The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Exposition · Verse 1
Verſ. 1. My heart is inditing a good matter: I ſpeake of the things which I have made touching the King: my tongue is the pen of a Ready Writer.
This Epithalamion or marriage-Song may be divided …nto two generall parts. In the Nine firſt verſes, Chriſt the Bridegroome, and his Glorious excellencies are Commended: and in the verſes following, the dignities and honors of the Church, the Bride, or Lambs wife, are deſcribed; and ſhe withall Inſtructed in her duty to her husband. Now though the Kingdome of Chriſt ſpoken of …n this Pſalm, Beareth date from his death; yet it will …ppeare more Glorious in this world, before it be given up to the Father, and God be all in all, 1 Cor. 15.28.
The Firſt verſe containes an Encomium, or Commendation, by way of preface, which the Spirit of God …ſcribes to this excellent ſong in foure reſpects, as 1. It …s a Good Matter. 2. It was penned by divine Inſpiration; the Spirit of God filling the heart and inflaming …he affections in the penning of it. 3. It treats of Chriſt …he King, who is exalted by the Spirit, Joh. 16.13, 14, 4. It tends to the comfort and edification of the Church in a… ages.
Obſer. 1 Firſt, The Conjugall love of Chriſt is a good matter. Reaſons hereof.[It is a good matter] Hence learne,
That the Grace and love of Chriſt towards poor ſinne… his eſpouſing and taking them into communion with himſelf (whereas by nature we are all ſtrangers and enemies t… him) is a ſweet ſubject to inſiſt upon; glad Tydings; y… the beſt tydings that ever came to the ſons of men; an… therefore may well be called a good matter.
Reaſ. 1 Firſt, 'Tis a matter that moſt concerns Gods honor; … matter wherein the Glory of his mercy, wiſdome, power Juſtice, Truth & faithfulneſs doth eminently ſhine forth herein he hath abounded towards us in wiſdome and prudence, Eph. 1.8. Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteouſneſs and peace have kiſſed each other, Pſal. 85.10, 1…. Rom. 3.25, 26. Joh. 3.16. 1 Tim. 1.15. Joh. 1.18. 2 Cor. 4.…. Rom. 1.16. Nor can we rightly and to purpoſe honor th… Lord in our generation, unleſs we have a Spiritual knowledge of this excellent matter.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, as it concernes Gods Glory, So the ſouls eve… laſting felicity: which two the Lord hath linked together in his infinite eternall wiſdom and councell. As for th… ſoul of man, 'tis a ſpiritual, Immaterial, Immortall ſubſtance, capable of Eternall Bliſſe or woe. What will … profit a man, to gaine the whole world, and loſe his ſoul … Mark. 8.36. Now therefore that which enricheth the ſo… to eternity, muſt needs be an excellent matter. Such … matter is the ſubject of this ſong, Luk. 2.10, 11. Ma… 16.16. 2 Tim. 1.10. Yea 'tis that field, wherein the ric… Pearle lyes hid. Matt. 13.44, 46.
Uſe. 1 Firſt, Then let this excellent matter be welcome t… thee: for it is worthy of all acceptation, 1 Tim. 1.15. Entertain it therefore with ſutable affection: Oh what low an… Carnal thoughts have we of the Goſpell and things o… Christ! as if they were ſleight and triviall matters! Th… is no ſmall ſin: how will they eſcape, that neglect ſo great Salvation, Heb. 2.3. Not only they that openly oppoſe but they that neglect and undervalue it, ſhall periſh: eve… the feet of ſuch as bring theſe glad tidings, ſhould b… beautifull and acceptable, Rom. 10.15. as The Paranymp… or friends of the Bridegroom, are well eſteemed of by th… Bride, for their relation to the Bridegroom.
Uſe. 2 Secondly, Be diligent in ſearching out this matter in …he uſe of means, as prayer, reading, hearing, confe…ence, meditation, and above all, in the Conſtant exerciſe of faith and dependance on Chriſt in his prophetick office, for his effectuall Teachings; he being the great Prophet of his Church, whoſe teachings do infinitely extell all the teachings of men. As Solomon ſpeaks concerning civill affaires, 'Tis the honor of a King to ſearch out a matter, Prov. 25.2. ſo it is much more the honor of a Chriſtian, to ſearch out the depth of this matter, by how much ſpirituall things do excell humane matters.
Uſe. 3 Thirdly, It blames the preſent generation of Profeſſours, …or minding and talking much of worldly matters; one mans time is wholly drunke up with inquiring after State-matters; Another ſpends his whole time in his Trade; nay perhaps he thruſts himſelf into three or foure ſeverall Trades, that he may get gaine, and grow great …n the world; Thus men plunge themſelves over head and eares in earthly things; their hearts, tongues, and Time being wholly taken up therewith; So that in many dayes together they ſcarce have a ſerious thought or word of this excellent matter. The primitive Chriſtians were otherwayes minded, who diſcourſed ſo much of the Kingdome of heaven, and their Spirits were ſo much raiſed and ennobled therewith, that the Princes of the world were afraid that they would take their Kingdoms and glory from them.
Uſe. 4 Fourthly, The Miniſters of Chriſt eſpecially ſhould exceedingly delight, yea it ſhould be their meat and drink to open and declare this good matter to the people: A Neceſſity is layd upon me; yea woe be to me if I preach not the Goſpell, 1 Cor. 9.16. i.e. if I ſpeake not of this good matter. Let Miniſters but read over their commiſſion, Mark 16.15. Eph. 3.8. and they will find it their duty to preach the ſimplicity of the Croſs of Chriſt, and not to intangle themſelves or others with Scholaſtick quirks, and quiddities, and with unprofitable diſputes: Nor is it to read the people a lecture of morality, But to ſet before them the emptineſs and nothingneſs of the Creature, and the riches of the grace of Chriſt, and union and fellowſhip with him: This is a good matter; an excellent knowledge. Phil. 3.8. I determined to know nothing, but Chriſt and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2.2. and, God forbid I ſhould glory in any thing ſave in this, Gal. 6.14.
Again [my heart inditeth] that is, it Boileth *Ebullivit Cor meum verbum bonum.or bubl… up, or is inflamed, with this good matter. Hence ſerve,
That a Spirituall heart is ſo full of good matter, 2 Obſer. A Spirituall he art cannot fully expreſs what is within.and inflamed with the Love of Chriſt, that (though it would v… it ſelfe, yet) it cannot fully expreſs with the Tongue what conceives within.
I ſhall here … ſubjoyne three Corollaries.
Corol. 1 Firſt, as the Spirituall man hath more good matter wi… in then he can expreſſe, being filled with the Spirit, E… 5.18. the holy Ghoſt being as a well of water ſpring … up in him to Eternal life, Joh. 4.14. Joh. 7.38. ſo the Carnall heart is fuller of corrupt matter then can be … preſſed. The heart of the wicked is little worth, Prov. 10.…. One would not give a peny for it: 'Tis ſo overcharge with filthineſs and ſuperfluity of naughtineſs, that it neith… can nor will with meekneſs receive the ingrafted wor… Jam. 1.21. The very thoughts of the wicked are an … mination to the Lord, Prov. 15.26. Rom. 3.9, 11, 12.
Corol. 2 Secondly, By this a true Saint is diſtinguiſhed from Hypocrite. The moſt refined Hypocrite that is, ſpeaketh … more Spirituall good then he hath or enjoyeth: he … outſpeake all his comforts and enjoyments; But the tr… beleever hath that peace which paſſeth underſtanding, Phi… 4.7. and that joy which is unſpeakable and glorious, 1 Pe… 1.8. That which eye hath not ſeen, eare hath not heard, … hath it entered into the naturall heart to conceive, 1 Cor. 2.…
Corol. 3 Thirdly, When we have to doe with Spirituall things ſpecially that part of divine worſhip which concerned our bleſſing and prayſing God for Chriſt, and for the hope of Glory which we have through him; we ſhould more regard Spirituall affections, and a thankfull admiring frame of heart, then words and expreſſions: Th… did the Pſalmiſt; Oh give thanks to God for his Goodneſs Oh that men would praiſe the Lord, Pſal. 107.1.8. Oh ho… great are thy works, and thy thoughts are very deep, Pſal. 92.5. What is Man that thou art mindfull of him, or the ſon of man that thou regardeſt him! Pſal. 8.4. Oh the depth of the riches of his grace, wiſdome and knowledge how unſearchable are his wayes! ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 11.33. The Diſciples ſaid one to another, Did not our …rts burne within us, whilſt he talked with us? Luk. 24.
My heart burned, and was not thy heart alſo in…ned with that good matter which he taked of?
[Which I have made touching the King;]
Touching what King? even the Lord Jeſus the King … of Saints, he is the ſubject of this Song. Hence Learne, 3 Obſer. a gratious heart ſpecially eyes Chriſt in thankſgiving: the reaſons hereof.…
That a Gratious heart in praiſing the Lord, hath a ſpecial … on Chriſts perſon, as clothed with his regall office and au…rity, for ſubduing the churches enemies Inward and out…rd, and working out deliverance and ſalvation for her. …ch a heart longs to ſee the King in his Beauty and …ory, riding in Triumph; and though it bleſſe the …rd for all mercies, yet chiefly for the perſon of Chriſt: …ſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. ….
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe Gods Diſpenſations are mercies indeed to us …ly through Chriſt, and for his ſake; having given us … Son, he will withhold no good thing from us, Rom. 8.32. …riſt being ours, all things are ours, 1 Cor. 3.21, 22. …alth, liberty, life, relations, preſervations, deliverances, all paſſages of divine providence, are rendred Spirituall Bleſſings to us by Chriſt.
Reaſ. 2 Becauſe beleevers are united to Chriſt himſelf; not …ly nor chiefely to the graces and benefits, But to the …ſon of Chriſt. As the living Father ſent him, and he lives … the Father; ſo we beleeving on him, ſhall Live by him, …h. 6.57. He is the Bread of God that came down from Heaven to give life to the world, his fleſh is meat indeed; …d his Blood is Drinke indeed, Joh. 6.51, 55. Not that …is is a perſonall but a myſticall union: we are not …de one perſon, but one ſpirit with him, 1 Cor. 6.19.
Uſe. It may be before trial ye are called Chriſtians, & … per…ps are Judged by the Saints to be ſpirituall; But how …t with you? are ye not more affected with the gifts then …e giver? with the benefits and advantages that come … Chriſt, then with Chriſt himſelf? gifts, parts, inlarge…ents, graces, Duties, are not Chriſt himſelf, Theſe were … Crucified for us, 1 Cor. 1.13. If it be thus with you, 'Tis …t a true entire affection: The true ſpouſe Loves the perſon of her husband more then the benefits that … by him.
It followes [My Tongue is the pen of a ready with or thus, My mouth is open to ſhew forth the P… of Chriſt the King and Bridegroom. Hence note, …
That ſuch as have Spirituall affections to Chriſt, 4 Obſer. The true Chriſtian will ſpeake of and for Chriſt.will … ſpeak of and for him. The Tongue will ſpeak of that what the heart conceiveth and is affected with. Out of th… bundance of the heart the mouth ſpeaketh; A good … out of the good Treaſure of the heart, bringeth fo… good things; and an evil man out of the evil Treaſure his heart, bringeth forth evil things, Matt. 12.34, 35. T… Tongue of the wicked is a World of Iniquity,The Reaſ. of this. 1 Reaſ. Jam. 3.5, Men diſcover what they are, by their ordinary language.
The firſt Reaſon of this point is taken from Chriſts p… chaſe; who not only purchaſed our Souls and the … culties thereof, but alſo our Bodies and the member thereof, to praiſe and worſhip him: Ye are bought with price: therfore Glorifie God in your Body and in your Spi… which are Gods, 1 Cor. 6.20. Indeed he chiefely require the heart: My ſon, give me thy heart, Prov. 3.1. Prov. 4.…. But yet he will have the Tongue alſo to worſhip him, … 57.7, 8, 9.
Reaſ. 2 The Second Reaſon, is taken from Gods promiſe, The he will give us a pure language, Zeph. 3.9. Not mixt, … that of Aſhdod, Neh. 13, 23, 24. But pure and ſpiritual even the language of Canaan, Iſai. 19.18. The tongue… the dumbe ſhall ſpeak and ſing this language, Iſai. 35.…. The Law maketh the hand cleane, but not the heart; B… the Goſpell-promiſe purifieth both heart, and hand, a… tongue, and maketh them Inſtrumentall for God.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, Becauſe the Tongue praiſing the Lord, is a Chriſtians Glory: Awake my Glory, I'll praiſe thee O Lord among the people, Pſal. 57.8. Pſal. 108.1, 2, 3. In the L… of him that hath underſtanding, wiſdom is found, Pro…. 10.13. The tongue is the Glory of a man, if well; But … ſhame and reproach, if ill Imployed.
Reaſ. 4 The Fourth Reaſon, is taken from that Conſtrayning vertue which is in Love: If Chriſts love be ſhed abroad in the heart, 2 Cor. 5.14. Rom. 5.5. it will conſtain the Tongue to ſpeak of him and for him; where true Zeale for Chriſt is, there will alſo be words for him. Croeſus Son ha…ng never ſpoken before, yet ſeeing his Father in dan…r to be killed, Cryed out, Kill not King Croeſus. Back…rdneſs in good ſpeech, argues want of Love; love opens …e heart wide, and the heart the tongue: men will often …ake of the things they delight in: Mariners of their …yages, Souldiers of their victories, &c. And ſhould …t Chriſtians declare what Chriſt hath done for them?
Reaſ. 5 From the aſſiſtance of the Spirit of God: when the A…ſtles were filled with the holy Ghoſt, they began to …eak as the Spirit gave them utterance, Acts. 2.4. The …ly Ghoſt as he ſupplyeth us with ſutable affections, ſo …th ſutable words and expreſſions, both for prayer, …d prayſes: Which things we ſpeake not in the words …ich mans wiſdom teacheth, But which the Holy Ghoſt …acheth, 1 Cor. 2.13. I am full of matter (ſaith Elihu) …e Spirit within me conſtraineth me; my belly is as wine which wants vent; 'tis ready to burſt like new bottles, Job ….18, 19, 26.
Reaſ. 6 The laſt Reaſon is taken from that difference which the …ripture puts between the communication of the Godly, …d the language of the wicked; The wicked Talk of …nity, Pſal. 12.2. They that are of the World ſpeake of …e World, 1 Joh. 4.5. Their Tongues are ſet on fire of hell, …m. 3.6. Their Communication is rotten, Eph. 4.29. On …e Contrary, the high Prayſes of the Lord are in the …outhes of the Godly, Pſa. 149.6. They declare his wonderful works, Exo. 18.8, 9. Act. 14.27. Their ſpeech is gra…us, ſeaſoned with Salt, Tending to edification, Col. 4.… Eph. 4.29. The Tongue of the juſt is as Choice Silver, …d the lips of the Righteous feed many, Prov. 10.20, 21. …ov. 12.13, 14, 18. The tongue of the wiſe uſeth knowledge aright, But the mouth of fools poureth forth …oliſhneſs: A wholeſome Tongue, is a tree of life: but …rverſneſs therein is a breach in the Spirit, Prov. 15.2, 4. … Fountain (ſaith James) ſends not forth at the ſame …ace ſweet water and bitter, Jam. 3.11. Death and life …e in the power of the tongue, Prov. 18.21. By thy words …ou ſhalt be Juſtified, and by thy words thou ſhalt be …ndemned, Matt. 12.37.
It reproves two Sorts.
Uſe. 1 1. Thoſe who under pretence of worſhipping … altogether in Spirit, and of praying, ſinging, &c. … Spirit and inward man, do neglect outward worſhip… ſome there are, who with the Gnoſticks proſtitute … bodies to the ſervice of the Devil and ſin, and yet … tend to more ſpiritualneſs then others; as if the Soul ſh… go to heaven, But the Body to hell: a deſperate D… ſion, for a man to imagine that he can keep his ſpirit … and holy, and yet in his outward man, goe to Ma… worſhip an Idoll, and conform to the luſts of the w… and the fleſh. 'Tis true, that bodily worſhip profiteth… thing without inward obedience, 1 Tim. 4.8. But wh… the one is, there the other will be. Rom. 6.13, 19.
2. This blames another ſort, who have tongue eno… for themſelves and in their own quarrel; But not a w… in Chriſts cauſe, when his Glory lies at ſtake: They'll … ſpare to ſpeak for their own worldly Intereſt and hon… But are tongue-tyed, when they ſhould ſpeake for Ch… and his intereſt: It ſeems the faith and love of Ch… is not in them: we beleeve, and therefore we ſpeak, 2 Co… 13. Love is as fire in the boſom; a man cannot refra… Jer. 20.9. My heart was hot within me, ſaith David, wh… I was muſing the fire Burned: then ſpake I with … tongue, Pſal. 39.3. Indeed we ſhould be ſwift to hear, a… ſlow to ſpeak, ſpecially before our betters, Jam. 1.1…. man may eaſily offend with his Tongue: There is a time… Speak, and a time to be ſilent, Eccl. 3.7. And 'tis wiſdom… obſerve the fitteſt ſeaſon; words ſpoken in ſeaſon are … apples of Gold in pictures of Silver, Prov. 15.23. Prov. ….11. But yet the weakeſt, being called thereunto by Pr… dence, ought to ſpeak out their experiences of the goodneſs of God, and contend not only in ſpirit but in wo… for the Truth of Chriſt. Come, and I will tell you what … Lord hath done for my ſoul. The Manifeſtation of the Sp… is given to every one to profit withall, ſee Pſa. 26.…. 1 Cor. 12.7. 1 Pet. 4.10, 11.
Uſe. 2 Secondly, We ſhould earneſtly beg of the Lord that … may have a ready Tongue & Pen, to ſet forth the prai… of Chriſt: My tongue is the Pen of a ready Write… many have a ready tongue and pen for Satan & Antichri… and Oh that we ſhould be ſo backward, Dull, Tongu… typed, when we ſhould ſpeak and write for Chriſt, and …ndicate his concernments! how empty are we, till the …rd fill us? How dull, till he quicken us? How are our …outhes ſhut till he open them? How do we Stammer, …l he touch our tongue with a Cole from the Altar? …nd therefore we ſhould earneſtly deſire the Lord, that … he opened the mouth and looſed the tongue of Za…arias, Luk. 1.64. ſo he would do with ours, that we may …eak and praiſe the Lord: That he would open to us a …de door of utterance, Eph. 6.19. Col. 4.3. That as it is …d of the ſpouſe, Cant. 4.11. Hony and Milk may be un…r our tongue, and our lips may drop as the Hony-combe; …hat he would alſo guide our pens, that we may not vent …r owne paſſions, and write downe our owne Inventions, but his teachings and diſcoveries; neither that …r pens may be mingled with error, gall, and worm…ood, But that we may hold forth truth with a ſpirit of …ve and meekneſs.