Exposition of the Song of Solomon, Part 2

Exposition of the Song of Solomon · Part 2

p. 75OBSERVATIONS on the Song of Solomon for the comfort of euerie true Beli…er.

CHAP. I.

VERS. 1.

[A ſong &c.]

THis excellent Song concontaineth a deſcription of the ſtate of a Chriſtian man after he is once vnited vntounto Chriſt, during our whole life, whileſt wee walke here by faith, and not by ſight. This is the ſumme of the Booke. The parts are two, One the ſtate of ſuch a Chriſtian when his faith and holineſſe of life are at p. 76the higheſt, his ſigne in the Appogaeon or middeſt of Heauen, that it cannot alter any point but it muſt decline, when he ſaileth with winde and weather, and hath the Sunne-ſhine of Gods fauour to goe before him; that is whileſt he enioyeth peace of conſcience, quietneſſe and tranquility of minde, and is free from thoſe great offences that make a kinde of ſeparation between Chriſt and him, in the foure firſt Chapters. The other part ſetteth forth the ſtate of a true Chriſtian, comming to himſelfe after that earth lineſſe and worldly pleaſures hauehave ſeized vponupon him, when the cloudes and miſtes of of his owne ſinfulneſſe, of drouſineſſe and carnall ſecurity, doe ouercaſt the face of the heauens, and darken and eclipſe the brightneſſe of his glorie, in the foure laſt Chapters. The ſtate of a Chriſtian liuing in peace and quietneſſe of a good conſcience, hath three excellent ſteppes. Firſt his louelove of Chriſt, in the firſt Chapter. Secondly the benefits here ceiu…th from him, in the Second Chapter. 3. A deſire to be made perfect Chap. 3. Whereunto Chriſt giueth anſwere, in the fourth Chapter.

The louelove of a Chriſtian ſoule to Chriſt (which is not poſſible to bee in any till Chriſt hauehave firſt loued him, and wrought in his heart a feeling of that louelove) the holy Ghoſt doth thus deſcribe.

O) Firſt the vehemency of his affection, noting true z…ale. For this louelove is all fierie, and kindleth and enflameth the very bowels of the heart.

Let him …ſſe, &c. Secondly a deſire to bee knit p. 77vntounto him as neere as is poſſible to enioy his ſweete and bleſſed coniunction.

For thy loues are excellent, better then wine.] Thirdly a preferring of the louelove of Chriſt before all worldly things, and aboue all the pleaſures and delights of this preſent life.

Becauſe &c.] Fourthly, a magnifying and extolling of Chriſt, whoſe very name and the only remembrance of him is moſt ſweet & fragrant, which draweth the Chriſtian heart vntounto a louelove, and in louelove to an admiration of him.

The virgins.] This louelove if you conſider the quality thereof, is chaſt, holy, pure, and they only louelove Chriſt who keepe themſelues vndefiled from worldly pollution and vncleaneſſe.

Draw mee] The efficient cauſe is not in our ſelues, it commeth from Chriſt alone, who ſpeaking to our heart by the miniſtery of the Word, and the ſweet allurements of his ſpirit, pulleth vsus out of this preſent euill world, and draweth vsus after him.

Then will wee runne.] Heereby ſtrength is put into vsus, which maketh our feete nimble, and ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace to runne after Chriſt, and with might and maine to performe all holie duties to him,

Let the King] Whereunto wee are enabled by the corroborating ſpirit of Chriſt, into whoſe hands God the Father hath committed all things, and giuen him all power in Heauen and vponupon the earth, making him both Lord and Chriſt p. 78the King and ruler of his Church.

Bring me into his primie chambers.] Who in his fauour and princely bounty communicateth vntounto vsus more and more the rich graces and treaſures of his Spirit, maketh vsus more inward with him, and and leadeth vsus as it were by the hand into his priuy chambers, thoſe goodly roomes and parlours, where are all the Iewells and precious things laid vp for his people,

Wee will reioyce, &c.) This draweth from vsus ioy in the holy Ghoſt, glorious and vnſpeakeable.

Wee will record &c.) It maketh vsus neuer to ſatisfie our ſelues in ſetting forth and publiſhing vntounto other the ſweete comforts wee hauehave in him.

They ſhall &c.) Whom alſo wee deſire to bee made pertakers hereof, and to louelove Chriſt as well as wee.

Who in all rightneſſe doe louelove thee.) For ſuch men onelyonly, the holy and righteous are the ſiluer trumpets fit to ſound forth Gods praiſes in his ſanctuari…. O if we euer felt how ſweet a thing it is to hauehave his praiſes in our mouth, let vsus not commit by word and deed, that through our owne folly and looſeneſſe ſo great a comfort ſhould be taken from vsus.

I] Laſtly wee are carefully to remooue all lets and impediments that may hinder their approach to Chriſt.

…) Conflicts we hauehave great and grieuous with p. 79our owne ſoules, many a pluck and wreſtle; but by faith wee ouercome them all.

black) Wee confeſſe our owne wretchedneſſe of ourſelues more black then any blackamore, and therefore vnworthy to be matched with ſo great a King: for wee are borne in ſinne and conceiued in iniquity, and are by nature the children of wrath, euen wee that liue in the Church, and are borne within the outward couenaunt, aſwell as other men. Eph. 2. Gal. 2.

but comlie.) But being purged and waſhed by the lauer of the new birth, wee are gracious and pleaſing vntounto Chriſt, more amiable and bewtifull in his eies then Solomon with all his brauery could bee to the eie of any mortall creature.

Looke not vponupon mee) True it is, the world ſeeth not this honour which Gods children hauehave becauſe it is ſpiritually diſcerned: it acknowledgeth not vsus becauſe it knoweth not him.

Yet the Chriſtian man comfort…th himſelfe himſelfe in the teſtimony of his owne conſcience, and and in Gods iudgement and eſtimation of him.

becauſe I am blackiſh) Though hee carrie about many remnants of ſinne, the reliques of his old Adam, and is manifoldly aſſaulted with the pricks & temptations of the fle… ▪ For ſinne is in vsus as the ſpots are in the Leopard, not by accident, but by nature, which no art can cure, no water waſh off, becauſe they are not in the skinne, but in the fleſhe & bones, in the ſinowes & in the moſt inner parts.

By this meanes it commeth to paſſe that euen a p. 80regenerate man falleth many times, and falleth grieuouſly and fearefully, lofeth of his hold, and of the bewty that God hath giuen him.

Howbeit the ſeede of God abiding in him maketh that he cannot ſinne finally and totally: for the oyle of Gods ſpirit where with hee is annointed, ſetteth the colours, which are of his owne tempering, ſo ſure on, and maketh them cleaue ſo faſt together, that it is impoſſible hee ſhould euer returne to his old hew, to be black, all black, coaleblack as he was before.

The holineſſe therefore of a Chriſtian is alwaies mingled with ſinne, his ſiluer with much droſſe, not as chaffe is mingled with corne, but as wine is mingled with water, or as when two colours, black and white are mingled together, that there is no part white but it is blackiſh alſo.

Becauſe the Sunne hath caſt his beames vponupon mee) Hence it is that a Chriſtian is ſubiect to much affliction, anguiſh and diſtreſſe, as it were to the ſcorching of the Sunne, which turne all his moiſture into the drought of Somer.

Becauſe the ſonnes of my mother incenſed againſt me) Eſpecially his ſinnes and infirmities expoſe him to the taunts and reproaches of the wicked, open mens mouthes againſt him, and againſt the holy trueth of God for his ſake, who vponupon eueryevery ſlip are ready to take aduantage to ſcandalize the Goſpell.

Hereby a chriſtian is exceedingly humbled, and caſt downe, and driuen to renounce and for ſake p. 81armes. Neyther can he euer, ſatisfie his own ſoule, but d…reth alwaies to reſt there, without any the leaſt interruption.

It is the voice) The cauſe of all comfort to the Church is the voice of Chriſt, ſpeaking to her heart, and mouing and perſwading her by his Spirit.

His dealings are by degrees, and he vſeth not (ordinaryly) to vtter all his fauours at once.

of my well-beloued:) Firſt is his power ſupporting vsus, that in our ſpirituall ſickneſſe the ſpirit bee not quenched.

Behold him,) Then hee ſpeaketh a farre of, whiſpering as it were in our heart.

hee commeth) After hee commeth neeror, at the length hee is himſelfe preſent.

Lepping, skipping) When he commeth, his comming hath foure excellent properties. Firſt it is haſtely and with ſpeede.

VponUpon theſe hilles, vponupon theſe hillocks,) Secondly, no ſinnes of ours, no vnworthineſſe, can hinder his approach: all things, high or lowe, great or ſmall offences, are too little for to ſtay him.

Standeth behind &c.) Thirdly, he doth not com ſo to our ſenſes as wee deſire: hee communicateth not▪ his whole preſence with vsus, but ſtandeth as it were behind the wall: ſo as there is a ſpace betweene him and vsus to keepe him from vsus: Hee looketh but out of a caſement, or as it were thorough a Lattice: for now wee ſee but darkely, and in a riddle.

p. 82Shewing himſelfe cheerefully.] Yet neuer the le…e (which is the fourth thing) this fight of his is moſt cheerefull, moſt ſweet vntounto the ſoule that loueth him: no p…ant, no tree, no flower, ſo delightfull to the outward ſenſes, as Chriſt is to the true beleeuer.

My well-beloued ſpake] But the dull heart of a Chriſtian man had neede of the continuall voice of Chriſt, that hee ſhould call and crie vntounto vsus, ſpeake, and ſpeake againe,

ariſe, &c.) (And the ſame words againe elegantly repeated in the end of the thirteenth verſe) Yea v…e all art and eloquence that may be to ſtirre vsus vp to ſeek him,

my fellow friend, my faire one) And ſpeak with all kindneſſe vntounto vsus, that we may the better be perſwaded he doth it for our good.

And here is the honour a Chriſtian man hath, that Chriſt calleth vsus not any more ſeruants, but his friends, and fellowes.

It is Chriſt that ſpeaketh in the miniſtery of the Word. And we muſt heare the meſſengers whom hee doth ſend, as if Chriſt by them beſought vsus: be reconciled vntounto God. 1. Cor. 5.20.

For behold,) The cauſe why Chriſt withdraweth himſelfe is our owne ſecurity and negligence in ſeeking to him, our ſlacknes in prayer and other holy exerciſes.

The winter &c.] The time whileſt wee lie in ſinne is a heauy and diſcomfortable time; there is no pleaſure to be taken in the baſe ſeruice of ſuch a p. 83maſter: for what fruit can we hauehave of thoſe things whereof wee muſt be aſhamed? the whole life of a wicked man, what is it elſe but a ſea of miſery, full of feares & terrours, and expectation of the iudgement to come? which ſhould make vsus haſtely and with ſpeed to labour to winde out of it.

The flowers appeare &c.) Contrariwiſe a Chriſtian mans life (whatſoeuer the world deeme) is the onelyonly ſweete and comfortable life, like to the pleaſant ſpring that refreſheth all the ſences: as hauing all things freſh and greene, and flouriſhing to the eies: all dainty to be cut and pruined with the hands: all cheerefull to the eares in the melodious noiſe and ſinging of the birds: all fruitfull and ſweete to the taſte: all odoriferous and pleaſing to the ſmell: For a Chriſtian man hath peace of conſcience that paſſeth vnderſtanding, which the world hath not, nor knoweth what it meaneth: a Chriſtian man is full of ioy wrought in him by the holy Ghoſt, whom the world cannot receiue: a chriſtian man whatſoeuer his eſtate bee, good or bad, ſtrengthneth himſelfe in his God, as Dauid did when his Cittie was ſpoyled,1. Sam. 30. 6.1 Sam 30:6 onelyonly the bare walles left, both his wiues carried away captiues, and the people ready to ſtone him to death: for well he is aſſured that nothing falleth out but for his good, and in louelove and mercy to him; a Chriſtian man hath acceſſe to God in all his troubles and aduerſities, familiar conference and communication with him, & goeth boldly vntounto the thron of grace: a chriſtian man is endued with ſpirituall glorie p. 84and wiſedome, which doubleth the beautie of his countenance, and maketh his face to ſhine: a Chriſtian man hath the holy Angels of God, thoſe glorious and moſt renowmed creatures, to be as it were his ſeruants, for they ſerue Chriſt, with whom he is one: Laſtly, a Chriſtian mans honour is not in regard of this life onelyonly, but as a crowne of future excellencie, hee hath faſtened in his heart the anchor of hope to ſtay and quiet his minde in all the ſtonnes and tempeſts here, till he arriue at the hauen of all his reſt.

Ariſe)… Now the more theſe things excell, the more we muſt enforce our ſelues to follow after them: to purſue them ſpeedily, to goe out of our ſelues and to come to Chriſt: by anie meanes taking heede that the pleaſures of Sodome, the filthie pleaſures of our former life, and of this wicked world, make vsus not looke backe vntounto them, but to caſt them off with all our might, and to flie aware from them.

My fellow-friend, my faire one &c.) There is not anie ſo effectuall an argument to prouoke men hereunto, and to ſtirre vsus vp to godlineſſe, as the conſideration of Gods merciemercy, and of the dignity we hauehave by Chriſt.

My Doue that dwelleft in the cliftes, &c.) But though the ſtate of a Chriſtian man be ſuch and ſo excellent as before hath beene deſcribed, yet to humble him that hee be not proude, God leaueth, as it were, prickes and thomes in his ſide, as he did to the Iſraelites, manifold infirmities, which make p. 85him to bluſh for ſhame, and not to dare to ſhewe his face: thinking in very truth moſt baſely of himſelfe, and that hee is of all the world the meaneſt: not worthie to come almoſt in the ſight and preſſe of men: how much leſſe into the glorious ſight and preſence of God?

Shew me thy face make me heare thy voice:) Notwithſtanding the teſtimonie of his conſcience; walking in ſimplicitie and ſinceritie as before the Lord, maketh him (emboldned by the word of God) to lift vp his head to come before him, and to call vponupon his name.

For thy voice is ſweete, and thy face comelie.) Which the Lord graciouſly accepteth, and is well pleaſed with: accounting his perſon holie, and his praiers, and other the fruites of his faith, ſweet and acceptable through Chriſt.

Foxes,) It is the perpetuall lot and condition of the Church to nouriſh in her boſome ſecret enemies, that cloſely vndermine the good of it: for all that are in Iſraell are not of Iſrael; and manie are among vsus that are not of vsus: but God in his good time will diſcouer hypocrites; how foxe-like ſoeuer they carrie themſelues.

Take vsus, &c.) Some mens ſinnes are manifeſt afor…hand, going before vntounto iudgement, and ſome mens follow after; but thoſe that are of this ſort cannot be hidden. The ſword of diſcipline is to be drawen by the Miniſters, and other into whoſe hand God hath put it, for the cutting off of knowen offendours, and remouing of all offenſes.

p. 86The Foxes,) Great ones are not to bee ſpared though they be as iolly foxes, as Herod was.

The little Foxes;] The ſmall cubbes are not to bee neglected, though they can but nibble at the Vines.

Which destroie the Vines:) All euill, and occaſion, and ſhew of euill is to bee remoued: ſo much the more carefully, becauſe from little beginnings growe great proceedings: and a ſmall offence in the Church of God, manie times, turneth men awaie from the louelove of the truth before they be ſetled in it.

Whileſt our Vines are bringing forth the firſt grape.) Sathan alſo is euer buſieſt to ſeduce and drawe vsus from the faith, when Chriſt is firſt borne within vsus: waiting to eate vp, and deſtroy the children of the Church as ſoone as ſhe is deliuered.

Hereby the vſe, the excellencie, the neceſſitie of diſcipline is ſeene: it reſtraineth offences that they breake not forth, it ſtaieth them where a breach is begunne.

My Welbeloued,) After manie conflicts with our owne ſoule, God maketh vsus in the end of feele more liuely our fellowſhip with Chriſt.

Is mine, and I am his,) The roote and fountaine of all our happineſſe, is our coniunction, and communion with him.

Who feedeth in Lillies:) The fruites comming from it, excellent: for CHRIST our Shepheard feedeth his flocke in moſt ſweete and delicate paſtures.

p. 87Till that daie breath▪ ) The two principall things which a Chriſtian is to wiſh for, and deſire after, are perfection in heauen by the comming of Ieſus Chriſt, and conſtancie and perſeuerance vntounto that day.

And theſe miſtes flie awaie.) In this life manie miſtes and ſhadowes are caſt before our eyes, much ignorance of God and of holy duties: which that bright and glorious comming of our Lord and Sauiour, (as the riſing of the Sunne,) will ſcatter all awaie.

p. 88CHAP. III.

VERS. 1. 2.

In my bed anightes, &c.

THe childe of God hath manie times great vnquietneſſe of mind for lack of the feeling of Chriſt.

Being ſo affected as a man deſolate and without comfort, he ſeekes after him in al places & at all times, in the night and by day, a bedde and when he is vp, at home and without doores; in the Citie, by the ſtreetes and the lanes, and abroad in the fields; by prinate prayer and meditation with his owne ſoule: by vſing the helpe, counſell, and aduiſe of godly brethren; by ſeeking for comfort at the hands of the Miniſters of the word. Such is his deſire and vnwear…ed trauaile for the finding of Chriſt.

Here is the vſe wee ſhould make of being priuate: and this is a holy ſpending of our time, when we employ it in ſtirring vp our ſoules to be aſſured of the mercies of God in Chriſt: not, (as the world for the moſt part doth), in ſtudying how to wreake our malice, or to compaſſe other wicked deſires, neither yet in idle and fruitleſſe paſtimes.

p. 89himſelfe, to goe out of himſelfe, and to be no bodie in his owne e…es.

But yet hee looketh vntounto Chriſt, whoſe garments of righteouſneſſe are broade, and large and wide enough to couer all imperfections: and who of his free grace is pleaſed to accept him, and to beſtow vponupon him the ornaments of his Spirit, whereby howſoeuer in much weakeneſſe and in the middeſt of manie fraileties, yet in the truth and ſoundneſſe of his heart, being ſincere and vpright before him, albeit the leaſt of theſe things were enough to diſcourage him from euer comming vntounto Chriſt, or hauing any more to doe with him, yet neither for other mens reproaches, nor for all the conſcience of his owne infirmities hee leaueth to ſeeke vntounto him, to call and crie vponupon him, for whither elſe ſhould he goe but to things that cannot profit?

hauehave made me a keeper of other vines, &c.) There commeth yet a further miſchiefe; home-enemies, borne and bredde in the boſome of the Church, which as vipers eat out the bowels of their mother, and make naturall rents, and breaches among their owne brethren.

For God euermore leaueth in his Church ſome vnquiet ſpirits to gall them, for the tryall of the faith of his children, that the approued among them may be knowne.

And let men pretend what they lift, ſet what face they will vponupon it, it is the hatred of the truth, and of the profeſſors of the truth, that maketh them p. 90ſo to ſtirre: becauſe worldly minded men cannot abide the ſincerity of the Goſpell, that fighteth againſt their pompe, pride, and ambitious deſignes.

And howſoeuer they lay the fault from themſelues, and caſt it vponupon Gods children, that ſtick cloſe to the ordinances of God, as wayward and conceited perſons: yet in truth they are the factious, and thoſe that make diffention in the Church.

Howbeit the beſt men that are, the holieſt Churches, and moſt reformed aſſemblies, are often times turned out of the right waie, partly miſlead and ſeduced through a vaine al…urement of humane wiſdome, partly carried away by the violence of the ſtormes and tempeſts that theſe men raiſe againſt them.

Yet we muſt not pleaſe our ſelues in the deformities of the Church: our care muſt bee to hauehave al according to the paterne that was ſhewed in the mount.

Shew me where thou feedeſt, &c.) To this purpoſe we are wholy and throughout to ſubmit our ſelues to be ordered by the chiefe ſhepheard and Biſhop of our ſoules, for hee onelyonly muſt direct all neceſſarie things in his Church by the wiſedome of his Word: from him wee receiue the foode of ſweete and heauenly doctrine: hee it is that orde…eth our labour and our reſt, euen at noone day, the whole gouernment and guidance of his houſe.

O thou whom my ſoule loueth.) The ſins of Gods p. 75elect, through his wonderfull wiſdome that bringeth light out of darkeneſſe, and good out of euill; turne vntounto their comfort, make them more to call and crie vponupon Chriſt, to louelove him more with all their ſoule, to deſire more earneſtly to bee ioyned vntounto him, and to vſe all holy meanes of attaining thereunto.

Atnoone) And that with ſuch affection, that when other are reſting, or taking their repaſts, the chriſtian man can hauehave no comfort, nor eate his mea…e vnleſſe he be with Chriſt.

Thou feedeſt, thou makeſt thy flocke to l…e, &c.) This meanes of comming vntounto Chriſt is the miniſtry of the word in the Church and Congregation of Saints, which are, as it were, one fould vnderunder one Shepheard, feeding with the food of life.

For why ſhould I be as one that pitcheth her tents by the flocke of thy companions) Herein great care and circumſpection is to be had, that we ioine not our ſelues to falſe teachers which com vnderunder the name of Chriſts ſhepheards, but inwardly are rauening wolues.

If thou know not) In which behalfe the faithfull man though he be in Chriſt, and ſhine in the graces of the Spirit, yet laboureth of much ignorance, and is many times ouertaken, and therefore had neede to be inſtructed and ſet into the way:

Get thee out, &c.) Which is to trie the Spirits whe… they be from God, for the touchſtone of all doctrine is by the word, if it bee heauenly and celeſtiall, not ſauoring of the world.

p. 84VntoUnto the troope, &c) And being ſo, as many as walke according to this rule, the b…dge of the Iſrael of God, peace is vponupon them and merciemercy, ſuch a mans perſon is accepted to God, the graces and ornaments of the Spirit in him are ſweet and pleaſing.

Borders of gold we will make, Yea God, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghoſt, the moſt bleſſed and glorious Trinity, will dock and ſet him forth more and more, and beſtowe more good things vponupon him; and more enrich him with all heauenly bleſſings, transforming him from glory vntounto glorie.

My Spicknard giueth forth his ſmell.) Theſe promiſes comfort the Chriſtian ſoule, and bring a ſweet refreſhing to the ſenſes.

My Welbe loued is as a bundle of myr…h,) Acknowledging all to come from Chriſt, and from the vertue of his power.

Whoſe excellency we muſt conſider not ſimply, as it reſteth in himſelfe, but as by the ſweete influence of his graces, he maketh vsus pertakers of it.

And ſince he vouc…a…eth to beſtow theſe ſweete things vponupon vsus …u…n now whileſt wee are ſtrangers from him, and walke h…eby faith and not by ſight, what and how great things muſt thoſe needs be which then wee ſhall enioy when Chriſt, which is our life ſhall reneale himſelf… from hea…en?

Behold th… art faire &….) In the ioyfull expectation of which happy and bleſſed time that wee p. 85faint not nor be diſcouraged, Chriſt doth ſtill confirme his louelove vntounto vsus: and by his Word and the comfort of his ſpirit aſſureth vsus how pleaſing wee are in his ſight: both thorough our imputed righteouſneſſe, which maketh vsus faire, all faire before him: and for the fruits of holineſſe and ſanctification in a doue-like chaſtity, and ſimplicity without any guile.

Behold thou art &c.) Wee againe returne the praiſe of all this vntounto him who is our only righteouſneſſe, and through whom alone it is that we bring forth fruit alwaies freſh and flouriſhing, and acceptable vntounto God through the communion we hauehave with Chriſt, dwelling and walking in the middeſt of vsus as in his houſe and temples.

The bewty of our houſes &c.) The excellency of Chriſts glory is to be ſeen in the publick aſſemblies: we muſt not look for it in ciuil Courts & meetings, at faires & at markets, in paſtimes & ſports; in banqu…ting & feaſtings, though all theſe in their time and place be lawfull. But if we will ſee Chriſt in his bewty we muſt goe to the Church and congregation of his Saints, where the ſame ſhineth and ſhew…th it ſelfe in the miniſtery of the Word and Sacraments.

p. 78CHAP. II.

VERS. 1.

I am the Roſe &c.]

Al the good wee hauehave commeth from Chriſt, who is moſt ſweete himſelfe, and the author of ſweetneſſe vntounto others.

As a Lillie.) The Chriſtian thus formed and faſhioned by the mighty operation of his ſpirit, excelleth all the world beſide: for in them onelyonly are all ſound vertues to be found; Piety, Iuſtice, chaſtity, temperance, prudence, for titude, magnanimity, which eyther are not at all in the wicked, or at the leaſt they hauehave but a ſhadowe of them: dead and drie ſtalkes onelyonly, the flower and bloſſomes are in the godlie.

among th…rnes.) All men beefore they bee in Chriſt are but thornes: not only vnprofitable and void of good, but noxious and hurtful, repleniſhed with all euill.

As the Apletree &c. ſo is my well-beloued,) The Chriſtian man neuer ſatisfieth himſelfe with the magnifying of Chriſt,

vnderunder his ſhadow &c.) The ſhade of whoſe p. 79bowghs doth ſo refreſh his ſoule, that he delighteth to dwell and hauehave his aboade vnderunder it for euer: for hee onelyonly it is that with his ſweet ſhadow fenceth vsus from the burning wrath of God.

For ſweete is his fruit &c.] Being renewed by the holy Ghoſt hee conceiueth an incomparable delight in thoſe good things that are ſo wrought within him: In compariſon whereof he deſpiſeth all the gew-gawes, that the world ſo admireth and doateth after.

He brought me into his banqueting houſe,) The author of our vocation, regeneration, iuſtification, ſanctification, and ſaluation is Chriſt, whoſe owne moſt ſacred hands leade vsus to this ſweete and delightfull feaſt.

ha…ing louelove) The cauſe hereof is not in vsus, but from himſelfe, firſt louing vsus, and by his louelove as by a banner ſet before vsus, drawing vsus to louelove him againe, and to range our ſelues vnderunder his colours.

Yea, keeping vsus ſo neere about him and ſo faſt vntounto him, by the power of his Spirit, that it is impoſſible any ſhould pull vsus out of his hands, or that ſo much as one of thoſe ſhould periſh, whom God the Father hath giuen vntounto Chriſt.

Stay me, hold me vp.) The inſtrumentall cauſe he vſeth is the preaching of the Word by his miniſters and ſeruants.

with theſe flagons, with theſe apples:) The Word I ſay of reconciliation, which is the ioyful and glad tidings of our peace made with God, ſweeter then the hony and the hony combe, and therefore p. 88compared here to wine and apples: not the doctrine of the Lawe, which is the miniſtery of death and condemnation.

The aſſemblies of the Church where this heaue…ly Goſpell ſoundeth, are excellent helpes to quicken our dulneſſe, and to make vsus feele a greater meaſure of the louelove of Chriſt:

For I am ſick of louelove.) For the heart of a faithfull man, euen when it is beſt affected, is ſubiect to many qualmes, to much vexation and diſquietneſſe of minde: to bee euen ſick as it were, for the louelove of Chriſt becauſe he cannot enioy him as hee would. And then is the word preached moſt ſweete vntounto his ſoule.

His left &c) The whole vertue and power of the miniſtery commeth from Chriſt: they water and plant, but he only giueth the encreaſe, they doe their worthy endeauour to ſtay and vnderprop our faith, but that notwithſtanding, we ſhall ſhall ſoone fall to the ground, if Chriſt put not to his hand to keepe vsus vp.

Left hand, right hand.) Yea ſuch is our vntow. ardneſſe, the naturall corruption that is in vsus, ſo great, the worke of our new birth ſo marueilous, ſo hard to bee brought about, and to goe through with, that wee had neede of both the hands of Chriſt to bee about vsus, to claſpe and hold vsus faſt, leaſt we fall away.

I adiure &c.) The beleeuer is wrapt with an exceeding ioy and comfort when once hee feeleth himſelfe to hauehave Chriſt, and to lie as it were in his p. 89I ſought:) The conferences of Gods children, their confeſſion of ſinnes one vntounto another, and mutuall praiers for each other, whet one an other, as iron whetteth iron: and it is a ſweete thing to conuerſe with ſuch, by whom wee may this way receiue comfort.

The Wath-men &c.) Eſpecially the holy Miniſterie ſhineth moſt, and is the ſanctified meanes to bring vsus to Chriſt.

Yet God delayeth his comforts manie times, euen to thoſe that with vpright hearts and conſciences from the bottome of their ſoule ſeeke after him:

That wee may learne nor to depend vponupon the meanes, but vponupon God, and to attribute all to his grace and vertue.

Chriſt therefore is not alwaies to bee found to our minde, nor in our ſenſe and feeling, though we vſe all good and holy meanes for it.

Howbeit, for all that, he is indeed alwaies preſent with his people.

did ye ſee him whom my ſoule loueth?) The louelove of Chriſt cannot bee concealed: a man may ſooner keepe in the winde with his fiſte, or ſtay the oyntment of his right hand from bewraying it ſelfe (as it is Prou. 27. 16) then not to vtter his louelove to Chriſt, whomſoeuer he meet, fitly withall. I ſpake of thy Lawe before Princes (ſayth Dauid) and was not aſhamed.

I found him, &c.) Chriſt being ſought carefully and diligently, will at the length bee found according p. 90to his promiſe; Seeke and ye ſhall …, &c. he neuer returneth the deſires of his ſeruants emptie.

When I had paſt but a little from them) This he doth manie times when there is leaſt hope, and when all meanes hauehave beene vſed and doe not preuaile: for euen the ſeed of the word bringeth not forth fruit by and by, but lurketh and is buried vnderunder the cloddes of the earth till the time appointed for it to ſhoote vp and to ſhew it ſelfe.

whom my ſoule loueth.) He is then ſweeteſt to vsus when he hath ſeemed for a while to abſent himſelf, and to hauehave no minde of vsus. And that maketh him ſo oft to withdrawe the comfortable beames of his glorious preſence, that ſo he might whet our affections, and ſet an edge vponupon them.

I tooke hold on him,) For thus when he ſheweth himſelfe againe vntounto vsus, wee beginne to hauehave our faith reuiued, wee lay faſter holde vponupon him, and with all the powers of our ſoule, cleaue as neere vntounto him as euer we did before.

So we come to be poſſeſſed of ſpirituall ioy and gladneſſe, then we are brought abedde (as it were) in a ſweete ſleepe of the peace of conſcience, and then our heart is lifted vp to heauen with holie praiers and meditations.

not to let him goe till, &c.) The faithfull man, with purpoſe of heart cleaueth to the Lord, (as Barnabas did exhort, Act 11. 23.) and hath a holy purpoſe, and Chriſtian reſolution neuer to part from him vntounto the end.

p. 91I adiure you &c.) When a Chriſtian commeth to hauehave a feeling and apprehenſion of Chriſt, (eſpecially after hee hath once found what it is to lacke him) he is carefull to auoide all occaſions that may giuegive Chriſt cauſe to depart.

Come vp,) The thing that aboue all other affecteth a Chriſtian mans heart is the louelove and meditation of the heauenly glorie;

Out of the wilderneſſe,) In compariſon whereof he eſteemeth this world as a wildernes in regard of fruitfull and pleaſant fields. And longeth to come out of theſe rough and deſert places into the Lords champions.

Who is ſhe) It is indeed a hard piece of worke to leaue the world, to denie vngodlineſſe and worldly vanities, and to lift a mans heart and affection vp to heauen:

Becenſed with Mirrh, &c.) None can attaine vntounto it, but thoſe whoſe eies God ſhall cleer to ſee and behold the excellency of that place.

For the heauenly glorie dooth incomparably excell: there is all ſafety to the perſon:

All ſweetneſſe to the ſenſes:

All pretious things and riches, all pleaſures and delights.

The glorie of all the earth, Solomon himſelfe in his greateſt brauerie, is not to bee compared to it.

The glorie, the pleaſures and delights, which God giueth heere to the ſonnes of men, for their comfort and reioycing, muſt affect our hearts p. 92with a holie meditation to thinke how farre more excellent thoſe things bee that are aboue: and make vsus thereby the more earneſtly to ſeeke after them. This is the holie vſe wee are to make of the lawefull pleaſures of this life.

Comeforth and looke ye daughters of Tſijon,) It is the duetie of a Chriſtian man to ſtir vp other to this heauenly meditation, as Chriſt by his Spirit hath ſtirred him.

p. 93CHAP. IIII.

VERS. 1.

Behold, thou art &c.]

CHriſt much delighteth to ſee a Chriſtian ſo affected as is ſet forth in the former Chapter, and rendreth therefore due commendations: prayſing him for the graces that himſelfe hath beſtowed vponupon him, and ſo crowning his own gifts in him: with all, making him to ſee what is his bleſſed eſtate both in this life, and in the life to come.

Faire,) The true belieuer thorough faith in Chriſt, is moſt perfectly holy and righteous, both wholly and in euerie part: as hauing in him obtained by imputation the whole righteouſneſſe of the lawe.

The vertues which a Chriſtian is moſt to labour for, and which beſeeme him beſt are,

thine eyes are Doues eyes,) Firſt, Iudgement and ſingleneſſe in all his actions, to hauehave his eyes in his head as Solomon ſpeaketh; Eccleſiaſt. 2. 14.

p. 94Thy heart is like &c.) Secondly, ſobrietie and a comely cariage.

Thy teeth, &c.) Thirdly, holding faſt the truth of God by meditation and chewing of it.

Thy lippes, &c.) Fourthly, Gracious ſpeech, that our words be powdred with falt, for the profit and edification of the hearers.

Thy temples.) Fiftly, to affect more ſpirituall graces then worldly things.

Thy necke is as a Tower, &c.) Sixtly, Conſtancie in the waics of godlineſſe,

A thouſand Targets hang, &c.] And to hauehave alwaies in a readineſſe the compleat armour of Chriſtian Souldiers.

Thy two breasts, &c.) Seauently, To long after the ſincere milke of the word of God that we may growe vp by it. 1. Pet. 2. 2.

I will get me &c.) Chriſt is alwaies preſent and at hand to eueryevery true beleeuer, euen now whileſt hee is in the pilgrimage of this world to comfort him in all his neceſſities.

Theſe ſhadowes] The holineſſe and ſanctification which we hauehave wrought within vsus in this life, is weake and imperfect, ſubiect to much ignorance, and manie ſhadowes, ſo as wee are neuer here to dreame of purity or perfection.

Flie awaie.) But the time ſhall certainly come when we ſhall put off theſe r…gges and be cloathed with immortalitie.

Thou art all ſaire, &c.) Our holineſſe now imperfect and mingled with ſo much corruption p. 95ſhall be made perfect that no ſpot or wemme ſhall be left in vsus.

With …e ſhalt thou come] None ſhall periſh of thoſe whom God hath giuen vntounto Chriſt.

From Lebanon, from the top of Amana, from the top of Sheuir and Hermon,) The furtheſt and moſt remote places cannot keepe them: the craggedeſt and rougheſt thickets cannot detaine them; the height nor depth cannot conceale them:

From the dennes of Lions: From the mountaines of Leopards,) The cruelleſt and moſt ſauage enemies of the Church ſhall not be able to hurt them: nor hell gates to preuaile againſt them. Heere is the comfort of Gods people.

But this we muſt arme our ſelues for, that whileſt we continue here, wee are to liue amongſt Lions and Leopards, barbarous and fierce enemies, Tyrants and oppreſſours: we muſt looke for baniſhments and impriſonments, to wander in the mountaines, to be throwen in holes and dennes, to be afflicted, perſecuted, diftreſſed (as you hauehave examples of it, Heb. 11.) This is the perpetuall condition of the Church of God.

By how much the more wee are to waite for that happy time, when as in the yeere of Iubile we ſhall all returne vntounto our poſſeſſions againe: when wee ſhall heare no more the voice of the exactor, and when the ſeruant ſhall bee free from his Maiſter.

Thou ſhalt looke downe from, &c.) This ſhall heape vp ioy vponupon ioy to vsus, that wee ſhall then p. 96looke ouer theſe men, that is, triumph ouer them, that now ſo dominier ouer vsus: when not only out ſelues ſhall be in heauen in the place of all happineſſe, but hauehave before vsus and in our eies the ſight of their miſery.

Thou haſt rauiſhed &c.) God is not onelyonly delighted, but in a manner rauiſhed with a louelove of his graces in vsus.

my ſiſter) For he doth behold vsus as the bretheren of Chriſt: brethren both by vnity of the ſame nature, and communion with one heauenly Father.

Spouſe) Yea neerer then brethren, being euen heere eſpouſed and betrothed to him.

How faire &c.) And kept by the annointing of the ſpirit, that wee cannot fall away, but abide and continue his for euer,

Which giueth vsus more contentment and heartſeaſe, then all pleaſures that are earthly.

Thy lips drop the hony combe: &c) The tongue of eueryevery Chriſtian (not only of a miniſter in the pulpit, though that eſpecially) and the dropping of his lippes, euen in his priuate and familiar diſcourſes, is ſweeter then the hony or the honycombe, as that which giueth grace to the hearers:

the ſauour of thy garments, is as the ſauour of Lebanon.) Such an one is moſt pleaſing to God, of as fragrant a ſmell as the ſmell of Libanus.

My ſiſter ſpouſe is) The Church of God hath two ſingular prerogatiues aboue all other companies and ſocieties of men.

p. 97as a gardaine &c.) Firſt it is the pillar and ground of truth: for there onelyonly are the plants of the Lords owne ſetting there is the well head, and there onelyonly flow the ſweete ſtreames of pure doctrine. It is vari…ty, errour, ſuperſtition and deceit whatſoeuer commeth not from hence.

ſhut, ſealed vp,) Secondly it is holy, no polluted or vncleane thing can enter or hauehave aboade in it.

ſpring, fountaine,) The preaching of the Word is as a ſpring that warereth and maketh to encreaſe all the beds and plants of the Church of God.

A Chriſtian man knowing his fruits to he moſt ſweete vntounto God,

Is deſirous to bring forth plenty, and acknowledging al to com from God, continually prayeth to be inſpired and breathed vponupon by his good ſpirit to performe it.

fountaine of the gardaines) Chriſt is the onelyonly fountain that watreth al the parts of the Church his gardaine: the miniſters are onelyonly his inſtruments, and can doe nothing but water and plant: all the encreaſe commeth from Chriſt.

O well of liuing waters, &c.) The graces hee beſtoweth vponupon his Church are abundant and infinite, as liuing waters that continually ſpring and flow abroade.

O North, O South, &c. Let thoſe waters ouerſlow the ſpices of it.) Hee neuer denyeth his ſpirit to thoſe that aske it with a true faith, but is ready to graunt the deſire of his ſeruants to make them fruitfull, p. 98and aboundant in eueryevery good grace.

Let my wellbeloued come, &c.) And the thing which a Chriſtian man aboue all the world deſires, is the preſence of Chriſt.

I am come into my gardaine &c.) Yet there being ſomewhat alwaies corrupt in our deſires, it is many times good for Gods faithful children to goe without the things, euen the ſpirituall and heauenly things, which they moſt long after.

…te my fellow friends &c.) The Spirits of the righteous deceaſed, doe now enioy in heauen euerlaſting happineſſe.

This is our comfort againſt death; that thereby we change the miſeries of this life with vnſpeakable and endleſſe pleaſures.

p. 99CHAP. V.

VERS. 1.

I being aſleepe,]

A Chriſtian man, euen the beſt, is many times ouertaken with earn all ſecurity, falleth into a traunce or ſlumber, forgetteth himſelfe and his heauenly calling, and is lulled a ſleepe with the pleaſures and delights of this preſent wicked world: Not keeping that watch ouer his owne ſoule which hee ought: (Mathew 25. They all ſlept: the wiſe virgins as well as the fooliſh)

but my heart awake.) Yet his faith (for all that) gooth not quite out but lyeth hid and couered vnderunder the aſhes, it is ſmothered, but not extinct; as may bee ſeene in Peter, of whom our Sauiour beareth witneſſe, I hauehave prayed for thee, that, in the middeſt of that moſt dangerous fal, thy faith ſhould not faile.

Heere is one maine difference betweene the children of God and others: One ſinne of infirmity, the other wilfully: all ſleepe indeede, but the godly doe but ſlumber or winke, when the p. 100wicked ſleepe ſoundly, ſleepe heart and all, they ſleepe that they ſnort againe, the wicked commit ſinne with all their heart, from the very ſoule (as the Prophet … children hauehave a reſiſtance within, and ſtriue and ſight againſt it in ſom ſort, euen then when they are moſt ouertaken with the … of the fleſh: their heart is ſound with God: ſinne dwelleth, but raigneth not in them: they groan… vnderunder the burden of it, miſlike it as touching the inner man: there is a ſtrife within them in their very bowells, as beetweene Rebeccaes twinnes (a type of the Church, and of eueryevery faithfull man.) To conclude, in the godly there is a ſtriffe betweene their heart and their heart, but in the wicked onelyonly between their heart and their conſcience.

I being) The Chriſtian delighteth to make conſeſſion of his ſinnes, to acknowledge his owne wretchedneſſe and vnworthineſſe, that God may hauehave the greater glory. Hee ſticketh not himſelfe to hauehave bluſhing checkes, ſo honour & praiſe may come to God and is not aſhamed to be the trumpe…or of his owne reproach. This is true repentance.

aſleepe &c.) One marke there of is a holy anger and … againſt ourſelues, amplifying and enlarging all the circumſtances of our …, to make it more odious, and to bring vsus vntounto a greater loathing of it.

but my heart awakel) But the Chriſtian though before God and men hee make confeſſion of his p. 101…ault, and it be the property of true repentance for a man to aggrauate, not to leſſen his offence, as not ſatisfying his owne ſoule with a deteſtation of his wicked waies; yet hee vſeth alſo a holy excuſe and defence, that Sathan by his ouercharging of himſelfe (to vſe the Apoſtles phraſe 2. Cor. 2. 5.) take not aduantage to caſt him downe further then is meete, and to driue him into deſpaire: Hee therefore wreſtleth with his owne ſoule to gather all arguments that may bee to his conſcience, that theſe his offences were done of frailety and through infirmity of the fleſh, that his heart is ſincere & vpright to God; that his faith, though ſore ſhaken was not quite battered and ouercome &c. This is the wiſdome of a ſound Chriſtian: And heere is a noble example of that other marke of repentance which the Apoſtle (2. Cor. 7. 11.) calleth an Apologie or cleering of ones ſelfe.

the voice of my well-beloued,) True repentance commeth not from our ſelues, it commeth by the preuenting grace of Chriſt: not onelyonly that repentance which is our firſt conuerſion to God, but the raiſing of vsus vp, when being conuerted wee fall into any ſinne.

The principal cauſe of this our conuerſion is the Spirit of Chriſt knocking at the doore of our heart.

The meanes is his voice ſpeaking to our outward ears, ſpecially by the miniſtery of the Word and ſacraments, as principal: but further alſo in a ſecondarie degree, by chaſtiſements and corrections.

p. 102Bounſing,) Wee hauehave neede that God ſhould call vponupon vsus earneſtly, vehemently, and in moſt effectuall manner. So carnall are we of our ſelues, and ſo vntoward to hearken to him.

Yea, we had need againe and againe to be beaten vponupon, and all little enough. So you hauehave the truth of that which Elehu telleth Ioh, God ſpeaketh once and twice, and a man doth not diſcerne it. Iob. 33. 14.

Wee are ſpeedily to turne to God, and not to put off our repentance: for So much alſo doth the word bounſing import: Signifying all three that is to ſay, earneſt, and often knocking, and a deſire ſpeedily to be let in.

Open] Of our ſelues and by nature we are held priſoners and captiues of Sathan, as it were vnderunder lock and key, till Chriſt open the dore and let vsus looſe by his word and the power of his Spirit.

God ceaſeth not to vſe all good meanes that poſſibly may be deuiſed to drawe vsus home vntounto him. What, how many, and how gracious arguments dooth hee bring in this place? Taken firſt from the eaſineſſe of the thing, it is but to open the doore.

Tome) Secondly, from his owne perſon, open to me; not your enemy, but your friend, your louer, one that ſeekes your good.

My ſiſter &c.) Thirdly, from our perſon that ſhould not ſticke to doe a greater matter then that.

My fellow-friend, my Doue, my vndefiled one,) Fourthly, by the manner of his ſpeaking with all p. 103the ſweet and kinde words that can be imagined, ſpeaking to our heart (as he ſayth hee will, Hoſ. 2. 14.) and beſeeching as it were when he may commaund. As if Chriſt beſought you by vsus (ſayth the Apoſtle) 2. Cor. 5. 20.

For my head is filled with dewe: my lockes with the droppes of the night.] Fiftly, by comparing his owne cares, labours and trauailes taken for vsus, whom wee may be aſhamed ſo vnthankfully to requite, that wee will doe nothing for him againe. Thus he leaueth no meanes vnattempted, no arguments, no perſwaſions to call vsus backe when we goe aſtraie.

The louelove of Chriſt wherewith hee hath loued vsus ought to be a ſpeciall motiue for vsus to louelove him againe. So Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 5. 14. 15. For the louelove of Chriſt conſtraineth vsus, iudging this, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And he died for all, that they which liue, might no more liue vntounto themſelues, but vntounto him which died for them &c.

To whom I anſwered,) Sinne goeth not ſingly and alone, one and no more: but the nature of it is for one ſinne to drawe manie other after it.

How ſhould I &c.) Sinne for the moſt part is ioined with hardneſſe of heart; and where ſinne hath once ſeized, without a great merciemercy of God, it ſtoppeth all the paſſages from admitting of the voice of Chriſt.

I hauehave put off my coat… &c. I hauehave waſhed my feete &c. how ſhould I &c.) Where ſin poſſeſſeth the ſoule, Sathan is ſtrong and forcible, to caſt miſtes p. 104before vsus, to make eueryevery babble, not worth the naming, to ſeeme a great matter in our eyes, and ſufficient to hold our Chriſt.

Put it on, foule them.) A little caſe & carnal pleaſure, with thoſe that hauehave not their hearts effectually touched, preuaileth more then all the ioies and delights that are to be found in Chriſt.

My welbeloued let downe, &c Wee muſt receiue Chriſt when hee offereth himſelfe vntounto vsus: for it we refuſe him, hee will not alwaies continue knocking. Seeke the Lord vvhileſt hee may be found. Eſay 55. 6.

But the eaſe, pleaſure, and commodities of this life, are great impediments to hold vsus back, and to make vsus ſeeke all manner of delaies.

The Word and all other outward meanes profit little, vnleſſe it pleaſe God by his ſpirit to make the ſame effectuall. Therefore in Hoſhea 2. 14. with the Word and with afflictions is ioyned his owne perſwading of vsus by the inward working of his Spirit, without which the other auaileth nothing.

The miniſtery of the Word bringeth not forth fruit alwaies at the inſtant: but many times the ſweete impreſſion that it leaueth behind, euen then when it ſeemeth to fall by the waie ſide, is at the length, in his time, effectuall to drawe men vntounto God.

My bowels earning within mee) God ſuffereth not his to lie ſtill in ſecurity, as hee doth the wicked: (which is an other difference between theſe p. 105two) but one time or other awakneeth them out of the ſleepe of ſinne, how long ſoeuer they continue in it.

The two degrees of repentance are heere to bee obſerued; Firſt, an earning of the heart, compunction of ſoule and ſpirit, comming from a ſight of our ſinnes, and preaching of the Lawe. So it is ſaid,1. Sam. 24. 8.1 Sam 24:8 Dauids heart ſmote him when hee cut off the lap of Sauls garment, to thinke hee had ſo dallied with that monſter of ſinne. And Ier. 31. 19. bringeth in Ephraim ſaying, After I ſhall be made to know my ſinne I will clap on my thigh, in token of mourning. As contrariwiſe of the wicked the ſame Prophet ſaith, Ier. 8. 6. There is none that ſaith, What hauehave I don?

I aroſe to open to my wel-beloued.] The ſecond is a conceiuing of comfort, a raiſing vp of our ſelues by the ſweet promiſes of the Goſpell. for both ſee Acts 2. 37, 38, 39.

My hands dropped mirrh, and my fingers ſoft mirrh in the handles of the lock.) The very ſweetneſſe that Chriſt leaueth behinde him, when to our feeling hee departeth from vsus, and as it were the ſhadow of his preſence, doth marueilouſly rauiſh a Chriſtian man: This appeareth by the ioy and comfort that the people of God tooke in the Arke, the Temple, and other ſymboles, which Phineas wife ſhewed when ſhe ſo bewailed the taking of the Arke, that ſhe called her ſonnes name, I chabod, The glory is departed. 2. Sam. 4. 21.

How much more ſweete then muſt it bee to receiue p. 106Chriſt himſelfe, to enioy his owne preſence, which bringeth all good things with it.

I aroſe to open &c.] A third note of repentance which the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of, (2. Cor. 7. 11.) is heere alſo to be ſeene, ſtudie, or care and diligence; that is to ſay, a framing of our heart and diſpoſition to awake from ſleepe, and to ſeeke after Chriſt,

I opened &c.] And a putting of the ſame in execution.

my well-beloued withdrew himſelfe, he paſſed awey,)

Chriſt for our incredulity and hardnes of heart, doth ſomtimes after a ſort leaue vsus for a while, withdrawing all comfortable ſenſe and feeling of his grace. This is that ſpirituall deſertion that Gods children may fall into, and is one of thoſe heauy iudgements that God puniſheth their ſinne withall.

I fell into a ſwoune) A fourth note of repentance is zeale, to faint for the abſence of Chriſt, and to be ſick of louelove for him.

I ſought him, I cryed on him) A fift alſo, to ſeeke him, to call and crie vponupon him, to wander vp and downe after him: finally to leaue nothing vndon till wee finde him, which the Apoſtle calleth a longing, or deſire after him.

becauſe of his ſpeech:) The meditation and calling to minde of the word of God, of that which wee hauehave heard in the publick congregations and aſſemblies, is very profitable for the quickning & raiſing vp of our ſoules.

but I could not finde him, but hee anſwered me not.) p. 107Chriſt to trie the faith of his children ſeemeth many times to deale very hardly and vnkindely with them: the fountaine of mercy, to hauehave no drop of mercy in him. So hee dealt with the woman of Canaan, Mat. 15. 22. &c. Firſt when ſhee cryed vponupon him, hee made himſelfe deafe, hee would not anſwere one word, but turned himſelfe away, and when his diſciples beſought him to ſpeake, how vntowardly and techely (as a man with reuere…ce may ſay) doth hee ſeeme to anſwere her' I was not ſent but to the loſt ſheepe of the houſe of Iſraell: Shee for all that humbling her ſelfe yet more, and falling at his feete, in what reproachfull manner doth hee vſe her, calling her a dogge, or rather for more diſgrace a whelpe. How muſt not this wound her very ſoule? He that biddeth all men learne of him, becauſe he is meeke and lowly in heart, to bee ſo rough to a poore ſillie weoman ſo deiecting herſelfe before him? but wherefore did he ſo? to diſcourage or driue her from him? No; but that her faith being tryed in the furnace, might come forth purer then the gold, and after many a pluck and wreſtle, like a true Iſraelite ſupported by his Spirit, ſhee might preuaile with God: and ſo at the length he ſuffereth himſelfe to be ouercom by the greatneſſe of her faith.

The watchmen that goe about the Citie found mee.) A Chriſtian truely repenting will not thinke much to throw himſelfe into neuer ſo great perills and hazards for the recouery of Chriſt. And ſo is expreſſed the ſixt marke of repentance: conſiſting in p. 108a reuenge or taking the peny-worths of our ſelues for our former tranſgreſſions, not ſhrinking now for any danger, but running thorough thick and thinne (as wee ſay) in the night, among the watch, to come vntounto him.

All this ſheweth the feare that a Chriſtian man hath, leaſt hee ſhould bee ouertaken with drowſineſſe, as he was before, which is an other and the laſt of thoſe ſeauen notes of true repentance, mencioned 2. Cor. 7. 11.

And ſo hauehave you in this Chapter, (beſides the falles and infirmities of Gods children, and how and wherein they differ from other men,) a worthy example of the cauſe, the means, the parts, the ſteppes and degrees, and laſtly of the notes and markes of their repentance.

they ſmote me, they wounded me,) An other puniſhment of our ſinnes is affliction, outward trouble and perſecution, which God is wont to ſend vponupon vsus, to chaſtiſe and correct vsus, and to make vsus come to him.

the keepers of the walles tooke] Thoſe that ſhould bee the greateſt friends vntounto vsus for the truths ſake, proue many times our greateſt enemies, ſuch as carrie the name of watchmen in Gods Church, whoſe office it is to encourage and protect vsus in well doing, none more then they do oppoſe themſelues and diſcourage vsus in the waies of godlineſſe.

my vaile from me.) This is a great offence and ſtumbling block to Gods children: who by reaſon heereof loſe their vaile, that is the hold of their p. 109purity and integrity, and begin a little to decline, and to waxe fainter in the ſeruing of God:

I adiure you] Till by the company of Gods children in the communion of Saints, they begin to take heart againe, and to recouer their ſpirits, and ſo afreſh follow after Chriſt.

ye daught…rs of Ieruſalem) The ſociety of the godly is an excellent meanes to ſtirre men vp, and to kindle in them the holy fire of the louelove of Chriſt: for with them wee may boldly conferre of ſuch things as the world ſauoureth not, nor hath any reliſh in.

if ye finde &c.) Yea, though they be not come ſo far as we in comprehending the length, breadth, and depth of the excellency of the louelove of Chriſt.

What is there in thy well-beloued? &c.] If to thoſe that dwell in the Church it be ſtrange to ſee the paſſions that many of the godly are exerciſed with in their longing & thirſting after Chriſt, what ſhall we thinke of other men?

White & ruddie, fit to heare the banner aboue 10000 his head, &c. The things which wee are ſpecially to conſider in Chriſt, are, Firſt his ſpirituall glory and power, ſhining euen in his humanity:

His eyes as doues eyes &c) Secondly, The eies of his prouidence, or the perfection of the graces of the Spirit dwelling in him, whereby hee pearceth eueryevery where and entreth into mens harts, ſeeing the things, that are moſt ſecret.

his lippes, his pallat, &c.] Thirdly his doctorſhippe, or Propheticall office.

p. 110VponUpon his hands &c. his lagges are pillars of marble, &c.) Fourthly his gouernment and adminiſtration of the world, in glory, maieſtly and power, chruſhing to peeces the wicked and vngodly, and whatſoeuer doth ſet and oppoſe it ſelfe againſt him.

in his bowels is a ſhining, as of iuory, couered with Suphires: his looke as of Lebanon &c.) Fiftly The glorifying of his humane nature, which he hath purchaſed by his death and ſufferings.

that me …ay ſeeke him &c.) The fruit of a Chriſtian mans temptations is, that other by our vehemency are ſtirred vp to ſeeke Chriſt.

My well-beloued in gon downe &c. I am my wellbeloueds &c.) Chriſt in the end is found of thoſe that ſeek him, though he abſent himſelfe for a time, as he was of the woman of Canaan, Mat. 15. 28.

And this is our comfort, that God is faithfull, who will not ſuffer vsus to bee tempted aboue our ſtrength, but in eueryevery temptation, how great ſoeuer, will giuegive vsus a meanes how to come out of it, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

By mutuall conference and communication of of our faith, we hauehave the ſame ſtrengthened, and nouriſhe and kindle in our ſelues a holy longing after Chriſt.

p. 111CHAP. VI.

VERS. 1.

Thou art faire &c.]

TRue repentance waſheth off all the ſpots and deformities that our ſinnes bring vponupon vsus.

terrible as an armie with banners.)

The life of Chriſtian is a warrefare vponupon earth: For the enabling of him to fight the Lordes battailes, God infuſeth into his heart an heroicall and noble courage: for though hee fall, yet he riſeth vp againe: though hee bee ouertaken, yet hee getteth out and recouereth his, ſtrength,

Which maketh Sathan to feare the faith of a Chriſtian, becauſe hee knoweth it is built vponupon that rocke which the gates of hell cannot preuaile againſt.

O turne thine eyes ouer-againſt me,) Our ſlippes and falles muſt not diſcourage vsus: but wee muſt looke vp to Chriſt with a liuely faith and bee of good comfort,

that they may lift me vp.) For Chriſt glorieth and taketh pleaſure in the faith of his people: it reioyceth his heart, and he thinketh himſelfe the better p. 112for it, being affected with their miſeries, and is glad when they are comforted.

Thy haire is &c.) The holineſſe and righteouſneſſe of a Chriſtian is not loſt by the manifold infirmities hee falleth into. But it remaineth firme and conſtant in eueryevery part; becauſe it wholly reſteth in the power and grace of God.

Let there be 60. Queenes, &c.) All the glory & excellency in the world, the courts of Princes, and their pompous traine are not to bee compared to the happineſſe of a Chriſtian.

That one &c.) There is but one company & ſociety in the world, wher ſaluation is to be had: that is the Church of God, which is one, becauſe there is no more but ſhe, one becauſe ſhe is only & entirely beloued of God.

my done,] One becauſe ſhe is elect out of all the world.

mine vndefiled one,) One becauſe ſhee keepeth her ſelfe one and the ſame vntounto her ſpouſe, pure, chaſt, and vndefiled.

that one with her mother) To this Church eueryevery Chriſtian man ioyneth himſelfe, and profeſſeth to be a member thereof, neuer making rent, ſchiſme, nor diuiſion from it: thoſe that goe out from it, it is a token they were, in truth, neuer of it.

aſſoone as they ſee &c.) God in his Church vtereth all his glorie, Pſal. 29. That is, hee graceth his people with ſuch bleſſings of his ſpirit, as makes them an admiration to the world. This is the priuiledge of thoſe that dwell in the Church of God.

p. 113the maydens ſhall account her bleſſed, the Queenes and Concubines ſhall praiſe her.) The profane worldlings are forced to preferre the ſtate of Gods children before their owne, and to wiſh they vvere like vntounto them. As Saul, Pharaoh, Balaam and other did.

Goodly as the morning, faire as the moone, pure as the Sunne.) The way of a righteous man is like the Sunne ſhining, that ſhineth ſtill more and more vntounto the ſteddie day, Prou. 4. 18. Or, as Paul ſaith, (Rom. 1. 17.) we goe from faith to faith, our faith continually growing as the morning doth, and from one degree of perfection to an other: from the beauty of the moone, to the cleereneſſe of the Sunne.

To the pruined gardaines,) The kingdome of God, the glorie of the heauenly Ieruſalem is that which we ought alwaies to meditate of, and to hauehave the eyes of our ſoules fixed and bent vponupon: beeing like the gardaines that are kept dreſſed, moſt pleaſant and goodly to the eye, and that yeeld all ſweet and delectable fruit.

I went downe,) Chriſt himſelfe by his example inuiteth vsus to take pains to watch and obſerue the time of his comming: whereunto he doth exhort. Math. 24. 42.

To ſee the greene plants of the valley: to ſee if the Vine flouriſhed, if the Pomegranets budded.) By earthly things wee muſt learne to meditate on heauenly: and if wee be able to diſcerne of the times and ſeaſons of the yeere, that when wee ſee the trees p. 114to put forth leaues, wee know Summer is neere, is it not a ſhame to hauehave a leſſe inſight into thoſe things that are the ſignes and forerunners of the comming of the Sonne of God to iudgement? This wiſedome our Sauiour teacheth vsus. Matth. 24. 32. 33.

There be manie ſignes of this glorious comming of Ieſus Chriſt: for which, ſee that whole chapter. Mathew 24.

When I diſcerned it not my minde ſet me) Chriſt loueth not to be longer abſent from vsus then needs he muſt.

vponupon my free hearted,) Chriſtian men are freehearted people, and of a willing minde: ſeruing Chriſt cheerfully, ioifully, readily Pſalm. 110. not of neceſſity or conſtraint.

peoples chariots.) In ſuch doth Chriſt delight to dwell, to be borne vp by them, & to hauehave them for his chariots. 2. Corinth. 9. 7. God loueth a cheerefull giuer.

Returne,) The voice and calling of Chriſt is the meanes of our conuerſion.

Returne ô Shull &c. returne, returne) Who calleth vsus earneſtly & continually to come vntounto him, and not to delay nor put it off: for that doth the doubling and trebling, and fowre times repeating of the word returne, import.

O Shulamite] Yea, he vſeth all manner of kind and louing ſpeeches to perſwade, as O my Shullamite, or my perfect one: for all which ſee before Chapter 5. 1.

p. 115A Chriſtian man is perfect by the imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſſe: perfect alſo with an Euangelicall, not a legall perfection: (that is to ſay, of a ſound and vpright heart longing for perfection) euen in regard of their renued holineſſe or ſanctification.

that we may behold thee) Sinne obſcureth Gods graces in vsus, and maketh that Chriſt hath no delight to looke vponupon vsus: but faith and repentance reſtoreth vsus to his fauour.

What behold you in that Shulamite? as the daunſe of the Machanaijmites) Chriſt comforteth his ſoule by the beholding of our holineſſe and righteouſneſſe.

How bewtifull &c.) Yea he boaſteth and reioyceth of it: ſo is there ioy in heauen for ſinners that repent. Luke 15. 7.

O daughter of a Prince.) The excellencie of a chriſtian ſtandeth in this, that hee is born again, and by faith become the ſonne of the great king: that life of the ſpirit incompatably more excelling the life of a naturall man (take the godlieſt and the gallanteſt) then that excelleth the life of a bruite beaſt.

Let not &c.) There is not anie thing more pleaſing to him, then the ſpread of the Church of God, and a continuall encreaſe of the fruites of it, which are as glorious in his ſight as a heape of wheate hedged about with I…illies.

Let not the liquor faile. But let thy belly be &c. The duties required of him are,

Firſt, Faith continually fructifying.

p. 116Thy two breaſts &c.) Secondly, A teachablenes to ſucke the milke of the word of God.

Thy necke &c) Thirdly, Conſtancie to hold vp the truth of God.

Thine eyes &c. thy noſe &c.) Fourthly, Iudgement to weigh and diſcerne of doctrines.

That on thy head is like skarlet, &c.) Fiftly, Grauitie, and a wiſe cariage in all our actions;

A King might be tyed, &c.) Which good graces being in vsus and abounding, not onelyonly knit mens hearts vntounto vsus,

How faire &c.) But make God himſelfe to louelove, and to admire vsus.

I ſay &c) The word of Chriſt ought to be an aſſurance to vsus, that wee ſhall be ſanctified more and more: howſoeuer when we looke on the one ſide to the reſiſtances that are againſt vsus, and on the other ſide to our owne weaknes and corruptions, wee hauehave iuſt cauſe to deſpaire. But hee that ſayd, the Word is able for to doe it, as caſie it is for him to make vsus all whole, as it was to ſay, take vp thy bedde and walke. Ioh. 5. 8.

I will get vp vponupon the Palme-tree, take hold of her branches, &c.) The beſt man that is hath need of much hand, to be continually pruined, and lopped, and to hauehave his ſuperfluous branches ſhred from him to make him fruitfull.

I will &c.) This muſt be the worke of Chriſt himſelfe: Who, as elſe where he is compared to a p. 117Vine, ſo heere compareth himſelfe to the Huſbandman, that taketh vsus in hand to trimme and looke vntounto vsus: Without him wee can doe nothing. Ioh. 15. 5.

Thy teates ſhall now be like the cluſters of the Vine: and the ſauour of thy noſe like Apples.) The fruite of Chriſts preſence with vsus, and of his taking vsus in hand is excellent: it maketh vsus ſweete before him, fragrant, acceptable, and comfortable vntounto other.

Thy pallat as wine making to ſpeake the lippes of thoſe which ſleepe.] The preaching of the Goſpell, is that which raiſeth men out of the ſleepe of ſinne, and maketh them to ſpeake with newe tongues to the prayſe of the glorie of God.

p. 118CHAP. VII.

VERSE 1.

I am my Welbeloueds, ſince his deſire is towards me.

THe mercies of God in pardoning and forgiuing our ſinnes and taking vsus to his fauour, are ſo farre from opening a window of libertie vntounto vsus, that contrariwiſe it ioyneth and knitteth our ſoules more neere vntounto him, maketh vsus more entirely to louelove him, and rowzeth vsus vp from drowſineſſe and negligence to a greater watchfulneſſe ouer our waies, and a care to pleaſe him.

That is true repentance which groweth from a conſideration of Gods mercies and of his louelove: not that ſo much, which the feare of wrath and of his iudgements doth wring from vsus.

Let vsus goe forth &c.) True repentance is ſeene by walking in a quite contrarie courſe to that wee walked in before: therfore it is called a turning; as if a man whoſe face is bent Weſtward, ſhould wholly turne himſelfe and ſet it vntounto the Eaſt.

Let vsus lodge by the Cypres: let vsus riſe in the morning, &c.) It is the certaine note of the childe of God to waite with all watchfulneſſe and obſeruation for the glorious comming of Ieſus Chriſt:

p. 119The day of whoſe comming is that happie time of our ſpirituall mariage, and moſt ſtraight and neere coniunction with Chriſt: for then ſhall wee enioy him fully and perfectly, and ſee him as he is.

Theſe louely flowers &c.) To him we muſt conſecrate our ſelues and all we hauehave; for whatſoeuer he hath giuen vsus, all the graces of his Spirit, all the good things we doe enioy, are not too good to be beſtowed vponupon him, to entertaine Chriſt the better; that is the true vſe of the bleſſings of God.

O that thou wert as a brother vntounto mee &c.) A Chriſtian man is impatient for the deſire of Chriſt, and longeth that euen this day before too-morrow were the time of our perfect enioying of him.

Finding thee without I would kiſſe thee) Our louelove to Chriſt where it is ſincere and ſound, will manifeſt it ſelfe to all, and by all meanes.

I ſhould not bee deſpiſed.) The perpetuall ſtate of Gods children is to be vexed, ſcorned, and deſpiſed of the world.

But againſt this we muſt comfort our ſelues with the remembrance of that time, when all teares ſhall be wiped from our eyes.

I Would bring thee into the houſe of my Mother which teacheth mee,) In the Church the word of God is to ſound, and there it is that men are to bee taught and enformed in his waies.

I would giuegive thee to drinke of ſpiced wine &c.) There is nothing we hauehave or can come by, that is too coſtly or ſumptuous to bee beſtowed vponupon Chriſt. Wherefore the woman in the Goſpell hath p. 120her iuſt commendation for powring the Alablaſter boxe of Spicknard, moſt coſtly ointment vponupon the head of our Sauiour Chriſt, though Iudas the traytour repined at it.

His left hand vnderunder &c. I adiure you, &c. Our former offenſes and the fearefull effects comming from them, muſt teach vsus when we hauehave Chriſt againe to make more of him, and to take heed that by our looſeneſſe and negligence he withdraw not the comfort of his preſence.

Who is ſhee that commeth out of the wilderneſſe readie to ioyne her ſelfe to her welbeloued.

There is no ſound pleaſure to be found but in true pietie: all the delights of the world without that, are but as the wilderneſſe in compariſon of pleaſant and fertile ſoyle.

A Chriſtian muſt denie himſelfe and forſake this wicked world; it is a hard peece of worke, and a matter of no ſmall difficulty thus to doe, and ſuch, as none hath any hart or ſtomack to perform, ſaue but thoſe that are borne anew: yet eueryevery one muſt enforce himſelfe vntounto it; and ſo doing wee hauehave the ſame as a ſure argument of hearty and ſound repentance.

True valour in deſpiſing dangers is onelyonly to be found in the childe of God,

whoſe faith ouercommeth all difficulties, and the tediouſneſſe of this world.

vnderunder the very apple-tree I awaken thee) For faith as it hath winges to flie vp to heauen, to the very ſeate of glory, and there to apprehend Chriſt, ſitting p. 121at the right hand of his father: ſo in his humility here it beholdeth that excellency which the world is not able to conceiue.

Where thy mother was in labour of thee.) Chriſt vouchſafeth to account himſelfe as one of vsus: a childe of our mother, that is to ſay, one of the Church, being the head of it and wee his members.

O ſet me) The faith, zeale, and repentance of Gods children, though it merit nothing at the hands of God, yet giueth vsus aſſurance of obtaining good things, and maketh vsus with boldneſſe to craue fauour, and a bleſſing againe. To louelove vsus as wee louelove him. So our Sauiour hath taught vsus to pray, Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes as we forgiue &c.

True repentance maketh vsus more zealous, and more to louelove Chriſt then we did before.

A Chriſtian aboue all things in the world deſireth to be ioyned to Chriſt as neerely, and by as ſtraight a bond and coniunction as may bee.

as a ſeale on thine heart,) God hath vsus alwaies as a ſeale vponupon his heart, and in his minde; how is it poſſible he ſhould forget vsus?

as a ſeale on thine arme,) Hee hath vsus alwaies as a ſeale vponupon his arme, Who can pull vsus from him?

Being vponupon his arme wee are continually in his ſight, his eies are vponupon vsus alwaies, and his prouidence watcheth ouer vsus whereſoeuer wee …oe become, what euill can betide vsus?

LoueLove, zeale &c.) Zeale is the proper vertue of a p. 122Chriſtian, wherein hee can neuer ſatisfie his owne ſoule.

ſtrong as death &c.) True zeale breaketh through all difficulties, as death, and as the graue that ſubdue all, and cannot themſelues bee ouercome.

a fire of the flame of Iah.) It is kindled in vsus by the Spirit of God, and is the peculiar worke of his grace.

Much waters cannot quench &c.) A Chriſtian is endued of God with the gift of conſtancy and perſeuerance.

Many temptations aſſault a chriſtian man to ſhak his faith; pleaſures, afflictions, promiſes, hopes, rewards: but hee remaineth vnmoued in them all.

If a man would giuegive all the ſubſtance of his houſe,) Wicked men ſpare no coſt to drawe men from Chriſt: how much leſſe ſhould wee be ſparing, or thinke any thing too deare, to ſtire vp men to louelove him?

Wee are to take moſt heede of thoſe that come with faireſt ſhewes and pretences to vsus: for vnderunder the ſweeteſt flowers lie commonly hidde the moſt venemous ſerpents.

it ſhould vtterly bee contemned.) A man muſt learn to deſpiſe the wicked, notwithſtanding all their wealth. This among other is one note of him that here ſhall ſoiourne in Gods tabernacle, and hereafter dwell in his holy hill. Pſal. 15.

p. 123CHAP. VIII.

VERS. 1

We hauehave a ſiſter, &c. and what ſhall wee doe to our ſiſter &c.)

THe louelove of God towards vsus, his mercy in hiding and couering our offences, ſhould make vsus to louelove not only him againe, but our bretheren for his ſake: and by all meanes to ſeeke their good.

The Church of the Iewes ſo carefull for the calling of the Gentiles, teacheth how earneſt wee ſhould bee to commend their conuerſion vntounto God: whereof wee hauehave heere a promiſe, and all the Prophets & Apoſtles ſo gloriouſly doe ſpeak; Eſay, Chap. 4. & 26. &c. Dan. 12. Ezech. 37. &c. Hoſh. 3. & 13. Zach. 12. &c. Paul Rom. 11. and 2. Cor. 3. Iohn in the Reuelation Chap. 20, &c. and our Sauiour, Mathew 24.

a little one, and ſhe hath no breſts,) The Church of God before the comming of Chriſt, was ſhut vp within narrowe bounds, the Gentiles beeing then aliens and ſtrangers from the couenant.

in the day, when) God hath the moments of p. 124time & ſeaſons numbred before him, & a certaine day prefixed when he wil accompliſh his counſels.

ſhe ſhall be talked of.) Faith onelyonly maketh men famous. The Gentiles before their calling were neuer talked of amongſt Gods people: though for learning, arts, valour, they were the men of name in the world, and accounted the worthies of the earth: but it is indeed more honourable to be famous in Gods Church, then to hauehave al the fame and eſtimation in the world beſide.

True fame is in piety, and the feare of God only.

Men muſt beate their heads and caſt about how to performe the worke of God in the beſt manner.

Gods children muſt bend their ſpeeches to extoll and ſet forth thoſe that truely feare God, and to make them famous, to honour and prefer them before worldlings, howſoeuer they glitter and ſhine in the eies of men. So did Eliſha ſet light by the King of Iſraell, notwithſtanding all his greatneſſe, in compariſon of the good and godly King Iehoſhaphat, 2. King. 3. What hauehave I to doe with thee? Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father &c. Againe, As Iehoush of hoaſts liueth, in whoſe ſight I ſtand, if it were not that I regard the preſence of the King of Iuda, I would not hauehave looked towards thee, nor hauehave ſeen thee.

When a wall is to be built, when a gate is to be fenced.) Wiſdome is required in the builders of Gods houſe, to frame eueryevery thing for the greateſt bewty and ornament vntounto it.

of ſiluer, boord of Cedre.) But all for any ſubſtance of religion, or neceſſarie part of Gods ſeruice, p. 125muſt be according to the rule of the Word, that it may be as ſiluer, and as the choice Cedre, precious in his ſight:Exodus 25. 40.Exod 25:40 See thou make all things according to the paterne was ſhewed thee in the Mount.

A pallace,) The Church of God is the Pallace of the great King, There he doth dwell, and hath his reſidence and aboade for euer. Pſal. 132. 13, 14

a wall, a gate.) The diſcipline of the Church is as a wall and a gate, to keepe that no vncleane perſon or execrable, enter in, to hold in thoſe that are entred, the free burgeſſes and Citiſe…s of that Citi….

I being as a wall, and my breſts as towers,) There is in the Church a communion of Saints, whereby the graces of God beſtowed vponupon one member, turne to the generall good of the whole body.

then ſhall I be) Thereof it is that a true Chriſtian is ſo farre from enuying the bleſſings of God in other, that he reioyceth in them as in his owne happineſſe and perfection.

as one that findeth peace.) When the heart of the Iewes ſhall turne vntounto the Lord, in the generall call of that whole nation, then come the daies of peace, ioy, happineſſe, and comfort, as much as can be vponupon earth, through the bright beames of the glorious Goſpell, ſhining moſt cleere.

Solomon had a vine-yard,) Chriſtianity and prouidence in worldly matters ſtand well together.

in a fruitfull place,) It is a good duty of a Chriſtian to forecaſt to hauehave things moſt beneficiall and cōmodious for him. His vines in fruitful places &c.

p. 126he hired out his viney ards to keepers.) And when hee is ſo ſitted, well to occupie and manure them to his moſt aduantage: That which hee cannot keepe in his owne hands, yet to prouide it be ſo let out as may be for his profit.

eueryevery one bringeth for the fruit of it a thouſand peeces of ſiluer.) It is not onelyonly the rule of charity, but true chriſtianity to conſider in reaſonable ſort, of thoſe that trauaile for vsus, that they labour not, nor ſweate for nothing: but taking part of that gaine which commeth by their ſeruice, it may giuegive them cauſe to bleſſe vsus.

We may with good conſcience obſerue a due proportion, and are not to be bl…med though the beſt morſels fall into our owne mouth. Solomon may well purſe a thouſand ſhekels, and leaue two hundred only to come to his leſſees ſhare.

The Anabaptiſtical communion hereby falleth to the ground.

My vineyard is ſtill before my face,) God is iealous of his Church, and letteth it not forth to others, but himſelfe taketh the care of it; for though it be ſaid in the parable, that a man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husband men &c. that is an other kinde of letting, then that which Solomon heere ſpeaketh of: For by it is meant the miniſters whom God raiſeth vp from time to time for the good of his people, & commendeth them to their care. Among whom hee himſelfe is, not idle, but walking in the middeſt of thoſe golden candleſticks, and euermore preſent by the aſſiſtance of p. 123his Spirit: ſo as all commeth from his vertue and power, and he doth not rule his Church by deputies or farmours.

I receiue both theſe 1000 of thine, O Solomon, and alſo the 200 pieces of thoſe that keepe the fruite of it.) Nothing for ſubſtance of religion muſt bee done in the houſe of God but by his owne expreſſe pleaſure: all is his, not the leaſt farthing or dodkin in this kinde is to goe an other way.

O thou ſhee) Chriſt giueth to his Church Paſtours and Teachers as it were Husband-men to dreſſe his Vine.

That ſetteſt) Himſelfe being the Arch-ſhepheard that taketh care of all the Vines: eueryevery ſuch Miniſter hath a chair which ought to be the chaire of truth: for ſo our Sauiour reaſoneth, In the chaire of Moſes ſit the Scribes and Phariſees; therefore whatſoeuer they teach, (according to the law and doctrine of Moſes, which onelyonly is to ſound in that chaire) do &c.

To theſe God himſelfe reacheth a cuſhion, and placeth them in the chaire of authoritie in his Church: as the Scribes and Phariſes are ſayd to ſit in Moſes chaire, and Paul that he ſate at Corinth a yeere and ſixe moneths and taught the word of God among them. Acts 18. 11. So Miniſters hauehave their Seas by Gods owne appointment.

This ordinance of God is perpetuall to the worlds end;

And they muſt ſit, that is with all diligence and faithfulneſſe attend vntounto the flocke whereof p. 128the holy Ghoſt … them ouer ſeers.

In theſe Gard…i…e…,) EueryEvery particular congregation is a ſeuerall gardaine of the Lords:

to the fellowes) Wherein the Miniſters are not to dominier ouer Gods heritage, but to liue as examples to the flocke, who are their brethren and fellowes.

Which) Wee muſt not giuegive that which is holy to dogges, nor caſt our pearles before ſwine. Matth. the ſeauenth, and the ſixt. The pretious treaſure of the Goſpell is not to be communicated to all, but to thoſe that hauehave eares boared through of God, and hearts to receiue it: as for other, wee are commaunded to ſhake off the duſt of our feete againſt them.

Attend thy voice) Wee muſt heare the Miniſters of God, teaching vsus in his waies: and not heare onelyonly, but heare with diligence and continually attend vponupon their doctrine.

And that is one of the markes of the childe of God ſo to attend on the word.

Preach) Feeding of the flocke is a ſpeciall argument of the louelove that a Miniſter beareth to Chriſt:Joh. 21. 15.John 21:15 Peter loueſt thou me? feede my Lambes; it is the dutie that God calleth and crieth vntounto vsus for: an intollerable coldeneſſe and lacke of louelove to Chriſt, to leaue them at ſixe and ſeauen.

Preaching is the ordinarie meanes of bringing men to Chriſt;Rom. 10. 17.Rom 10:17 faith commeth by hearing.

The thing preached muſt be Chriſt, the whole ſubſtance of the Goſpell, and in whom all the the promiſes of God are Yea and Amen.

Flee to vsus, &c. and bee like the Roe, &c. O thou that dwelleſt in the Mountaines of ſpices.) The Miniſter that wil approue himſelfe faithfull muſt neuer be wearie of feeding his flock to the comming of Ieſus Chriſt.

And heerein it is his duetie carefully and diligently to impl…re Gods aſſiſtance, that he may goe through with it, and for a bleſſing vponupon his labours.

This meditation both of Chriſts preſence and aſſiſtance, of his bright and laſt appearance, and of the waight of glorie laide vp in heauen, where Chriſt now is, and where we ſhall be together with him, muſt bee alwayes before their eyes as effectuall arguments to ſtirre them vp vntounto this duetie: which they are to oppoſe and ſet againſt all the tediouſneſſe and difficulties of their function on the one ſide, and all the glittering pompe of the world on the other.

It is a ſpeciall note of the childe of God to deſire ſtill the comming of Chriſt.

And to meditate on the glory of Gods kingdome.

FINIS.

¶Imprinted at London by John Beale, dwel…ing in Alderſgate ſtreete 1615.

End of the text · Henry Finch, Exposition of the Song of Solomon (1615)