The Disabled Debtor Discharged, Part 33
Thou gaveſt me no kiſſe, Text. but this woman ſince the time I came in, hath not ceaſed to kiſſe my Feet.
Verſe 45 Here we have the ſecond defect of Simon which is held to be againſt Charity, whereof a Kiſſe was a Symboll and Expreſſion: And uſed firſt, betwixt men and men, as Gen. 45.15. Exod. 4.27. 2 Sam. 19.39. 2. Betwixt women and women, as Ruth 19.14. 3. Betwixt men and women, as Gen. 29.11.
There are two ſorts of Kiſſes, holy and unholy, according to the Apoſtles diſtinction, 1 Theſ. 5.26. 1 Cor. 16.20. 2 Cor. 13.12.
Of holy Kiſſes there were three ſorts, firſt, Oſculum pacis, a kiſſe of peace, which was uſed at the meeting and parting of Friends. Such was that, Gen. 29.11, 13. & 31.28. & 33.4. Exod. 18.7.
2 Oſculum Reconciliationis, a kiſſe of Reconciliation, of which nature was that, Gen. 27.41 & 33.4. 2 Sam. 14.33. Luk. 15.20.
3 Oſculum Religionis, a religious Kiſſe: Such are thoſe ſpoken of, Cant. 1.2. Pſal. 2.11. And this civill Ceremony came to be ſomewhat Religious in the Eaſterne Churches, in cuſtomary uſe before the receiving of the Supper of the Lord, continued till the dayes of Iuſtin Martyr, Iuſt Martyr Apol. 2.wherby they manifeſted their Communion and conſent in the ſame Religion.
Ʋnholy Kiſſes are of foure ſorts. Firſt, an Idolatrous Kiſſe, of which we read, 1 King. 19.18. Hoſ. 13.2. Iob 31.26, 27.
Secondly, The Flattering Kiſſe; of which kind was that Abſolom gave to thoſe which came to him, 2 Sam. 15.5.
Thirdly, The Treacherous Kiſſe; Such was that which Ioab gave Abner, and Iudas Chriſt, 2 Sam. 20.9. Luke 22.48.
Fourthly, The Ʋnchaste Kiſſe, which is that the Harlot gave unto the Young man, as wee read, Prov. 7.13.
A Kiſſe noted two things, Affection and Subjection: Affection. Looke as giving our Hand one to another at our meeting argueth the delivery of our Hearts: So kiſſing of all other complements or Geſtures hath the moſt evident and expreſſe repreſentation of that which is within. Life we know conſiſts in Reſpiration, and our breathing is by our mouth. Kiſſing is a ſigne that a man is ready to communicate, and (as it were) to infuſe his own proper ſoule into another. It would be thought on by thoſe who uſe to give this ſigne of Affection unto Dogs and ſuch like Creatures.
A Kiſſe was alſo an expreſſion of Loyalty and Obedience; So Samuell kiſſed Saul, 1 Sam. 15.10, 11. And it is the manner of Subjects at this day to kiſſe the hand of their Soveraigne: The kiſſing that Mary here uſed did manifeſt eſpecially her Affection, for want of that was Simon blamed. So then we learne
Doct. The Signes and Teſtimonies of Affection may not be forgotten.
It is not enough that the Heart be kindly affected, unleſſe we give due teſtimony outwardly of that Affection which we beare.
What S. Iames ſpeaks of Faith, Jam. 2.18.Shew mee thy Faith by thy works, may be applied to Love, ſhew me thy love by thy works. To thy friends (ſaith Salomon) ſhew thy ſelfe friendly, Pro. 18.24.
And were not the ſignes of true Affection to be regarded, I ſee not why the Apoſtle ſhould give ſuch a ſpeciall charge about them in his Letters,Rom. 16. wiſhing that his Salutations might be remembred to divers in particular mentioned, as we find at large, Rom. 16. and that they would greet one another with an holy Kiſſe, Rom. 16.16. 1 Theſ. 5.26.
I'le give you Reaſon for it; Manifeſtation of Affection breeds Affection, nothing more.
Againe, By this the Truth of Affection may be diſcovered: Our Love will bee found heereby to bee without Diſſimulation, which (if true) like fire will diſcover it ſelfe, either by its Smoake or Flame.
Vſe 1 Such may do well to think of this, who pretend fervency of affection, yet give no teſtimony of it: They wiſh well to others (as they ſay) and pray for them, but for any outward manifeſtation of this their love, it is not to be ſeen.
There is a kind of Love indeed which Salomon cals Secret, Beda in Pro. 27.5.Prov. 27.5. but he preferres open Rebuke before it. When Love is Chambered and keeps cloſe, we may feare it is uncleane or ſicke. And ſuch a Love it is that Salomon ſpeaks of (as Beda underſtands it) A good and ſound love will be ſeen abroad, and take the aire, els it ſhould not be Faiths Daughter.
Vſe 2 Be we perſwaded to neglect no good office wherby our Friends may be certified how well we do affect them. Are they in Affliction? then mourne with them, pray for them, miniſter Counſell, Comfort, Helpe to them. Are they in Proſperity? Rejoyce with them, and indeavour the continuance of their wellfare, what lyes in you. Be not wanting in any one duty of kindneſſe and courteſie; entertaine and ſalute one another with chearfullneſſe; (if preſent) Viſit or ſend ſome tokens of Love one unto another (if abſent.) And to quicken us ſomewhat more in the performance of this duty; forget not how willing the wicked of the world are, that others ſhould take notice of their Brother-hood in evill. Why then ſhould the godly live like ſtrangers one with an other?