The Mystery of the Marriage Song, To the reader – Errata
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
Christian Reader;
THE Wiſe man ſaith, That of making many Books there is no end, Eccleſ. 12.12. At this day eſpecially, the world is full of Books, yea the Nation wherein we live, aboundeth in Theologicall Writings; which being duly conſidered, and withall, how unfit I am every way to ſpeak or write of Divine Myſteries, thou mayeſt very well wonder that I ſhould in ſuch a time as this, thruſt out this piece into the world, and the rather becauſe divers godly men of eminent abilities,*Muſculus, Rivetus, Mollerus, Ainſworth, Dixon, in Pſ. 45. have ſet forth Commentaries and Annotations on this Pſalme, whoſe faithfull labours have been and are ſtill exceeding profitable to the Church of Chriſt, and from whom, or ſome of them at leaſt, I doe acknowledge that I have received much light in this Expoſition.†Ingenuum eſt fateri per quos proficerimus. Plin.
As we ſhould not build our faith on mens Judgements (for that is but a humane Teſtimony, 1 Cor. 2.5.) ſo we muſt take heed of ſlighting and grieving the Spirit of God in them, 1 Theſſ 4.8. 'Tis no diſparagement to the moſt ſpirituall Chriſtian to learn of the meaneſt Saint who is taught of God, much … ſhould he ſet light by them who are enriched abundantly with the Gifts of Nature and Grace, and … whom God hath given ſkill for opening and Interpreting his Word.
I confeſſe, I have been and am ſtill backward t… publiſh any thing of this Nature, being conſcious … my ſelf of my great inability and weakneſſe, and … that ſpirituall wiſedome, gravity, meekneſſe, and judgement which ought to be in thoſe that writ… Books of Divinity, ſpecially in this Criticall Age.
Beſides, ſome may be ready to object that there … no new thing under the Sun, and that what is ſaid by me, hath been ſaid in effect by others before me… But yet I can alledge divers Reaſons for publiſhing this Book.
1 The Lord did by his Spirit impreſſe ſome truth (in this Pſalm) upon my heart in preaching an… writing, and who knoweth but he may alſo ſet th… ſame upon thy heart in reading what is here publiſhed, that thou mayeſt be the Epiſtle of Chriſt, writter by the finger of his Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.3.
2 If I had met with a fuller Expoſition of the Marriage Song in Engliſh (ſuch there may be, but … have not ſeen them) I ſhould not have publiſhed this; and yet I ſay ſtill, That I doe honour and prefer the worthy labours of others far before mine ow… weak and inconſiderable abilities.
3 The Reader will meet with ſome things in th… Expoſition ſutable to the preſent times, as thoſe conſiderations touching Allegories, the in dwelling o… the Spirit himſelf in the Saints and the fifth Monarchy which I have propounded: He may alſo find ſome truths which may appear new to him; for (according to our Saviours words) Every Scribe who is inſtructed to the Kingdome of Heaven, ſhould be like to him who bringeth out of his treaſure new and old, Mat. 13.52. Again
4 This Book may (by providence) come into the hands of ſome well meaning ſoules, who through groundleſſe prejudice debar themſelves from hearing thoſe Truths which might miniſter light and edification unto them. Satan hath ſeverall wayes and methods to hinder the progreſſe of the Goſpel, and prejudice is one of thoſe Engines wherewith he batters at the Kingdome of Chriſt. If therefore I may (either by preaching or writing) diſcover and weaken the intereſt of Satan, and doe good to poor ſoules, I have my deſire.
And what though few ſhould be edified (by my poor labours) in this place where many ſeem to love the t…uh in one, and yet deſpiſe it in another, and ſo have the faith of Chriſt with reſpect of perſons, contrary to 1 Cor. 2.5. James 2.1. (a thing truly to be much lamented) yet if this work may be profitable to others at a diſtance, it will be a mercy, and I ſhall eſteem it far more then all my labours. I doe not here goe about to inſtruct the Learned and Skillfull (it might be thought pride in me ſo to doe) but the weak ones, and ſuch as the Apoſtle calls carnall, and but babes in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3.1. may peradventure be ſomewhat edified both in judgement and practice, by this Expoſition.
5 I might further add, That there are not ſuch opportunities as I could wiſh for preaching and diſperſing the Goſpel of Chriſt (good men being too much confined to Pariſh precincts) the conſideration whereof makes me the more willing that this ſhould be publiſhed.
Let but Chriſt be exalted, and his Truth proſper, and then it matters not much though the Creature be rend…ed contemptible and odious. That man is far from a faithfull Miniſter of the Goſpel, who hath not in ſome meaſure learned to goe thorough good and evill report, honour and diſhonour. We are fooles for Chriſts ſake (ſaith the Apoſtle) but yee are wiſe in Chriſt; we are weak, but yee are ſtrong; yee are honourable, but we are deſpiſed; being defamed we intreat; we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off ſcouring of all things even to this day, 1 Cor. 4.10, 13.
I am convinced (Gentle Reader) that nothing that we can ſay or doe to beget a right underſtanding among them that fear the Lord will effect it, till God appear more to our ſpirits, and humble our proud fleſh This is thar which I earneſtly pray and wait for, this is that which will put an end to our confuſions. When God cometh into his holy Temple, all the earth ſhall keep ſilence, Hab. 2.20. His preſence ſtilleth the noyſe of the Seas, the noyſe of their waves, and the tumult of the people, Pſal. 65.11. When Chriſt rebuked the winds and the Sea, there was a great calme, Mat. 8.26. Doubtleſſe the ſad jealouſies, diſſatisfactions, and quarrells, which are among Chriſtians at this day, cauſe many poor ſincere hearts who mourn in Sion, to retire themſelves, and live more contemplatively and alone, then otherwiſe they would doe, and yet (as a Father truly ſaid) we are never leſſe alone, then when we are moſt alone, for then God is with us. Come my people, enter thou into thy Chambers, and ſhut thy doores about thee, hide thy ſelfe as it were for a little moment, untill the indignation be over paſt, Iſa. 26.20. The prudent ſhall keep ſilence in that day, for it is an evill time, Amos 5.13. Clouds of darkneſſe, diſſatisfaction, and diviſion, gather more and more, which nothing can allay, or diſpell, but the glorious preſence of the Sun of Righteouſneſſe. Now it is neither clear, nor darke, but at evening it ſhall be light. This lightſome glorions evening is known to the Lord, though not to us, Zech. 14.6, 7.
Chriſtian Reader, I doe tender the good of thy ſoule, and therefore give me leave (in this houre of temptation) humbly and meekly to propoſe unto thee ſome things by way of counſell and direction, wherein I ſpeak to my ſelf as well as to thee, and the Lord ſtrengthen us both by his grace.
I. Endeavour in the power of Chriſt to come to the reading and hearing of his word, and ſo to every part of Divine worſhip, with a ſingle teachable heart, willing to learn and to entertain truth for truths ſake. Mind the preſence of the great God, and beware of prejudice, and of a foreſtalled Judgement, which will render the pureſt Miniſtry & Ordinances, unprofitable. The Lord teacheth the humble, filleth the empty ſoule, and dwelleth in the contrite ſpirit. John wept becauſe the Book was ſealed, waiting in humility for the opening of it, and behold the Lamb that late on the Throne, opened the Booke for him, and to him, Rev. 5.4, 5.
II. Doe not impriſon the light when it ſhines into thy ſoule, hold not the truth in unrighteouſneſſe, Rom. 1.18. But let it have full ſcope and elbow-room in thy heart and practice. The Lord takes away light from them that walk not in the light: When the light ſhines in a mans face, and he ſtruggles againſt it all he can, with principles of darkneſſe and carnall reaſon, and will not let the light of the Goſpel ſway in him, God often leaves ſuch a man to himſelfe. Sins againſt Goſpel light, and conviction, are ſins of a deep dye, and high aggravation. He that knowes his Maſters will, and doth it not; ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes. As the bodies of thoſe that live neareſt the Sun, are moſt hardned and ſcorched, ſo they that live under the light of the Goſpel, and have it ſwimming in their undeaſtandings, but doe not receive it in love, are commonly given up to the ſtrongeſt deluſions, and to the greateſt hardneſſe, brawnineſſe, and inſenſibleneſſe of heart, 2 Theſſ. 2.11, 12.
And here I cannot but bewayle the ſad condition of my poor Native Countrey, Rom. 9.2, 3.*Weſtmorland. where many hopefull Plants not prizing the ſimplicity of the Goſpel (which holds forth a crucified Chriſt) have been blaſted by the Impoſtures and deluſions of Satan, to the great ſcandall of their Chriſtian profeſſion. And truly it is a great and unſpeakable mercy, (and ſo I doe thankfully acknowledge it) that ſome of my Chriſtian acquaintance, who were under thoſe ſtrong deluſions, are recovered out of the ſnare of Satan; let them henceforth take heed of ſlighting the blood, word, Miniſtry, and Ordinances of Chriſt, let them walk believingly and humbly before the Lord, leaſt they fall again into the pit of deſtruction, and ſo the latter part of the Tragedie be more dreadfull then the former.
III. Watch eſpecially againſt ſpirituall pride, leſt you be overcome with this white Devil. Oh how apt are we to be puffed up with a high conceit of our ſpirituall excellencies and attainments, and to ſlight and deſpiſe others as far below our ſelves? How ready are we to ſay (at leaſt in our thoughts) ſtand away, come not near to me, for I am holier and more ſpirituall then thou art? I know more then thou doeſt, Iſa. 65.5. What if ſome have greater gifts of nature and grace then others? ſurely they have no cauſe to be proud, and to boaſt of them: What haſt thou which thou haſt not received? and why ſhouldſt thou boaſt as if thou hadſt not received it? If a man thinketh himſelf to be ſomething, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himſelf, Gal. 6.3. We are but Stewards in the Lords houſe, theſe Talents are beſtowed on us, not that we ſhould exalt our ſelves therewith, but that we ſhould faithfully employ the ſame for the advantage of our Lord and Maſter. The greater the gifts are which the Lord beſtowes upon a man, the more humble, diligent, and faithfull he ought to be, for Where much is given, much is required; and the better and more excellent the things are, if a man be proud of them, the greater affront and injury he offers to God, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh. Theſe flowers grow not naturally in our own Garden, but are planted by grace above nature.
Spirituall pride is the evill of our times, there is much of it in our hearts, and 'tis neceſſary we ſhould have a thorn in the fleſh, that we may not be exalted above meaſure, 2 Cor. 12.7. If Satan ſhould prevaile againſt you by this ſin (as he knowes the better how to tempt you to it, becauſe it was his own downfall) you are then loſt for ever, and all your gifts, knowledge, duties, ſufferings, and the great name which you have had among the Saints, will not help you, but rather aggravate your condemnation, ſo that it may well be ſaid that the pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, O…ad. 3. Humility is the way to true honour, but Pride (as the Wiſe man ſaith) goeth before deſtruction, and a haughty ſpirit before a fall, Pro. 16.18. From this root of bitterneſſe hath ſprung up the greateſt error… from time to time, and many in our dayes having a high conceit of their own inventions, and ſuppoſed excellencies, and looking at the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt as a poor, low, empty thing, have caſt off (with contempt) the Scriptures, the Blood, Natures, and Offices of the Son of God, and are a ſhame to Chriſtian Religion When men will not be wiſe to ſobriety, but in the pride of their hearts like Lucifer, ſoare aloft in vain and curious ſpeculations, no wonder if they have a dreadfull downfall. O dear Chriſtian Reader, let us tremble in the fleſh, and watch our hearts againſt the firſt riſings of ſpirituall pride.
IV. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; if any mon love the world, the love of the father is not in him, 1 John 2.15. This love of the world chokes the good ſeed, makes men to erre from the faith, 1 Tim. 6.10. and renders the Miniſters of the Goſpel unprofitable. Hence many forward profeſſors have become miſerable Apoſtates: So Francis Spira, and Demas who deſerted Taul, and embraced this world: And alaſſe! how many in our times have in effect betrayed Chriſt and his cauſe, by an inordinate love of the riches, honors, and pleaſures of this world? having the Moon upon their heads, and the Sun under their feet; whereas on the contrary, they ſhould have the Sun (i. e. The glorious righteouſneſſe of Chriſt) upon their heads, and the Moon (i. e. all worldly and ſublunary things) under their feet, Rev. 12.1.
A man may goe far in Religious exerciſes, as a Magiſtrate, as a Miniſter of the Goſpel, as a private Chriſtian, and yet in the end periſh by this ſin. Queen Mary ſaid a little before her death, That if ſhe were opened, Callis would be found in her heart. So truly it is to be feared, If the hearts of many eminent profeſſors were opened, the inordinate love of the world would be found in them; and this is like to be the ruine of many, if God doe not humble them, and give them power againſt it by faith, for this is the victory that overcometh the world, even faith in Chriſt, 1 John 5.4. Earthly mindedneſſe is a ſecret cloſe corruption: The ſubtill heart of man hath ſo many evaſions, turnings, and windings, that it is a hard matter to convince him of it. O let us be jealous herein over our own hearts and wayes: The moſt heavenly minded Chriſtians will acknowledge and be…ayle before the Lord and his people, their too much conformity to, and compliance with this world.
V. Take heed of reſting in outward formes of Church fellowſhip, Baptiſm, &c. Not that I am againſt theſe, either in judgement, or practice; but I fear, that many who ſeem to be zealous for the outward part of worſhip, reſt much in the letter and outſide of things, being too too apt to cenſure their brethren, who are not of their particular ſociety and opinion. And truly I have obſerved, that divers Chriſtians who have been forward, yea, rigid for the outward part of worſhip, not minding as they ought to doe, the vitalls of Chriſtianity, have at length caſt off thoſe formes as carnall and beggerly Rudiments. None ſo ready to abandon Church fellowſhip and Ordinances, as thoſe who have abuſed them, aſcribing that honour to them which particularly belongs to Chriſt and his Spirit. Religion (eſpecially now under the New Teſtament) lyes not ſo much in outward Obſervation, as in the Spirit and inward man, John 4.24. Though the outward part of worſhip is not to be neglected, as there is opportunity.
VI. Let it be your care to love all the people of God, and in your place to render and promote the generall intereſt of the Saints throughout the world, though thouſands of them in ſome things differ from you. Truly I have found it hard to love thoſe that are not of my Opinion, but there is much pride in this; can we give light to a diſſenting brother till the Lord perſwade him? Did not the Lord wait long for us, before we embraced the light? Though many Saints be not ſatisfied with our practice in every part of worſhip, yet ſo far as they will joyn with us, let us joyn with them: If they will but pray with us, or receive one of the Seales with us, though not both: If they will but diſcourſe with us of the things of Chriſt, though they will not hear us preach, yet let us cheriſh theſe beginnings, remembring that golden Rule of the Apoſtle, As many as are perfect let them be thus minded, and if in any thing ye be otherwiſe minded, God ſhall reveale even this unto you, Phil. 3.15. Let us ſeek to overcome the ſcrupulous weak Chriſtian by love, and if he will ſtill keep at a diſtance from us, yet let not the fault be on our ſide.
And here we ſhould conſider the true ground of Communion of Saints, which is not their concurrence in this or that controverted point, but their fellowſhip with Chriſt the head. This being manifeſted (though never ſo weakly) we ought to receive them (though not to doubtfull diſputations) Rom. 14.1. That which we have ſeen and heard, declare we unto you, that you may have fellowſhip with us, and truly our fellowſhip is with the father and the Son, 1 Jo. 1.3. How can that man anſwer it in the great day of the Lord, who now refuſeth communion with ſuch as he is perſwaded have communion with Chriſt? Let us not ſet bounds and limits where the Lord hath ſet none, but left us free. Nor ſhould we only have a tender regard to weak believers, but alſo to poor ſinners who are yet without Chriſt; we ſhould even weep and lament over their ſoules, as Chriſt did over Jeruſalem. Some may be ready to ſay, that they are poor ignorant carnall wretches, and have nothing to doe with the Ordinances of God, and in the mean while neglect their ſouls. But we ſhould goe to them, and beſeech and intreat them with tears in our eyes, again and again, to be reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5.20. This is to be minded as Chriſt was, who converſed with Publicans and ſinners, and cheriſhed in them the weakeſt beginnings, and O that there were ſuch a Goſpel compaſſionate ſpirit among us!
VII. For the Lords ſake let us not turn Religion into faction. Salvation by Chriſt is common to all believers under various diſpenſations, Jude 3. And therefore we ſhould not ingroſſe Chriſt to any one party, ſo as to exclude others that believe on him. Some ſay they are of Paul, ſome of Aprllo, ſome of Cephas, and ſome of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.12. When men ſhall ſpeak ſo of Chriſt, as if he belonged only to them and their party, what is this elſe but pride and faction? Shall we ſerve a party or faction for intereſt take, to the prejudice of the common Cauſe? God forbid; is Chriſt divided? Was this or that man, party, or Opinion crucified for us? We are Chriſtians, and ought in this reſpect to own no other head nor Maſter, but Chriſt. The Apoſtle writes to the Saints at Corinth, and to all that call on Chriſt, theirs and ours, 1 Cor. 1.2. Some there are in the world (but let not us be of that number) who will rather make ſhipwrack of the Goſpel, and of Religion, then forgoe an Opinion, or faction, which they violently adhere unto: Theſe will admire or condemn things, not as they are true or erroneous, but as they are aſſerted and maintained by their own party, or that which is oppoſite.
The Phariſees perceiving that Paul was of their judgement, in oppoſition to the Sadduces, though before they had condemned him for a blaſphemer, yet now they were ready to ſay that he was taught by a good Angel, Acts 23.6. 'Tis an excellent thing to have our light and faith in matters of Religion, only in Chriſt, and not in man. Such as have their eyes in other mens heads, cannot ſee their way clear before them at noon day, and therefore are impetuouſly carried on more by faction, then by Chriſtian Judgement and conſideration.
VIII. Intangle not thy ſelf with unprofitable diſputes, and things that tend to diviſion, and to the breach of peace and love. Some will be ſuch Scepticks, as that they will queſtion every thing (delighting themſelves in a ſpirit of contradiction and oppoſition) and ſo come to be ſetled in nothing. There are Principles in D. vinity which are to be taken for granted, rather then to be diſputed. He that will for diſputation ſake frequently queſtion every truth, will not conſtantly adhere to any truth. Since we diſputed ſo much (though bleſſed be God light hath broken forth, the Lord working one contrary by another, yet) there is a great decay of ſpirituall heat, and of the practicall part of Religion. The Apoſtle ſpeaks*1 Tim. 4.6. foreign. of doting about Queſtions, which ſignifies to be ſick and languiſhing; intimating that unprofitable diſputes doe but weaken and conſume the vitalls of Chriſtianity: inſomuch that a Papist was wont to ſay,Swarez. That he prized that little time which he conſtantly ſet apart every day for the examination of his conſcience, far more then all the other part of the day, which he ſpent in his voluminous Controverſies.
IX. Mind therefore the things which tend to peace, love, union, edification; this (I confeſſe) is eaſily ſaid, but it is not ſo eaſily practiced. A perverſe ſpirit is mingled among us, Iſa. 19.14. Peace, love, and brotherly forbearance are in a manner departed from us. For the diviſions of Reuben there are great thoughts of heart. Sad impreſſions upon the ſpirits of watchfull Chriſtians, Judg. 5.15. The great houſe is ſmitten with clifts, and the little houſe with breaches. Amos 6.11. Diviſions, yea ſubdiviſions in Church and Common-wealth, among all forts of men, and the Lord knowes whereunto theſe things may come in our time. Our God ſeems to hide his face from us, and to caſt a vaile upon all the attempts and endeavours of his poor ſervants, after peace, and union, and reformation. The prejudices, exaſperations, and animoſities of ſeverall parties are grown to ſuch a height, that nothing can allay them but ſome powerfull extraordinary appearance and operation of God to and upon mens ſpirits. Howbeit (Dear brethren) though peace and love and union ſeem to depart from us, even ſo far, that they are not like to be overtaken by us of this Generation, yet it is our duty to purſue after them, if that we may overtake them, Rom. 14.19. We have an abſolute indiſpenſable Command to be at peace and unity with all the people of God, Mark 9.50. 2 Cor. 13.11. Epheſ. 4.3. and to ſilence and huſh all animoſities and differences. The Apoſtle writing to the Corinthians, enquires not into the cauſe of their diviſions, but enjoynes them whatever the cauſe be, to be quiet, and to ceaſe from contention, 1 Cor. 1.11. 1 Cor. 3.3. And ſo when there … ſtrife among the Phillippians, he ſtates not the controverſie as to Opinions, but gives Rules againſt prid… and vainglorious affectation, Phil. 2.3, 4. Conſtanti… that good Emperor, when the Chriſtian Biſhops ha… written letters to him of bitter complaints one again… another, he would not vouchſafe to read them, b… threw them into the fire.
We cannot but hope that ere long the Lord … make ſome viſible proviſion againſt the ſeandall … diviſions among Chriſtians, that the world may b… convinced that the Saints are one in Chriſt, who… glory is herein much concerned, John 17.23.
Many ſweet Rules are propounded in the Scripture, and inlarged upon in the Writings of godly men, for uniting the Saints, and compounding the… differences; as namely, That they ſhould love on… another, and exerciſe brotherly patience and for b… rance: That they ſhould ſtrive to be of one min… and judgement, and endeavour after more holineſſe and purity in worſhip and in converſation: That they ſhould walk humbly, and think better of other… then themſelves, and look not only on their owne… things, but alſo upon the things of others: Tha… they ſhould come to brotherly and friendly Collations, and handle the points in difference, rather by way of caſe then controverſie, rather in a way of amicable and friendly diſcourſe, then Scholaſti… diſputation, in which commonly men ſtrive more for victory, and to gaine applauſe, then for truth. In a word, all of us in our ſeverall places ſhould ſtudy uniting Principles, and uniting practices.
Theſe Chriſtian Rules and exhortations are ſweet and ſeaſonable, but when we have ſaid all that we can, we muſt look beyond our ſelves, and all our endeavours, by the eye of faith, to Jeſus Chriſt the univerſall everlaſting Peace-maker, and reconciler, who when he offered up himſelf on the Croſſe to God the father, all the Saints notwithſtanding their manifold differences were repreſented in and by him as one entire body, Eph. 2.16. Nor did he only remove that enmity which was in us againſt God, and ſo reconcile …s unto God, but alſo that enmity which ſhould be … us one againſt another, carrying up with him to the Croſſe all our enmities, ſends, and diſcords, and bu…ying them in his blood.*See Mr. Tho. Goodwins Serm. on Epheſ. 2.16. The generall peace and …econciliation of all the Saints, even among them …elves, is already effected and concluded in Chriſt …heir head and Repreſentative, and it ſhall in due …ime be wrought in and among themſelves by the Spirit of love and peace. Chriſt is engaged hereunto, …nd as a pledge thereof he made peace between Jewes and Gentiles (in the primitive Church) who were at as great variance as ever two ſorts of people were. All the Saints though now they keep at a diſtance, and will not come together, yet they all meet together as one Body or Army in Chriſt, when he ſuffered upon the Croſſe, and alſo in his Reſurrection …nd Aſcenſion into Glory, who although he died, roſe …gain, aſcended, and doth intercede for every Saint …ingly, yet he did and doth alſo perform theſe acts for all the Saints joyntly and collectively conſidered …s one body; and the Lords Supper, which is a feaſt …f Peace, Love, and Unity (following the Oblation …f the Sacrifice on the Croſſe) ſealeth up viſibly and …pparently this generall peace and union among all Saints, and engageth them all hereunto. We are all made to drinke into one Spirit. This is a feaſt of Amity …nd Concord, though alaſſe the people of God cannot …gree about it, nor about the other Sacrament, which nevertheleſſe ſeales up their union in one body, 1 Cor. 12.13.
What ſhall I further ſay?
1 Chriſt hath purchaſed this peace and union.
2 He hath alſo prayed and ſtill prayes for it, John ….7.
3 He is given for a Covenant of Peace, not only to make peace between God and us, but among our ſelves.
4 God hath promiſed it as a New Covenant bleſſing, that we ſhall have one heart, and one way, Jer. 33.39. Ezek. 19.11. Let us improve theſe conſiderations by faith, and goe to the God of Peace Peace, who loveth, worketh, and giveth peace wayes, 2 Theſſ. 3.16.
X. Learn (and the Lord teach hee by the Spi… of wiſedome and revelation, Epheſ. 1.17.) to b… wiſe and diſcreet Chriſtian. Spirituall wiſedome (whi… is a rich bleſſing) is much wanting in many Sai… who have ſtrong affections. Zeale is good, but yet i… be not tempered with wiſedome and knowledge, … will prove like fire in the midſt of the houſe, dangerous and deſtructive, I bear them record (ſaith … Apoſtle) that they have a zeale of God, but not accord… to knowledge, Rom. 10.2. A Chriſtian that exerciſe… ſpirituall wiſedome, doth not only propoſe to himſ… a right end, but alſo ſutable means and inſtrumen… and the fitteſt time and ſeaſon for accompliſhing th… end. We are not only to abound in love, but … abound in it in all knowledge and judgement, Phil. 1.…. Never had we more need of ſpirituall wiſedome, th… now, to know how to order our converſation arigh… in theſe perillous times; to be as innocent as Dove and yet as wiſe as Serpents. If we beg of God th… wiſedome which is pure and peaceable, he will give us without upbraiding, James 1.5. yea, he will fill … with the knowledge of his will, in all wiſedome an… ſpirituall underſtanding, Col. 1.11. We have a gracious Promiſe (which the Lord hath ſet upon … heart) That the raſh ſhall underſtand knowledge, Iſa. 3….4. And the way of holineſſe ſhall be ſo plain, that foo… ſhall not erre therein, Iſa 35.8. Wiſedome, counſe… and underſtanding are with the Lord.
XI. Be much in ſecret prayer and meditation. Wh… a man is really, he is alone, when none but the all ſeeing God beholds him. Extrinſecall motives in publick Aſſemblies may raiſe and elevate the affections and carry a man far in the performance of Religious ſervices, and yet his Principles and ends may be carnall and ſelfiſh. Spirituall meditation (I fear) is much neglected by Chriſtians, and that many (I can ſpeak ſomething from experience) who frequent Church meetings (which yet ought to be frequented) and …e forward to ſpeak of the things they know (if not … the things they know not) are remiſſe in this hea…nly exerciſe of Meditation. If they can but with …lubility of expreſſion, and enlargedneſſe of affecti…s, manage a duty ſo as to be approved by thoſe …om they judge to be ſpirituall, they are ready to …eſſe themſelves, and take up their reſt here. Are …ere not ſome at this day who formerly expreſſed …emſelves like Angels in the Aſſemblies of the Saints, …t now having (with the crafty Cardinall) catched …e Fiſh, they throw away the Net as of no further …e? A Chriſtian may be forward in frequenting …eetings, and ſpeaking to the edification of others, …et he himſelf will make but little progreſſe in Chriſtianity, if he be not frequent in ſecret prayer, reading …he word, meditation, and comparing ſpirituall things …ith ſpirituall.
O let us be much in prayer; Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem all ye that love her, Pſal. 122.6. Ye that make …ention of the Lord, keep not ſilence, and give him no reſt …ill he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, Iſa. 62.6, 7. Let us now in good earneſt goe to God by faith, and by prayer; we have gone too long to Aſhur for help, …aine is the help of man. Ariſe O Lord, vindicate …hine own name, and deliver thy people. As bleſſed Perkins *Non ſunt iſta litigandi tempora ſed orandi.ſaid of his, ſo much more may we ſay of our times, Prayers are fitter for us then diſputes. Let us (as Luther was adviſed by his friend) goe and cry Lord have mercy upon theſe Nations, and thy people therein. Things ſeem to be paſt help in reſpect of ſecond cauſes, but the Lord can help us. By terrible things in righteouſneſſe with thou anſwer us, O God of our ſalvation, who art the confidence of the ends of the earth, Pſal. 65.5. The Lord will be terrible out of his holy places, out of his Church he will ſhew himſelf a dreadfull God to them that fear him not, but eſpecially to the ſinners in Sion, who ſhall be afraid, and to the Hypocrites whom fearfullneſſe ſhall ſurprize, Pſal. 68.35. Iſa. 33.14.
Bear with me (Gentle Reader) for inſiſting … largely on theſe things; truly they are much up… my heart, and I look on them as very ſeaſonable … be ſpoken; they are not ſudden, but premeditat… thoughts and conſiderations, which perhaps m… come into the hands of divers of my Chriſtian … quaintance in ſeverall parts of theſe Nations. If … ſhould write no more whilſt I abide in this Tabern… cle, my laſt words to my fellow Chriſtians ſhould b… (by the Lords aſſiſtance) to this purpoſe.
I will and but one word more touching this boo… namely, That I have endeavoured therein (according to my poor skill) to be plain and methodical… not willingly in the leaſt miſinterpreting any part … this excellent Marriage Song. Many Texts I hav… quoted, and not recited the words, leaſt the Boo… ſhould ſwell to a great bulk, and ſo be burdenſome … the Reader, to whom I would not willingly be tedious, as knowing that edification lyes not in a multitude of words. God is in Heaven, we are upon Earth therefore our words ſhould be few, Eccl. 5.2.
There is (Chriſtian Reader) a Spirit, a Myſter… in the Scriptures (as we read of a Spirit in the whee… of Providence, Ezek. 1.20.) and this Spirit is chiefly to be regarded in reading the Scriptures and Commentaries thereupon, without eying this Spirit, tho… mayeſt read much and often, and yet profit little o… nothing.
I had thoughts once of publiſhing a Treatiſe of the Nature and Operations of the Spirituall Man, from 1 Cor. 2.15. And alſo a Diſcourſe of Gods unchangeableneſſe, and the Myſtery of Divine Providence from Ezek. 1.16. But I ſhall further conſult the Lord, and take direction from him, before I publiſh thoſe Treatiſes.
And now Chriſtian Reader, the Lord be thy Teacher, and make this Book a Bleſſing to thee; for except the Lord build the Houſe, our labour will be in vain, Pſal. 127.1.
Saliſbury, Feb. 12. 1656/7
The Candid Reader is deſired t… paſſe by, or to Correct with hi… pen, theſe following Errata's which have eſcaped the Preſſe by reaſon of the Author's abſence.
ERRATA.
PAge 10. herein ſubjoyne, for here ſubjoyne. p. 11. … ked, for talked. Before tryall, for for tryall. &c. … and. p. 15. cole, for coale. p. 41. Saints, for ſoules. … 47. the high God, for the moſt high God. p. 60. is … for in one. p. 145. competion, for competition. p. 15…. preſe, for preſent. p. 170. the world, for the word. p. 17…. them, for then. p. 184. the Lord will make, for the L… make. p. 225. Hellulim, for Hillulim. p. 234. Oecolampadin, for Oecolampadius. p. 235. mavietum, for inquitum. at, for ad. p. 240. hand, for land. p. 243. from … from, for from of. p. 268. and heaven, for in heaven.