thy voce, and thy countenance comely. ]

First, the voyce of the Church, arone' and the fame time.

First, rejoycing in Gods wonderfull mercy.

_Y, weeping and bewailing, F Fik. their owne unworthinefle,

Secondly, the decayes of the Church, inregard ot former times. -

Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoile the wines, for our vines have tender grapes. Thar is, restraine (the foxes, the

ittle foxes) the enemies of the Church, of greater or lesffer power ; ® such as

were the Samaritans. These spoiled the E 4 vines,

a Pla.14.6 1,2. with Jer, FO. 435. & za}. 1.13, Verse 15. b Ezraq 2,4, & 5.3 Neh. I w—_—_ Hest.3.8,9

7= = ThefurerofrbeChurch deftreged. Chay.2.i| c Ezr.q-4-|| yines,< hindered the proceeding of the #322 | building of the Tem CE nel | af the :Church;And therefore Tobiah said | pn) mage rw eo ; _ 'they, as £01 the wea UE Fonprlarion of bed Jerusalem, | ' [4Neb43|'mighr easily demotifh the samed: Yet ]-chese foxes inthe end were taken and re- {strained , First , partly by the Edid& of e Ezra6. | Darius ©: Secondly , partly by the hang- 11,'3+ | ing of Hamazand his sonnes, and the de- | ftrucion of ' some other of the Jewes f Heb. 7. | enemies _ My beloved is mine and 1 am his.) The Verse 16- | Church enjoyeth familiarand comforta-| ble communion with Christ , thele ene- *Ncb.8. | mics being quelled *,

. | Shee feedeath among the lilies.) That is, among pure and faire Christians, all corruptions being weeded out, bothjil g Exr. ro, | Of strange wives 8, of usury, of right of the Levites maintenance and minif Neh. 13. my, tf and prophanation of the Sabh

atn. Wo) | | Verse 17. | Until the day breake, and the shadewes flee Y away: turne my beloved, and be thou like 4 #| Roe or a young Hart, upon the mount aines of Bether.

Turne

Chap.2. Ch.works in instruments of deliverance. 73 |

Turne my beloved.) That is, returne oftento visit and succour me.

As 4 Roe, or 4 young Hart upon the mount aines of Bether.”) That is,{wiftly and speedily, * Bether being necre ro them on the other fideJordan, as who should say, Though thou sometime turne from us, yet be not farre, but ready &verand anon | to returne and succour us.

Untill the day breake, and the shadowes flee &wey.] That is, till Christ come, and the Ceremoniall shadows vanifh.

First, this teacheth us that in all the instruments of the Churches deliverance, we should fee and discerne Christ speaking and working in them: See here the Church lookes not at Cyrs so much, but at Christ in him. Doe they heare a rumour of a deliverance? It is the voyce of Christ, and it must needs bea stron voyce which Christ is the author of The wisest Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they say it is Christ, and all the rest yeeld; and the Church sees Christ come skipping: Doth it see Cyravs about the wals? She sces Christ there. Doth she see Cyrws shewing himselfe through the lattice? She sees Christ there, Doth =

74 chrift in all that befalls the Charch. Chap.

see _ he EIT there, and mz roclamation to to goe'up againe TH erusalem 2 She ckeewh 2s.Chr c voyce, saying, CArise my love, wy fair one, come away.

So the holy Ghost teacheth, what fa: your any doth fhew to the Church, it is Christ that doth ir; fo take it, that if any} ood befall the Church, it is Christ that

th it: If any lead into captivity, Nebs-li chadnezzar, or any other, it is Christ th leads her intoa Wine-cellar: It there any noise or worke of deliverance, it is Christ that comes leaping and skipping: So in all the ade, and in if fe blessings that befall the Church, ascribe alt ro Christ. * The same hand that gave, the fame hand hath taken;away: f God tarned the captivity of Fob, and God turned againe the captivity of his people.| This is a wonderfull stay ro Gods} Church, and to every member of it; for! man cannot bring it mto captivity, and| bring ir out againe. Mans hand cannot bring hard things upon the Church, norls} bring her out againe of them; for if ill were in mens hands, or in Satans, orin|ll our owne hands, it would not goe well with

| [Chap.2. The Charches calamities not continual, 75 |

with us; but being in Christs hands alons, itmay be a stay and a comfort.

Secondly, this teacheth us, that when the time of the Churches deliverance is come, Chrift will come quickly and speedily for her deliverance, leaping and skipping as a Roe or a Hart. The winter shall not alwayes remain onthe Church, no, not when she deserves a black winter,

|7he patient abiding of the Saints fball not | dwayes be forgotten. Suppole God leads {his Church mto captivity seven yeares, yea seventy years; yet it will not alwaies continue. Thismay serveto comfort us inthedistresses of the Church, at home

or abroad z God will not alwayes punish with reproach or defolation, bur the time will come these will be gone and flce away. | Thirdly, this lets us fee the Church i | profitcth by calamities; shee comes our

from them , then shee went into them: she entred and went into captivi hating God, defiled with many abominations , she returnes out, My love, faire one, The Church of God , and the

F | members &TH it are more lovely in Gods

fightby the hard times that pasle over them.

| 76 - TheCharch bettered by chastisements. Chay. them: when this — ee seventy yeares in captivity, (a hard tim ow, =) hey los nothing by it; they kissed hi, and so ht God, | | now hee stiles them lovely. He loathed|- them because they loathed him, they were now tried and purified, beforet were loathfome, but now are lovely; before hated, but now loved. But ic what a blessed use chastisements arc oft the Church: how loathsome foever wee goc into captivity, when wee defile 01 elves with lusts and fins, yet when wee have beene throughly humbled with some _ how faire Tos we Si

My sonne despise not the chasteni Lord gp4 ' weary of his > And why doth God say, Dex#.8. 16. He proved them to doe them good; when het saith, my love, it is more then lovely, iti love, itis love it sclfe, and faire one is more then faire? So, f It is good for met| (faith David) that I have been affiidted: sol the Church before her affliction was| loathsome, foule, hated z but now she is}. faire and lovely. ih

Thou art faire, Oh my love.)

Fourthly , this lets us see, the co Ccncs

D BY 3 -v. : - 2 bn =. op + OF Cc — rw wr I cc rr Ire A 4, 2 — _— =" gy, EO EIS Bo 2 Tab £5 Bee oe ES. de nip a x: : F1 > PT IOC. £- ers + . ws CE a4. > I > -— - ———_ afnay 5 ts - - a _ - - 4 £ Fo: = = ES:

A

_

1p.208 Chap.2. The Church not alwayes conspicuous. 7 | een ches winter : storms shall not alwayes lic uponher, bur they shall in the end blow overs * The rod of the wicked shall not vest | * PL 125% | apow the lot of the righteous. Je

| - Fifthly,we may see that outward com- | use 5forts are cafily able to drowne in us a longing afrer Gods ordinances:thecontenement that some found in captivity, made them stand in necd of often calling to returne to Sion. | : -Sixthly, wee may learne here, that the | face of the Church is not alwayes visibleand conspicuous inthe eyes of men, but alwayes in the eyes of God: for they meet the staires, and worship God in holes and corners. And a while after Christ saith, Why dost thou lic thus underthe staires, andin clifrs of rocks * let { me fee thy face, and heare thy voyce. The Church of Rome advanceth her selfe, that she hath alwayes been conspicuous; but this is no true signeof a true Church, for the true Church'is notals/f | wayes conspicuous: though Christ ali | wayes sees some ro meet in corners and holes, yer not alwayes in solemne afsemblies. The Dove of Christ Jesus sometimes makes her rest in the rockes? on

_

&

| 78 Nomed of any Mediators but Chrift. Chap.

{

use 7.

uses,

| builds under the stairs, where Chrift

Verse 14. } hot Angels and Saints ro mediare fc

her, but not publikely. - Seventhly, sce here the Church neec

her, her owne voyce is {weet, and countenance comely in Gods estimation : * 4 that day yee shall aske now name ; aud I (a 210t to you that I will pray the Father for youg for the Father himselfe loveth you becenst |

have loved mee. Christ tells vs, he shal haye no great nced to pray for us, for God himlfelfe loveth us, to heare our voyce, and to see us; let us then not be afraid to- put forth our voyces: labour] then for such a spirit as to grieve for our| sinnes, and to rejoyce in Gods mercies;| for God-is pleased with that: hee is a| true citizen of Sion, that when hee a-| bounds in Gods mercics, yet hee weepes| for his sinsz and when hee weeps for his| finnes, yet -hee is thankefull for Gods

METCICS.: | | Againe,, observe,- the Church shall]

\alwayes be troubled with fome enemies, Take ws the foxes that spoile the wines :

There shall be ever some Sanbalar , of Tobiah ,, or some other to be nibbling at

the Chutch of God : wonder —— or

20 Chap.2: 7he Churches enernics (bal be ruined,

Ml these cnemies of the Church,

|. Firft, they shall deale subtilly and craftily with her,

Secondly,.they may disturb and hinder her and proceedings; but, Thirdly, they shall in the end berestrained, as in Revel. 19.20. And the Beast we takex, and with him the false Prophet that wrought miracles before him, &c. These

both were cast alive into a lake of an bur-|

ning with brimitone. Therefore let such foxes know the time will come when Christ will either take them, and chaine them, and binde them vp, as he did Sanballat, Tobiah, Shether-boznai * : or clsc hang them up, as hee did Hamer and his

sonnes. Let men then take heed that they

doe not push at the Church,for God will either chaine them up, or hang them out of the way.

Lastly , here wee may sce , when the enemies of the Church are restrained or d&stroyed, and corruptions weeded out

of it, the Church then cnjoyerh sweer, and fafe, and full fellowship with the Lord Jesus, and hee with her. Hee gives her pledges of his favour, and shee =

for this will be so : but oblerve ronching

Use 9.

pooping uae k CO IEES 3 -

—

| Bo Corruptions removed,Chrift is enjoyed. Chap p

him es of pure worshipping hi be A Ce wk his cling him with their sacrifices. And they that would procure-Christ this, let them provide for weeding out of their finnes; as, usury-, wicked marriages, profanationg of Gods Sabbaths, &c. Such Churche shall be sweet, and much sweet solace shall they cnjoy one with another, Christ with them,and they with him,

SSSEGERLGRGGER

CIIEEE IEEE |

CANTICLES,

OR SONG OF SONGS

opened and explained.

Truz TExr.

PI! on my bed T sought bim whom my soule loveth 3 I sought bim, but I found bim not.

2 1 will rise now, and goe about the city in the streets, and in the broad wayes , I will seeke bim whom my foule loveth : T sought bim, but 1 found bim not, /

3 The watch-men that goe about the city found mee, to whom T said , Saw ye him whom my soule loveth ?

s 4 It was but a little that I passed from them Wl but I found bim whom my soule loveth: T beld him, Wi ad would not let bim goe, untill T bad brought him Wl into my mothers house, and into the chamber of ber that conceived me.

The Song of songs. Ch. 34} 1

I charge you, O ye daughters of Ferusalem, by | tbe Roe =. by the Hinder of he a b _ ye pi not up, nor awake my love till be please.

6 Who is this that cometh out of the wildernesse like pillars of smoake , perfumed with myrrb , and frankincense, with all the powders of the merchant ?

7 Bebold bis bed, which is Solomons : threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

8 They all bold swords , being expert in warre : Every man hath bis sword upon bis thigh , because of feare in the night.

9 King Solomon made bimselfe a charet of the| wood of Lebanon. |

10. Hee made the pillars thereof of flver, the| bottome thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple,| the middest thereof being paved with love , for the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 Goe forth, O ye daughters of Sion , and bebold King Solomon with the crowne wherewith bi mother crowned bim in the day of his espousals : and in the day of the gladnesse of bis beart.

enters > oem he wp IT <

PERS "ru Ir —_ 9 Oper Oo

_

_ SHEET X DD INES { Ch.3.7 he Churth in darknts under the Maccabees. $3

Tur EXPLANATLON. |

Cant. 3. verse r. By night on my bad 1| fought him whom my soule loverh, 7 sought him, but 1 found him not,&c.

is Chapter setteth forth the estate

of the Chatch from after the dayes

of Nehemiah , to the time of Christs fo- —_— here on earth , in a two-fold

First, under the Macrobres , ver. 1.6.

Secondly, in Fohn Baptisf's time, vetsc 6,—I7.

The state of the Church in the Macs | Verse x. bees time was, partly, full of calamiries, asa time of darken e, By night I songht hbim.,and partly swcetned with some more comfortable issue,

Thiscalamity is ser forth,

First,by resemblance to night, By night 11 fonght him,

1 Secondly, by the absence of Christ, whom she sought in vaine.,

First, / hey bed, verse 1.

Secondly , 1# the ftreets of the city, verse 2

Thirdly, Amongst the watchmes, vet 3. A F 2 _

The

When night with the Charch. Ch.3j

Ver'c 1,

Dan, $8. g,-I2,

The comfortable issue of her secking| Christ is set forth,

First, By her finding of him, verse 4.

Secondly, By her holding of him,verse 4,

Thirdly, By her bringing of him into her mothers house, verle 4.

By night.” Thatis,in time of darknesle, and publicke calamity, when _Antiochus Epiphanes, the little horne waxed exceeding great, wasted the pleasant land, cast some of the host and starres of heaven to the ground, 'when hee tooke away the daily sacrifice, and trode downe the Sanctuary, and cast downe the+truth to the ground; when hee robbed the Temple, murthered the people, spoiled the City,made lawes for profaning the Sabbath, for offering Swines flesh, for negleting Circumcision, when he ser up the Statues of Fupiter Olympius, the abomination of desolation in the holy place, when hee burnt the Bookes of the Law, and made it death to have a Testament; when he brake downe the Altar and set up another, when hee pur _— a

Ch.3 . What the Churches bed,

death who had caused children to be cir- [

cumcised, and hanged children upon the neckes of their mothers, x Mac. 1.23. to the end.

In my bed.) Not in my bed of case and sloth, (as some rake it) for whar ease could the Church take in the night time of calamity © But in my bed,that is,in the place and duties of Gods worship, the temple and the ordinances.

1 foueht him whom my soule loveth.) 1 defired and endeavoured to have fellowship with Christ , but 7 found him not, the Sanuary being polluted , and he daily sacrifice taken away , and profane Idols set up inthe place,

In the streets of the city. ] That is, in the open Assemblies of the faithfull, in the Synagogues, in the cities of Judea and Jerusalem, but behold there Altars ere- Red to Idols, and incense burned, and the books of the Law cast into the fire * : Yea, behold,the citizens of Jerusalem all fled and gone f: and therest wentin procession to Bacchus *.

The watch-men that goe about the city.) Towit, the--Levites, who answered Kio with silence; but alittle after shee found F 3 succour

Verle 2.

—

How and wherethe Chil

CL EL Sink bets

- — WTO TY FUSED M9 2 WIE

-

succour at Modin , for the Priests, Mattathias and his sonnes , Judas, Fonathan, and Simon , and the rest that went about to repaire the ruines of the Church and Common-wealth to these rhe faithfull Church repairing , * and ding delive rance and comfort , by Judas especially or rather by Christ in him t , shee le

him not till shee had brought him into the Temple, where she soone after cleans sed the SanQuary, and restored the purity of Godyworthp, and offered sacrifice according to the Law, so that shee found great comfort and joy in the duties of Gods worshipm. Thus againe found they Christ in a typicall Saviour, held him by faith, and, with courage and | zeale, brought him into theremple and $anQuary,the house and chamber of her mother: that is, of the former Church of Israel, or of the Catholique Church, for the Church of the former ages is the mother of the latter z or the whole Church is the mather of cach part in usuall phrase of Hebrew speech: The Temple is the house of both, the San- Quary is the chamber- of her that bare

—

' Charch found Cloif.

uy charge you, © yee daughters of Ferusalem by the Roes and by the Hindes of fea that yee flirre not up , nor awake my love till

1 chargeyou,gre.] See the same words d , 1Chap. 2. 7. The Church chargeth all her daughters, all her members, totake heed, lest by their undiscreet dealing,or any wicked practise,they stirre up the neighbour Princes of Syria and Et ; not to disturb the peace of the Church, and to provoke Christ againe to leave them desolate ; which though Fson and Menelaus and Alcimus broke tf, yet they prevailed not so far, but Christ was still Sand in the remple of the faithfull

till his coming in the flesh,

Who is this that nk out of the _ derne(se like pillars e, yr prtariavy

h and | ankincens With all powders of the merchant?

Who is this that cometh out of the wildernesse. This is a description of Johy Baptist, and of the Church gathered b his Miniftery in the wildernesse: whic is set forth,

First, by the admiration and inquifitivenesse of the old Synagogue after him F 4 and

88 © Tohn Baptists Ministery how foretold. Ch.z.f | | and hjs baptisme : Who is this that com-| |

meth, or ariseth, &c. which was fulhl.| led | : to whom the Jewes sent Priests and Levites to aske him, Who art thou 2 and all men mused whether hee were not the Christ.

Secondly , by the place of his arising, and the Church with him, in the wildernesse m,

Thirdly, by the manner of arising, like pillars of smoake, which,

First, ariseth from fire, as the Church arose from zeale and fervency of Fohns Mainistery.

Secondly , ascendeth on high , as the

ropagation of this Church did, even to Fern em ",

Thirdly , fills the countrey , as the Church did with rumour and increase of it®,

- Fourthly, by the excellent fragranc and frecacte o the graces heel —_

such was the powerfull zeale of Fohn and his Ministery, strongly fragrant as Myrrh. and preserving his hearers from Pharisaicall hypocrisie: Frankincenfe is

of like strong tragrancy, and of chicfe use

[Ch.3. Solomons bed what is signifies.

in making of the holy Incense 4 , by which prayer was signified *, to intimate the fragrancy and fervency of his prayers,who taught all his disciples to pray.

With all powders of the merchant. To

God, filled with the holy. Ghost above all Prophets, yea, above all thar were borne of women u; whence also hee seasoned all sorts of his hearers with graces and direQions fit for their severall

Fif hly, by the docrine of Fohn, who

resly preached the Lord Jesus manifelted inthe flesh;

Behold his bed which is Solomons, threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. ]

Behold his bed which s Solomons. This | DoQrine the Church of thar time recei- | ved and beleeved: In which Dodtrine, that first Church first discerged and beleeved,

First, the Temple of Christs body z for the bed? was taken, as also it is here, for the Temple, which was the type of Christs body 2,

wit, perfumed with the sweet graces of

Now,this as Fohn pointed 2, Behold the Lamb

Solomons bed what it pemifee, Ch Ms.

Lamb of God; as here it is said, Behold, bj| bed. This Temple it is the Temple off Solomon, of Christ; in himrhe Godhead||t dwellcth bodily. Tit

Secondly, theguard of Angels atten-| ding it,to prevent the feare of Herods ene || x mity and others. |

Thirdly, the maker of his humanity,|{ 5 verse 9. King Solomen made himsclfe a8{; Couch, the word may bee translated Coach or Couch: this latter I rather] take,partly for the Etymologe of Apiriassl c

- 38, to be fruitfull as the brides bedis,{ y and partly for agreement with the forma word bed, ver.7.

Noearthly Ether, but Christ by hs owne Spirit made his own body, and hi own bed in his mothers womb i,

\ Fourthly,the matter of it, the wood of ' | Lebanon, forthe Virgin Mary dwelt i Nazareth of Galilee at the foot of Lebanon, | As Solomons Temple , the type

Christs body, was made of the wood Hos.i. | Lebanon, the cedar which is free from corruption so was the body of Chr £ PGL1s. | found from secing corruption k,

10, | Fifthly, the ornaments of it , which were, First,

| +t.</TB

*

Ch.3- Chriits espousals and crowning.

(| - First, partly his offices:

Y| the fire of Gods wrath, and pure as falver F| tried inthe fire,

2. Propheticall , delivering us a word precious as gold, even as fine gold 1.

3. Kingly, whence it is said, verse 10. The covering of it of purple , the royall ornament of Kings.

. Secondly, partly, the affeftion whereig he undertooke and executed these offices, love of the "yd. wo of Jerusalem, wr.1o, All these Fohy declareth =,

Secondly , hee exhoneth and ftirreth up the faithfull ro behold,

First, Christ .

Secondly,o The ornaments wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals. The day of his espousals was the day when'God theFarher contracted him with the Church * ; whence after hee is called the bridegroome? , and Fohy the Bridegroomes friend, his Disciples the children of the - Bride-chamber: And the Church henceforward in this Booke is called the Spouse, not before. The crowne wherewith his mother crowned bim, is the testimony of Christs sove-

— raignty,

1- Priestly , as pillars of filver abiding

Verse 10.

m John . 29. tothe cnd,

*Mar. 3.17 p John z. 29,

_

-

Christians condition changeable. Ch. |

use 2.

raignty, which Fohy and the faithfull ve him 9. First of the estate of the Church nnder the Maccabees,

First, this doth teach us with wharintent wee are to come before God in the publicke Assemblies, namely, to secke Christ the love of our soules, not to shew our fine garments, wantonly to| gaze at beauties; not to satisfie the Lay or friends, for fashions sake, but to sceke Christ instruting us in remptations; Some come to catch somerhing from Christ to entrap him, &c. but it is our duty to come unto him, as a Spouse to her Husband, for seed; so we must come to Christ, that hee may cast the seeds

ace into our soules , that we may bring

orth fruit unto him. | Secondly, this lefs us see the change able estate of the Church, shee thar rejoyced in the presence and fellowship c Christ, and could say, * My beloveds mine, and I am his, now scekes him every where,and with much difficulty and anguishf. And so itis oft with every tre member ofthe Church, as wee may see it was with David* : so it is now with ou!

—

Ch.3; Christ to be found in his ordinances.

our brethren beyond the seas, whom E| you might have commended a yeare or E two agoc, and have found Christ there, E| but now he is gone, shee seckes him bur findes him not: See the Church of God sometime enjoyes all the ordinances of God, sometimes none, so a Christian soule sometimes hath Christs left hand Sunder her head, and his right hand to F| embrace het, soone after shee findes him not so. Wee must not condemne the Church for this, for they that are renderly beloved of Christ may somerimes seeke him and not finde him.

Thirdly, this may comfort such as secke Christ in all his ordinances: they shall either finde him in them, or, after the use of them, in some unex or extraordinary help. The Church here that found not Christ in the Temple, nor inthe Assemblies and recourse of Christian people, nor in conference with the Priests, found him soone after in an unexpected and extraordinary help, even Tudes Maccabews, verse 4. for indeed it was extraordinary for the tribe of Levi totake up the Sword and Scepter, which indeed belonged to Fadah: so you see

when

Cant. z. 6,

Use 3,

Why Chrift fometines hides himself.” Chil whenordinary meanes faile, God will bel found in extraordinary: Whoscever then would finde Christ, and feeke him every|ls where, they shall sarcly finde hitn eithe in his ordinances, or out of they. |

Fourthly, this lers us see the affetlynate cleaving of such to Christ, as haw long sought him and not found him ill at last: such lay hold on him, and wi not ler him goe, verse 4. which is ol Reafon why Christ fometimes hide himsclfe from us, that wee might seeke him the more diligently, and, having found him, cleave to him more stedfaft- A -—y God lookes for at the hands

Fifthly, this doth exhort Christiaw | that live among bad neighbours to walk the more circumspectly, as the daughtery of Jerusalem are herecharged upon oat to doe, ver.5. being betweene the Syrian and Egyptians. It is a charge giver by the Church to her daughrers,to take heed they stirre not up her love, nor aw Christ nll he please,

Two Reafons are givenfor it. |

First, it may provoke Christ t0 bring another estare upon! the Church]

.h.4/80 Ch.3. Fearfull Christians not to be discomraged. 95; | lt bell which will not be good for it. | | Secondly, in regard of fearcfull Christians, for they will start away; many are willing to come into the Church, but | if the profeshon of Christ be troublewo-1{ fore and hot, they will nor abide it: therefore rhis charge is needfull that wee may walke holily, rhar Christ be not stirred up, nor these fearfull Christians —_—_ See this handled, Chap.2.

Thus farre the first part, in the time

of the Marcabees : Now,

Secondly, of the eftate of the Church | in John Baptist's time.

'This is first ro shew us, that God can rise up 2 Church cven in the wildernefse.to the admiration of observers: and | so hee can raise up our neighbour Churches, now brought to: a wildernesle. This may comfort us in regard of them, for though they be now defolate, yet we oy ope a time will come when they

againe, Secondly Gehere is n part of the duty of ancient Christians , notto maligne the es of God in those that come after , but ro admire them * , _ | that

What graces requisite in a Minister. Ch.yi1

that cometh out of the wildernesse like pillar of smoake, perfumed with Myrrh and Fra kincense, &c. 18 Thirdly, this shewes what gifts and graces are most requisite in a Minister and doe most adornehim, even zeale ir his Ministery, and fervency in. prayer, and all sorts of {weet graces to season

and dire& all sorts of his people in their]

severall callings,as Fohn did *, when the people came and said, What shall we doe? He answered and said, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none, &6, So Fohn was perfumed with graces fe

all men : for men must not come into the Ministery with judgement and learning alone, forthese may come from naturey burthey must come perfumed with gra, ces, to keep themselves and others from putrefaQion; yea , they mult labour fe

those graces which will give a strong sent}

to save themselves and others.

Fourthly, this shewes us the Manhood and Godhead of Christ ; Christs humane natnre is the temple, or bed wherein the

Godhead resteth bodily ; and the Gods|

head made this temple or bed for hins selfe, no earthly father for him, |

Fifthly,

4Ch.z. Alrhings needfoll in Chrift.

puoliznce the Angels give to Christ, and him to the Church and all his members, ver. 7,8.

Sixthly, wee may here fee in Christ whatsoever is behoovefull for all our falyations. In regard of his Priestly of- | \ fice hee is pure as filver, to cleanse our impurity, and to abide the fire: In regard of his Propheticall office hee is

tous as gold, tocnrich ourpoverty: —_ rd of his Royall and Kingly offe he is glorious as purple,andcloathed |, with it, to advance our basenesse: His | hearr, or r middest, is even paved with love of us: His heart is an hearth (for so the word fignificth ) whereon the fire of his love towards us burneth continually, let us then love the Lord Jesus againe, and receivethe seeds and fruits of his grace, Y and then shall wee see his heart Fl vith love to us: and then whatsocver beiS bloudshed, warre, captivity, 8c. all | comes from love; his whole heart is pa- Ived with love.

Seventhl let us take up our Fits meditations about Christ ,

Wt us goce forth and behold him , ler his 17 al G abundant

_

We must give our selves to Christ, Ch.

use 8,

| abundant graces fill 'oyr m_ soules,

Eighthly, if thou beest a daughter f Sion, thou art contracted to Christ , anc

' | know it by this, Dost thou read his letters? art thoudelighted with them 2 and dost thou rejoyce to speake to him againe by prayer? If thou dost,it may be the joy of { cart, for thy estate is good. —_ , this doth exhort us all to give up our selves as spouses roChrist,and that with all gladnesse of heart, fince he is af feed to us, who yet hath nothing from us but debts and beggery: and they that

do give themselves up ro Christ, need not |

fear wanting comfort; for no spouses fhall finde such comfort as they, Shall hee be gladto have us, a company of begg yea, as I may say, a company of deaths! And was it the gladness of his heart to be espoused ro us, which was when his E ther contracted him to us, and shall w think it a day of deading to set our feeti to Christs bed? All the merchants cannal serforth our cxcellency, when hee sh; pay all our debrs,and adornus with all hy ces, therefore let us go forth,and bring Fim home to.us, wee shall then finde hi

comfortable to us in the day of c{pousals © THEY *

ONADIARNLASA$ASANLACAZASINEG CPP IEICE CUPID PPE OTST THE

CANTICLES,

OR SONG OF SONGS

opened and explained.

Ebel, thou art faire my love, behold, thou art faire, thou bast doves eyes within thy lockes: thy baire is 4s a flock, of goats, that appeare from mount Gilead.

2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even [bta,which came up from the washing:whereof every one beare tivins, and none is barren among them.

3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, ani thy | speech is comely: thy temples are like apiece of apomegranate within thy locks.

- 4 Thy nech, is like to the tower of David, builded w an armory, whereon there bang, a thousand bucks, "pony of mighty men.

5 Thy two breasts are like two young Toes, That

re twins, which feed among tbe lilies.

The Song of songs. Cl k |

away; I will get me to the mountaines of Myrrb, to the bill of Frankincense.

7 Thou art all faire, my love , there is no fpu Cone wth me from Leknon my use)

$8 Come with me from on ( my spouse ) with me from Lebanon: looke from the top of Ama the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the Lions den fromthe mountaines of the Leopards.

9 Thou bast ravished my beart , my sister, spouse 3 thou hast ravished my beart with one of thi eyes, with one chaine of thy necke.

10 How faire is thy love, my sister, my spouse! bow much better is thy love then wine ' and the (mel of thy oyntments then all spices !

11 Thylips, O my Jpouse,drep as the honey=c boney and milke are under thy tongue, and the smell thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. i:

12 Agarden inclosed is my sister , my spe spring sbut up, a fountaine sealed.

13 Thy plants are an orchard f pomegr with pleasant fruits, camphire, with spikenard.

I 4 Spikenard and Saffron, Calamus and Cin mon, with all trees of Frankincense, Myrrb, Aleer, with all the chiefe spices.

15 Afountaine of gardens , a well of living y ters, and streames from Lebanon.

- 26 Awake, O Nortbwind, and come thou St

out: let my beloved come into his garden, and eat | pleasant fruits. ?

6 Untill the day breake , and the sbadowes fla

blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may f | |

IM Ch.4. The eft ate of the Church in Christs time, 101.

) wit love behold, thou art fair thou hast doves eyes

ll within thy lockes: thy haire is as 4 flocke of dens yours, that appeare from mount Gilead, &rc.

7, is Chapter describes the estate of f thin # the Church in her periods : . First,in Christs time,under his Ministepy, verse 1.—6.

Secondly, after his Ascension, under cot! Apostles, verse 7.—11.

he first ten Persecutions,ver.12.—16. The Church in Christs time is comended and described,

First,by her ny {x pron vong | ou art faire ny love, thew art faire. | Secondly, the beauty of her severall rts,at that tinie most conspicuous: as, First, of her eyes, verse 1. Secondly, Of her haire, verse 1. Thirdly, of her teeth, verse 2. - Fourthly, of her lips, verse 3. Fifthly, of her temples, verse 3. . Sixthly, of her necke, veric 4. Seventhly, of her breasts, verle 5. G 3 Secondly,

(meld Thirdly , after their departure, during |

—

The Church faire in Chrifts time, Ch4,

c Mar. 11,

Secondly, the death of Christ falling out in her time, verse 6.

Behold, thou art faire.) Faire twice peared implies, by an usuall Hebraif| that she was very fair: and beloved twic repeated, argues her eminent beauty wa very conspicuous; such was the estate of the Church gathered by his Ministery and flocking after him.

First, it was faire and beautifull, pa in her flocking after him a,

Secondly , leaving all to follow hin * hanging upon his mourh,and wondri at the gracious words and deeds comity from him, |

Secondly, inhis both,

First, presence with her, as her light

Secondly , decking of her by his nistery.

This beauty of the Church was we knowne, yet ought to have beene bet observed: ;

First of all, bythe children of wi dome c,

Secondly, of all thed Greckes, strangers of the Pharisces and Elders.”

—

4 | Chis. How the Church hath Doves vyes.

—i "First, for their chastnesle.

prong of uncleannesse, but there is withall in their eyes,

11. Cleannesle,

2. Simplicity.

This implies that the Church at that time

First, faw more clearely sundry truths about Christ then the Fathers had done f, orthe present Governours 8.

Secondly , was of a fimple and innocent looke and demeanour h,

Thirdly, looked with a chaste eye, after Christ alone i, Fourthly , loathed theuncleannesse of Pharisaicall superstitions &,

Within thy locks. ] For their knowledge,

h cleare in many things, yet perccived not sundry plaine points :'as, |

'First, the Death and Resurrection of Christ 1, '* Secondly , the leaven of the Pharisees m

As the eye within lockes of haire is {hindred from discerning things lying | openibefore it. | |. **Thy haire as 4 flocke of goats that appeare Ijrom mount Gilead, ]

G4 Baire

k Mat.1s. 122

—

! sr04 Clrifiorbowcald hare and gow.

Haire, though it long e head, yer it on rns o. IH. First, fall of it selfe.

Secondly , bee cut off: fo wee of common Christians of that time (as | were) haire,

x. For multitude.

2. Hanging on Christ the Head.

3s many of them from him : First, either of themselves , or,

As a flocke of goats. Which arc wont; *| First, Fon en ONpanics z 0 people gather a: Christ.

Secondly, tobe without a shep asthis people were 4. 1 ; Thirdly | wer ememns, = "at| member croulty,upon roc |

So the people came from farreto car] .| Christ e, ar anon in danger for feeding we 1 NG flcke of see 1 |

Thy teeth are Like 4 flocke Ld even (horne which came up from the washings whereof every one beare twins, and none is)" barren among them. ] nl

14 ++ The Apostles all equall.

bringeth forth _ Fe oe ogg | OL ings Loma answering to his fellow none wanting, as it is a ihe wok to be. Thetecth are as chew the meat, and prepare it for the rest of the body; such in that Church were the A whom our Saviour calls a lirtle lock 5: they were all, butions cxebepcad hls Ellowes: For out WCsS: Peters _ soedcho noe beyond the rest Bet dnocent Geer are even ser: They that have tushes hanges then pq pm—_— and ravenous beasts; as Dogs, Bearcs, Lions, &c. Ten oh Apo disdained the morion of

Second) came up from Fohns == ny Indas A way

The natwe of the Apostles dovirine. Chap

Secondly, they were sutable each one to his fellow, and therefore the seventy were sent out by couples *.

Bur especially they were fruitfull in bringi —— many lambs to Christ, & hence the seventy returned with joy to Christ f , and Satan is said to fall downe from heaven before them like lightni

= lips are like a thread of scarlet and th speech is comely: thy temples are like a piect of a pomegranate within thy locks.

| " lips are like a thread of (carlet,and thy speech is comely.”] Both signifying the deli very or utterance of the Dodrine of the Church at that time, which was,

First,as a thread,slender (tens; filo) not plump or swelling with humane cloquence, but favouring of Fisher-liketenuity and simplicity.

Secondly, as a thread of scarlet , for as scarlet or purple isa princely and royall weare, sotheir Docrine was,

First,touching the kingdom of heaven,

Secondly , though tender, yet cy

dyed in graine with royall Majesty authooo. op, \ * | Ch.4. Ministers how like Pomegranates.

COOCEI

authority of the Spirit of God.

Thy temples are like a piece of Pomegranate within thy lockes.] Temples of the head are they by which the whole body watcheth or resterh, they are such there-

{fore as watch over the body, and for it.

The Pomegranate was of much vse in theold Tabernacle and Temple: * Aarons

| coat was hanged with Pomegranates and

Bells, Bells for sound of Doctrine and

br me ranates for restraining and eaung

:

the diftempersand diseases of the mo Pomegranates are commended y Fernelins T,

First, for repressing the heat of choler, 2.The malimity, rotrennesse il acrimony of feavers. 4 3. Thelooscnesle of the belly. Secondly', for comforting and hning the stomacke and bowels, to the keeping backe all fainting *. This office, the Ecclesiastical governours of the Church doe performe to it z they reesse the heat of fallings out among rethren, the notorious abuses, the loosenefle, or distemperednesle of the people, they comfort the feeble, and binde up the weake, and are therefore fitly resembled

*Exod, | 28. 34t Fernel,

Faith is strong in Chrif, Ch.4. ; |

by Pomegranates, yea, by a piece of a Pomegranarte: for it is not the whole:body of the Pomegranate that doth this, | but it, broken in pieces, by his juice and rinde is medicinable. |

Within thy lockes.) Because though Christ established Discipline, and delivered it torhe Churchin his time; yet it was not displayed, nor shewed it selfe in open execution till after his Resurre-| — ke is like the tower of David,ec. |

mecke 1s tike the tower of David,ers.]| Thenecke is that part that joyneth /- and body t z now that which ist and his Church together, : Which Faith in some of the of that Church in Christs time, was observed to bee strong and great * , and therefore is here fitly compared to the tower of David, for an _AMr- 0, (whereof wee read) f whereon there

hanged a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. It scemes Davids raighty men hanged up their shiclds in this Armory against times of warre;zand soin like manner all the Worthies of Isracl; all the fairhfull before Christ, hanged | their shiclds of _ OO |

—_ 4 berth rods. een. Alt. TISY ——— 7 a

'S1{Ct

secondly , the sev

whom the faith of his Church was as a

* Faith is not so much

atower of irergrh in ir else, 2sin Christ

ow it apprehendeth. Thy two breafts are like two Roes that are twinnes, which feed, — the

Thy two breasts are like two Roes that are twinnes.] The breasts give milke: now the breasts thar give milke to the Church,the fincere TH milke of the word, are the Ministers, which in the Church of Christs time were a the Apostles; :andare

here called two b both asRoes, because not tyed to any cerraine place within all the people of the Jewes , for Roes stay not long in a place: And both as twins, because of equall commission,

ing both sent alike ro the whole house of though, after the Resurreftion, the Apostles commission was calarged further then that of the seventy.

Which feed amone the lier. For were sent not onely or Samaritans, but L i the lost sheep of the house of

Secondly.

"The faithfel how as lilles Ck

wow

Verse 6,

Mart.10.11.

| Secondly, the true-hearted or well-afs fected of the lsraelites, These faithfull are here compared to the lillies, First, for their whitenefle and purity of innocency. | Secondly, for their amiablenesle.

away: 1 will get mee to the mountaines Myrrh,and to the bill of Frankincense.

Untill the day breake, and the shadowes flee away. ] Thar is,untill the light of the Gos sl breake forth, and the shadowes of the Mosaicall Ceremonies vanish.

1 will get me to the mountaines of Myrrh, and to the hill of Frankincense.] That 1s, to the Mounts,

First, of oliver, 7 where nee suf-

Secondly, of Golgatha,\ fered in the Garden, and on the Crosse, and nailed to his -Crosle all the shadowes of the Lay, and, in fulfilling them, * abolished them.

Myrrh and Frankincense , are wont to be uised in imbalming , and with such like Christ himselfe at his death was-to have

untill the day breake, and the shadowes fiet|

not prevented the women. Besides,

_—4TE-ES3-EL-.

afi\passion of Christ was a sacrifice of a

Cc © Repemtance makes sinners amiable.

Ii fore the place thereof is fitly called the

ITIsmelling savonr to God, and there-

Mountain of Myrrh,and Hill of Frankincense, though otherwise the rhountain of Myrrh

welt be mount Calvary, or Goldes the place of his death:and the hill of Frankincense mount Oliver, in regard of his Ascension into Heaven; yea; even Heaven it selfe, whither he ascended, may bewell called the hill of Frankincense for sweernesle.

- This first doth teach us thar a Church may be beautifull in Gods sight , though | consisting, |

First, of meane persons.

Secondly, of such as were somerimes | notorious offenders, as Publicans and Harlots : and Tnn—_s,

First, poore e.

Secondly Geners, yea, ugly sinners are tobe exhorted to cand sceking after Christ: 1t makes chem truly amiable n-Christs eyes, though otherwise in themselves never so meane and foule.

From hence also. poore finners may take comfort; though loaden with the

sense of their _—

use r.

in Gods fight, viz.

with their brethren.

ves by the Bapulme. | Thirdly, by fruirfulnesse, and faithfulnesse in their Ministery.

uence, powerfull utterance; for swelling words of humane wisdome make mens preaching seem to Christ (as it were)a berlipt Ministery.

ses in their. Teachers, - or others of the

Church , as the Scribes and Phariscelfl -

whom the people were to heare, yet the Church may be denominated from the better part very faire , as a heape

wheat, though covered over with abun-|-

dance of chaffe. Secondly, this may teach Minister how to frame themselves to be amiable First, by carrying themsclves evenly

| Secondly,by cleansing their hearts and

Fourthly, by not affefting carnall clobur gracious and deep-dyed

ALLE L

, tonversing among

_ YT Governaurs.

ll. : "Sandy, ens their people with |

and * not being drie Hrony

-—wdbcy by raking most detighe in 20n8 liltics, , thei ty

| mong o the ficke.

- This may teach Ecclesiasticall Governours their office in the former vertues of the Pomegranate, to represle the heat of abuses,the loosenchs and distemperednefse of the people, to comfort the feeble, and binde up the weake, &c.

Fourthly, this may reach the people how to approve themsclves to Christ; in looking after Christ in knowledge, simplicity, chastity of spirit, loathing superstitions, and places of bad resort.

Thou seest how Pigeons take their fight,

To houses that be faite and white,

For , what should Christians. doe-in

filthy Tavernes, Ale-houses, Stews, &c. |

in strength of faith "Who and - yo

[| 234 ..- Thefeenof the Primitive Ghurch. . Chg IT,

ding themsclves'upon Chit. .. :{-;- TH Thos @rs all faire. my Ps; in thee. In these words wee have a der4 (cription ofthe estate of the Church soon after Christs ascention-, gathered' and built up by the Ministery ofthe Apostles, which they call the Apostolick or primis tive Church. - oF This Church is here set forth, | First, by her compleat beauty, her full | fairenesse, vers.7. Secondly,by Chrifts calling her to be. hold the calling of the Gentiles, wer.8. | Thirdly, by-the ravishing beauty of a sister — that time: | ' 1. In one of her eyes. 2: One chaine of her necke. vers.g. Fourthly, by her love, whichis set ok

I. By the fairenesse of it.

2. By the sweetnelle of it a-> versc10, bove wine. FTifthly,by the lowingnesse,sweetnesle, \and wholsomnesle of her doctrine, wv. 11, | Sixthly, by the smell of her garments, likethat of Lebanon, ver.11. ' Thou art faire.) The fairenesle of the ' Church was acknowledged before, but

never

This: 7h braity of the Primitive Chutobes, 115 |

complear fairenefle or beauty standeth in these three things: | "First, inthe integrity of all the parts and members of the body, for if any be wanit is a maimed, a bletnished body, econdly, inthe Symmerry, or fitproportion of all the members one to another. -/Thirdly,; in thegood complexion, or | Fj{colour of them all. - Look what parts are © 1 F [requisite for the compleat integrity of a faire Church,they are alt found inthe Apostolick Church in comely proportion of beauty Z for look, | First; at their doctrine, and it was, wel 1 2 Free from all errour, so farre as it | F|was dispensed by the Apostles, Pro- | phers, Evangelists of that time *, who | a+ .,z ewise suffered no weeds of false do- | 1234.

[I. It was dispensed in powerfull simts, diciry WW. r — pe

\ | 8]* Secondly, look at their worship, and

he you may see, "2X 44.X 4.4. i

ut ha, . ; | "'F,/The purity of Gods ordinances, 4a - py 7 Pia without

| [216 Thebeauy of the Primitive Churches, Chil.

*:Cor. {| without mixture of humane inventions? 17-2334] 2. Order, decency, cdification of *AR.4, 3+ Fervency and frequency in prayer * a kg * | Thirdly, looke at their Christian come 4*3* | munion, and you may see, *AQ.4. I. Their unity one with another *, Me 2. Love, and large-heartedneslse ong uy towards another F, especially totheir Mi- Tagt'f Fourthly , looke to their Discipline, and you may sce the Apostles, Prophets, Evangclists, Presbyters, Pastors, Teachs ers, first, teaching ; secondly, exhortingz thirdly, ruling : and all by, firs, preaching z " Ahn, writing ,; thirdly, private conference, fourthly , good examples; (No Churches unprovided of Presby: *A&r4. | ters,in the plurall number *.) { 23- Thirdly , the Deacons providing for the.poore, AtF.6.3.—6. Fourthly , both sorts chosen by thel Church,A# 6.3,5. Fifthly , Excommunications dispensed] x Cor.s. | upon weighty occasions, and with gred| Cor. | reverence,and with good successe. |

| with mee from Lebanon : looke from i

th| 4 Ch.4.The situation of Lebanon and Amana. 7 m_

bur necessary things,cither in themselves, or for the present use of the Church,

| As 15. 26. | - This comely frame and order of the

Church Paz! beholding, joyecd in it *. The Church was now called a Spouse after Christ had taken our nature upon him

i Come with me from Lebanon, (my Spouse) to of Amana, fromthe top of Shenir and He. mon, from the Lions dens. from the mountains of the Leopards. -"1'Come with me from Lebanon.) Itis a famous hill in rhe utrermost border of Israel north ward: Amansa hill more northward onthe west of Syria, looking into Syria, Mesopotamia,Cllicia, 8 all Afiathe less. Hermon and Shenir.) Two names of the same hill,though happely given to divers parts, called allo Syr/on or Sien *. The Lions. dens and mountaines of the

| Leopards.) Jerusalem f and the Temple

inour Saviours time was made a den of theeves and robbers ; bur in the Apostles time ; after the Ascension, the Rulers grew more fierce and cruell , spilling the | loud of Stephen, and making havocke of

H 3 the

* Col.z.5.

Verse 8.

_

| tion of Stephe the Faithfull wandred in-

* | bers of the Gentiles elects : Which

the Church : So then,inthis verse; Cheif

calls his Church of the: Christian Jewes,|

First, ro behold from Lebapex, Hernwon, Amana , the Church of the Gentiles 'ga- __ in Antioch, Phenice, Cyrene, Cure,

Secondly, to come out from those dens of ravenous persecutors at Jerusa+ lem-, and to prepare.her.{elfe to.dwell!

among the Gentiles. Upon-tbe persecur

to:these parts,: and preached the Gospell partly ro the Jewes , and after to\ the

when tydingsthereof came-to Jerusalem;

it was as the 'voice of Christ calling:tho[

Church of Jerusalem to. send:Barnabes t6 them, to see the Churches there and to

Church.of the Gentiles ' increased [in number and grace,. and the. Jewes. increased and: grew up-in blasphemy and rage against the Gospell; :Christ called his Church at Ferusaleni to leave those dens and mountaines of Lions and Leopards, "4

My fifter. ] This implicth that Christ

Christ hath removes for his church, Chi |}

now

Wf Cha rhe charb oftte clo adiir. ins ©

row speaketh not rothe mother Church of the Jewes; but toa sister Church; the Church of the Gentiles, such a fister : as is alfo a spouse, -a true Chitch, now Hirst called # fister-by reason of the accession be dear kg od ravished my heart, ter , vey sPuvte; thow' hi con drgricg ve 1y heart mh ec ore Pg es, wth one chaine of thy neck, hou haft rwvished "my heart, thou hast ra- 4 my heart, ] This implies that Chrift overcofnic exceedingly with the love df the Chiirch: for such reperitiotis itnab t Hebrew Phrase, a superlative EXC

Amtioch,the fir Church ofthe Gentiles, feated berween Amana ar Ons; for

Barnabes, the grace of G

rien, Foyer Firth glad of ir, fo tae his fpirit was stirred up to exhort ther to continue. and grow up * :-yea, hee went ont arid fought Saxl, to bring him | | [among them * ; and they borh spent. a | | hole yeare there, and did winne moch people so that thar Church was fest

. |calted Christian, they first had their huf- 'batids name, the-name of Christ firs put | & is upon

© Tho and what the Chrchet et. Clay

upon them, for the forwardnesse of his love to them,and theirs tohim. With one of thy eyes) The cycs of the Chugch, are severall, according} as /the | (+! rch-may be severally confularals for}

in one office, were as oneeye tocneyes thereof-are knowled pang faith TH:

on:Christ alone without Moses his JEICmonies, which the 'Jewes would have |thrust upon them *, With one chaine of thy necke.] Chaines. | ignified Lawes | binding as chaines. Now the Church of Antioch sending up Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, about the contention which Cerinthus (as the stories thinke) and others raised at Anyy bs er TE assembled | together to publike. duties, .sothe Mini-[| sters ofthe Churchare the eyes, among || whom they at Antioch excelled, as Ag- | - | 66} and others z among whom the Lord | lj was especially delighted with Barzabac | Yi and Saul, who were {ent immediately by | Ys the Spirit of Christ to enlighten; all che | Yjs oroghbour countries*. So.chey two, joyne

lighten all the parts. But'if the Chupch || be confidered in the members apart, the |

Inthis Church faithexc up- | Yi

—

Chaner how asedhy whe Tails,

moniall Lawes z * the. Apostles or ilders made a Law onde th to abro- | © s.the Sonemonies x 9nd and Ly enjoynec | Yffome things, partly necessary in them- [ sive 2s tara Gormicarions party ne: ary ro ayoid the offences of the Jews, Fas to: abftaine from bloud, &c., This IL ante Apoics and Ele ed as: n the necke of the Church: Ar and other Churchesf;whence at. Church reccived As ell ra unakl | the other Churc! : F== "= -"% How faire is t a my, ! how. much better is thy love lem pu! the finell of thine oyntments then all sp tices |

>. EEE

implics the-same., and Churches, whose love is here set ng | First, by the fairnesle of it. -. - |

e , implied in the preferring

[it above wine. | How faire, and strong, and sweet, and | | was the love of the Church of joch z which aforchand prepared a [contribution of their owne accord. for the

is bc concerning the necessity of the Ce- |

. How faire is thy he ec se "|Site hk Sister

- Secondly, by the strength, sweethesse, |

*A&ts.

Top Taimnge ferusalem, even * -

Mee man according 6 hi ability ! The like

t love feerned in'the

. | ches 'of Macedonia *. A faint love

poote men to: send reliefe to others : sttong love for deeply poore to send ti liberality ; yet thore strong and sovect th | pray the messeiigers with muck intreaty| to reethve it, anda ro ih ina HE erm of j joy, and th Of (| files dhe expettations — "Wit This Finide of benevolencerhe' Apg

| caiertiin odor: Of 2 sivect fint* ;"

F was {sweeter and better ther” wihe,

| Ver.11.

the" loye' shewed'to rhe poore

= HOW Uhr nt ho bday. I dectyes of this first love shewes | greatthis fovewas utthe first +. -

The _ of thine oymmients thei dl spices. ] Oyntntents, are the From Gods Spd. - These" gave 2: pott farre and neare int thofe Pri mnt tive Churches t.

Thy lips O' my Spoase, drip as the | no!

Chit rakes here # on 5 hin ty a m

combe + honey and milke are under , hi tongue, and rhe smell of thy garments is © he

the oo of $row

IN | Chg. + What the Charcbes garmems:

bs I-7 s; © my Spoiese;, drop as the boney-: eb [cub deeds nin racy ar ;| | | _—— EN rr |

ill} Secondly, for the: Focamesse: oficy as = Jthe honey or the honcyr-camberrny/H ney'd Mil -Thandiy forthe hotioresle azz a

'Fhe fark of thy garmitnts ® like the (mell of Leboven. } Lebanow: is / full )of: sweet | if |{xees of spices growing 1D it, which yeeld | ll |a. fragrant: {melt every arr off;; _: Garror TY l partlythe' (wedding garmeneof vist comctrat-2 ny ens fm carriage & themielyes ww naqarCanr Anne worker They choa- :dand decked themfel ves with Christ, nt oncly toitheir Justification, 'but-with _—y_" to their Sandificationy which bewes forth it sclfe in; their _— neeknesseparience,bonelty,faibful

Mimnce,

nifdery iofiithose brit Churches, inthese | 2

Churches planted by 16 Apostles pere.Chaz.| |

*Philippians 4:3. 1 Thel-4. 9,11, x Pet. 2, 12. I John;. 22,24. Euseb, hb. Pls ppist bb.1o. " Ep 97s Use 1.

time , when the smell of garments was!

diligence, serviccablenesle of their olit- | ward carriage, sofarre forth asthat the? Heathen smelled 2 fweet savour'in their” whole course, * yea, cven'in'Tyajans'

notso strong: yerwhata sweertestinony doth Pliny himselfe (though aperseurory|TH}. | nr them, when hee faid, hee could |

nde no fault with them, buttharr rosc early, and went into the woodsto {ing +Aae to one Fesws?.

This- first is roreforme- ett judgements who speake of the Apostolicat|f Church as an infant and rude Church, | whereas Christ,- whose. eyes were as #| flame of fire, and who best knew it; commends it for perfeQion of bea and faith it was faire: So thatifa Church| were such, Christ might imbrace it with | both his armes. -

This is the Church excellent for her Ministers, excellent for common Christians, which had pure eyes of knowledge and faith, so'that by how much neerer any Church comes to this, by fo much the fairer it is; and by how much any Church comes short of it, by {off much the fouler it 1s.

Secondly, Y }

4] | Ch.4. Abuset blemish ot, bus their roler ation. ur- If |: '-Sccondly , this doth teach ns that not |

the} }-abuscs, bur'the toleration of them doth

ory!

{blemish 4>Church, and/detra& from the

;ans'|| | perfect beaury of it; for otherwise in the was [THrim

ofy [|| | Herefies; a denying the Resurredtion, rors\|}TH |uncharitable going ro Law, Incest, loyenuld'Jf | feasts in the Lords Supper, hey'[{| [tongues in the publicke worshipzand yet 'sto | |because the Apostles stood out ' 1] these and reformed them, the Church Ige- ||| {Riill-retaines her perfeR. In the ical] Church of Ephesus there were false Arch, ||| |postles * , yer it was a Church; so itis, as vi} {corruptions not cut off defile a Church: it; As we then defire the Church should be uty,/\f | pure, leave we all our finnes and corrupurch | |tions which may any way blemish the with | | beauty of the Church. | Thirdly, this teaches us to be ready ro r her | | extoll -and acknowledge ( as occafion 'hri- i | ferveth) other mens labours above our ow-\ | owne.. Chrift gathered a Church in his zuck'| | owne time which hee called, Faire * , but y so.lf | this Church _ by his Apostles zwch | | hee calleth, All faire *. Ir grieveth him y {oF | notto ascribe thousands to himselfe, and

use Jo

ten thousands to them z yea, hee forctold | it

[

heme may leave Church; Click

(blefled be the Lord)from whom the Se- -| paratifts. would 'have us to depart : But

ring our prayers z ——

it; and - promised it —_—— \ How farre was hee from a Spirit of cnvies and:enmlation.,. though indeed: all their fucceile was by: his grace and bl '| Paul Gai, * By the grace of God Tam 3 |

am 2 The cantrary- Spirit of emularic hindereth Churches from taking t which'is their own from one another.

Fourthly, hence we learn inwharcase one Church may step from-another, to||

wit,” -

Firft, when Christ leaveth a:Church, and' gocth away with us from irs Co with me fron Lebanon (my spowse,) with me:| So when: Christ leaves forlakes a Church, wee may leave it and goe out] with hum. ' , 04

, when a Church is become] an universall spotted-Leopard,and a crucll Lion, blaspheming and persecuring the 'Gospell of Christ, as *

Thesfethings were found in Rowe, from whence wee de not- in Emgland,

—

Chrift stall vouchisafes to be with us,converting soules , feeding his lambes, hes-|

Chai in. tryeth -without feare of lawes,

yea with Pence en Chrifh gaes,

goe with him

[when there are dens of Lions , and men cannc keep the profesign, of Christ,

ue fall into their mouthes,, then is is time to goc : But are there thale cayses

wy | pow £ Doth not Christ dwell here inthe ([@nplicity of his ordinances? As long as

Christ 3s here in England, let us not goe

Hlaway : but say, as Perex and * John, Lord | Cw Safer a8 2 tes hebben mee

gernall life.” As long as Christ is pleased | to feed us, to; wang 4 ike and honey-into our soules, lt us not. depart, - Fifthly, this may teach us how to knit sp hevre of Christ to us in ravishing af- 10n,by cleaving to Christ wich sedled e *, by abounging in helpfalnefse wthe Saints, by procuring and keeping Richfall shepherds, by burthening the Church nor with many chaines of lawes, | but onely with few, and those necessary: Wl these are formerly mentioned in the Church of Antioch. As ever we desire to _ the Lord Jesus Christ to love us, us grow in knowledge, faith, and all

Gving graces of his Spirit, and bereby shew

Pe — III OE neen ene — mmm

| a8 Haw Ministers may become amiable. Chi

shew our love to him, and then ye shi finde Christ ravished with our loye. Sixthly, rhis doth teach us what kin of love Christ acknowledgeth and cm braceth, to wit, faire, strong, swee cheerfull,inan enlarging our selves to the reliefe of his poore Saints, | Seventhly, this doth teach Minister how to make their Ministery amiable tc Christ, (not to preach once a moneth, quarterly, b the preaching of the Law but) to be full as the honey-combe dropping out of it selfe, to preach sweet Doarine as honey, and wholesome as milke, for the nourishment of Christs lambs. The Pastors and Ministers of the Primitive Church did this withour help c Universities;what a shame then is this for us to come short of them in such abundance of outward helps and meanes!\ Wouldest thou be a faithfull Minister {We let thy Doctrine drop as honey, preach|h willingly,freely, sweetly, comfortably. |H- Lastly, this may learne and stirre Chriftians so to walke, and fo to furnish: our selves with inward graces, and with a outward commendable carriage, as may} yeelda sweet favour and smell ro God(ssy if.

—

=

tha. The Charch ander the ro. Perserutions.

(halfand mar), that" it may be like-the smell of |' -*Yikebanon, that men may sinell a sweet |; favour that come neere them : let our |

: hearts be inwardly furnifhed with the | + graces of God as with sweer oyntments z (4 id our outward ents, our outward [conversation so directed with honesty, Fiuitcgrity, humility, mecknesse. and love; F&c. that our names be not dishonouted, {much lefse God by our meanes. Cast | LawElwe afide stinking drunkennesse, whoreirop-Fsdome, malice, covetousnesle, 8c. And | Do-Fjthus doing wee shall take away all ofnilke,Fffence; so doing, Christ shall look at us as | , YjbS faire spouse, and say, 7 hou are all faire | - [my love, ver: 7: lp off * A garden inclosed is my sister, my is forlll/ we.) | bun-© - After the Church gathered by the nes? Fl Ministery of the Apostles,next followeth | ster* Fthat undet the ten persecutions, which is | reachiFhere defcribed, | dly. + First, by her restraint, verse 13: A 7} . e up\F'* Secondly, by her privacyverse 14. rust Thirdly,by her fruitfulnesse, refreshing and watering others, verse 15. may \F- Fourthly, by her prayer in this estate: od|wherein consider, | : : I 1. The

—

Verse 12.

' "2, The Petitions; which are three, 1 Furst, for the arifing of the winde, and coming into the South, wer. 16. ' Secondly, for favourable blasts of itg andthat for rhis end, the flowing forth of her spices. Thirdly, that Christ would come into his garden, and cat his pleasant fruits, verse 16. | 2. Christs answer thereunto: —_—_ cometh into - "_ Secondly, he gathereth and enjo the fruits of: it. of Ag Thirdly, he fils his Churches friends with a large measure of plenty, Chap. 5.1,

A garden:)] The Church is here fo called, as werse 13. an orchard; orasitis in the originall, Paradise, as if this were the garden of Eden. Allthe world is asa wildernesse, or at least a wilde field; onely, the Church is Gods garden of orchard, in these three respects:

First, as the garden of Paradise was the habitation of {dam in the estate of innocency, so is the Church of all those who are renewed into innocency.

Secondly , as in that garden were al

—_ MSSwfc os on

manner of pleasant and wholesome herbs

he ad org fointhe Church are all manner of uf!

full and favoury S.

Thirdly,as a man walketh in his garden torefresh himfelfe; so doth Christ walke inhis Church, yea and calleth his friends thither to walke with him.

A spring, a fauntaine: ] Not because the Church is the fountaine of grace; but because , Christ being init, itis the spring or fountaine of the waters of life unto all *,

MA garden, spring, fountaine-, inclosed,

#p, sealed : ] Not by a pale or wall of defence by Christian Magistrates, but mther shut up by restraint, for the word fignifies to inclose or shut up, as with lockes and fetters.

Againe, the Church prayeth for the inlargement of the flowing of her spices, ver.16. and therefore her present shutting up was uncomfortableto her.

The Church was then said to be

shut up, First, because under the persecutions

it was shutup in prisons, and other places of punishment , as under lockes and

The Church how fouled us. lrg

Secondly, because the Church then | assembled m private close places, = | dens, &c, and not in the open places 9 townes or cities, |

Thirdly, because it was shut up from free accefse of forainers, men withouty neither were the Emperours willing their Subje&s should repaire to them, nor the Church willing ro admit all promiscuously, |

Thy plants :] That is, thy children or members, as an orchard of Pomegranates)

Camphire, verle 14. Spikenard, Safron, C4 lamrs, Cinnamon. The children of thi Church are compared to these whole some and sweet fruits, trees, herbs, ma double respe& : ial

\ First, because the vertues of these fruits and spices arc especially seen when they are cut and powred out, or beaten, or burned, or bruised: So it is with the graces of Gods children; they are chiefly excrcised by the hard dealing of persecutors. [l Secondly, there was in the faithfull then persecuted a resemblance of the vers tues of these fruits and spices.

Pomegranates represle and —_—

POD

Chrifiant how compared to Spices.

the loosenesle of the belly z, they. also

| comfort 'the stomack and bowels, and

prevent faintings and swoonings. Camphire, with his sweetnesle of smell,

delighteth and sirengthneth; the spirits,

cheereth upthe minde, helpes the stone,

{reftraines ulcers.

Spikenard\ stayeth distillarions from the: head, strengthneth the sttomack, digefteth cold himours , helpeth conce-

[Eats thinneth flegme, helpes lethar- | [-#ves, coughs, avd plurisies, furthereth di- Igeftion,; comforteth the hearr, redresses; ihe 'rortennefse of the other parts, which | engthned, -

the passages of the urine, and! the faults-of the reines, hclpeth alfo he womb- and conception.

t::Cinndmon serengrhneth and cheereth the spirits and minde, dryerh up rotten matter, helpcth against poyson,, warh and' fixengthneth the {lomacke to tion. . ''

| i Frenkincesse reftreineth [and helpeth

alleers, gouts,' fluxes of bloud, cleanseth and glucth up. wounds and. ulcers,

I 3 XMyrrh

theheat of choler,the mal ity of fevers, |

Camphire.

Spikenard

Safcon,

-

" Cliifhenrwherewhite Spices. Gail

Aloes, Fernelius de netbed. wmidend lib. 4.C4the7,9, 19,21,2 74 26,27. lib, 6.c4p Izy | 13, 1412+

Vase 15.

| fort the faint-hearted, to knirthe | bers together,

$i ere vatem Mere oe up Iuperfiuons hamours, | sse. of breath, restraineth ook and itchinesse, filleth 'nlcers and wounds

with flesh. "2887 Alves cleanse tough flegmeand choler, drieup raw and cold humours, preterve struQithe rest from putrefying, 0 ons, strengehen he lac Frongy Sutable to the vertues of fruits and spices, persecution bred and stirred up inthe faithfull graces of like efficacy, to restraine heats of emulation, contention, ambition, to reprefse ulcers of malonity and dis-affe&tion one toanother, le the coldnesse, hypocrifie, and rdttennesle of their spirits 4 to stay distillatsons of cold raw matters, dropping from the head Bishops of Rome; as also-w strengthen appetite ro the Word,to commem-

A fountaine_—> of gardens, &rc,) For the | Church, pouring out her confeffions and! martyrdomes for the truth, propagit and watered many Churches, for,.sas+ guis martyrum was semen Ecclesia, 4 of living waters, The Church'was a

—

-

wich

_[JEEPE

the graces 'of the wo

Tikes, thr wikings of he Proper Iracl, the writings '0 rophets

12d Apostles,

\ Awake, or rise, 0 Notthwind, &c.] The Churches desire that a winde might arise in the North, and come into-tho South: to wit, that Con#antine, boxrn'in.; .Tork; would come into the southerne parts,and take the Empire upon him, (and blow pon my gardes) driving away the blasts of Easterly persecutions, and breath favou-

-x whpigulys the Church, the t cats of the per ions whic ms "Church CAT

he Church prayeth not the South to |

came; but the North to come into the Fm lse

First, the word blow, if it had reference

Jto both winds, should have been ofthe

urall number... ... Secondly 2 Norrhwinde and Sourhwinde blowing together, would inter-

4rupt and crofle one another by their con-

{trariety.

I4 That

es. of the Spirit, as ftrea- |

'Verse I6.

Whamanty Spices of the Garden. Ig

J's - That the i teu aa fofen

Thar the pell and Ordinances! c Christ and: the graces of his children) which were there restrained” from rheir free manifestation by the persecutions; [might have free passage, / -'! |

. my Hoek come into ont. harteh, and || dat of. bus ple wits;]-Ler" Con

piers em, and partake of the res

| P 2H D10V, 299 95. und bed ail

gathered my spice," I dave | eaten my _— with: my boney, I bave my wine with my milke:\(2ate, O friends, ag; yea drinke abundantly, O beloved. "5 Ffletp, but my beart waketh, it is the-vgre of wy beloved that kuocketb,” saying-; Open 16 mee my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: or my baud vid 9 with dew, and my locker with ve dhe the

v2 Theve put off my cvat bow (bal Tpue ini FT bave washed my feet, bow shall Fdefile them TH 71 | 4 My beloved put in bi&'band 'by the ole of the

Trose iy to open to my beloved, arid ny hands

5 and my bowels were moved for bam" *:

dropped

ys with Myrrh , and my fingers with fweet| 6

p,Myrrb, pon the bandlcs of the locke. | opened to my beloved, but my beloved bad with-drewn bimselfe; and was gone + my fouls fats led when be fake: T sought bins, but I could not find} bim; T called bim, but bs gave me no answer.

7 Fe watchmen that went about the city found me, they [mote me, they wounded me, the keepers of the wals took away my vaile from "of Ferusal

8 I-charge .you, O daughters em, if ye an ried, that ene bim , that T am HH of love.

9 What is thy beloved more then anotber beloved,” O "thon fairest atriong women 7 What © thy beloved more then eitother beloved, that thou doft so charge us ? | |

10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest & Mong tent thousand. + .. ' I

11. His bead is as the most fine gold, his lockes ame bushy and black, as 4 Raven.

12 Hi eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of water, wasbed with milke, nd fitly set. '%

. 13 bile aeekgs are;as @ bed. of fpices, as sweet flowers be is ike lfles, doping ject jen Arr nt 4

| Beryl : bis belly is as bright Tvory overlaid wit [Saptirevae | ed ty 41

i 15 His legs are as pillars of marble; set upm

fockg19 of fine gold, bis countenance is as Lebanon, | excellent as the Cedars. _ _ - ..X6 His mouth is most sweet, yea, ej aloeyy t

[take inall the

"Moroves Tyree |

Fesery Thi # my beloved, and this is tend, pore of Jerusalem. >.

—

Canr.5.verse 1. 1 am come into my -

dep, 1 fer, my ouse, I have Myrrh with my if ry pe. combe with _—_ T have drunke'my oo plagart—<A eate, O friends, drinke, - binke abundantly, 0 beloved. ]

(Oorfanie came intothe Church, ne of it, did

joycd the fellowship = ca and tichl Church aod all

rts of it endowed its othar the her friends did cat and drinke, yea _ &d drink. abundantly of wealth, prefer- =p +5 mga was that she fel in- 102 % First, this serves to fiirre-ins 1

thankefrllnedse and fruitfulnefle,r0 hath, -us not in the —_— nefie of the world;-butin the. nth. If, wee now trantgresfe. oO L, cating of, the forbidden frujes

usont of ito 5.5 £5 VG Secondly,

take bis garden fram'us; and, by

use 6.

Use 7:

'' | of xhatch nottreasons, schismes, fa | favou y-and wholefome + | - |whatsavoury, and wholesomentidpreci-

"1 [4bW! ffi

|rors!y not.dapgers; dags, powder, piste 1

ly fituations ofthe earth are but dunghils

the Church is a garden,and in it are foun- _—_— living waters for every thirsty oule.n: el Yon.. Thirdly, though\the Church be some times in open view af all, as a-City fer og a billy yet it is sometimes also. otherwise, inclo,Hur'up, sealed. ' Fourthly, when' the Church is.sbut up in corners and conventicles, the members

ons, but ftill remaineth as-4:gavgen, ofchard, fountaine, yeelding swccrwatcis, its} 230/05 [. Fifthly, see the wonderfull-aserofab Alitions and persecutions tothe Church;

ous graces are thereby exerziserh ,) ye tily ctorh' the Church (then nit is most restrainede- 111271 weapons of

spread -72'Hixehly, see-then whaz thie the-Church werecagainst-theiv pe

rebellions, treasoris, 8c. but prayers for moreiseasonabletimes. - v7 L108 Seventhly, wee are tobe ftirred upty

pray,

Prayers the Churches weapons. Chigith | - Secondly, thislets us see, all the goodand deserts,in comparison of the Churchy|F

(H}Ch'si 7heChurches fate after Conftatitine. x48} * pray,-that-God- wonltd' now ftirre up a | wholesome Northwinde , to blow Fs: yourably upon the '"Churches' beyond the seas, and strongly against their enemies, © - ._ -

Eightly, this may teach us whilest we enjoy at home thele faire blasts, not to ftreame forth the unsayoury corruptions of our owne spirits, bur the sweet graces of God z, else wee abuse these sweet opportunities wee doe c joy;: Lastly, it is atime of much rejoycing when God stirreth up Kings and Princes to. come into the fellowship of the Church, and to partake of Gods ordinances in the same.

I fleepe_, but my heart waketh , it is the yi of my belvoed that knockah , saying; Now followeth the description of the estate of the Church from Constantines

[time to the time of restoring of the

Gospell, and reforming of the Church by the Ministery of Lather, and other late Divines.

' After that Constantine had largely endowed the Church with peace, and wealth, and honour ; it fcll into an cstate

Ti4a © The Chwrokes eevrit described, Ch.gh | of carnall security; which carnall securiry | ix deferided, _

First, by a comparison, resembling iz to sleep; which sleep of hers is ampli by the divers conditions, yet my heat waketh.

Secondly , by the carriage of Christ towards her in this her sleepe 5 where observe,

1. The meanes he uscth toawakeand stirre her up: which were,

- 7, calling to her and knocking, as verse 2.

Secondly, putting in his hand by the| hole of the doore, werfe 4.

2. The successe of those meanes,or the respe& she gave tothem, or the use thee made of them ; which was double,

First, his calling and knocking she negle&cth wholly, upon very flight preten- Ces _— _—_ 3 a Xi

Secondly, his putting in hi the hole of be doore wy. by

1. She is affected with it: My bowels were moved for him, ver .4. | 2. She upon it sought him: which is

further set forth, First, by the degrees of her seeking him: I. She

re 5. ; '-3. She opened to her beloved, ver.6. Secondly, by the fruits or successe of her secking, where is interpreted the fruit or successe of these two degrees of her

secking, in regar |

1. Of Christ, he was gone, he had with- | drawn himself, &c. ver.6. | |

2+ Of the watchmen, of whom shee axketh not for her beloved; but they {finding her secking Christ, they First, smore her. ;- Secondly, wounded her. \ Thirdly, tooke away her vaile from her, verse 7.

Fourthly,she,not discouraged with this bad _— and hard usage of the watchmen,added a fourth degree in her seeking of Christ; shee chargeth the daughters of krusalem to move Christ for her, wer.$. The successe or fruit whercof is added; for upon this charge,

1. The daughters of Jerusalem are stirred and occasioned tocnquire of her, who Christ is, verse 9,

BE TIES

_— worship

Verse 2,

2. -She by their enquiry is-occafioned | Aeseride im, . RCA 13 of First; by his colours, verse 10, 4 Secondly, by his eminency, werse r0,;: | Thirdly, by his severall members and parts, verse:11, —16, .

Fourthly , by: his amiablenesse, verse

- 3. The daughters of Jerusalem by this her descriprion of him, are stirred up to affe& him, and to promise their fellowfhip in fecking of him with. her, Chap.6.x.

1 sleepe.] The Church surfeiting with abundance of prosperity in Constantines time , neglected - the purity and power both of doQrine and worship, and received corruptions; of which were prayers to Saints, building of Temples to them, Superstitious regard of their reltques, | Images, and their worship , Ceremonies | annexed to theit Sacraments , choice of meats, affecting and applauding Monkifh life, Purgatory, 8&c.

My heart waketh.] The Church was still awake,

First, to hearty devotion, according to their knowledge, and beyond ir,

Secondly,!

E "W; What Chri sts knocking i.

I 15! Secondly;todiscerne some such groe; herefis 25 quenched the heart and life of istianity, as the m—— Ariz, denpying the Godhead of Christ; Macedothe holy Ghost; of Nestoriae, dividing the __ Christ, of Extyches,confounding Ir natures: other straw and stubble

built upon the foundation they neglected.

It is the woice of my beloved that knock- #b,saying,open. Christ used good meanes toawaken his spouse, and to raise her up | from this cont: security.

7 First, = _— to her in ——_— fundry vines, who co

the intolerable burthen of Ro inventions, wherewith the common Christians were defiled and dabled, as Christ here complaines:His locks and haire were tull of the drops of the night; drops with coldnefle of Religion and darknesfse of norance ingendred.

: Secondly , he knocked by the raps and |

blowes which Constantine, alens, and Fuhan gaveto the Church , the two former persecuting the orthodox Bishopsand Ministers and other Christians, in favour of the CArians ; and Fulian making flat V K Apostakie

nar and Ennominus, denying the person of

August.ep,

Humane iwventionsaf wit. usc.

| proces the Chitxch, ahd {ubtlely 4 wrage- thenursing of. Relig cligion, - my coat, hes shall I pt it on't” [ Fi 49 wa fa how shall 1 aefile them? 1 have put off my coat. naps fate aptoonds the Church refuseth to open to: Christ: shee pretends Religion and- the: | worship of God would appear too naked, if it were not cloathed with goodly and comely humane mventwns; how then fhould shee in so naked a manner operito Christ: Humane inventions do not clothe Religion, or the Church professing & with any 'comely ornaments z but, 2s it were with warme wry, lap po and lult her asleep inthe bed 'of n | worthip ee sccurty. 1 ws 1donor here conceive that the Church acknowledgeth she hath cast off her Tin ments of Christs righteousnesse, for r how should fhee remaine the spouse Christ 2 yea, how then should her heart have becne otherwise then aslceptoo? bur onely fhee pleadeth fhee should ap: peare too naked it shee should open t6 Christ, if she should ny him inthe simplicity. and nakednesfe of. hs ww

| ordinances,

JCk5. 902 Chancher washing buy fect.

IF ane fed Wy J] Not withehe | eee of 1 ge, '$6+" "that woutd IO THAN dedirnicait; Gin furthe-

& worship vF God bur &d het! feet, Te tas ky kv; Het” conveisaion Romatheang nc _— - :Thbethad>taef) up a_devour regar V

tish or-mionk:ish Gly eewcanes, she cleansed and Washed "in these jot betake het Tefe to wor thel, rd it his simple ordinatices;and Fre any, without soave

Elesech hoy bot both ally owed merpcer — a defilertient , in comparison of sirperstitious devotion; arr

"My \betnket pu put in his hunt by tht haleof - doore , and m bowels were moved for

beloved put in his hind by the bote of

de:JOr; My beloved pat done this by the hole of the doore. P Either of

Pile (ng that Christ&id at first ust ies for hittisfe to open the doore, hen shee wotld not; attertipting tore- Ove the irpodiments which hinder him

tom enjoying'His' spouse 5 Birst pa bi

"Til poo rmnioank, | F

' hand by the hole of the doore, when hee ftirred up Christian Ecaperggtaluch as An

tianus, and both the Theadesei,. tocall Sy+

bled, togiveall diligence to root out herefics,, and:

and- bolts of Sypersiing Frey crept pee

which blasp = dim of th Trinit Z how t

to rediesseall other cnormitics [nege raptions2 Besides,Chrilt is said to put ig his hand by the hole ofthe door,when he puts his spirit, which isthe power and fine] gerof Gog*,mto the hearrs of his people, | whereby they. are enlightened. to -know| him better; and stirre up:men honestly t seeke after him. So Christ culightcne and stirred up Leo 1sauricus.,. Conftan

sonnc,and Leo Copromymys , to bend . the l

best endeayours to root out Idolatry,ar

joe abuses in.Gods worship. | |

| we 000-09 re” him. These.

1$0OC iftians atthar/|

im exten recur yur phane apr ar tothe pr © maar org. ANT)

onde Gora Bith ropricc ab; =,

P Fo sweet en Jing mph, nponthe |

ET hw ny brivved.} The re Emptrours [; arch le og wana) | inventions wherewith shee'was co

i&bed of lecping devotion-yandendeavonrec rt vac ares ina funpliciey'ok.

= ewibmyreh, and my SE amet abagrh, admfe Ws of the locks. The cadezwours ob che: durch were' fweet, and dele@able, and, ccepral blew aric savoury tothe eve thetn;astnyreh, froity fort xronrion when Chmstaminethe: N sadriexs,; called che. seventh

es Colaerllnd there tru- K 3 ly |

S235 EEETS 27,

Tobago

Ji folemoly Sante d-condems

ned rhe worstip.o t imagrs ;Analdo thett

| mars! net e Tn =_ At'a Synod Frank DOOY

1 f-apined! ta my bilmued; bot vp beloucd

huchwithdr awie hir(elfe;,

soule failed when he spake :'Esanight birs >

| Iooddd wat im: 1 cated hum, hore

gove me yo anfmerst © Oh 04 06 ; .HRA

""Pgpenrd to. my belaved.] This at

| -:Blr'wy belovedh badwit

ixd\wasl gom.J' Christ did "not inby \ro-reveale himfelf ann x onerde— blies, though Images were in sorepk

well removed;hork beceufothale ces fox vemoynyg, of Images Werewipi: g |

ratbjirecerodandcxedinedyth rongh th

of: Heathevifheand Jewish ifaperstitionsg which;Chrifttooke nopleafurc ing | - 5:11 [1089 foul! failed) when hea \ spate. The

——_— Vee times weve aflembled

bf the Church in executing in somtylate |

SChis2.: Her theGhirch us'd by ber watohmen. 1510 | Imith-feare- and: griefe, to consider how. | I Christ now speaketh to them/afarre' off, | cones not neareta their hearts and con- | sciences; sothat now, thoughthey: used {f@ch/meancs to finde bim as the times affarded., yer. Christ did take ng pleasure 1nthofe meanes,inthose worhips, norto | cheiy-senss, inthoserhat used them... . - Bit warcbomtn (hat went aha the city {hard rv 4',, they, (matte we, they wounded we x tht hropert of: (he -14lls tooke awgy ny var Thaw: 1722: 33677 a. The witchmen; tbe went haut the city fandre,} Thy watchmonate theBi- Tops andMivisiers of rhat time; as alla ihe keepers of 1b vals, may wet -bethe Mas leiraes; for divilkgovernment-.is-a wall non of wo 7 I-n:Ghdyawrd mes. } ANA yer ane Uhure _—_—_ thein x AS free, hademne QT OV E wen, 7 HAVE YOu 1608 form em whom NO elelavestFor the knew [ihess-warchmenwiere of another {pirit, ras | {ther rrolves iddheepetloghing.ang mare TH $ready to beat her from Christ, then to [Y {bring herao Cbrist.T hey smore me with Aeetires0 Excotdemiunications,asGregwy {the third Pope Was did Lev: 1/awrie | ” |

| 152 "The Church wounded by herwatchmen. Clu. jor for om ma ene | ondry Christians, - having intelligetice| that t ePitiops and Doctors were afsern.. rence for restoring of Images,in thedayes of the Empresle Irene, came upon; and forced: them with weapons to leave off such decrees, thesepeople were afterwarps difarmed aud banished into fi | Iflands. ' Thus were the fairhfull smi with the censures of Bxc icatio! by the watchmen of the city, of banishs] ment by the k of the walls, -* | They wodnded me.] With the Canons | of the sccound Councel of Nice; whithet that Councell.afsembled in the remple Byzantinm'; and {cattered'by the peoj was afterwards translated by the of the Bishops of Rome." In this Councell Images were againe' teftored, to/the| preat priefe of the godly, yea, to'the} NY} woundingvf their hearts. + The sentenct] I} of a generall Councell-in the behalfe of} Y| ptr is no small wound eothe whole} C ch d wot _ 4 vs F

'* They tooke away my. waile ' from meer] | th

When they forced the Bishops of Rinder, | Yi

Nice , Neo-Cesarea, Hitrapolis, and others | Y| | rot

—

" Waldenseswhy so called.

| om re penny &s. To mento © Ma mag. Tobrngmentoope |elpecia ly when they 'recant from'-rthe trath,is to take away the vaile. © © nI Ichavge 50, 0 ers of lerusalem, if yee oy 4 beloved, i at ye tell him tha 1 Ee, I cher e you, O "RE Tevfalem.] The Church li her ot so' hardly alt with by tlie and arcsvould not give over her search af- | brist 3 yet now secketh him inthe tow ft ip' of private Christians.and stirxt upto Oneaf for her. E728 bow 7 an fake of love] That is, prayers acknowledge that the

7 ready, to fail SSR

| + What Tk th idleoed awe ha anether

yl b. 4 | hope on dwg] memes? | ke Chbriftiaosahodaughrers of Jaw-.|

from this day-forward,to rhe dayes

wal || lot Perer W-aldus : Ewiom the Waldenses

[ons e:theirname,, were very! ignorant of rist;and thercfore:they aske who hee

| [79s The Albingenles defer the Pope. Cie | was, 2nd whercin better then- another] Bue 4n-ftead of him they magni

Church j:#oly mether Churchrwas: all all with: them :Her:'they' acktion

ged to be fairest ating in Chat bore houg ohl ws) they see nocin in Christ banorhen ly another c

My beloved is lice and. radily,) & g Thus Perris Waldar,actizen of: L006, 0+ ; Christto the gaiightcrs. -of Jerul beforethem the whuegnac. of tr k k Farr b hit yas e mddy: Karin his th. Therrgheeousnasiad | Jeath of Christ plainhy;; yer's T hk | opened By him, t-mafiyees! behold! Ehrist;'and to/profelie him; whotwha ill. by paifecution filrrednp against — |

the Bifhdp-of/Roins, rhey were di into many places) m lied emcee

1:21 | lyy and being ther called wid thine cal in many: barrels sGnght againstthe fouldis ers which Pope Innecent the third\ ha seng against pry Surge Mounteferd,, and- othicrs signed: with:t croffe': _ many afhich the Albee t hetpect ped by Reymund wk Fad Peter King of Ar agen; abu

ol Wes; Frecorck the 1. mberrinfewmons

wo bro of tem thay sand. -Againe at may be {aid wo be white

Sb q ak his members, who

wncl|Flo Frederick, the second Emperouncaf ws | 2a Princeof much qurity and watth,

ide fo brended with: tn; abaw: Whedd6ip:of, the> Chivok wh ca 1 ihe adfimp of Chiift and of

tall TH Varprrns; cho bate.he cooketii \Hbarev:|,

Som

hit ile Orla woes ne - wa 7 back. | ee if lifficulty, et prevailed y forhat-ovettio'| 0

in | hast showod ontheckmhin the yerion:|

120 — and condefronded unto BY y

=

mm mmm —

His locks are bushie,or —_—

_—_ Curled black haireis i signex courage , and wit in hh promeh ” fiich was che Emperoe

: such were EC

sians of that that d1

their Ny Em

leartied men with wit , more theri

ages had yeelded.and (ouldicivagitticn coulndy

Dy. qproogpnc® guy than ' "nl His eyes are 4s the eyes of doves"by"th

rivers 7 IO mitke pd

h > 15 WW q2 ves. , divi in rivers of water dive their bellies ce inthe mater i al WH thattheir cycslooke close and/nt [ p— Aves of heeyes are hereser forts by t the Churchy hee is not{s6 farreof maceat facnd,thathehadneed of ti Nt yerook [th Jed, iniahey ue dorexcyes al implyed, in thatrhey are | washed'with milkey whereas "he Poa Je Ln rn as hawkes &yS5, looking'es ly after the

Thirdly , b 7 their fit fs they may Sell looke to the- —_—

buy. The MeGrine af the Church like myrrh, x59 hereds the Popes eyes: cannot possib! | mich.to looke we the estate ofthe ohurch so.far off him, * + Tothis-parposc tended the dodrine of the fai Preimes.in the following ©, inch as Michael Cesenus, Petrus de' Carbame, lohanpes de Poliaco,, and such as folge or Ee PN His CHEekes Art 4s 4 Ces, 4s sweet flowers: his 4 like liflies, dropping sweet | (s, M. . His fo. od bed of spices.] | + Checkes imply the outward face of Py: faithfull Charch, for the cheeks are -ihaplace most conspicuous, which shewes _ -afithat the faithfull of those times were as. Cllibeds of spices and sweet flowers, to wit, | \\F{not gathered into any set garden, as after- | "ofiwards in Lathers time,* but scattered here fand there, yet of sweet and precious sayour in the nostrils of Christ.: yea, one {Nicholaus de Bibrath, living about thar ume, comparcth Faith and Picty inthe!

${Church to "+> | gy meg RIP TC THis bps like bes, me _ wed.) The dorize ofthe Church. - 6) [&those times was such, as like myrrh, \F{lerved to. preserve the faithfull from pureas)'TH E W rrefaction,

; ye nbive alvendy, Old Taft #HIP comic. Tv

Primicve Apostoliges CHARy Ray ik | dropped like mm honey-cotte;; being oi

oy needy and nourlth | growth : f But' the" lips vf thigh

TWO

| Charchdrop rather myrrfithien honey they rather preserved some tfuth of grate then yeclced any HBundant nourishmien to THrocutt Icrtasers the Chirth, * 7 His hands are as gold rips fet with Berill : his belly #3 bri ght Ivory vor

| I | | b |; ” Bllg Bands art is gold rings fot withi| | = 4, em Wraps er of atich; i: their being'ser/ with (void ries imply theit purity and Honity: The: if cle. ]eth vioistute and dimme sight: &rautifiif} cus Rndis, de Gon. tbr. 2; tap. 8. Alli | these shewthatthe Ministery 'of the G&{s(8 spell should bethen more powerfull; adls}s indeed God, abonrthat time, 2awe-1 $06] stirred.np Dante?', Martilline, Potavinek (Wi Ocham, Greeorins Ariminensis, Petr ar: | With(Fe, and thany more, whose Mins] stty bronght 6n'To many, that sore hawl counted ic the first resurreion; yea, iN] Matifttates ofthat time, Ladwuiths Bavk|[{

wthe.Emperour; Philip of Fraxce, Edard th re are ery Aa ror many -ching$against the Pope, asthase those hands had got more h, and arer felt their owne worth, and whose s were clcered to Tee more light then their predecessours.

tl. His belly as bright Ivory overleid with

Waphires. ] The belly is an hidden part of he body, yet such from whichthe rest is wourished; which fitly resembleth the Sagaments here,as alsoCh.7.2,which being

Whid from those that are without, yet nouih the whole body,as an heap of wheat.

he doctrine of the Sacraments , ahd the administration of the same , was at

Ithis time restored by lob Wickliff,Se enia Ihnced by his followers,though condemiiocd in the Councell of Constance. Thesc

3 And}

[

[Sacraments are said to be overlaid with Saphires,whose property ts to strengthen

| $06,/$]40c cherish — solid parts,*beruse of the efficacy of the Sacraments

, [wuly taught and administred , to streng-

1 and quicken Gods graces in us.

| ff His legs are as pillars of marble, set uptn Jiscters of fine gold : his countemunee is att Leexceltent as the cedars,

His legs are as pillars

sockets of fine gold. ] qe. to be Iohn Has and Terome of Pr stood constantly in defence of A | even unto death, established inthe | truth Ty grace - \ 20 it _

marble, set upon sockets of fine if Hu pelo vt fs 4s fans,

The faithfull grew so plentifull in hemia , that they seemed evento the versary tobe like a thick wood (as many} | and firme) which they were not abl

hew downe ; and therefore they wer forced in the Councell of Constance, to

4 fs ,because they could not by strc

them from it. rower” as the cedars.)] The cedar & 2a tree eminent for ralnesle, 'and four nesse or durablenesle: such © was then the} face and countenance of the Church, ol served to grow up in conspicuous emi nency, and in foundnefle of love to theff] _ , that the Po —_ were not | able to corru em an er Wi their Ons vn FIG | His mouth is most sweet, yea, hee fl | <bogether lovely. This is my beloved,

iS Ch.s. How Chrift altogether Ihvchy. 167! Mand thi is my friend, O Daughters of Fe- | fatem. Fa TEE

- His month 's most sweet. ''The dodrine "of the Gospell was [taught more and more savourly by Fo- \hannes Rochesana, and: other Ministers in Bohemia.

He_— ts altogether lovely, or desfireable_.) Christ then began againe so ro dispense himsclfe to his Church, in giving them the faith and sense of his goodnefle, that now they saw or found nothing in} Christ, or in the profession of his name, | but what was wholly defirable.. The regpukes of Christ began now to sceme

:

| This is nt and this is ” friend.)

| , . M81} The doctrine of certainty of our ado- FP L ption, *'

Christ the Charcher loved. Cyl

tion, Justification, Salvation, began now. moreplainly to be discerned and acknow-. l: Christ is not onely faire and defireable in himself; but Ln the Church could, more boldly say, This i my beloved, this is my friend.

THE

SE5CCCE$546646

-

opened and explained. Tar Tuzxr7.. | CHAP.6, Hither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest | ng

| VW among women? whiter is thy beloved turned | fide? that we may seek, bim with thee. HE "2 My beloved 4 gone downe into his garden, ts the beds of spices, to ferd' in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloveds, and my beloued is mine: be feedeth among the lilies. | 4 Thou art beautifull, O my love, as Tirzab, ly as Ferusalem, terrible as an army with

5 © Turne away thine eyes from me, for they bave

come me : thy baire is as a flock of goats that ap

e from Gilead. T

6 Thy teeth are as flock of sbeepe which goe | * L 2 fp

The Song of Songs.

up from the ing, whereof every one beareth nb eager SEG barren among them, -©

7 As a piece of Pomegranate are thy templet within thy lockes. id £5

8 There are threescore Queenes, and fourescare Concubines, and virgins without number.

9 My Dove, my undefiled is but one ; (be i} the | onely one of ber Mother, sbee is the choice one of ber that bare ber : The daughters saw ber, and blessed her : yea, the Queenes and the Concubines, and they praised ber. |

10 Who is sbe that looketh forth as the morning, faire as the moone, cleare as the sunne, and terrible an army with banners ? Bi |

11 1 went downe: inte the garden of nuts to see

the fruits of the valley, and to (ee whether the Vine

flourished, and the Pomegranats budded. |

12" Or ever I. was \ aware, my soule made me like | the Chariots of Aminadab. .

13 Returne, returne, O Shulamite; returne, re, turne, that we may lookg upon thee : what will you see in the Shulamite ? as at were the company bf armies. fi

: Cant.6.1, Whither is thy beloved gone? 0. then fairest. among women, whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seeke him with thee.)

i8 He Churches affeRionate describing; = -and praising Christ, stirred up many | then to oe: Religion and Reformation. _R_,. Sy Wc; 4 ;- First, wee may here see the danger of iting the Church with wealth and | {pleasures and honour. Constantine had i c first yerse enebriated the Church with

and honour , and hereupon the

ch falleth into a long sleepe, which shook not wholly off for miny ages.

No wonder then of that speech. heard trom heaven, Hodie venenum concidit in lefiam: Now. is poyson powred or len into the Church. gh +. Secondly, this may lertus see that they bave nor the spirit of the Church of Christ,thart when they hcare many voices in Religion carried sundry waies, know not whom to follow,cannotdifcern which

ise 3.

it 'Ch.6. Wealth occafions the Churches sleep. 165 |

| [Tas Warifmadtfanfedagrn. Civ

.

1 is the true vaice of Christ among them :

| fulnesse, lest otherwise corraption in 'd0+| | trine and worship grow amongst the 4 bp fe, till the locks of Christ be wholly

—

This Church here conld difccetnthe voice| of Christ even in her fleep, how much motecafily if she had been well awake? Thirdly,thisis to exhoft both Ministers and other faithful Christians to witch

6d with foperstitions z, the locks

| Christ, to wit, the common Christians,”

., - Fourthly , this may teach us roknowly

" |thar they provide not well for the dire&- {| onoftheir own judgements, that depend

vpohi the voice of rhe ancient Churths for their chicf pattern and guidancein dv- Arine and worship : who would build

of a man (though, otherwit|

[ago | man) when he is half asteep? ''"'} |. Fifthly,hehce we may difcernitis bette] [the Church should opento Christ

ring before him inthe naked ——

| [che Church asleep in drowfie performat; [ces of perfunftory worllp, and caulk | \{-iris to withdraw h om us.

Sixth

—

%

{1 Sixthly, this may teach us to know, to | our shame and griefe, that our drowfie | hearts will negleQro opento Christ upon his calling and knocking,unless he be pleased to put the finger of his spirit into our hearts, to open an entrance for himselfe, | Seventhly, the faithfull must not wonder, if, —_— hearts to Christ and serking after him, sometimes they finde him not, for it was so with the Church here, and hath been so'with the faithFull h in all apes: We negleQing ro receive him: | {when hee offereth himfelf, wee must not |] | wonder if for a time he negle&us. "Eighthly,we may from hence learn that bad Ministers wil sooner bear with any diforder in people, then serious seeking after | Christ,and after the purity of ordinances. 8 | Ninthly,we may heresce persecutions a- $ | lienate nottheaffeRions of the faithful, but inflame them to more ardency and earnest porsuite after Christ, as this Church did. {0 | - Tenthly;ir may be known the Church ']hath lyenina deep sleep, when cominon | Christians can more acknowledge the | Church then Christ himself, whenthey |can see her to be the fairest among women, 1 but know noranyeminentworth in Christ. | L 4 _ Eleventhly,

[8 Faithfull Christians before Luther, Ch<6.TH

use rt. | : Eleventhly, che estate of many Churches, in many ages, maketh bur one body of Christ; in every of which Christ mas nifesteth himself, in fome members more | eminently-then in others, | | | Use 112, Twelverhly., Christ had his faithfull pgs and members in the world before Luther was born; yea, he shewed himself glorious in sundry of them, inthe darkest cimes of Popery. ef './Thinteenthly,in Christ it's well known! there-is nothing; but -what'is lovely and desirable, event persecutions for his sake are lovely and glorious,

'Fourtcenthly, it is no comfort, or but | {inaJl., to know Christ to be every way precious and excellent, unlefle wee can also say, hee is ours: This is my beloved, this is my friend, 0 yee_ daughters of Ferw- | {alern,

p Fifteenthly, the affeRionate faithfull preaching and setting forth of Christ, stir-! reth up in others a saving knowledge of Christ, and hearty affeRion-rohim. The Church here describeth Christ affeftionarely and fairhfully, fpeakerh of him as her. awnez..whence the daughters of Ferusalem are converted and stirred up to] seekafrer him. Lastly,

Ur- Lastly, hearts truely touched with fin- | ug 1

dy | [icere defire after Christ , chose rather to nas | Yiseck him in the Church, in the fellow- Yre | [| [shipofthe Church,then by waics of separation, asthis/Church did : Whither is thy

ull | TH [beloved turned afide? that we may seeke him ore | with thee. 4, on elf My beloved is gone_> into his garden.) | Cant 6.

The holy Ghost. in these words descen- |**: deth to set forth the state of the Church ed by the Ministery of Luther, and | late Divines, as inthe verse followvg the calling ofthe Fewes.

This reformed Church'is diversly debut | Fj{cribed : ;

vay First, by-Christs visitation of her, tocan | [gether with the ends thereof :

1ed,| || 1. To feed in the gardens.

ru-| £1. 2. To gather lilies, verie 2.

| Secondly, by her mutuall fellowship | full | with Christ, verse 3.

tio- | UTH 2. As Ferwsalem.

| 25 | Bit 3: As an army with Banners, | Te- Fourrhly, by her members, wer. 5,6,7- | | to] ' I. Eyes, th

STS as amo V one among rest ofchs reformed EEC

I. As 2weewes, 60.

3 As Virgins wthout camber, verses.

a. AS Dove; and who il

- First, to Christ is undefiled. Il |

Secondly, tothe whole Church asat onely dne, 25 a choice one. |

Third) to the rest: 1. Blessod, tothe Davg hters.

ar.Praised, ro the Moms and Concsbines, verse 8,9.

My beloved is gone downe into his garden, 10 the beds spices, ofiesipelages wa " ipfcbee

a bedevl doont rats hire ES heh Chats F

| _h the former Chapter was the Church|}-

7 s. Wha mean by beds of fpces..

; Z_ of mineabir reformed by the Ministery of Luther, which was a prden; being ' First,stored with variety goth po ing, sweet flowers fer in == js ay iced as with oh

Duke of Sax y, a place wherein Christ walklea (as; wenn nr gaderm) topos || | himselfe and his friends. = | ' Is gone downe > imo'bis garden. ] Desecnling from those fanogs cities/ and emi-! tent places of Zeme and Conflawjcople, into a meane country city. ' Tothebeds of spices. Because in Germuy, ar that time, sundry Christians were called and sorted - —_— beds and; companies in sey laces ugh nor; at the first bh be so many gardens, fomany severall Churches, | | T feed, in the garden.) In proceise of Jie, these feveratl deds of spices (com-! _ of Christians) grew upto the fa-| ; of just and full Churches in Zwich, | Stranbureh, Brassell, Berne, Genev4a,besides -[thosein xrafia and Prusia. J | mM

First,

3 I72 Faithfull Christians compar'd to lilies.Ch,6, | | First, both himselfe with his peoples prayets,and other worship and obedicnce,| econdly, his people with his Word!F and Sacraments, and other ordinances, | And to gather {ilies, thar is, to gake | and call more and more faithfull Christians out ofa wild field of worldly people into the fellowship of his Church, asit were, 't0 gather lilies into his garden. They are called bes, | First, for = mm TT Second]! OT EX Or EMINENCY, ut Thirdl for yy in providingl for them beyond: their owne labour industry "AT

I am my beloweds, 'and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. | I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine. ] Which words imply foure things: First, that the Church had familiar lowship with Christ in his holy publike ordinances; especially in the maine do- Qrine of pardon of fins by Christs bloud alone, and of justification by faith. Secondly, that shee enjoyed this fellowship with him, before the time of her deliverante our of a Babylonish, or Romisb captivity: * for the same words | | ar

4. Pf whes, ntoly faked, "|

reused the deliverance our of Ba- | tef,and crijoying Gods ordinances intheir | lowne country; but with this difference: jere the: Church saith, My beloved & mine, Tam his; because, first, hee delivered r out of Babel, before heegave herthe xe usc of his ordinances z; but herethe Shburch saith,T ammy beloveds, and my bed is mine x because shee first found Chiri in his ordinances, before shee en- | d deliverance from subjeQion: to; for Luther preached against the xes pardons, before he rejected the su- 'Fspremacy of the Pope. "Thirdly, their open profcfsion of their - wn per the _— Germany O rote the Male, wad: other gx in the Church, — avowed the defence of the reformation ns whence ON were erward called Protestants. Fourthly, Christs gracious prot ection ofthose Churches, spec ially in their first inn © : for how F should Luther (a IC Frier) have attempted and gone. tirough with so great a work, against grearand generall sition, and i lathe end dic quietly inhis bed, if mw

"How Tirzah ft ber han. i. Chi

had nor held him as it were in his ar Hee} fredeth among 1be lilies. Hee fresheth himselfe and ftr | ongft them,

car Sar rw, apo purity, andy

formation. A Thos art beautifull, O my leve, Tir | comely as Ferusatem, terrible 4g as aruny mit banwers.” Thou art beautifull as Tirzah.} Tis was the chiefe = of the Kingdom Iss act after they fepaenncdthenls lve

from , "untill Sawaria 'was aficeillth

ward builded *. . ll

The city and Governers of itsthe peo-| [

ple having recourseto it for judgeme

rather then to Ferasalem) were at first in

disgraceand obloquie with the Fewes fo

their schisme and. separation from the

house of Devid at Ferssalem, and for hey

rebellion against the _ of Arm it her

this did not diminifh her beauty; because this fepaxation was from God,

Afterward Tirzab lost her beauty by

true worship of En | q 16 ; nued

6. The Charch whe lite Ferwsalem., a |

ce io the Temple of Feresalem. But $0 ( wes here | Tir:ab while thes | - aincd her: And indeed there- Feat 26 Celia dirnce and ble 9; 3 mn e their separation from Rowe, and rebel- (lon against the Emperour and other Prin- £s zand yet neverthelesse beautifull, beause this separation was from God,in re- Slzrd of Idolatrics of the Church of Rowe, afiflaxcater rhen those of Solomen. $/8-Thus the Duke of Saxexy and the Landave of Fafa were proscribed as Rebels Slagainst the Emperour, agd yet their caulc hat time in England were burned in King the Eighth's daics,as Hereticks,and Fracory Subjects or Rebels, yer beautihull in Gods fight. Comely as Ferasalews, ] In procesle of ime the Church wore out the suspicion ad disgrace of herefie,and separation and rebellion, and was countenanced and adorned by Royall Lawes in the daics of King Edward the Sixth, and by Lawcs of he Empire tolerating the Proteftane | | Princes, so that the Church scemed as rysalem, the state of Princes, the true Church

What meant by Eyes. ” © Chi

Church of God, and at unity also wit

it self, wherein the comelinesse consisted] |

for, as Jerusalem had been three Cities Zion, Salem, Millo, and all three m_ 5" Sama into one Terusalens i:' fo the three differences between Lutherans and Calvinists in dodrine and discipline- at Geneva) were all compacted together in brotherlylR! love, in their harmony of confessions. - Terrible as an army with banners.) The Church was beautifull 4s Tirzah it Henry the Eighths time, comely as F

lemin King Edward the Sixths time, ters

ble 4s an army with banners in Queen Elise:

beths time, when the Protestant Princes}

grew formidable tothe Emperour, .Eygand the low Countries to the Span

ard and Pope. How'terrible was that over=

throw which the Spaniard in 88.receiv'd?: Turn away thine ties, &c.] The cies, as

. | above *,of rhe Church assembled, are the

ministers, or the members. considered as part; as first knowledge; secondly, faith:| In both respeRs the cies ofthe Church oy wonderfull amiable: sothart Chrift

yi of their Spouses,

| Y Foome me me. | - What worthy Ministers did thar first "Fape of the Refortmed Churches yecld 2 as 110 [Luther Calvin,' Martin Bacer, Cranmer, 1 | Hooper, Ridley;' Latymer, 8&c. What 2 | {wonderfull coafere of heavenly light did [they of a sudden bring ints'the Church? fatid that out of the middest of darknefse. 1] fand' Popery;' from whence it was, that the knowledge and fairh/of the Faithfull {then was wonderfully enlarged fatre be- 4:10 19994 the ignorance of former times. - 3 +75 eyes of the Faithfull in Chtiftsme'lay under their lockes; as hindered” from clecte sight by many errours; bur eyes of the fanhfull,' now sceing | the truth myth -more plainly, are not] hitidered by *fuch” lockes hanging over He by HOO cleere was theit faith, that seene him which was invisible, not! the fiercenesse of their! Eings/ and Princes, but endured pati-' ily: fiery Persecutions; and bloody! fraltacres #-! - "Thy bare le fuck of ' RRIENS / hone fs rg 4 flock o, fe p which goe'

—

rw the mand Cech fe Ca

th- As piece of Pomgrands are thy temples within thy locks.

The estate of common' Christians set out by the haire, and of the Ministers.| set out by the tecth,. and of the Church Goyvernours sct forth ty. the-piece of Pomgranate, was the same inthe Church reformed,'as: in the Primitive Church, where the description of rhelc parts, is. used, and here: repeated. only- with this: difference: The! teeth. are. not lo even/ cut in Reformed Churches, a5 in \ LO time; some; of them, exc ir f 0; thien in Authority and, Ju whereas those, /were; ira brother)y loye.in Christs xi the teeth ens are faid to;1 which jn t aA teeth 6 here | po both the: Ministers. q Figher ani

Owe

er ranks... -WEIE. AS.

and consortiag together, | thed: Layer of Regeneration, 1: fruitfull; and{ powerfull in, their Ministery, and there | fore are here.described,as a flock of sheep] come up fromthe washing, whereef FT | ry one beareth. Howes, and) none is barren |

among t ns wee may here leanetp behabis w

03} F1Ch.6.7he Church how visible before Luther, 179 ' TH [aifferer estate of the Church. Sometimes it isin a Garden, sundry Christi- /ans —_ together into. beds and; knots, 2 wing up into order [rogether , Kliohring = nefiesiing both God and man with the savour of their Ifweetnesse : such was, and is the estate of he Chorch reformed. Sometimes again; the members of the Church scatrered aroad in the wilde fields, secking where they may finde Christ, as in the former Chapter. | ” The Church is here visible, as in 4 Garden, in same of their eminent and ptincipall members. 1f then the Pa spists aske, where was the Church visi-| T1, Ible before Luther ? The answer is, it was | Church visible, not in open Congregations in- | Mow vil deed, as it were Gardens; burin sun-} 7s. dry members'of the Church, as fweer | llpices and flowers, growing here and there , whom the ' Popes: and their' Intruments, like wilde Boares fought to bot out, and yer God preserveth them. | Somttme, the Church findeth Chrift comfortably itn Her solermmnerafsemblies, | [when good Christians are met rogerther- 6 scrve him/in-the fimplicity of his Or- | * M 2 dinances:'

dinances: - fometimes, when they can; _ no such In oe him in any ace 0 worshipped, yet even then; they rel here x17 a where they can finde him. | Secondly, the like uses are here to be| made of these Gardens, of that Chapter Ver. 14. 5 Thirdly, to teach us atrue description of a Church: Ir is, as it were, a Gar-} den, an Assembly of many good Chris stians, or Saints, as it were sweet spices, or flowers, set in order, as it were beds, or knots; amongst whom Christ walketh, they enjoying fellowship with: him in his publique Ordinances, and hee: with them, A Use 4." Fourthly, to refute the arrogancy, Seperatif.\ or ignorance of the Separatists, who refule ro keep fellowship with reformed] Churches, whom Christ yet keepes fellowship with; shall man be more pure: than his Maker £ or the sonnes of mor- —< I more holy than the sonnes ofs? |

_ Fifthly, ro exclude the Popish Syn-| ogues from the number 'of Christs| ardens ; the Gardens and Crug

IChurches

of Christ, as they have Christ walking 1nthem, fo they know it, and profesle it, and rejoyce in it.

is mine. Sixthly, this doth teach us; that when keepe themselves close to Christ, and to the simplicity of his Or-

=

dinances, that they can say, 1 am my welloveds, and hee is mine. Christ will k himselfe powerfull and gracious nncagh, for their protection and comfort, hee will not faile to shew himselfe theirs, 4" they faile not to shew themselves this. Seventhly, this may teach us, not to wonder if Christian Assemblies be at first luspeRed, as Tir74h for sedition, separation, &c. It is thelot of Gods Church, which when it growcth up to be better known, will appeare to be as it is, come- |

Church here by her Members, Eyes,

Hairc, Tecth, Temples; gather here a-/ +. M

y 25 Jerusalem. Eighthly, from the description of rhe | Use 8.

Ver.z.

use 6.

Use 7.

How Pripwit..and Refor. Ch. agree. Ch.6;|

gaine in the same Uses made of the like] description; Chap.4. verse 1,2,3. page in Uses 2,3,4. there expressed, ' Ninthly,observe the Reformed Churches to be the same that rhe. Primitive Church in Christs time, was in sund principall Mcmbers and respeRsz and therefore the same Members in the {ame sort described, word for word; yea, such fellowship as the Church of the Jewes had with Christ coming out of Babylon, the same have the Reformed Churches with Christ coming out of Romitsh Babylon. | There are threescore Queenes, and fowe | wy Concubines, and Virgins without num-|}| er.

This Verse containes the last part of ; the description of the estate of the Reformed Churches, which is a copay

them together amongst the whom some are, First, Queenes, and they are threescore, 41 Secondly, Concubines, -and they art fourscore. | Thirdly, Damosels, and they withoit

number. : : Secondly, F:

elves; df

6, JTh.s. Wives and Concnbines how

{bands by folemtic stipulatioti, ahd with

4 mony ,would not give his sister * sine dote, 1 left he should seem to give her in Conenb;-

—

rhey dif.

[- Secondly, one is emitient 2bovethem | all unto Christ : First, a Dove, Secondly, undefiled. . Secondly, her selfe one. \ Thirdly , her mother, an onely choice

One; p | - Fourthly, herdaught&; blessed. - Fifthly, the commended he | There art threeftore DPuteries, and foare- | score Concubines, and Dees or dere 1 Queenes differ from- Concubines in

[ken into fellowship with their royall Hus-

[consent arid solemne rejoycihg of friends : {The Concubines are not so, as Bilhah and 12ilphah, &c. A man takes such to him | fa er by right of Dominion, than by felowship of Wedlock. WE | - Secondly, Queens, or chiefe Wives rite with ther: dowries to their Hit{- bands *. Hence, Lesbonius tro Lusfitoles, in Matri-

Queenes and Concubines. |

Vers: 8.

Gen.29. Z2s

* Withou:r Dowrie.

natum

184 * Wives and Concubines how they fer: Ci.

| natum potins quam in Matrimonium: But Concubines. were taken without dowry | for the most part, as Hagar, Bilhah, Zil- | phah, &c.

| : Thirdly, chicfke Wives had the keyes | ofthe families in their owne hands,

| had government of the house under and| with their husbands. Hence it is that Gen.16. | Hagar, though called Abrahams wile, Verse 6. | yet is saidto bein Sardbs hand, who also verse 7, | correted her: the Angell calleth her $- verse 8, | yahs maid, and shee calleth. Sarah her

verse 9, | Mistresse, as likewise the Angell yoo

Concubines, though secondary wiv yet were butas servants, save onely | wereadmitted tothe fellowshipof the bed. - Fourthly, chiefe Wives brought forth, children, to whom belonged the Inheri-] tance 3 whereas Concubines children had, for 'the most part onely, some ifts given them.. That Dax and N, i, Gad and <A fber, the sonnes of Bilhah | os Zilphab had Inheritances among their rethren, was by extraordinary dispendation. *Queenes then are such Reformed Congregations where such propertics of Queenes arc: found: Christ (indeen] | est

—

6.4 BCh.6: Me have no dowry to give to Christ, i85 | jokes for no Dowrie from us for his owne use, he needeth nothing of ours, neither have we any thing to give him, but onr owne nakednesle z ;nesle, A Here therefore looke at Christ in the persons of the Ministers, whose Vicegerents they are, and Embaslfadours also, and in whose name they being married to the Churches, doe bezxct children to Christ ; though Minifters considered in comparison with Christ, | they are bur as the friends of the Bride- | 5 roome, not Bridegroomes themsalves. I{huch Churches then, and fons arc Queenes whom the Ministers and | | {Congregations do with mutuall free consent chule cither the other; 'as when the people dogive up themselves, first, tothe Lord.and then to the Ministers by the wil of God. Of this sortare sundry Congregations in England,and very many inthe reformed forain Churches: Other Congregations,which have Ministers thrust upon them without their liking and consent, and whom Ministers have to them by } some clandestine conveyances, are more hike tro Concubines, if Againe, , such Congregations 'as

come

—

"© The Keyes of vhe Kingdom of Clu8|

come to their Ministers with a good! dowry, and comfortable and honouts| | ble maintenance, they are like wives. O. thers who bring little or no maintenance with them, are like to Concubines,|F though indeed the former condition #8] | more effentiall to lawfull marriage; | wit, free consent, and mutuall stipulation|} on both sides; for as sotnetimes lawful wives have but poore dowries, and Cots! cubines somerimes bring large maines nance' with thett1: so some Co ons that freely consent to the acceptance of their Ministers cati allow them but flender maintenarice, whereas some '6 thers upon whotn Ministers thrust thetfelves are richly endowed: Furthermore, such Congreeations as enjoy the powet of the Keyes, they are as Queenes, lawfull wives. The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven, are

First, the one of Knowledge, Luke 11, Ver.52. | |

Secondly, the orher of Jurisdiion, Matth.18.18. and both of them mentioned, Mat.16.19.

Where then a Congregation enjoyeth afairhfull Ministery, opening an —_

into

Ch.6.. Heaven the hands of the Chorch.

incothe Kingdome of Heaven to penitent ers, and shutting it ugaindd-in | itent hypocrites and scandalous. livers, | the power of the Keyes is not wanif withall'they have liberry L _ Jurisdiction ', there is their Queen-like, or Wite-like authority more compleat. © Of this sort are divers, both English and Foraine Churches, though undry Germane Churches dispenfing he Keyes of Knowledge more corruptly 1 their Doctrine of the Sacrament, and

etm-| |} But such Churches as have no Preaore, | | {chers, or such as have no power in their wet! | [gifts to open and shut the Kingdome of aw-| | {Heaven, to the conscience and foutes of ng-| | {men, they areas Concubines.

| Lastly, such Congregations where the '11.| | {people remaine still ignorant in darknesle, | {and arenot brought onto be begotten of ion, | | | God by the lively Word of Regeneratitio-| | on, but continue altogether ignorant, wordly, and profane, they are as Concueth| | | bines whose children inherit not, though

God may give them outward blcflings. Burt

188 Scarcity of Preatehrs at first Reformation.Chs F | But such Congregations where the word}

is lively to the begetting of soules to an immorall inheritance, they are lawfull wives, yea Queenes: Ofthis sort our English and Forain Churches have many, |TH God be blessed) thoughthe Church of} it Ser ds hath but a few names. | | —_— are without number, nm mosels, or Virgins in this marriage-song| it are of lesse der ore as being yet ciths it

not spoken to in way of _— Christ and his Ministers,or coily refusing | him. Ofthissort there were many Chur-[ ches at the first reforming of the Gosj to whom for want of Ministers Readers] i were sent, whence one of the Martyrs| wished, that every able Minister might] I have ten Co tions committed to] I his charge, cill Farther provifion could be made; so that such Churches there were, even ren to one, abundantly many, that] Fj scarcely heard of Christs knocking at|'| their hearts by any conscionable Mini-| F steryz yea, and how many be there at this day, that cither doe want such Minifters as doe espouse them to Christ, or else doe cvily deny their motions, and stand out against Christ and their Mini- | I: sters 2? Of! P

vordl to ar

| satry | it lt

I First , because they haye been sexceec Fnany often, dare ll to

many. It Secondly, partly, because Christ maf note and wounded the Mcmbers of the

"Whenthe herd a5 4 s Dove,

= Queenes hee reckoneth: threescore,

Concubines fourescore. A certaine

nber put for an uncertaine z and of the lesle pure the greater,

+ Damosels hee teckons without num

th no account of them, as ifthey were 1 hin” nullizs numeri, not worth the eckoning, But my _ my undefiled is one, &c.] [A Dove is noted | First, for her chasti |:- Secondly, -milden 4 or innocency: | h are _ Churches which __ na whori ran res or 1do-. | bo, nor —_— vity of Ty ll | ny over their Hay: ar Which Popish watchmen are taxed for, that.

[Charches for soeking after 'Christ,: and dok. her vaile from her, which are un- [pores undefiled, either ' |

-: First; of Romish pollations, or . /,

| Is one; (such ae Firft, few. as one to 60. or $0. Secondly, at- unity; or brother! | one with another, as one body, tho 0 bl

scattered into many places, as \Englend, Scotland, Germany, &c. In all Christen-I# dome, some Churches are more chaste, ji 'milde, and unsporred rhan orhers, even offi. the same 0m & Jr yet such areburjiF few; and though, yet at entire unity,} as one body. is, | © The onely one of her Mother, the chaicess\

one of her that bare her.ln the Mebrewlfs: phrase, the wholeis the Mother,the are the Members. The true Catho ique| Church of Chrift's the Mother of all}: Reforined Daughters; and these Daughter-CHurches that arc most chaste and\sf \ miste; and undefited, they are best ec] Nvermed, and: beftbetoyed of the Morher}:: | Cath hr fr Churth; as coming necresb[ 4-205 = "her4n —_ RY Puiiepy

bs 1F he Dang brers ay her, ard t a her 2 E P ye; the * hs far the ond biel ant they praised her.) These Daughters, whe. ther they be the\mernbers ofthe unspotted Churches menioned-in. the former|

[> 7 png woe {pay es" C3 |

wks cer: of both, together with these | Cha that arc as Queenes and: Conove| {tubine doe give honowable testiman uh! f these Congregations that are mok

Jand, (torr 5.3nd with them all

tent; , the good things of this, i wy 2

aste, js

my © To blesse is more than to praise : i

by zod thing in her, but bleshng is. the 18s xowledgement, :

cf First, of Divine good things 1-and

weul eo onion drawing'the Chur- |

=_ selves: therein neeres toy:

Rr ho ices that ooketh forth s the war

ugh-1N% ;&6-)4n these verses, the callingand |

ad arisi of the | ennrepyre era

scribed by six Arguments : bs

birt, by the uncxpedicdnesle of her -

= By -joyned with the.:admiration of it, | fi he she that. looketh forth 2 ver.10.;. |

"1s}:-Secondly,- by the: place. of (her /arihor ng, the morning or rhe East Coun-

Thirdly, by the dagsees ani ay of PI "Fir, fish as the yocving | | erse, Rot Secondly, |

'® . ASTRA | was a 3 hc | | 192 The Fever whence,and how to bt called.Ch Setondly, faire as the Moon.- y || Thirdly, bright and cleer as the Sun, ib Fourthly, terrible as an army with Bay ners, ver.10. Fourthly, by Christs visitation ofhee| Id yr Me it, ver.11. [ Fifthly, y the unexpected helpes | which this Cc found for her retry il verse 12. | Sixthly, by the earnestnesse of het { calling given her, Retwn, Retary, foure|ff times repeated. | - Who this that looketh forth 2] These | wekegece theunexpeced admirabl arising of a new Church, and that after the Reformed Churches ofthe Genriles, i she is 'a Shulamite, alluding to Salem, theft ancient name of' Fersalem, the Mothef | City of the Jewes:/-/ This Church -then-thus arising, 1s that | of the 'Jewes which'we look for: whose|Fl beginning for sudden conversion of mull ritudes; shall be admirable to theinscivey | and diets? 43 KR It cAs the morning. ] Her arising i iS sempled'by themorning, Firft, beck this Church a ari i | from the Easterne Counttics,-:. - Wi Second f

B67 For frat erate FTE ro ”Y +

; Secondly,her arising shall be like a new

[Resurrection from the dead. & Thirdly, her arifing shall be speedily;

Fs the samephrase i intimates. I.” Faire as the Moone, bright as the Sunne. ] 8{The Moone is faire by beauty communicated to her from the Sun. In the Suns ightnesle is light, hear, refreshing, and | FA a glorious manner. The Citizens I8of that Church shall all at that time, or at least the body of them, have their fins for- Jeiven them by the righteousnesse of [Christ imputed to them. They shall enjoy abundant light of heayenly knowafter ledge. They fhall excell in purity of hoinefse. They shall abound in consolations to the refreshing of 'themsclves and

F/0tners. | Terrible as an army with Banners.) Read | | 19.1421. The Armies of the Jewes Jshall be terrible ro the Turkes and Tar- , and tothe false Prophet then driven J |}; >m Rome by ten Christian Princes,and | associating himsclfe ro the Turke for succour, ' ih}. 7 went tlowne into the Garden of Nuts.)

"arils The Jewish Synagogues, so called, =

cause of that TS of hardnesse. and ndly,'F Gs JW blindnefse

Rom-1t. I Fo Ifa.s8.8, and 60, 19, 20.

The Fewes shall aypeare unexpettedly.Ch:@1]

24oltfs

Rom.11,

2 Cor.z,

blindnesflse -drawne over their hearts, as] it 8 a hard Nur-shell over the Kefl nell.

To see the. fruits of the wallies.) Val leyes lying in the shade between two mountaines, bring forth fruit late: {6 the Jewes are long before they bring forth fruit unto Christ. |

To see whether the Vine flourished, and the Pomegranates budded. | The Jews, that for hardnesse of heart, are like 4 Garden of Nuts; yet when their cot version shall be wrought, will be a Vines and Pomegranates, bring forth] {sweet and wholesome fruits to the 1& freshing of God and Man. |

Or ever 1 was aware, my soule madi me_ like the Charets of CAmminadab.] Ot set mee upon the Charets of a willing people; not that any thing cometh a}! unawares to Christ in his owne pet son; bur because to his Ministers, thatm|Fth his Name shall goe into this Garden df Nuts.

chewy

{Ghi6.Zhe Famer rolled sholl wich in amits; 195 | | Tthem, 'whithersvever in. Ehrists Natne | they {ball call;-rheir- foule should--pTHth | sooner desire. it, but they should be scein nn—__ _—_— wy jiatimated tlc

Lwilling re of a willwng: & | mong the Gentilcs to;corwey; — 4nto! their Country; with- Chaves, ;avs 233246 Horses, and Nromedaries.2:! 7 1 12; ES.

i” Returne, returne, 0 Shulawite : nk Vas 13;

rare, that wee may looks pov thee's what |

wll yee see in the Shywlamit 2 4 itiwere the | i, of two Armies, "mM $143

> Returne, returne, © Shilamige_s; bt ie ] This call so often repeated, dovh.

Wl 1F pply, _ V. 1 First, the- earnestnesse ofthe Ministers | + that shall call them.

| Sccondly, the haste that they would avethem to makein going through with it pn

TH That wee may looke upon' thee, or brhald

#bee.” It is the defire of the Ministess, and of all the faithfull , ro behold-this

Jorious Church when shee shall tbe allcd.

ine: What will ye see in the Shulamite 2J]Bur,

forthe hostezof Mahanam. "

*

196 The Fewes called Jhall march inarmies.Chi@] | This is spoken , -cither because the Jewes shall, presently upon rheir conyer- | fion , marshall and ranke themselyesinto Armies against Gog and Magog, ver.10, where sheis said K arise wiCcet my with Banners, Or else raking the word properly ; the holy Ghost compareth the ewes to an hoste of Angels, which Facob faw at Mahanaim : as indeedthe feeble at! that day*shall be as valianr-as = A - of God; This Interpretation scemethro me to be the more likely , because her] | warlike provision was before mentioned, ver.1o. - Or, otherwise, the holy Ghost] Fj may allude to the hoste of Israel and Jus] I} dah, which wentto bring up David from if Mahanaim to Ferusalem , after the Israe lites were brought to see their crrours in casting him off. for ,Absolom : So shall] the Jewes at their conversion assemble] th for the establishment of rhe Kingdomel Ih and Throne of Christ among them, after] ily they shall be'brought to see their foule} errours in casting off Christ sounworthis| if ly so long a time. i 'The first Use of this is for discerning a} different cstareof all Christian Churches| I and Congregations, and triall of our nl > -3/ OWNe

ne! Bhur as Concubines in the fight of God: 4 N 3

1 | Chi6, How t0 know 4 trae Church.

owne: Parishes. | In one of, these rankes oyery. Congregation. is found!, either a| Juee 22 C bbine, ora Damosel}; ara. Dove:. It-we have freely consen-// ed to the' entertainment of a faithfull| | nifty; cammg to us-in the Name| £.Chri; if we ring with. us to him z fiifficicht dowry.for his maintenance: f. the Word; God shall; be power-i} ully. dispense&:;zamongst- ms,- and >the] apcrung and sluting of the: Kingdome | of, Heaven, and: withall: the Key of | Iftcipline be: fiot..negleRed]| : If our| [Congregations bting forthi many chik lilren to God,; partakers_ of:the. Hea- | laznly Inheritahce, then dre our Cons | xrepations 4s; chiefe Wives;.as Queenes wr [csus Christ. But if our Ministers [fide not conjugall and free. acceptance

om us.z if we-be not willing to prowide: for them: comfortable. and ho- | - zourable maintenance: If the Word be riot so difperised that the' people may inde themsclves in good: or evill-eates: If onr.,Congregations bring nor THrh regenerate Christians to —_ of the heavenly Inheritance, then are they

Hom v5 know. z tre Charsh. Chit] | OD

IEwee haveytt no Ministersthidt wooe|) us; and beleech- us to be:-reconcited| td. Chrift; orif they doepyet weooilf| pavthem off-wirh-.del a,: or refulcsy thct'are wee | Damofelsy | but” neither Queerics/nor': Concubines, Buri 1f aud finde all theproperties of Qudenes bt tonging -uiwo vs,'and/iwithall; firide z Joveand care'to/ keepe dur selves chat o/'Chnist, and: innocent to man, ahi 'ondefiled,, and unsponed', bock: of the Workland bf! Rome; thenare we Dbyis bo-Chtist Jokus, choicest childrepfulib] tue-Catholick:Chnrchi 2:107:: 1, 12:90 184 A secon& Ute is for 2 ' discerning] TH aidifferent estate of 1 Christian Gals and -triall of out 'owne- estaves 'befur God; if 'our heatts. have: nevel yet been called> and knocked at. bythe lively Word "of ' Gods: Ordinances;

| ©:ivee have-roily put off our Repatys ran&e to: this day., or refure to hearke!! to Christ;rhen are we Damosels.” If well? bring forth: seed of Righteonsnefse#! Christ, by reason we ateunder the p-] vernment -of such who-will require and well -may- command it of us, we? are but as Concubines. But if we fre

=

G6. How to sry whether we be Spouses.

—

y-condescend to receive and embrace mR__ into our _ with entire conne gon up our selves Wt to beg forth the fruits of his rit,, and are enabled to governe our Bs Ent after his will, then are wee Royall Spouses unto Christ pos and keep- our selves ro Christ, infiocent, and undefiled.,” and deavour to: cleanse ' our | selves from all viiehinesse of flesh av fpirit; then are wee | © Doves unto. Jesus Christ. | : 'A'rhird Use" tnrwke and- instru. t}Yha! ors. and 'tO approve | zewasclyrs and eheir Congregations in = af t fort unto "brit, ' not Mi-- thrust themseive upon ' their ptc against their rang \ongtiar te: [fnecly- acoc

Hoy Get Let the be faitbfull in dilpeosing Gods Y, ent and the people abedicit, | [> gc up / ” themselves to Christ and trueth,:aill both grow up to hea- | tenly and holy purity of worship and | Ilife. so shall our Congregations be as

FQueencs' and Doves to Jesus Christ. ." A fourth Use may be to encourage

4. men

=FLTLS

”

asi Abd "tht he 103

VALE

Innocency not di loracefull, Chis;

use 6.

| Jewes in all the: particulars before de

| Fleece, dry; when the Gentiles are” thoi-! stened with heavenly dew, they shall a-

[an comparison of them.. 'Though

'|in the end fares Na Christ) F Theglo their pu the ow: use the holy [i

men to waies of spotlesse Innocency; they are not dif; meckilt bur blessed of the 1 Faithfull, my praised, even of them that are without.

Fifrhly, to reprove the children of rhe Separation, who reproach the Church in stead of bleffing or praising them.

scribed : say, They be now, as Gideons

gain be moistened whenwe shall seem

step first into'Facob's Bed,and' so the lefle comely Church of rhe Gentiles into the fellowship with Christ; 8+ the cus of the Jewes, as beautiful Rachel, shall

scribes her by comparisons; not-fetched from earthly flowers,, or metals, or jewels ; but from heavenly lights, the | Morning Moon, Sun,

Ir appeareth further intheir unexpedtcd and free readinefse to embrace Christ, '

—

The

6:1 {Ch.6. - The power of the Fewescalling. 7. The power of their calling appeares' in ]rheir carnestnesse and zeale oftheir Mi- ] nistery, in breaking the hard shell of their | {hearts wherewith they were former]!

|closed,ver.11.In stirring them up to: [manfully, and terribly Gods battels a- |gainst theenemies of the Church, ver.r3. |

{ ofthis Shulamite,thar

inght

The Lord speedily. l the coming we may behold her,

THE

IE EB Redo PLP nes

Trnusg TExr. CHnap.7.

Ow beaittiftel are ty feet with shores," O Prinres —_—_— J0mts of thy thights are like Fewels, the worke of the hands of a cunning work: man.

2 Thy navel is like aroxnd goblet which wanteth not liquor : thy belly is like an heap of wheat, set bout with lilies.

2 y two breasts are like two young Roes that are twins. | 4 Thy neck is as a tower of Tvory : thine eyes | like the fisb-pooles in He Bw, , by the gate of Baths

rabbim:_ thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascas. -

5 Thine head wpon thee is lie Carmel, and the haire of thine bead like purple , the King is Ks

in the galleries,

'

(| ali, wbic. 5: thove? laid: ove |

it Fer to, clusters of grapes. ip+ I saib,-T will g4t* -

"The Song of Songs.

6 Howfaire , and bow _ art thou, O we, for delights ! | This thy stature is" ke a pdlmie tree, and

to the pabne tree, I

oo rol r-tkwef 1! 9w al

Ling wy

whether, ; the toytler be Foe llmand bud, ;

t. us. BPt; SOR the vineyardy, let

ates are all manner of

FEI © if

04 * Several estates of the Fewisb Church. Chu. |

'T His Chapter tothe end of the fourth| verse of the: cighth Chapter, descri-| beth *n:foure-fold' estate of rhe Jewish] Church. When rhey shall come to be] converted unto the Lord: towit, . First, as it shall be in gathering and growWingup, Ver.1,y. ; fps \ | Secondly. as it shall be, growne upto her Stature and:Maturity,wer:657 + : Thirdly, as it shall: be further enlarged by the accesse of the Gentiles; w27.8,10,

_ Fourthly,as it shalt multiply'and stretch it selfe into the County INT. and throughout the Land of Isracl, vers; 11. —ver.4. of Chap.s, | -. That in werf. 11, the Church inviteth Christ, and with him her selfe ro have recourse into the Country villages, is plaine in the words of the Ck verles, which set forth a three-fold estate of the Shilamite converted, is evident by the Repetition of the verses, verse 3,7,8. and all with some difference, and the breasts are so described, werse 3. and set forth an| unsettled Ministery, quickly stirring up |

1 Thigh

' Fsknd downeto

Hi 7-The fee bing fond mise 3. things

pag

this Church andthe car = ry of It, oath

- This Church then in gathering, is deibed 'by ten parts - Feet, Joynts of es, Navell, Belly, Breasts, Necke, Eyes, Nose, Head, Haire.

- How beautifull are thy feet with shooes, 0 Princes Danghter ! the joynts of thy thighes we like Jewels , the work of the hands of cunning workman. |

' How beautifull are thy feet with shoves, Princes daughter!) In her feet with shooes there is a three-fold beauty: for it mplycth,

> First, her returne out of Captivity, as on the contrary, barc feetisa fone ah aoing into Captivity.

. Secondly, her challenging and recovery of her lost Inheritance in Israel, Ruth 4. ver.7,8.

Thirdly, her walking in that eof conscience which the Gospel prepareth: whereas he that walkerth bare-foor, either ereth a thick brawny $kin upon the foles of his feet, or if his feet be more tender, hee pricketh them ever and anon [with thornes, or lit.ke sharp stones, as

scruples : a conscience not furnished with

tres

Verse 1.

Isai. 20. I ,5=4s Deut.25ver.9,

Ephesians 6:15.

erue

| 206 Feverronverted wtefgredt anthirity.Chiy, | true-peace, cither 'waxcth 1senslesse and] brawny, or clse scrupulous and anxious: {| all che three hinge are beautifull and glorious; as on the contrary, it's 2 grea disturbance and deformity.to goed captivity, to {ell and: foregoc a mans Inheritonce, to'walke unquietly and. uncomfortably: and: if it be beautifull and glorious to returne our of bodily captivity, and to recover the earthly Inhe. ritance z how. much more is it together with these outward things, to joyne 4 returne out of spirituall captivity, and recovery of an everlasting Inheritance, as the Jewes shall doe at their conversion? |

0 Princes Daughter ! So called,

First, because they are borne of God, the Prince of Princes.

Secondly, the Jewes converted shall be'of much glory and authority, even as the Kings of the Earth.

The joynts of thy thighes,e&c.] The word signifies whole bones of the thighes, | they, for their apt and ready turning in | their converfion zo God, are like well wrought precious-Jewels, the work of

| the/ hand of God, the Spirituall work - ——_

1 : 7.Who to be admirred tothe Sar ament.

Tmar of all the workes' of the Church. + Thy navell, &c. thy belly is hike tbe navel, I&c.] The navell and belly are both hidden parts, not conspicuous to them with-

Jout; andrherefore set forth the two =

series, or Sacraments of the Chur Baptisme, and the Lords Supper. - The Naval, serving for the nourishing of the Infant in the wombe, resembleth Baisme, -nourishing Infants, and new rn babes in the womb of the Church.

It wanteth notliquor :

The belly: ro wit, the Lords Supper, is 2s an heap of wheat, for store of excellent, and sweer, and fine nourishment, set about with lilies; because onely the fairh- | full pure Christians shall be admitred to partake in that Sacrament.

The Lords Table shall not be set about with weeds, profane and scandalous finners, but with Zihes, worthy Communicants.

Thy two breasts (the Teachers of that Church) are like two young Roes : For their zwility, Skipping up and down to suckle the converts; implying that the first Mi-

Faith to what compared. Chs. |F nistery ofthe Jewes, at the conversion of| || that people shall rather be as the Evange- | | lists, bound ro no certain place, than ag Pastors fixed to any settled Congregation, which yet outwardly they shall be

That are twins.)

First, for their likenesse in disposition,

Secondly, brotherly equality.

Thy necke is as 4 tower of Ivory: thine eges like the 4.6 'ray in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascus,

Thy necke is as 4 tower of Ivory. The neck ( as aboye) is the faith of the Church, joyning Christ and his Church together, as the neck doth the head and body.

As a tower, for strength, of Twory, for preciousnesse, for which faith is commended.

Thine eyes are like the fish-pooles in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim.? For the abundance of water, meaning teachers, that they shall yeeld even teares of Re- | pentance attheirconverston 3 partly, - the

Yeti: barn nd frrnacd

bien, the ohe in Jerusalem, built by 57 lomon, fo cally] by way oF edsemblance:! in which hee put his golden shields, whence Shishak chemwfadrotake| + ther our of 5J: ob this: House | — Isaiah, Clapaniegde ni v\

[."'There was anocher: ens by __

rs of Israel, Nonhiinds towards $ytia: and' therefore this Houfe built in. Lthwnen is said tolook toward Damaseas, the chiefe City.of Syria. ' Now Lebayon| being full of atl-manner of fiweer and fraprant” trees, arid shrubs, ard spices 4 the [built in” Lebanoy rhaft” needs be. compassed with the sweet ng 4 defac gar inlocgube) teal dond chr Saek! ax party one

|adundeserved erved kindricise of Gol towards — 1 [pw pil 1140, 21113 4 112 7719 *9 2 006 p0libvighe! tower: of Lebanon, ah bY eth: 2oward Danasfue, x4

_ ty the-great refreshing

lighr

| There | SOL oy rt tree wor -of Z | |

Lrbant how scundred. RD |

light of) Snch [as! shoukt: dodge -46 p | \ Hencethce-nofedf this pure rates

compared. fa this tomtr, becmise-they that dwell in this Church shall be, wel | derfilly refreshed-wirh. thesweer adqurs of the Ministery., whickys the fwottfar | —_ of life unto life ths also with.the (er

voury' conference. of! ; Christians, | and their faithfull godly COnverr | fation.. --5{- - ni Mm t | Thine bead:npon tht is like Corral

| the hereof thine head Mapp, the ny || held is the pela.

' Thive bead ther: + libe | Goneld ] Carmel ex d font nd fulnefle in feeding catrell, ell, 2 ve 45 reckoned 1G. 339. | With Lebanen, a and 35. 2. | mous for fertility. | 1 Sam-15. 1 The headof the Church under Ghri

"ee17* 16s the Ciyill Magistrate-;} The | rhenis;thatthe Magistrateof this-Chizd | shall yecld-iore of sound:and french |rishment tothe people, by 7 Siving mai tree paslagero-cach holy a '|dinance 'God and 1alfoby bal Con | pantie and lastly, by goednnanghg | Ti boned thy head like purple, 1.

haires

7D] lie? ai rota

hey 'o> the” Officery or Sorvemtsohar

offs LE > Topaporthe” Magistrages ''0#/ char

PUrs Milret; 4h hey lite like purple. ESI>10 72 7

\Sccondly\;7 bur alld of x rogall hoe, & poiplet i5 4 4 (enare dyoy lofthnia a Song of Solomon 9:1,

| Zech.z3, rer.$.

>The "Ofiters and Exatters shall be Revel.16, Peacc'and R cousnasse,;”. iT | _ T 5"Fhese Offiters shall nocbasely shavlee —_— for thribes; norcxat for fees,nor oppress: Ir fikhy lncte, nor picke holes in mens eftates/ to-trouble the- people and enrich hemsclves; but like purple cloathed Ffinces, be like their Ministers, and hotour both their Ministers and thewyselves With Peace and Riehteousnesse. "The King # held inthe Rafters.”) Bot so the word & turned beforc', where the {Rafrers 'were understood partly of rhe Temple. Held; is ke (x9 my remembrance) used for holding by cotifiraint, bound as a Pnfoner. The meaning may be then, Thar che King, or —_ RR is _ to be an

; | Or what if it imply, that.; their; g1 | est Magistrates shall submit thems

| |Chwch; according to that where the | pfa1.r49. | Psalmist telleth of binding of Kings HHSS3! with- the: Orditarices of- God in; *49-3% | Church. And 1saiab foretelleth. thax |Kings - and Queenes shall bow downe their faces towards the earth unto: the Church, and licke the dust of their feety <= =o Interpretations stand well tas: 4 _ * X 1 *Eirst, this doth shew us how to come and appeare beaurifull inthe eyes of the Lord Jesus: which is when we turne our feet from the estate and wayes, and bon-| I dage of finne and Satan, and come out of} B{E the captivity into the liberty of his chik| dren, when we claime our Inheritance of] the Kingdome of heaven, seeking after it above all carthly blessings, and walking towards -it z when we walke confidently 11-2 Christian course, then Christ adinh

—

TREE Ys

FERSSS |S)

tas base ;as-ugly and abqminable

Ctil7: Fearoftrepart should nat discourage.

Leona arethy ith shooes, 0 Princes Daughter! | | us as Princes children: what marterthenif foolish meh count -us Peasants, and our going with hooes as straight in parc lrg skaind nbt;,nor fall nocto their judgements, but. to his who-shall judge us to eternall zappin cor milery at last day. His 1d miust' nor-stand when heaven and carth shall fall; Jfhe accourt vs vessels of our, wee are so inderd, whois itthat ifhonoureth -us:7. If men should cast a | sell of gold: or filver inzo the mire, and -2myple upon; it, yet the. vessel is sill a

*

fell of honour , good,: and. rich, and

jous ; the mire may cafily be washed Ffrom such veslcls, Be not difcotiraged en from' Ghristian courses by toolish arcs of reproach : The truths, if wee poconin finne, Christ esteemeth of us

in-his fight; naked, bare, deformed,and flefiled; yea; he estecmeth Our goings as ine bare-foot,which cither, first, brawncth our feet with a thick skin.thar thereby we grow insensible and feele nothing: or secondly,”-pricketh us.-with uninie 5 O 3 * ceslary

use 2.

Use 3:

Use 4.

the forwardil 'Chriftiamadac;:rowit | |

rothe hinds'of a-cunint wbrkmanyrhe Goof poyytr 'andpeacd Ie emixthrit Asvecalled'#s:often to redithepag che Shell Ipire inthelast verst of rhe former: Chu

"| ptr >a8d yer-ualesse:thiscmmng work! | | mort ma;bee:thighes gw

;wedhalliporrerortiers bit! [717

ot rae thenfeof Bapti

evenitoinfatits; The! Arabaprists ob thin Infants | tary teceive: ng

' bevause thby'yer retalveinmundetfiand

ing; no behefir by che Word : As if fants eafinot receive' nourishthent 'by-rhe Navell, w—_ they canneither take;nbr ew , bor fucke Tritt with hand-or moth ; Baptisine- & the Nawvetl by which

Infears me'novurished in che Chorch, 203]

-' Fourthly:,” from this *Navell, nor wanting liquor observe;:rthere dorh nes yer want Just matrer of-Mstraction' and comfort to be fetched from our Baptisme against all temptarions. 'Doth Sarandes taine thee from vbeymyg- thine cffefuall caltitig : Remember in"/Beprisme ew | thine

I: 5: 17) Luendbaprir confagets:- Gli

— PR tithe,

-

HITLESLSHSTFT----73-11

| av blood ts {cient nourishment” for an hungry soule ; |this serveth ro quicken our appetite” to

thee: w and doubes;-that 'thy!| | Ines are not pardoned? Zonlathy Ba- | istwe is: fulk of liquor of Christ blood, | ta; justific thee from alt thy finges: Doth: Sar4n-tempt thee to defile thy selfe with any fin 7 Behold thou art washed solemn- —__ from. all fiang, and wile detile - thy: felfe> against thy Baptifing'®-.::i'5 (3 © $129 woe, ©: Pitehsy inthe Lords Supper, sce'what pltorey of -exvecllent, a, and fweet noly#hoent-i d&t0 us, even an heap

fohea: Cy ol # ma induce ot wheat : Coryte, esa ' is 4 ry

Thee & al-fufhthis heavenly banquet.

|-- Sixthly, observe what manger of per- | foes should be'admirted to the Lords

Table, and how wee should prepare our

| selves thereto, This heap of wheat is not :|ro he ser about with stinking weeds, but

with faire lilies : Cleanse our felves then

[from all scandalous finnes, yea, and

from .all secxer finnes, to our best en-

-] deavours , so shall wee be set abour

O4 this

- Ministev9 Wash tot be diy \Narses.

ey en ate wheat ,/the Lords Tablei| -Seventhily,' [Ministers way

freer: fot'a"Church in gathering, thay | convenient iti 'a Church constiruted; for then the breasts hang in rhcir place like clusters of Grapes upon the branches of | the Vine, 37,8. Butthey must be breasts giving ving fuck; -not dry nutscs; that is their

uty 1n every estate ok: the Church," Or; if thei people be yore in Christ to fitnesse for stro they to be full ina stronger corthanmilkegschy sters of Grapes, full of wines

Eighthly, see the bewtyand commen. dation of three cardinall graces [2

-

—

First, Faith, ro be

First, strong.

—— non, ying the wie cious promis od at R'us rich with them.

Thirdly, Obedience, to be \ First, fragrant,

Secondly,

SEEK")

P.-TAS

$4 Mair races oughyv0 give cord exaaiple,

:

irsand good); that. all-phiarton-

Cilil 4,

omourconyersarion..!/ Ninhy, bes Carmel, won-Lorn

w_ plemitull © art a

=

"Pr by ymiwing fre Jt Fehosevkits

Noblesare said ro tcach.

Cry a by making*

116 out

wit F

\ Thirdly; by pi exaimple of Jr Sh 7 Eving good cxamplef them of base 'demeanour, exaQrrs; promotors, contentious persons, bntfihes may execute it themsclves andtheir Mi- _ _ m___ publick 'Ordinances of WOriNMD x risnodif} Magisirons to behave: ey ar revey in them, and ro submir themselves unto them as unto Christ, © £52217 Tenthly, from this compleat- descri- - ofthe beauty of the Church'inall parts z observe, iFirst; that rhe Church was never so ompleaty beautifull in all her parrs, as

,andrhatd with: alt madfder of ij ve with as may smell a 10 gn marke here'2 Ieffoa for Ma-1

use 10.

"Anna fos —__ workes. =

/ .,,Scrondly,in thathe beginanth

hevei(erhers fo

[= ,of the Sacrament,

"ofthe shall fest, Ta Ko rn Thirdly

ascend bighmend bighentmecoge

Ons.../ , in that ho Church ei niche

Nt fet Aw nor in ' defer bed, bythe beauty of wheres Fo or fingers, wee: rust novgather thar therefore this Church will be. barren of good works; God forbid, 'but rather-conceive, Christ concealeth. the —_—_— of her hands, 1o/wit;; her works, pa First, because the Harlot delighteth so much t15 boast of her hands, of ber workes, which indeed (hee wants: Christ had rather his Church should abound in good workes in filence, than

boast of. them, especially whetr they are

LEE

mel, a tian ror yeamnisome | this de-|

Wanting. Secondly,

LL TE ATEATARY: ROPE BIB]

(.: Seodmily;

aone>{2nd ES i vIbd 4+ 34 The 212M ht "©. HR i thelewtrles the-noly Ghosh ger anc) yr: dar Church, asis spoken above, Chap.7. vets rift parc, h& gtDweS: pI her MU Raques yen ef 0 blod £111: bng 251 For first, beauty is not observed tilbfull TT ibs yg here berboutty ix adeied, verse 6. 0.005 ING 19! INSELELLN.- Secondly y;- her: store. & erpersly Leceloned to be Palmeirree, wet,7 ./Thirdly;ber breasts gve- menonc

hg we ewhek.

! Nerd x;

Jagaine, ver. 7. shew thathe

of the saine estate of che Church _—_—

{Besides,the breasts ycelding wine instead

of- milke; jt) is;a;bgne.the Church thal then be; he Oy ewe mt -and;fit+

veflc to'be fed with ftronger v7 =Y

The G Quuithofthe Jewes harrane io he ller growth is here described, 3.

First; by: her' beauty, 'which is adymicable, How' faire! and joyned with plessure, How pleasant art” Woo, ! .specially4or

_ w Pri sodescribed, wer.6. ; + Se condly,

—

—

cdly, her breast resembled; to chi to ER 4415 | |S Thethird eftate ofchis:Chnrch, 5k shallbefurthet enlarged by theaccelle of [A is; described /HariGiro. and PU "First, by Christs: climbing 'this palms 4 — UT of tougher of

the rich supply of noubrane from > her ver $. . i!)

Thirdly, by the smell of her nose, rees, vers, ©

y the power of her Do-

Fig, her familiar fellowship with

rift, VE.10, |

jr estare ofthis Church, asit. and tretch it selfe into the|

= es, is described, verse 11. - ourth of che next Chapter, and

it, by the occasion of this encrease, "the Churches invitement of Christ to visit the Country villages, ver.

Secondly,

Cn rhe mean the Jreneshe

[> Secotdly{ bythe affecuonate | Pots Clara 2 Rr ; Thir Nt pildug Srv 45040 | zby Chris alfegipnare-emer ierg Fact < URITIRf _ 4 mhly, by the Ir O03 ( continuance ofthis state without ity

ef doh -

aire} The Elon and LL hone implyeth an as CE [what i found r=

oo cer en no hy such. Members Dol | Kono each SS | ondly, a ie 3 21LT Members ofthe mow hk all che a ne cooers = garrmnrs Thirdly, a pee coloutinrheourrard ce of things; all mp and 1 in

_

preg mr any year Foyy |

Psal.110. 3+

2 Cor.g.

ry Lorin) 17 TIF fit

Church to reyes 2 ue i Forshipo

God, which\4s IE any i

the marriage bed rene, fotwebkth 2 Hirgselfe'civith This Change/tv 2::ft zids to gnagnniy tm) vets

ple to an service of his 'picasantns bas 5) 01-115 GB DEETTIENY 07 Caak fam *5 rec iOtuirete: ware by lovelygiaitiantoeverlovei selte. The five former verses described th Okille fioin ke several Members apart,

Thipverss confiderctl the whole: bot cgbreogerkcr'ifpus publick dutios; 195/17 \# Il PI (dread re nd

i hr ON fnnd's ina Met r0'a Palme res?

Tar vs

greennesse = wer gh

Fifthly, forther: cafinesle to' be climmk bed,

_

<LI I3-EK-1 —ELER

YJIONT :2:

+ Faest-tior few:, aides; two Rots, bur uoy, aclades. [ offs;

== Anne. I

h Sect fbeforealop emp

= h D_ eahe preflace

0 ond, 1 wil to tera, Iwill take bold of et boughes thereof. fragas thy breasts shall be as clusters of the: ine, cud |the smellof thy nose like apples,

1 said; L 70 the Fahabarecd

will po ook; yr pe boughts a

Chrt speaks of himselse to imply the 2 incsse

; | T, breasts are like the ater o& ne. - | mm four '

Ver. &

orig ts dscendatid: resorts to Jerufs | lew, is elsew here fore-told wou'y wand HQ 0 toll he 1s 1::New ty breefirat the > the | vine. } a that is ke oft | (: of: the; nerr.brm hurch. Hereflibilbenodefe&of Mini behah Dag 3 cy

| Rafa Tupply of ftore, fed

1 and plentifull Teachers, as clusters-6f

all. Abu] err the i th har lr beagle]

{of the GE Prana frank rdinted, withcheathenish/and p03 ish unsavory pollutions , yerthe'Chuirchi

hs self; and they that liven it shall fmell

al 6 Cognac savour of: the goodal Cconverla:

"The Rnd thy ws nose. ] Not whichthe nose yeelderh, but which is yeelded tb the nose;'to thy savoury\di shall'be swecrandcomfortable,asthat 7 Mbit

\|] Togoc rightly, of straightly, implycth

LEASES

Chu7-Efficary of Do. ftirs up drinie Pirie.

{| Before, when this Church consisted of | {her owne people, her smell was as thar of | Lebanon, wer 4. and now bythe accesse of the Gentiles it shall not be corrupt. Tndeed when the 1fsraclites came our of Eegypt, the mingled of the Gentiles with them, drew them away to-murmuring and lusting; for this compare Exodus 12, 38. with Nuwb.1 1.4. But no such contapion shall accrue to this Church by the mingling of the Gentiles with them. |

And the roofe of thy mouth like the best wines, for my beloved, that goeth down'sweet-' Ih, basing the lips of those that are asteep- to

hea

And the roofe of thy mouth like the best ines: Hebr. Like good wine, going to my loved most ftraightly and rightly. ] That

is, rhe Docrine of the Church shall be as ever any most sweer and powerfull, and comfortable, and generous wine; it shall ever goe, or tend direRly to Christ, al- | waics aiming at the preaching of him,

he strength and generousnesle of wine, | When it sparkleth upward in the ar + as Proverb.23.31.which here expresseth the

uvely vigour of the Churches Dodtrme, | F |v-

—

226 Efficacy of De.ftirs up drowsie spinits.Ch,7;/

in herpreaching of Christ, causing the lips * these - wgen. to speak, Such al be the sweet and powerfull efficacyef the

Doctrine of the Church - then, as shall cause the sleepy and drowfic professors, whether amongst us Genrtiles,or am the Jewes, to open their mouthes and u_ plentifully to Gods praise. When the Apostles spake(the wonderfull works of God) in strange tongues, some of the people thought them to be full of new wine, but they were deceived, and were willing so to account of them-in mockery. But these people shall be full of new wine of the Spirit and Word of God, to open their mouthes to speak as the Apo- | stles did, the wonderfull workes of God, Verse 10.| | T am my beloveds, and hu desire is towards MeL.

This profession of the Church, that she is her beloveds, argueth,

First , her familiar fellowship with Christ,

Secondly, her faith, or confidence of her interest in him, or his in her. ; Thirdly, her open profcssion of the ame.

That his desire is towards her, aqgunl c

—

"TLESRRSc.

=

SEES DB APS=S=Y =

Wise if the wine flourish ; whether the render |

7: Chrifts flrong love to his Church, -

land ir is the same word used *, which [\utd implycth two things :

'- Secondly, the subordination and dependance thereof upon their.will:-the

[notstand with the Soveraignty and Head-

[thus farre, to intimate Christs tender te- | leard of the will and defire of his Churctr; | as hee would be as unwilling to'deny | 2,as loving husbands be to denythar Iwves any thing. £ $40) 1 | Come my beloved , let us goe- forth into Ithe field : Iet ws lodge in the villages. © n these words, the' Church inviteth | Christto visit the Country villages about | her, implying, , ten First, her prayers to Christ, that with her he might lodge there, plant andset Churches there. : ; Secondly, her care to take and observe al opportunities to advance'such a work. Let ws get up early to the vineyards; lieu

{former is here also meant, the latter doth |

[hip of Christ over his Church : Unlefle |

Vai 11.

Ver-12, |th ]

1328 The fathful shew their affeftion to chif.Ch

Joh,z1. 15.

grape appeare, aud the pomegranats bud forth, | | there will I give thee my loves, ans 1: Let = get # ous to the —_— let wi; ee if the wine flourish. ] Meaning if any poruney should offer it selfe;to lant Re. igion amongst them then Christ and. shee ' might be forward to further the | same, I - Thirdly, her promise to Christ to em-| ploy her best endeavours to such a ser-| VICE ] | -. There will Tgive thee my loves, The loye.of the Church to Christ is especially:{cen in feeding his Lambes and Sheep: | She therefore offereth to Christ free use |} of her dearest and best afteftions. to set| 1 forward sucha work. ©

Fourthly, her discerning of some good beginning of sucha work.

The Mandrakes give 4a smell, and at onr gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and.old, which Thave laid up for thee, O ny beloved.

The Mandrakes give a smell.) Which is a Country, field herb, yer. amiable,which argueth some- fruits to be gathered in the Cauntry. > 4; i

' And @t onr gates are af manner of pleasant _ frnirs

dl 112 new and old.?) And therefore, our of

the abundance of her owne store, she cat fupply the Country with all fir helps, to her further gathering and establishment. Which 1 have laid up for thee, O "my beloved.) She professeth her defire t6 employ all her store'to Christs-adyantage,

and therefore abounding with Ministers, and other fir Officers for gathering and establishing the Country Churches about her, she expresscrh her readinesse to bring: them out to his service and;use , as if they

| were some good houshold provision, laid

{up by her for such ause. The accesse of the whole Land of Israel to the

profitable. The Land shall be ket La

14h, as wall as the City Hephzibap, yer. 10. A Caulcy is cast up foramutualleecourse of-Country to City, 4 4 ow

Ifai.62. 4.

Ch.7.The Chur, willing to employ all for Christ. 2219

| thee to | pomegranate.

'CANTICTLES: - SONG OF \SONGS opened and explained. Wl.

Sv SHISI Go ,

-That thou wert as my brother that fucked te feasts of my. mother ! when T fbould finde thee

isse thee”, yet I should not be defthised. *--2 T would lead thee, and bring thee into my mopropa. who would inftruft me: I would cause rinke of. iced wine, of ithe - juyce of my

3 Hi left band should be under my bead , and

bis right band should embrace me.

4 T1 charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, wel stirre not up, nor awake my love untill bee

” 5 (Whois thit that cometh up from the Wildernesse, leaning upon ber beloved 7) I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth, there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

AFP

6 Fet;

. | 1 Ch. The Song | 6 Setmeas a seale upon thy beart, as a seale upon

of Songs.

thine arme : for love is as strong, as death, jealousie is cruell as the grave : the coales thereof are coales of fire,wbich bath a most vebement flame,

stance of bis bouse for love, it would utterly be contemned

$ Ie have alittle sister, and sbe bath no breasts, what "yy we doe for our sister, in the day when sbe sball be fpoken for? ©. po

9 If sbe'be a wall, we will build upon ber a palace of silver : arid if she 'be a doore, we will inclose hex with boards of Cedar.

10 1 am awall, and my breasts like towers : then wes Tin bis eyes as one thet found favour.”

-,11 Solomonhad a vineyard at Baal-Hamen, he let out the ineyard unto Keepers : every one for the friat thereof, was to = a thousand pieces of silver,

12 My vineyard which is mine, \i before me : thou (O. Solomon) must bave a thousand, and those that keep tbe fruit thereof, twa bundred.

© ,13 Thou that dwelkst in the gardens, the comp -

nions bearken to thy voice, cause me to,hegre it. 14 -M, e haste my beloved, and be thou like toa Roe, or to a young Hart upon the mauntaine of pices.

_

P 4 THE

7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can | the floods drown it : if a'man would give all the sub- |

The Converied Fewes wish. Ch.8.

He-.Church of the- Jewes, both. in + City and Country thus-gathered,doe here. \expresse her ardent affeRion - to Christ, and due respe& of him, which the old Synagogue shewed towards her whilest he was conversant amongst them in the flesh, (Since saith she) 0 that thou wert 4s my. brother, &c. Christ was made our brother by taking our Natureupon him at his Incarnation,and then he sucked the breafts of the Church, —_— ro the Ministery of Fohn, ind other Jewi Teachers: she therefore to shew her a Qion, defireth that he were now amongst them conversant in their streets againe in bodily prefence,” she would not doe then as the old Synagogue did; be afhamed' of | him, or cometo him by night, but shee would kifse him, and embrace him in the open streets, and yet no man should then despise her for her so doing, as they did; but every one should encourage her in her obsequiousnesse to him: She would not rcje& him, and thrust him out of the

<< ==vs=] Gol

Synagogue, as her old Ancestors had | '

done,

| f{Ch.8. Chris left and right hand whit,

"

$

up, nor awake

© The-Churc

another, an

and loving! !

done, bur if she found him wittiour; thee | would lead him,and invite hinvimto their emple, there to' instru her, dreach/herthe will of her father she would nor give him gall'tocar, and vinegar to drink, as her refathets had done, but she wouldeause him to drinke of the best delicate spiced- wine; and the | no of her Pomi Hicless hand should be under my hed, and bis ri hn hand should embrace me. YITIGN teft hand of Christ is the Christin Magistrate, which shall in those daics suppor: and advance the Charch, and hold up her head. ”: ' His lot hand'{s the fairhfall Miniters; which shall- speake comfortable things to her heart;and so embrace her, | Fas. 62: for this also sce, '* 1charge you, 0 dawghters of Ferusulem, "tha you stirre not | © love untill he please.

chenjoying chel cies and blessings all her daughters, members, 'to walk so | thankfully, and fruitfully towards God, and helpfully one towards o circumspeRly, and inoffensively tothem which are without, that

from Christ,chargeth

e great mer-

Verse ;.

—

274 ( Our duty to pray for the Fewes conversion. Ch.

Use 1.

Ifai.66. | ITz12, Ule 3.

no occasion be given of their alteration of their happy estate, When the Church gave this -charge before, it was in

of the Roes and Hindes ofthe field ; tearfull Christians coming on towards Religion, willing to flock, and feed, and converse: with the sheep, yet ready to start and flee away upon any feare of danger of persecution ; but now no regard is had

then remaine fearefull, when the Church

shall be with the Church. For use, we may here learn, .. ' First, fince the Church of the Jewes shall artaine to so great beauty, it ought to kindle our defire to pray carnestly for their conyersion, that we may behold the

from conversing

lighted with her consolations. --

Secondly, this doth teach us how to approve our selves pleasant and faire in rists eyes, even by keeping his Ordi-

- An willing readinesse to frequent the

of these fearefull ones, for they that shall | onus and safety, they | ite excluded:

admirable, faircnesse thereof, and'be de-|

nances in integrity, and __ city, and|

e Christ may sce all the world, as he did

when

| Ch.8. Ministers to apply themselves to the people. 235 |

when Satan * shewed it to him, and yer

[not admircit, yea, condemne it-for vani- | 9

the more faithfull, the more fruitfull in all holy obedience, 8&c.. the more doe we attaine to a Palm-trec, like full-stature of

| Christianity,

. Fourthly, it may learne and dire Mihisters to apply elves to the cstate of their le: If they be babes in a - wxly th breasts of milke to suckle hem: Ift wnto ripe ycarcs, to be as clusters of grapes ro them

1 with stronger liquor, be ready to poure

on sweet and. comfortable liquor q but ce fome good calling to prefimg youto it, ler all your ors A direQto -hrist; and dipents it with such powerfull cfh-

| cacy of the Spirit, that the drowsie slugrd may be raised up' to some fruitfulnefse,. and more holy walking towards God. |

Fifthly, this may teach townes well

and fincere, the more patient and meek, | y;

rovided. for, to lend their best care and help for the edifying and calling home of. _ Country

*Ecclesiastes 1:3,

Use 4

use F,

Forward profesiion shall be no diserace.Chi8,

Use 6,

are throughly and

| Cou por nb Grudge not then at dakroxdy ort to robes. of your Assemblics, but rather encourage them,

hat may be partakers with them.

come Ek forward profession shall be no disgrace; yea, men > shall kifse Christ openly, and shall not be despised. | © Seventhly, the maligniry ofour Ancestors against Chnist and his Gospel, must provoke us to more embracing of him,

Fighthly, we may here see that a Faithfull Ministery, and godly Magistracy is a pledge of Christs Cakes love, and inde embracing of the Church. ©

Ninthly, we are hence to take notice, that whena Church enjoyeth many _ cions and sweet from Chri is gopd for her to see it and dknowiedas it,ahd to be carefull that all her. Members may so walk, as their happinesse be not interrupted. Inthe fourth verse the charge runneth thus, That yee stirre not up, &c. But in the Hebr. Why sbould you ftirre up, &c. As who should fay, when all r

fully reformed and

and more subje&ionto hk.

Innovation ?

this lets us see , that time shall |

setled : Why should yo goc abour any |

_— CO ITO" TIT NO

Ch.3.The Oh.eftate rising out of the Wile,

dernesse, le ery For her be

| Innovation? This manner of charge was | = prrered before, Caxt.2. ver.7. tothe

le-tree : there thy mot

thee ack pr [& thee forth 4 there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

Who is this that cometh Cer om the Wil- | dernesse 2) Inthese wordstheholy Ghost nth catite calling ety of two other Churches after rhe calling of the ewes: ) First, the one arising out of the Wil- Ce, Ver5 7.

Secondly, the other a litrle sister; ver, $,10. together with the estate of the whole C hurch, as it shall then stand,from that time to the end of the world, verse Ii, I4-

This Church coming up from the

| Wildernesle is discribed, :

the Jewish Churches there, wer.5. Who is this that cometh up out of the Wildernesse?

- Secondly; by the place of her arifing, the Wildcrnesle, ED

arising, together with the admiration of

| Thirdly, by her familiar fellowship with Christ, joyned with her confidence] on him, leaxing upon her beloved.

" Fourthly, by the meanes of the gathering ahd raising of this Church, Traised thee up under an apple-tree, &c. ver.5.

Fifthly, by her carnest defire of his deep afseGion to her, and continuall remetnbrance of her, Set me as 4 seale upon thine heart, as a seale upon thine arme,ver.6, which petition of hers is urged by a motive, taken from the strength and depth of her affetion to him, which she proveth,

First, W c__—_ —— as Cto three things'mo, yy Death. Ne OS

Secondly, to the Grave.

Thirdly, to vehement flames of fire, verse 6. :

Secondly , by : comparing it to two —_— les than her affection, though they be also of great force,

First, to many waters, which cannot quench her affection of love.

Secondly, to the whole substance. of any mans houfe,. which would: be contemned if it were offered to withdraw her from Christ,ver.7. The

WT” ASS” +

7 fl Ch-$:The estar of the Churches lndle Sifter,

. The calling and estate of the other Church, the little fister, is described by three passages,

' First, by the consultation of the elder Sisters; to wit, of the Jewis:Churches, and of that Church coming up out of the Wildernesse, what they. shall doe for her when she shall be spoken of, ver.$.

Secondly, by a resolution what they shall do for her, sutable ro what her condition (as they shall finde her) shall require, ver.9.

Thirdly, a fatisfaQion =_ by this little fister, to the elder, how herestate standeth, together with the cause thereof, Gods favour, that they may the better know what courses to take for her, v. 10.

The cstate of the whole Church, as it shall stand after the converston of the _—_ and ofthose other Churches is ser

First, from Christs care for them, exressed,

First, in his watchfulnesse over them in his owne person, which he amplifies by the lefse care which Solomon had of

his vineyard, committing the keeping of it ro others; ver.11,12. | Secondly,

. Chrisbs tare wherein it appeares, Ch.$.

Secoridly,in his'charge to the Church, that he may heare her companions harkning unto her, ver.13. |

econdly, by the Churches prayer unto Christ, that hee may hasten the tran- (lating ofthem into heaven in the end of the world, verse 14.

Who 4s this that cometh,e&c.] Who these Churches should be that remaine to be called after the conversion of the Jewes and Gentiles, wee cannot conceive any more fitly than the Chutches of Assyria,

secondly, of Egypt, of which wee read,

Isa.19:23,25. When a Church shall be cleted among the Jewes, fignified by Ezekiels go =_ Temple, the water of Gods Spirit shall low from thence Eastward, goe downe into the Desert, and from thence spread themselves farre and

NECTE,

from Judah,jis the wildernesse of Arabia, whither Spirituall graces shall be conveyed by some coming, from Ferasalem, and from thence they shall be further carried

© { into the East Countries, to the gathering,

and conversion ofthe TAHssyrians and 0thers : Whence it is, that Church _—_ | om

This Desert, or Wildernesse Eastward |

| Gh.8.a7ha Churches comein ctr the Fewer, 24 ||

Pe —_—— 1 from the Wildernesse of Arabia; is said

1 ro leane upon! her beloved. inan Arabiux | word ; as when the holy Ghost was to speak of the Babylonian. Captivity (or Winter, being past, he useth the Bubylonian or Caldean,yword. Sorthen,; when the Churches of Fudes shall see such a goodly Church spring from some small helpe,

|-out of the-Wildernesse of 4rabia, beyond | their expecarion, they shall say of her, | = is this that _ 1 S, the | | nesse, leani # her beloved? trusting b

| faith on 3g” thereby attaini __ |.cnjoying fellowship wi | leanc js put asanad of faith or trusting *,

Wilderhim : for to

and the gesture implycth familiar love *, - iT raised thee under an apple-tree, Christ, or the Church.of the Jewes by his power

| raised up his Church by the meanes of

some inferiour Magistrate, resembled here by an Apple-tree,as before *: Forthough hee was not so high and mighty as the Cedars of Lebanon, orthe Okes of Bashan yet eminent hee was, and his shadow ood, and his fruit cordiall and comrtable. And the meanes of the gathering of

| this Church, being ; our

at first but aninferi- |

Cant. 2.11

—

our Magistrate; the Church had more need. use of faith to leant upon her beloved, when soveraigne authority did not countenance the work. ]

There thy mother brought thee forth. To wit, the Mother-Church of the Jewes, or the Catholique, which 1s the Mother | of us all, X by he ade

Set me as 4 seale upon thy heatt, as a seule* upon thine - fo levs is ftrong as death, jealousie is eruell as the grave: the coales | thereof are coales of fire which hath a moft vehement flame.

Set me as 4 seale thint heart, as #. seale upon thine arme. ] That is, let ine be dcep engraven as a seale is into thitic heart, or affection, and as a scale on thine! arme, let me be continually in thy frg and remembrance. And because the | heart is the seat of the will, and the arme of strength, therefore shee defireth his deep affeRtion and mighty strength and —_ alwaics to be present with her for

er comfort and peace. |

For love is strong s death.) Deith sheweth his strength,

First, in subduing all sorts of people high and low, young and old. | Secondly,

CNDEIDY =_ _ m—__— Leaning an aft of Faith. 'Ch.8,

OQOD PB EAEBATASIDPS HM. 50 mo mo |

—

this Charch skew ro: Christ 4 _ beforcher'to: rm of Christ, and nor suffering wiv Fay corpdeeirmarr

:3 bs: craelt as, the x] rn lousieisa- mixt affection of: _ _ vent love, arid (carrics at:any) corivals arage with wrath against rx vers 'then- shall the \zealous hoya: or Chpith be:to Christ; 'thatofhe nay. not tide any such things shall fical away the nor es hearts from'\Chnift;'at alicror! lefscn is'ffection! Np butas

VE, - cit as we rt, she shall devout all-fuatich | and bury thenvour'sf fight; And > © by n -:Sdondly:, \chfre 'hold | nn under | o966cmdearatonrf;enceblen, which | have moss veheniens flame. }; ff id of this love shall as coales offire, Fr | First, cnflame her inll her. services ts, Christ.

——_— burns up as subbleall im-

—

*Rer.15.2 Plal.1.3.

.First;all inwardgreentusts.;.

| (Feheiwern, Same) Hebr. Flames of God,thatis;excellent or ex

forin hrase; che things of God arc == excollent., 'as' the|

iiganaf Gas divineand vehement ; | and indeed this vehement love beirig Kin | | dled by:Gads: hea | be quenched with carthly:things: -

Spirit, cannot

wt er's cannot lou, neaer EE Tore err nn wihahe [a by Jenedui atferly by tantermned. ent Bd S11

Thiringeaheradyerfrict thonghoover | | so man ,or dcep, or strong, as many wals|

| ters a1 floods, shall withdraw this love

from Chrift;-nor all:thetreasures, and pleasures;and credit, which.the substance

= of an oe house rs 1 procure us;shall

w-comparison: of

| Crist zo vathbokd our hearrs from him.

We have'allintle sifter, \and. she hath no breaits, what fhall we dafor our sister, inthe day when sbe shall spoken for.

We have 4 little fister, gre.) The Church of Fudea and Afjria hearing of. __" people

[2445 The coalousdour ofthe Charch1e Cb. Oh 8;

| Chi.8.7h; Church of Egypt why little Sifter. 245 /

| e growirg up & coming on in Feypt.,

| RS oltekens what course totalefor ] them for theirgrowth and cftablishmenr.

A little ffter.] 1n comparison of the | 1fa.rg.18. j apa Fr _ bar! five = in the Exypt speak t gnage of Canaan, and An. shall be called the City of deftruttion.

And she hath no breafts.] No Ministers eo give to them the sincere milk ofthe Word or the meanes of consolation in | their 0 gong abr wy 7p: | Isa.g.20, | Inthe day when [bee spoken for. ] | | When the fulnesse of time shall come, | | that she shall grow up to sucha multitude | | of Professors, as may be fit to have a | | settled Church established amongst them; for there is a company grown up to be a fit Spouse for Christ. When there are so many good Christians as may constitute a well ordered Church.

Iffhe be 4 wall, we will build upon her apa- | Verse g. | © | lace of silver: and ifsbe be a doore, wee will 01 | | enclose her with boards of Cedar.

: If (he be a wall, we will build, That is, if - | | | she havea Christian Magistracy; for the 1] F| Magistrate is a wall. First, high, to keep out invasions of

[246 The Church of porn tiek Sifter. Chi.8.!

| enemies; eveti so doth he our forain evills from breaking in upon his people. | Secondly, Hose to brett in his poople within bounds from breaking our into! disorder. | © © 81 Thirdly, Brine wheteon to redre Gf occasion be) flo & Palace, whercon to | | | fi | lay the frame of a good motion,or course V ro 'be taken for publick good. fu Fourthly, a wall of partition, to divide b between right and wrong, to give every || | man his owne, " | * Wee_- will build upon her 4 silver palace. h Wee will make her garment honourable th and wealthy, If fbe be a doore.] That is, if shehave |} |® faithfull Ministers, which as a door open || | ©: the way to Christ, that the people may || | © y goe in and out and find pasture in him:|| | * Wee_ will inclose her with boards of Cedar. F F |

Cedar is a timber thatwill neither rot,nor breed worms,and so will endure alwaics; whence it was that the Heathen made Plis.ibas, their Simwlackra deorum, Images of their paay gods of this wood, to make them seeme || |* erernall. These. Sister-Churches then promise, that if their little Sister of E- £ypt have any faithfull Ministers, the W

—

Ch.8.Chrift will himself care for bis Church. 2.49 |

1 am 4 wall, and my breasts like towers: then

| w4s T in his eyes as one that found favour.

The little fister of Zgypt resolveth her sisters, that she wants neither Christian Magistrates, nor faithfull Ministers, so full of wholesome Dodrine, as that her _ : well like __ ; Mrs yct shee acknowledgeth.ro be a singular m and favour of Christ, and ascribeth her store to his praise: Then was I 45 one that found favour in his eyes.

Solomon had 4 vineyard in Baal-Hamen: A place fo fruitfull, that for excellency it was called the Lord of a multirude, or the owner of great encreale, Hee let out the vineyard to keepers, who paid him a great rent, even thousands for the fruit of it, and yet hada good portion, certaine hundreds for their own panes.

To wit, I let not out my vineyard to Q 4 others,

Verse In,

£438 The Catholick Charch whereit dwells.Ch\$: | others, bur 1 kept it my felfe alwaies, let Solomon take his thousands for his fruits of his vineyard, and the ' Reapers their hundreds; I will not fo doe, buttake all the paines to keep my vineyard, and reap all the gaines'of the fruits thereof tom selfe. Thi meaning is, when Christ hat gathered all these Churches of the Jews, Assyrians, Egyptians, and ' neighbour- Nations, he will then keep his Church with his mighty power,that neither Draons, nor wilde Bores, nor Foxes shall cafter root it up,or make havock of it, as intime past. they have done: This is expresly foretold, and sh3ll come to passe *16.27.x, | after the destrution of Leviathan the —;, * | great Turke*. Verse 13. | Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken 10 thy voice, cause me to heare it.

Thou that dwellest in the gardens.) The Participle being of the Feminine gender, sheweth that it is the Church not Christ that is here spoken to, who is faid to dwell in the garden, to wit, in the parti- | cular Churches, as the sea dwelleth in | each particular Countrey fea, the Ger-

| man ea, the Spanish sea, the m_ ro

CETT IL

— — ennnagnor SAN ASRYS

—

BCLS ES: £.

| Chirhe Dabelict Chireb where ir dui, nap th

&c.So the Catholick Church is divided

| into particular-Churches, or the Jewish 1M Church dwelleth'by her authority and diredtions in all other Churches.

The companions hearkning to thy word (or voice) cause me to heare it, ] Sothe words in the originall which implycth cither that Church would have the Mother Church ofthe:Jews take care of all other Christian Churches, and give dircftions unto them, and yet not as unto her hahdmaids,butas to her companions; orelse if the words be read according tothe translation, The companions hearken to thy voice, cause -me to heare it : They imply, that after the calling of these Churches, this shall be their constant estate ro the worlds end, as they shall all

First, embrace one another as companions, not claiming Romish PI

Secondly, hearkento the voice and direions of the Mother Church, (in Sololomons daies for wisedometo him.)

Thirdly, continue in calling upon the Name of Christ without dissipation and interruption tothe end,

Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to 4 Roe,or to a young Hart upon the mountain of

| spices. This

—

Verse 14.

i 250 Gentilarwat ca of the Foner calbug. Ch.B,

''Fhis is the w_ of all the Churches; 'now thar: shed, the which' P sand Apostles ' have fore-told; that Christ would hasten his last coming as swiftly and quickly, as the swiftest of the creatures; the Roe}, or 1oung Hart, to take them up with himselfe into the highest Heavens ofthe Moun+ taines of spices, . where arc all manner of spices, where arc all manner of {weet and and: pleasant things, even fulnefse of joy at Gods ri for evermore. Thus is the erid of the Revefaichfull soule saith: in like sense, Come Lord Fesus, come wo |

The Use of thisis, rt,to teach us that the Nations of the Gentiles shall not be

cast off| from the. fellowship of the Church, when the Jewes are called, as

in* ; but even after theircalling, new Churches of the Gentiles shall be brought in , yea, their conversion shall bring from the dead into the world:What shal the receiving

of them be, but life fromthe dead? yea, the

Gemtiles sball bring their glory to it, yea, the

things are-accompli- |

lations.The Spirit and the Bride, and every |

the Jewes were out of the Church, that | . | the Gentiles might be

| | doubting hinder our-sweet communion

much more may we hopethen that these.Churches of Christcndome; whichhave | suffered so much with Christ, and:rfor him, under the the Beaft,and the Turk, shall with theglory of these Charches of the: Jewes when the time shall come. |

Secondly, this doth teach us how to attaine fellowship add holy fanbiliarity | with Christ, even by faith, Icaningupon | him as 'our beloved , infidclity: and

with Christ, labour wee thereforeto abandonir from us.

Thirdly, wee may here sec the duty of inferiour Magistrates whar ir is, even to | see that the Church be raised up under | them, how much more to countenance and proteR it with their shadow, and to comfort it with the fruit of their sweet | and wholesom lawes and cxamples?

Fourthly, this may serve for tryall of the goodnesse of our attetions to Christ if wethirst after his deep afteRion to us, and continuall remembrance of us, if we labour to subdue our sclyes and all ours|

Use 3;

Use 3.

Use 4+

ro'him; if wee jealously warre against all | that ' which might' impaire. our love to{fi