The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Exposition · Inscription
[The Inſcription] To the Chiefe Muſician on Shoſhaunim, for the Sons of Corah: Maſchil. A Song of Loves.
THe Inſcription it ſelfe demonſtrates the Spirituall excellency of this Pſalm: Reaſons why we ſhould diligently ſtudy this Pſalm.that it is of great weight, and Concernment, and therefore ought to be diligently ſtudied by us, and that upon theſe Grounds.
Reaſ. 1 Firſt, Becauſe 'tis Directed to the publique Miniſter of Gods worſhip, to be uſed in the Solemne publique prayſes of God; a Song to the Chiefe Muſician on Shoſhannim, &c.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, In regard of the Title Maſchil, a Song appointed to miniſter Knowledge and Inſtruction to the Church of Chriſt in all ages; and that, 1. Concerning the Grace, Beauty, Majeſty, and glory of the Kingdome of Christ. 2. The Spirituall priviledges and Benefits which redound to his Church. 3. Touching the obligations which lye on the Church, and the duties which ſhe ſhould performe to Chriſt her husband: Great duties and ſervices are required, where great dignities and priviledges are beſtowed.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, Becauſe it is directly and Immediately applyed by the holy Ghoſt, as the Speech of the Father to Chriſt: So that the myſtery of the Trinity, the Father, in and to the Son, by the Spirit, is opened in this marriage-Song; Christ the Son being the perſon chiefely aymed at.
Reaſ. 4 'Tis a Song of Loves, In the plural number, intimating the Tranſcendent excellency of the Love of Chriſt, or Gods Love to us in Chriſt (above all other loves;) In whom there is the perfection of all Loves,Inſtructions drawne from the Inſcription. heighths, depths, lengths, Breadths, Glorious Dimenſions which we cannot fully comprehend, Eph. 3.18, 19.
Hence we may draw ſome Inſtructions.
Inſtruct. 1 Firſt, let us learne to live on Chriſt alone, who hath the perfection and fulneſs of all Loves, of all excellencies in him: why wilt thou, O my Soul, run a ſharking after Creatures? why wilt thou feed on husks and things that profit not? Iſai. 55.2. Behold, here is Meat enough for thee in thy Fathers houſe, Luk. 15.17. To decline the love of God, and to live on Creature periſhing love, what is it elſe, but to forſake the Fountain of living water, and Digg broken Ciſternes that will hold no water? Jer. 2.13. Divine love and goodneſs is that only which muſt ſatisfie the Soule. Others deſire wine, corne, and oyl, But Lord do thou lift up the light of thy Countenance upon me. Pſal. 4.6.
Inſtruct. 2 Secondly, The Lord would have us (though never ſo vile in our ſelves) to be fully perſwaded of his Love: As the husband bids his wife caſt away Jealouſies, and be confident of his Love; ſo deales Chriſt with us. Him that Cometh to me, I will not, I will not in any wiſe caſt out, Joh. 6.37. How did he condeſcend to Thomas, notwithſtanding his peremptorineſs in unbelief? Reach hither thy hand, and thruſt it in my ſide, and be not faithleſs but beleeving, Joh. 20.27. Me thinks I hear him ſpeake in this or the like language: Be not Jealous, but entertaine good thoughts of me; I am not a hard Maſter; I am not an unkind husband; I put not new wine into old Bottles, Matt. 9.17. I lay not heavy Burthens upon my people. How ingenuouſly doth he deale with his Diſciples, and with us in them? Joh. 14.2. I goe to prepare a place for you; In my Fathers houſe there are many Manſions: were it not ſo, I would have told you. I love you ſo well, that I would not have Concealed it from you.
This Song which diſplays the Love of Chriſt in its Colours, is called a Song of Loves; his love being a great Love, yea the greateſt Love. Compare wee John 15.13. with Rom. 5.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. He Loved his Church, and gave himſelf for it, Eph. 5.25. he Loved me, and gave himſelf for mee, Gal. 2.20. Yea he Loved us out of or from the pit of Corruption: his Love was ſo ſtrong, ſo powerfull, that it pull'd us out of the deep pit and mire, wherein otherwiſe we had been overwhelmed, Iſai. 38.19. Zac. 9.11.
Inſtruct. 3 Laſtly, Learne hence, that the more we are acquainted with the Love of God, and dwell and abide in Love; the more we Reſemble him who is Love it ſelf: 1 Joh. 4.16, 17. If he ſo loved us, how ſhould we love one another, yea our enemies? though not with a love of Complacency, yet with a love of pity; The Lord having in love and pity reconciled us when we were enemies.
So much for the Inſcription.