Two Discourses on the Mournful State of the Church, Discourse 2
1673. Jul. 20.The Second DISCOURSE ABOUT THE LILLY among THORNS.
Songs 2.2.
HERE we have Chriſts own Pencil drawing the beautiful Face of his Spouſe from the Glaſs of his own Countenance, with this difference, v. 1.Chriſt is a Lilly among the Roſes of Sharon, the Church a Lilly among the Thorns in the Valley of weeping: Chriſt, the Lilly in Glory, the Church in Grace: Chriſt in Paradiſe, the Church in a Wilderneſs. And 'tis no ſmall part of his Lilly-like meekneſs, to own his Church in her thorny eſtate, and deſcribe her by his own beauty. She is perfect through the comelineſs that he puts upon her. Ezek. 16.14.The Churches Moon ſhines by the Rayes of the Sun of Righteouſneſs reflected upon her,
In the words obſerve:
1. The nature and feature of the Church ſet forth by Lillies.
2. The ſcituation of this beautiful Plant: 'Tis among Thorns.
3. Chriſt's tender affection to his Church while ſet among the Thorns: She is the love of Chriſt.
4. The compaſſion of Chriſt implyed in this his own Deſcription. He himſelf takes kind notice, how his beloved Spouſe is encompaſſed and endangered by Thorns and Bryars.
There be ſome, (as Brightman and Cotton) who reduce this Song to a Prophecy, and the Chaldee Paraphraſt refers this ſtaff of the Song to the time of captivity; I ſuppoſe he means that of Babylon. I ſhall not diſcuſs thoſe Prophetical Notions on this Song of Songs; nor be very ſollicitous about the ſort of Lilly here aſſum'd for the Metaphor. Whether the Tulip of Perſia, to which Solomon is reſembled, Mat. 6.29.when in all his glory; or whether that, now called the Lilly of the Vallies, which bears that curious lovely Flower growing among Woods and Thickets.
Neither ſhall I enlarge my Diſcourſe upon this Lilly-Valley, by drawing Parallels between it and the Church as to its beauty, tenderneſs, lowlineſs, purity, candor or ſragrancy; its gratefulneſs to the Nerves and Medicinal Virtue for affections of the Head, its ſudden growth and bloſſoming in the Spring time of the year. But leave all theſe for ſubjects to pious meditations, and repair to the 2d. branch of the Text, ſcil. The ſtate or poſition of the Church of Chriſt among Thorns. By Thorns are meant the Daughters, ſo ſays the Spirit. And as there are two ſorts of Daughters, Gen. 6.4. Song. 2.7.the Daughters of Men and the Daughters of Jeruſalem, Q. it may be demanded what Daughters are ſet forth by the Thorns in the Text?
A I anſwer, That ſince the Daughters of Jeruſalem were the outward Profeſſors in the Jewiſh Church, who might poſſibly at firſt be ſigninified by Weeds in the Garden. But when once they became Perſecutors, I ſuppoſe that they are not incongruouſly compared to the Brambles of the Deſert. For ſurely as Bernard glances, Bern. in Cor.ſhe is mala filia quae pungit Eccleſiam, an untoward Daughter that ſcratches the Church. Yet, ſince the Wilderneſs is the proper and native Seat of Brambles; this Text may poſſibly reflect upon the Lilly of the Gentile Church. But 'tis ſafer to take in the whole Spouſe of Chriſt, and ſhew, That both Heathens and formal Profeſſors are very offenſive and uncomfortable Aſſociates to the Church of Chriſt.
That the Lord Jeſus hath moſt tender love to his Church, Obſ. while vexed and diſquieted by the Tribulations of this World. Great love to them as Lillies, but yerning bowels as in the midſt of Thorns.
This Point divides it ſelf into two Parts.
The ſtate of the Church in this World.
The love of Chriſt to her in this State.
I ſhall endeavour to treat of the firſt under 6 Propoſitions.
There's a vaſt diſparity between a Lilly and a Thorn. Prop. 1.Thorns are the natural Daughters of the World; or at beſt, but carnal Profeſſors with the Maſque of Religion. The Lilly is a true Saint, v. 1.an Off-ſet from the Root of Chriſt. He forms his holy Nature in the Church, and then calls her by his own name of a ſpotleſs innocent Lilly. He turns a Bramble into a Lilly by omnipotent grace, and then loves it with a ſpotleſs, endleſs delight. A Child of God may remember his Bramble nature with holy ſhame and humble thankfulneſs, and labour to lead a ſpiritual, meek, and heavenly life, like a Lilly of Chriſts regenerating.
This Lilly, it pleaſes divine love and wiſdom to plant in the midſt of a thorny prickly world: 'Tis Chriſt himſelf hath ſet it, and therefore ſees and watches it in this perilous ſtate. His Wiſdom thought meet to ſet it, and his love delights to guard it. Brambles ſuck away the nitrous juice of the earth, to form their pungent prickles, that Lillies may draw more wholeſome balſame.
Saints grow the more gracious by the vicinity of ſcratching Briars, and holy Men ſhould meekly bear their ſtation, ſince 'tis the will of Chriſt.
Its great diſcomfort to a Saint that's very gracious, to live in a vexing World, But his tribulation worketh patience under ſorrows, experience of divine Protection, and hope of glory, Ro. 5.4. Pſ. 120.5.and therefore glorys in it, Wo is me that I ſojourn in Meſech, and live in the black Tents of Kedar, but joys in hope that the Badger-skins of Kedar, ſhall one day be changed into the Purple Curtains of Solomon. Songs 1.5.The Church both muſt and may have ſome ſociety with thorny perſons with ſowr tempers, as well as ſinful natures, not onelyonly originally wicked but of ſharp and contentious ſpirits.
A ſweet temper mixt with holineſs makes grace more beautiful, eſpecially when planted in the midſt of thorns. Who would expect ſuch a beautiful Lilly as Abigail by the ſides of a Churliſh Nabal, or a meek David near a taunting Michol? Thorns are the more uncomely, and the Lillies much more deſireable.
Q Q. But how ſhall a Saint behave himſelf among ſuch ruggid and piercing spirits?
A A. 1. With holy caution, when thorns be ſo near, remember how ſoon they may prick, Saints muſt take heed of paſſive offence: Not to take it unkindly, as well as not to provoke.
Briars are touchy things and act their nature, let them alone to the Juniper Coals of Magiſtrates, Pſ. 120.4.or fire from Heaven as they live unfruitful and undeſired, ſo they uſually dy unlamented: No man is any farther troubled at a Dog when he ſnarles or bites, then to avoid his curriſh temper, who expects from an Aſs but rude braying; from a Horſe but ſurly kicks; from a Swine, but mire and grunting; or from Thorns, but ſcratches. Stand out of their way as much as poſſible, and let ſuch beaſts bite and fight and ſcratch together, Pſ. 16.3.let thy delight be among the excellent that are in the earth. The law of kindneſs governs the tongue and the law of meekneſs the heart of a Saint.Pro. 31.26. 1 Pet. 3.4.
2. Gracious perſons ſhould behave themſelves inoffenſively, as there is beauty, ſo there's ſmoothneſs and lenity in a Lilly. There's no leſs mercy then majeſty in the nature of holineſs. A Child of God dares not do that to a wicked man which he ſuffers from him. A Saint muſt ſhine with a winning converſation to the froward: 1 Pet. 2.23. and 3.1.If poſſible, anoint their ſharp prickles with the oil of a ſoft anſwer, that when they enter, this may convey a healing drop into the wound. Its ſaid of the Viper, that with his needle-teeth he drops from his head a yellow poyſonous liquor dipt in rage, that inflames the wound, let's pour in ſome Balm of Gilead, into the gauls and gaſhes of venemous ſpirits; Ecc. 10.4.for healing apologies [foreign] comforts and ſweetens againſt great offences.
3. Patiently, knowing that thorns never ſcratch the Church but as they are moved and waved by the wind of divine providence. This is a Saints comfort though ſuch crooked thorns may rend the tender flower of his body, yet cannot hurt his root. Hoſe. 14.5.Though he grow like a ſmall lowly Lilly, yet his roots are like the Cedars of Lebanon. Ye never ſaw a Bramble ſcratching up the root of a Lilly; as he knows it not, ſo he cannot. A Saints faith in and union to Chriſt remains inviolable. Nay, many times, the pulling off his viſible flowers, makes this root the ſtronger.
O happy Church! O happy Saint! Ezek. 38.10.No enemy can think a malicious thought, but 'tis foreſeen, conducted and often returned upon their own heads by an inviſible power. Be patient, Pſ. 37.13.he ſees that their day is coming who has appointed it. When the light of Iſrael ſhall be for a fire, Iſ. 10.17.and his holy one for a flame, and it ſhall burn and devour the thorns and briars in one day.
The Church is among thorns as an embleme of its Perſecutions, ungodly men are always (in promptu) ready for miſchief, though not (in aectu) continually vexing the Church of Chriſt: every wicked man has a Bramble in his heart, and ſometimes hangs out at his mouth in bitter taunts. Gal. 4.29.The Son of the Bond woman will perſecute him that is born after the Spirit. The Nightingale ſings with a thorn at her breaſt by night, though ſhe ſees it not always, yet may ſometimes feel it▪ Its vain for the Church to promiſe ſelf-ſecurity in a Land of Scorpions. Let the wind blow from any corner either of Paganiſme or Hereſie: the ſtorms will impetuouſly claſh the thorns upon the Lillies, and the Churches ſides receive many a gaſh. She hath bin often taught wiſdom from the Briars and Thorns of the Wilderneſs. Jud. 8.16.But here our thorns are the malepert daughters of Jeruſalem. Such as grow in Gardens are the worſt, becauſe the ranker ſoile breeds the ſtrongeſt prickles. The ſharpeſt Perſecutions pierce the Church from the daughters of formal Jeruſalem; Gal. 4.25.as may appear by the Jewiſh, Arian, and Popiſh Tyrannies over the Spouſe of Chriſt. Mark an Apoſtate Julian, that ſcoffs and taunts moſt bitterly againſt the Church, according to that old ſaying, Omnis apoſtata oſor ſui ordinis. Every Apoſtate hates the party from which they declined, and become of all Perſecutors the moſt cruel and barbarous. Thorns that are nigheſt by education, produce the ſharpeſt tryals, as the Pſalmiſt Prophecied in the Perſon of Chriſt, Pſ. 41.9.My familiar friend hath lift up his heel againſt me, Zac. 13.6.with which the Prophet accords, Theſe are the wounds received in the houſe of my friends, Song. 1.6.My Mothers Children are angry with me. The ſweeteſt wine makes the ſharpeſt Vinegar. The neareſt Relations the moſt bitter conflicts, who ought to yield the moſt tender embraces. Bernard obſerves they had not God to Bern, ib.their Father, but the Devil, though they boaſted of their formal Mother. A cruel Mother that milks out poyſon and ſpits venome in the face of her Children, pretends the hony of peace and diſcipline, and mixes the gall of pride, and flings out firebrands.
4. This Song preſents but one Lilly among many thorns, my dove ſays Chriſt, my undefiled is but one, ther's but one Spouſe, one Bride of Chriſt.
1. One to ſhew the paucity of true Believers, as to the multitude of ungodly perſons, hypocrites and ſormal Profeſſors. Briars multiply vaſtly, the vory tops of Brambles will ſhoot down and take root in the neighbouring mould. The heads and hearts of the wicked run in the earth to a vaſt extent, but a Lilly never. Feracious and fruitful is the nature of ſin and ſinners. How many Families fill'd with unholy perſons, ſcarce a Lilly to be ſound. How few true Saints in City or Country: As the Prophet ſpeaks of the Berries of an Olivetree, one of a City or two of a Tribe to come to Zion.Iſ. 17.6. Jer. 3.14.
2. One to ſhew their unity, one root, though many flowors. The Church delights in oneneſs of heart and ſociety. Unity and verity cling together, falſity and diviſion are very numerous. The wicked ſeldome agree but in tearing and defacing the Church, Pilat and Herod joyn hands againſt Chriſt, and mark what a crew of enemies unite and conſederate againſt the Church, Pſ. 83.5, 6.elſe there's little union among the wicked, becauſe pride (the principle of diviſion) compaſs them like a chain, Pſ. 73.6.and therefore violence as a garment. Their enmity to the Church drags them into ſome temporary union as with an iron Chain. The Popiſh Synagogue brags of their general union: 'Tis but a Spaniſh brag. For one of their Cardinals numbers above three hundred differences of opinion in the Romiſh Church, Bp. Hall peace of Rome. Lond. 1603.and one of their Caſuiſts confeſses near threeſcore differences in the point of Confeſſion, and many more might be added of Popes and Counſels and Frieries one againſt another. But the true Church hath an admirable union, one Lord, one ſaith, one baptiſm, Jeruſalem is a City compact together, and at unity within her ſelf. Though outward Profeſſors have ſome variance, yet in the grand ſundamental of ſree grace and ſalvation by faith alone the confeſſions of the Reformed Churches rejoyce in a ſweet harmony, as to leſſer points, Oh that it were as it ought to be and ſhall be in the glorious times that are a coming.
3. One, to ſhew what concerns the Church in general, is applicable to every member. Each promiſe and priviledge is univerſal and yet peculiar, to teach Believers that are in Covenant to lay hold on every promiſe, as if made to them alone. Rom. 23, 24.Abraham's promiſe is thine, for it was not written for his ſake alone but for us alſo if we believe. What was ſaid to Joſhua, was ſaid to thee, he will never leave thee nor forſake thee. Heb. 13.5. Tit. 1.4. Jude 3. Heb. 11.40.Its common faith and common ſalvation, that they without us ſhould not be made perfect. The Church is a Dove that brings an Olive-branch to every Noah, within the Ark of Chriſt; the love of Chriſt is general to all, and ſingular to each individual member. Each Saint hath an equal title to his love and all ſpiritual joys as the whole.
The Lilly is not only encumbred with thorns but grows amongſt them. 'Tis not a dead flower cropt and flung there, but thrives and flouriſhes though hedg'd and hem'd with thorns. It ſends forth a gracious ſmell among noiſome briars, when planted there by Chriſt. Oh learn to adorn Religion in a barren ſoil amidſt troublous enemies, that's the glory of a Saint, to be a Joſeph, a Moſes in the midſt of Aegypt, an Obadiah at Samaria, a Nehemiah in Shuſhan, Luke 8.3.a Joanna in Herod's Court, In a thorny family among ſharp relations, in a prickly Land to ſcent like Heaven. To retaine growing innocency and tender-hearted-lenity in a crooked and perverſe Nation. To beautifie and ſweeten the dunghil World. Phil. 21.15.To luſtrate a wild Common full of briars by the purity of holineſs. To pray for ſuch as prick their ſides, to do good to ſuch as hate and ſpitefully ſcratch them, a ſpirit of God and a ſpirit of glory reſts upon them, to be filled with the good will of him that dwelt and ſhined in the briar of Horeb: This is to be like our heavenly Father. 'Tis no great praiſe to be quiet in a Hermitage, and to fly like a Dove from Kedar, but in the midſt of buſineſs, relations and troubles, then ſhines the grace of a Saint.
6. The Churches Lilly often receives protection from the thorns about them. The ſame hand planted both thorns and lillies. The lilly within, and the thorns for protection about it. The Briars often twiſt and twine themſelves into an arbor to deſend the Church. Saul and the Philiſtines encountring together gave eſcape to David. Julian and the Perſians delivered the primitive Chriſtians. The Sadduces and Phariſees conflict reſcued Paul into the hands of Lyſias. Acts 23.7.The Church often grows ſafely under the intangled counſels of infatuated Achitophels, and ſubtile Hamans.
While they perplex and involve each other, Pſ. 2.16.they become inſnared by the works of their own hands, and the Church ſings Higgaion Selah. The ſtate of Geneva is compared to a bone that 3 ſturdy Maſtiffs ſtand by and ſnarl one at another, but dare not touch it. The Motto upon the Churches briars, may well be that of Scotland's thiſtles, ne impune laceſſant: God fences his lillies about by the thorns of carnal Profeſſors, as well as the tall Brambles of Baſhan, the open and violent Pagan enemies. The multitudes of Formaliſts in and about the Church a wiſe God turns both to ſhadow and ſhelter; to ſhadow from the ſcorching Sun that would wither it, and to ſhelter it from the foot of Beaſts, the foot of pride and violence that might tread it down. They are always good ſubjects, uſeful and painful and faithful in their ſtations. Joſeph's ſrugal prudence gat him favour in the eye of Pharaoh. Mordecai's truſtineſs to the life of Ahaſuerus raiſed him to honour, and Daniel's ſagacity and expertneſs in affairs, was a notable ſtep to his perſonal honour, his further advancement in the riſing Perſian Court, and a return for the Church of God out of Babylon.
Let's deſcend to apply, the Uſe is two-fold, to the thorns and lillies.
Ʋſe 1 1. To the Thorns in ſome particulars.
1. Remember your vile original, what are you? but the curſed ſruit of the fall, whoſe bramble natures breed unkind and pricking ſpirits. God planted no thorns in Paradiſe. The ſtate of innocency knew no ſuch crooked tempers. Ecc. 7.29.He created man upright, but he ſought out many inventions.
2. To the Thorns among Lillies.
Moſt of the Worlds briars grow without any lillies among them▪ They live among Nettles, Hemlock and Henbane and other poyſonous Plants, ſtinging, and tearing, and choaking one another, Tit. 3.3.living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another, but remember you that have Lillies among you; their humility, fragrancy, lenity, purity ſhould provoke you to holy emulation. They live peaceably by you, ſcratch them not. Happy thorns, did you know it; God would ſoon fold you up into bundles and deliver you to the ſurnace of his wrath, were it not for his Choſen among you, Mat. 13.30.Suffer them a while, let the Briars grow till the Harveſt, ſays our Lord, Then ſhall his Angels gather out of his Kingdom, v. 41.all things that offend and them which do iniquity and cast them into a furnace of fire; there ſhall be wailing and gnaſhing of teeth.
3. Let wicked perſecuting thorns conſider their end. Heb. 6.8.That earth that beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto curſing, whoſe end is to be burnt. Unſerviceable, unprofitable wretches cumber the ground, ſuck away the juice from Gods Plants, unfit for building, and injurious, that which their prickly venome heat and infeſt the hands that touch them. Take heed of perſecuting the meek and humble Lillies. There's no one ſin more criminal and provoking in the ſight of God. He ordains his arrows againſt the Perſecutors and dooms them to eternal fire. Pſ. 7.13.When once perſons fall to that ſin, Pſ. 58.9.God maketh way and room for his wrath. Before the pots can feel the thorns &c. a dark place but ſharp againſt Gods enemies: Arias and Glaſſius tranſlate it, antequam ſpinae intelligant rhamnum, &c. Before the Thorns apprehend a Bramble, an elegant metaphor from the growth of rational creatures. Before the young tender thorns ſhall ariſe to the capacity of a great bramble to do more miſchief. The word foreign in the plural maſculine ſignifies thorns, and the Targum gloſſes the Text thus, while they are tender and green,: Iſa. 54.13. Eccl. 7.8.while in their youth and vigour, as Husbandmen cut down thorns before they grow rampant, ſo will the Lord tear off wicked Perſecutors with the whirlwind and burn them with the fire of his wrath before they grow old, withered and dry, while yet in the ſap and ſtrength, while they are lively and flouriſhing. The deſign of the Pſalmiſt expreſſes the wrath of God againſt his enemies before they ſhall finiſh their purpoſes to bring utter deſtruction to the Congregation of the juſt.
Ʋſe 2 To the Lillies themſelves.
1. Reſemble your heavenly pattern. Take heed of moroſity, you never found a thorn in the root, leaf or flower of a lilly, but what was thruſt in by a Briar, it agrees not to the meek and gentle nature of holineſs. Pride and imperiouſneſs of ſpirit is contrary to the humility of a Lilly, ſtiffneſs and perverſneſs are unſuitable to the flexible temper of that lovely plant. Drooping and deſponding unbecomes the erect and brisk aſpect of its flower. Saints ſhould labour to joy in the Lord always. Study for ſuch innocency, mildneſs, winning, ingenious tempers, and candour of ſpirit as may ſilence the ignorance of fooliſh men, that by holy and heavenly frames of heart and life they may convince the briars that tear them of their fiery, unrighteous ſharpneſs. Saints muſt ſhew a better ſpirit dwelling in them, then the world knows off, ſweet thoughts iſſuing into courteous and affable words; ſmelling fragrantly of heavens influence, and the dews of Zion moiſtning their lovely hearts with a converſation ſo amiable as may glorifie their heaven-born race that all about them may delight to come within them, to taſte of their delicious ſpirits as if they dwelt in a garden of Pomegranats.Song 4.13.
A Lilly is a tractable Plant, a briar is of a ſullen, churliſh, rough, Nabal-like ſpirit. Wicked mens tempers are commonly like nettles and thorns thruſt away that cannot be taken with hands, 2 Sam. 23.6.7.he that touches them muſt be fenced with iron, and the ſtaff of a ſpear, and they ſhall be utterly burnt with fire in the ſame place, not to be handled without hedgers gloves, without guards and fences, but ſo muſt not Saints, yet, take heed of offences even to the Sons of Belial. A Lilly will not cannot hurt a thorn. You never heard a Sheep barking, at a Dog, or ſaw a Dove fly after a Bird of Prey. A Saint muſt not be of a ſturdy, dogged, proud, rapacious inſolent and revengeful temper, but commit themſelves to God, For Vengeance is mine ſaith the Lord, Rom. 12.9.I'll repay it.
Q Q. But may not a Saint ſometimes uſe the prick of reproof?
A A. When the neceſſity of their calling, ſtation and relation requires it, 'tis their duty. Lev. 19.17.They muſt in no no wiſe hate their Brother in their heart, but ſhew their love by rebuking him, and not ſuffer ſin upon him. But, Pro. 15.12.if he be a ſcorner he'll never love his reprover, neither will he go unto the wiſe, but ſight and quarrel and backbite moſt venomouſly. Pro. 9.7.He that reproveth a ſcorner gets ſhame and blots and hatred. Therefore remember the ſphere of thy ſtation and go no further. Thorns are always ſcratching and cenſuring Saints for reproof though bound in duty, and though never ſo mild, wherefore let the Lillies whiteneſs, purity and humility be a ſilent ſtanding reproof againſt their neighbouring briars.
2. Do you belong to this heavenly Plant? are you like to Chriſt? are ye his lillies indeed? [Let's try] can you bear their prickly thorns with meekneſs of patience. A good nature is ſeen more in bearing and paſſing by injuries that might provoke a nettling temper, then in beſtowing of benefits. Will ye pretend to a lilly and cant bear a prick in your good name for Chriſt, nor a thorn in your liberty for the Goſpel ſake, nor a ſcratch in your purſes for pure worſhip and the honourable name of the great Lillie of the Vallies, what conformity bear we to Chriſt? The Head of the Church was girt and gored with a Crown of thorns for us, and muſt not the Churches Sides expect the like, Delicatus es Christiane &c. ſaid Jerome, thou art too dainty, that muſt be Crowned with roſes here and glory hereafter: what, ſwim in a River of oil, into the river of Paradiſe; no, no! Canaanites will be thorns in your ſides till ye come to that Canaan above. Deceive not your ſelves, ſcandals at the Croſs make formaliſts ſtumble into Apoſtacy. A great Roman Emperor tryed his Courtiers and State Officers by Proclamation, who would renounce Chriſtianity, to prove their conſtancy, and ſuch who for flattery or ſear fled back from the truth, he turned out of their places, telling them, that ſuch who were falſe to their Saviour, would never be true to their Emperor. Our great Lord and King of the Church ſometimes tries whether we will ſuffer thorns in our comforts, rather then in our conſciences. Turning times are trying times.
3. Pray for the dews of heavenly grace to fall like Orient Pearls upon your lillies. No matter what briars among us, ſo heavens influences ſhowr down upon us. What need we beſo much concerned for a ſcratch, if a Balſam drop from Heaven preſently cure it? Pſ. 94, 19.If multitudes of thoughts ramble and tumble within us, let divine comforts delight our ſouls: a rare word in the Hebrew taken from the ſolaces, foreigndancings, dandlings, ſingings of tender Mothers to their froward and ſretful Children. If thou canſt find and feel God to be in Covenant with thee, and taking thee in arms and cheriſhing thee on the knees of his affection like a Father, what matter what the ſcullions in the Kitchin, and wicked men the rods of his wrath, the Hang-men and Executioners of Divine Judgments in the earth, be they never ſo great, ſpeak and twit againſt thee thou knoweſt thy Fathers love is ſolid and permanent, though by an affliction he chide for a fault, yet his heart is with thee, Joh. 14.3.17.24.he'll never leave thee till he bring thee to himſelf, and to the high inheritance. Let all the Devils in Hell fling their ragged firebrands at thee, make but a tuſh of it in the name of the Father of mercies, they can't hurt thee. Pray for the gentle Zephyrus, the ſweet breathings of Gods Spirit to flow down and invigorate your Beds of Spices.Song 4.16.
4. Care not what the World counts, If God pronounce you to be his Lillies. Labour to be more eminently what God ſtyles you, for what he loves you, and for what the World hates you: John 15.18.If the World hate you, ſaies our Lord, ye know that it hated me before it hated you, If ye were of the World, the World would love its own, but becauſe ye are not of the world, but I have choſen you out of the world, therefore the World hateth you. In his heavenly prayer our Lord alſo addreſſeth thus to the Father; John 17.14.I have given them thy word and the World hath hated them, becauſe they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Diſgrace from the world, let it arm you from going back, and let holy emulation edge you forward. Love not the world, nor the things of this world, the childiſh faſhion, the apiſh attire, the vain pomp and gliſtering gewgaws, the tickling and ſoul-alienating pleaſures of this tranſient and periſhing life. Be ſolid and ſerious perſons, let your affections be riſen with Chriſt to the pleaſures and treaſures that are above.Col. 3.1.
5. Take heed of the thorns within, more then them without. While your ſoul tabernacles in fleſh, it dwells in a Thicket of thorns, ſcarce ſees Heaven but through Crannies. Paul had this thorn, 2 Cor. 12.7.a thorn given, but it bore roſes at laſt, His ſufferings incenſed him to fight the good fight of faith the more couragiouſly.
O the piercing thorns of temptation that annoy the choiceſt Saints! he mourns more intenſely for the thorns at his heart, then thoſe at his feet. He cuts down the former, but they grow again, Hinc ille lachrymae, hence his continual ſpring of tears; the others without him he tramples down valiantly. Worldly cares, fiery tryals, dark deſertions that touch his heart, theſe exerciſe his ſaith and patience. But O the fearful Bramble of Original luſt, a bramble like the Oakes in Baſhan as big as the Waſte of his ſoul. Here he lays on with the ax of Repentance every day, and makes the Chips to fly, till death help him to fetch the killing ſtroke upon all his deadly enemies. He ſweats and pants till he gets the Victory.
6. Be very ſolicitous to keep your ſelves from the thorns without. To live holy, and ward off wicked mens blows with all prudence conſiſtent with confeſſion of truth and the name of Chriſt, Col. 4.5.walk in wiſdom toward them that are without; let your speech be alway with grace, ſeaſoned with Salt. If your ſalt be unſavoury, wherewith (ſays our Lord) ſhall it be ſeaſoned. A violent calcining fire takes away much of the grateful ſavour of ſalt. Take heed of fiery tryals that are to try them that dwell upon the earth; If ye draw back, Heb. 10.38.my ſoul (ſaith God) ſhall have no pleaſure in you, a dreadful ſaying, Hoſea 8.8.to be like Iſrael's veſſel wherein there's no pleaſure. Hieronym. in loc.Immundum vas ſeu inutile &c. quo ad projicienda ſtercora uti ſobemus. a veſſel made for the requiſites of nature to be fill'd with things unſeemly: let Saints ſtudy to be holy and uſeful and likewiſe to be careful and watchful againſt the tinctures and temptations of a prophane World. A Saint muſt always carry about him a dove-like heart and ſometimes uſe the nimble ſparkling eye of the Serpent to guard his dove-like innocency. Spina poena eſt, thorns will be afflictive. To live near them and not to be hurt is the fruit of divine grace and power, but 'tis uſually connext with our uſe of holy wiſdom towards them. Perſecutions are oftentimes chaſtiſements for ſin, and preparations for glory. Though a fruit of the fall, yet they become medicinal to a Saint; his troubles being his comforts. Boyſterous winds hurry a Ship to its haven. Dangerous diſeaſes often ferment the bloud into a purity for more proſperous health. The poiſon of ſin mingles the potion of repentance. foreign evipera.Andromachus's Treakle compoſed of a Viper cures its venome. The fleſh of a Scorpion applyed to the place affected, healed Olearius of his pain and torment. Olear. Travels p. 195A Saints inward bitings from Satan are cured by the Dragons bloud ſlain by the Spear of Chriſt. VVendelin de nilo C. 16. G. §. 11.Its ſaid that Crocodile's tears pierce the skull of man, I am ſure that a Saints penitent tears diſſolve the head and all the inventions of Satan. To end; a gracious ſoul may gather the flowers of aſſurance from the ſharp prickles of temptation and perſecution. He ſucks much hony of the thorns that moleſt and afflict him.
7. Aſſociate with heavenly Lillies. All the World beſides are but thorns. The common Daughters of Jeruſalem are lillies in ſhew, but have thorns in heart, and ſometimes grow out from the midſt of their ſeeming flowers. They'll prick ſometimes as peeviſhly and perverſely as open wicked men, and as the Daughters of Babylon. What delight can a Saint take in their vain converſe, their pride and worldlineſs? Many ſtrange Profeſſors ſtart up now adays that bear the leaves of their godly Fathers but not their fruit, they go for Daughters of Zion, but are haughty, Iſ 3.16.walk with ſtretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, mincing or tripping nicely as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet. Crepitantibus Calceis & Crepidis inſiſtentes, A Lap.With their flaps and ſlaps proclaiming their levity and folly, but their hearts are little worth, Pro. 10.20.and their tongues like Serpents fork'd with enmity, and ſharp like crooked thorns againſt the ways of holineſs, Song 6.2.let's depart from them and go with our Beloved into the Gardens, to the beds of Spices to feed in the Gardens and to gather Lillies, where Chriſt has his ſets and knots of Lillies, has pure and holy worſhiping Churches, there let's aſſemble, though briars be near, yet Chriſt is nigher.
8. Long for Heaven. Send up the fragrant odours of your prayers into Paradiſe where no bleak wind, no chilling ſhowrs, no piercing thorns ſhall trouble more. Let theſe Wilderneſs-prickles ſharpen thy pace towards Heaven, Eph. 6.15.being well ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of peace, yet leap nimbly through them and haſten from them. Cry out of the Valley, the Settims, the ſharp Buſhes in the Plains of Moab, and pant for Lebanon where thy Lilly ſhall be planted under the true Vine and the Tree of Life; where thorns in duties, relations, enjoyments ſhall make thy ſpirit to bleed no more. Where thorns from Devils and a wicked World ſhall affront and gaſh no more, where thorns from our own hearts or others tongues ſhall wound no more, whether from the Daughters of Gath, or Jeruſalem, 2 Sam. 1.20.from outragious wickedneſs, or perverſe formaliſme ſhall touch or prick or puniſh the Church no more.
O pray for that Sabbath of reſt, that Jubilee of joy, when from all thy labours, ſorrows and tears thou ſhalt reſt in the boſome of eternal love, when the furrows made by the torrent of tears in thy hollow cheeks ſhall be fill'd up by the Balm of Gilead, when all thy wounds and ſcarrs ſhall be bathed into ſmoothneſs and beautifully heal'd in thoſe rivers of pleaſure that flow at the right hand of him that ſits upon the Throne, for evermore.
I ſhould come now to the Second branch of the Doctrine to ſet forth the love of Chriſt to his Church and each holy Soul while ſighing and groaning among the thorns of this Valley of Achor. Add.whereof briefly and cloſe.
1. He forms holy ſighs and groans in thy Spirit by his Spirit. He ſends his dove into our hearts, Ezek. 36.27.and then we mourn like doves in the clefts of the rock of Ages. He puts his ſpirit within us, and then hearkens to the groanings of his own Spirit, Rom. 8.27. Song 2.14.O my dove, let me hear thy voice, why? becauſe thy Countenance is comely: Non placet vox, ſi displiceat facies, Bern.our face is comely in the beauty of his righteouſneſs, and therefore our voice is pleaſant through the melody of his Spirit.
2. Chriſt ſighs with thee. He mingles the tears of his Croſs with the tears of thy crucifiing afflictions. In all their affliction he is afflicted. Iſ. 63.9.The thorn never pricks the ſides of the Church, Zach 2.8.but it touches the apple of his eye. Is this lilly parch'd with the Sun? Cor Chriſti aeſtuat, the heart of Chriſt is affected with holy ſympathy. Is it blaſted with Eaſt-winds? he comforts and relieves it by ſweet Weſtern Gales of his Spirit. Is it ſpotted and ſtained with dirt ſtruck up by the foot of Beaſts? he waſhes it clean in his own laver, our very hairs are numbred, Pſ. 56.8.our tears bottled, our deſires known, our ſteps and wandrings are meaſured, our groans are not hid from him, our members are written in his Book that not a bone is broken but he ſets them again.
3. Chriſt appears graciouſly in time of diſtreſs; he came into the Church when the doors were ſhut for fear of the Jews, and breathed his peace upon them. He was with the Church in the Wilderneſs, he viſited the lillys in the thorny buſh, and conducted them & planted them in the Land of Canaan. It was his hortus penſilis & ambulatorius, he delighted in his walking Garden through the howling Deſarts of Arabia, the Type and Emblem of his Goſpel Church in all her ſcatterings and thirſty marches, and will never forſake them till like conquering Joſhua he bring them to their appointed reſt. Neither is there any of the leaſt of his beloved ones but he will vouchſafe a gracious ear to their petitions, Iſ. 40.41.63.9.4.and carry them in his boſome as all the days of old.
He delivers frequently, inceſſantly, perſeveringly, he loves them to the end. Iſ. 43.3.He gave Aegypt for their Ranſome, Aethiopia and Seba for them, This is matter of argument in our prayer thou haſt delivered this people out of Aegypt until now. Numb. 14.19.And what if we be not fit for mercy, he is always fit to ſhew it when heavenly wiſdom judges meet. The times of the Church are in the hands of a Father who conſults his own bowels and the expediency of his own glory. In that day when the deſign and decrees of mercy, unite in accompliſhment, he can form the hearts of men and faſhion them upon the wheel of Providence. Let none deſpond becauſe the Church is not prepared for approaching deliverance. The Prophets are full of this encouragement that in ſuch a day he will powr out another ſpirit, and make all things fall in joint and to hit the mark of his appointment. The time is haſtening and at the doors, that the Lord will powr out clean water upon his Sanctuary he will do a new thing on the earth, now it ſhall ſpring forth foreign nunc germinabit, Iſ. 43.19.foreign a manifeſt alluſion with that of Zachary, Zech. 3.8.6.12.I will bring forth my Servant, [Zemach] the BRANCH, called by Luke foreign the Branch from on High: when the Beaſts of the field, the Dragons and Owls of the Gentile Wilderneſs ſhall honour me Then ſhall Zion bud forth and great ſhall be the glory of her Children, from the North, and from the Weſt, Iſ. 49.12.and thoſe from the Land of Sinim. Which ſome as Arias and others, underſtand of China, but more likely of Sin or Peluſium by a trope for the Land of Aegypt, Sin being the great fortreſs at the entrance of Aegypt, and South of the Land of Canaan.
5. He is ſore displeaſed with the Heathen that are at eaſe. Zech. 1.15.When Gods a little diſpleaſed, they leap like Lions from Baſhan upon the Church. Iſ. 47.6.37.29.When God is wroth with his People for their unholineſs and defilements, they ſhew no mercy. But God will put a Hook in their noſe, and lead them back like beaſts into the Land of Slaughter, for Sacrifices in the Temples of their own Gods. Heathen briars may flouriſh and ſpread their twins far and near, but when once they moleſt his Church they are nigh to burning. Pompey proſpered not after he ſtumbled in the Temple of Jeruſalem. Many and fatal inſtances occur in Hiſtory of Gods vindictive Juſtice upon his enemies, when once they laid hands upon the precious things of Zion. Diſcite justitiam moniti, &c. learn to beware of Herod's deſtiny, ſmote by an Angel in the midſt of all his glory.
6. Theſe Thorns never prick and vex the Church but by his permiſſion and guidance, and when he hath performed his work upon Mount Zion, Iſ. 13.12.he will puniſh the fruit of their ſtout hearts, and the glory of their high looks. When the People of Zion are meek and humble then they ſhall ariſe out of obſcurity, and ſhake of their duſt and Kings ſhall come to the glory of Zions riſing, Iſ. 60.3. Bern.humiliatio parit humilitatem, Sanctified humiliation brings advancing humility. All their thorns ſhall be conſecrated into ſweet briars, and all their pricking vexations ſhall prove medicinal, like potions made of the Carduus bendictus, the bleſſed thiſtle. The troubles of the Church both for time and meaſure are guided by her wiſe ad holy Husband, who hath charged the toſſing waves of the Sea, hitherto ſhall ye come and no further.
7. He praiſes his Church and ſets off her beauty by the uncomelineſs of the adjoyning thorns. She is black but comely, ſcratcht but beautiful. A Dove begrim'd among the Pots but a Dove ſtill. Song. 2.10.Ariſe my Dove, my love, my fair one, Song 1.5.my joy, come away. The Tents of Kedar ſet a luſtre upon the Curtains of Solomon. A Jacob in Laban's Family, a Joſeph in Pharaoh's, an Obadiah in Ahab's, gives a perfume to the place they dwell in. there's a wall of fire between the lillies and the thorns, Zach. 2.4.to cheriſh the lillies and to conſume the thorns. There's a black ſide of the Cloud to dannt the Aegyptians, but a bright ſide to enlighten and comfort Iſrael.
Let not the Church be diſcouraged for Chriſt owns and loves her in the midſt of deformities, Inſer. 1.imbecilities and conflicts. Though ſometimes weak and a little heady and conceited, 'tis his beloved Spouſe ſtill, whom he intends to form and beautifie for himſelf. A tender father pitties his ſick and weakly Child, moſt of all. A gracious Husband compaſſionates his ſickly Spouſe eſpecially if ſick of love, His left hand is under her head, Song 2.6.and his right hand doth embrace her. A little pettiſhneſs and frowardneſs does not alienate his heart from her, if right in the main; his generous love winks at many things and pardons all. Though the Moon have her ſpots, the Sun diſtains not to ſhine upon her, and though a Saint may have ſome fooliſhneſs, Pſ. 69.5.14.yet God delivers him from draggling in the mire, and ſuffers him not to ſink
Uprightneſs may conſiſt with many imperfections. Infer. 2.God takes his meaſures by ſincerity and not infirmity, that's a Saints joy. He conſiders our tentations and knows our frame and remembers that we are but dust. Pſ. 103 14Some frowardneſs and frettings in the midſt of integrity, nay a ſpark of grace is highly regarded though at firſt ſtruck from Heaven into an ocean of corruption within us, its kindling and will be flaming. We have our coolings and our warmths, ſome beauty though ſome deformities, and the heart is all with God, if the bent and tenour of the ſpirit be towards him, onelyonly take heed leſt our weakneſſes ſhould eclipſe his praiſe, deſpond our ſpirits in holy duties, and indulging of touchy flaſhes ſhould habituate into fierceneſs, and thereby become envious at our betters in grace, and at laſt droop and ſink into an uncomfortable frame of ſpirit, and then cenſure and backbite others that faithfully and meekly reprove us for our folly, and would reſtore us to a heavenly frame and communion with God.
Be ſenſible and meek under every tryal. Infer. 3.Let croſſes crucifie the fleſh within thee, and let every affliction mortifie the body of ſin and death, and ſtill remember thou art Chriſts Lilly, though diſtreſſed by manifold thorns. Keep in the royal highway to Heaven between fainting and confidence. He that faints, Prov. 24.10.the ſtrength of his faith is ſmall. Nouriſh faith by Promiſes, they are the milk and hony of the Land of Canaan. Keep always ſome of theſe precious cordials in the bottles of memory, & be ware alſo of too much confidence & ſelfconceit Qui ſe ſibi magiſtrum conſtituit ſtulto ſe diſcipulum ſubdit, Bern. Epiſt. 87.a ſelf taught perſon has a fool to his Maſter.
The Church as far tranſcends the World as a pure unſpotted Lilly outſhines a crew of intricate thorns upon a cragged rock, Inſer. 4.or as a garden of roſes in Sharon is more pleaſant then the curſed Mountains of Gilboa, unpaſſable by briars and brambles.
Puniceis humilis quantum ſaliunca roſetis.
As ſragrant roſes prickly thorns excel
Brambles and Myrtles yield no parallel.
Iſ. 55.13.Let none value true Saints by external grandeur, but their vertues and graces, humility ſweetneſs, peacefulneſs and innocency. Many Profeſſors are eſteemed for riches and titles, for gold rings and gawdy cloths: James 2.3.Sit here at my right hand, make room for a Silken Veſt and fine toyes upon an empty head and a barren heart. Oh how our eſtimates ſtick in the mire! whom do you moſt prize and admire, a poor ſheep-skin Saint that ſtands his ground in Perſecution, Heb. 11.37.or a proud Peacock that yelps at a Storme. Are ye not carnal and judges of evil thoughts, James 2.4.Since it appears not now what it is to be a true Son of God, but at that day it will be revealed, when we ſhall ſee him as he is.1 John 3.2. Infer. 5.
Let none ſtand amazed at the pageantry of falſe Churches, nor value the Whore of Rome becauſe of her bravery. Rev. 18.16.She's deckt with Pearles and precious ſtones, but ſmells ſtrong of Aegypt. All the Perſumes of Arabia can't hide or choak her ſtink. 'Tis not Lateran Muſick will conſecrate her Maſſes into audience, nor her incenſe procure acceſs to the Throne of Grace, Amos 5.22.I will not ſmell ſays the Lord in your Solemn Aſſemblies. Take away the noiſe of your Songs, the melody of your Viols, let judgment run down as waters and righteouſneſs like a mighty ſtream. I ſhall end with Bernard to Eugenius, the 4th. * Bern. de conſid. l. 1. f. 238.Plena eſt ambitioſis eccleſia, non eſt jam quod exhorreat in ſtudiis & molitionibus ambitionis, non plus quam spelunca latronum in ſpoliis viatorum. The Church (of Rome) is ſtufft with ambitious perſons, they tremble no more in the ſtudious endeavours after ambitious deſigns, then a den of Robbers at dividing the ſpoyls of innocent travellers. and then tells him to his face among other ſmart but ſerious reflections upon his Lordlineſs, [ † id. l. 3 f. 240.praeſis ut proſis, &c. ut dispenſes, non imperes &c. Nullum tibi venenum nullum gladium plus formido, quam libidinem dominandi] govern to edification, act like a Servant, and Steward, not an Emperor, I dread no poyſon, no aſsaſſinate more fatal to you, then the luſt of domination.
Be not offended at the Church of Chriſt becauſe of her mean and troubleſome State. Inſer. 6.What if the King of Zion come meek and lowly, riding upon an Aſs, Zech 9.9.or his holy Apoſtles walking on foot for the Converſion of Nations through the World, what if the ſhowrs of Heaven ſall upon the cheeks of the lovely, lowly Lilly, and ſhe ſit weeping among the briars, muſt true religion and pure worſhip be never courted but when the Sun ſhines? The way to Canaan lay through ſtones and rocks, Deut. 8.15amidſt Lions and Tygers, among Scorpions and fiery flying Serpents; true genuine Iſrael muſt through all, and never be appaled, diſmayed or dare to face about to Aegypt, of which the Lord hath ſaid ye ſhall return that way no more, Deut. 17.16.If we ſtartle at the briars about the lillies, & flinch for a few prickles we are not worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Mat. 10.37.The troubles are but momentany, the glory eternal. They may hurt the fleſh, but cannot hinder the flight of the ſoul into the boſome of Abraham. Let not the Churches afflictions obſtruct your aſſociating to her company which is paſſing under the conduct of her 2d Joſhua, Heb. 4.8.9.into everlaſting reſt. Judge not her beauty, 'tis under a mask, and though beſmeared by the ſoil of her malignant enemies, ſhe is all glorious within. 'Tis our ignorance of the Churches beauty. A comely face muſt not be diſingeniouſly wip't by a malicious tongue, till the duſt and ſpots be waſh'd off and its aſpect clarified, nor a ſweet temper dropt upon becauſe of calumnies, before converſe does open it. 'Tis want of holineſs in moſt, and true love to it, 1 John 2.10.that cauſes ſtumbling at the holy ways of God.
Reſign your ſelves into his ſweet and ſtrong tuition, Inſer. 7.who can incline the worſt of brambles to be a fence and ſecurity to his lillies; and the ſharper and ſtronger they are, the more offenſive to the Churches enemies. Iſ. 46.11.Cyrus a ravenous Bird from Eaſt God called to feaſt upon the ſacrifice of his wrath in the Land of Chaldea, to root up the briars of Babylon, which had ſo greatly vexed and abuſed his beloved people. All Hiſtories yield notable inſtances of divine ſeverity againſt barbarous perſecutors when once they ſtretch out their hands againſt the Church, they are quickly withered. To what fearful iſſues the inraged and infatuated inſtruments of Satan in the 10 primitive Perſecutions were reduced, Eccleſiaſtick and Civil ſtory is very pregnant; let's endeavour with all ſincerity and ſedulity to lead lives unblameable and keep Conſcience unſpotted before God and man, and arm our ſelves with holy reſolutions againſt every ſinful courſe wherein we would tremble to appear at the dreadful Judgment ſeat of Chriſt, and God, our gracious father will take care of his part to give us divine protection and preſerve us to his heavenly Kingdom. What bleſſed lives might Chriſtians live did they walk always as under the eye of an Omniſcient God, and with what comfort might they reſign their ſpirits at death into his hands, as of a faithful Creator, and merciful Redeemer, obtaining an abundant entrance into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Lee, Two Discourses on the Mournful State of the Church (1677)